The
New Appliance Report from
ApplianceAdvisor.com
VIKING
RANGE
888-845-4641
Full line maker of high end appliances.
2006 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
No Photography Allowed. No Photo CD and few Releases in our Press
Kit. Our Notes Must Do
Model VURI Outdoor Beverage Center
An under counter fridge with a 2 lbs per day ice maker. Due in summer
Outdoor Gas Oven in BBQ
No idea if this differs from their 2004 launch of the outdoor oven (see
"Who Needs a Roof Anyway")
New Microwaves
With convection and without convection
36" Low Profile Oven for 8" toe Kick
What the heck were we trying to say when we took these notes? Makes no
sense to us.
Model VHSO205SS Pro High Speed Oven Prototype
5X speed. 100 recipes. Features microwave, convection, and
baking
Induction Cooktops in Pro "Slide In" Styling
Doesn't that say it all?
Induction Ranges
Ranges with induction top due Q1 2007 ish.
The street lights must dim when one of these things are going.....and not in a
good way.
Viking Refrigerator Drawers
Double stacking fridge drawers adjustable settings from 33F - 45F.
Each drawer with 2-1/2 liters of storage.
Viking Dishwashers
Did we say Viking dishwashers? Our mistake. In fact we were hustled
past the dishwasher display which unfortunately still is a re-badged ASKO.
"Nothing to see here." The Gods are not dumb. See 2005.
Free Standing Refrigerators
Viking offers free standing fridges in 5 configurations
2005 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
No Photography Allowed
Viking, With Supreme Arrogance, Taunts the Mighty and Infrequently
Merciful God of Appliances
To what end, my Viking friends, do you set out on a path for which every single
missed detail is, as certainly as I stand here, a dagger to to your very
throat. Your greatest skill is found when you paint with a wide brush, and
it is a skill for which you have been rewarded handsomely. Now you promise
to design and manufacture your own dishwashers. Dishwashers require that
you paint not with a wide brush nor even a small brush, nor even with a single
bristle of the brush, but instead that you paint with the dust which sits upon a
single bristle of the smallest brush. May the Gods not judge your vanity
too harshly.
Viking's prototype dishwasher was packed with all sorts of high falluten
technology, such as:
- "tower of intelligence":
which claims "constant communications between various dishwasher
systems"......which doesn't seem too spectacular.
-"Vari-power Intelli-Wash" which "delivers
customized water levels and pressures AND "Airflo" which is
heated air dish drying
-Some sort of water temperature heating system which heats
water "automatically" to selected temperatures. I had no idea
that was new.
-Six stage filtration for cleaner dishes. Energy Star
and NSF certification
-Also claim to have the quietest dishwasher in the industry
at 43dba
The higher level 850 model priced at $1500 features, in addition to the above,
16 place setting capacity, adjustable upper rack, inside halogen light, which
seems wholly useless, and removable cutlery tray. Lower end units will be
priced at: $1200, $1000, and $800. Available Fall of 2005.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Vikingdishwasher.JPG
Suitable for Do-It-Yourself Cremation
Viking is introducing a domestic 30" Gas Built-In Single Oven. Viking
claims it is the only gas oven of this size for the home, and surely we know of
no other. Features 30K BTU convection bake, an infrared broiler and
options for dehydration, defrosting and standard bake.
Induction Cooktops for the Decisive
Features a no compromise electrical configuration such that power need not be
managed, but with the downside of an Amperage draw requiring house
rewiring. 56 Amps for the 36" 6-burner and 38 amps for the
30" 4-burner unit.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005VikingVICU105_induction_install.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005VikingVICU165_induction_install.jpg
Induction Cooktops for the Indecisive
Viking offers a line of mixed radiant/induction cooking in the same cooktop.
As in the above models featuring a no
compromise electrical configuration.. 55 Amps for the 36"
6-burner (4 radiant + 2 induction) and 38 amps for the 30" 4-burner (2
radiant + 2 induction)
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005VikingVCCU105_elec_induc_install.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005VikingVCCU165_elec_induc_install.jpg
Designer Line Oven Improvements
Featuring large oven cavities at 4.1 ft3, meat probes, IR under glass broiler,
pizza stones, Single and Double Ovens
Top end models will feature glass touch controls
Nothing Terribly Exciting in Pro Appliances
Except new grates, cast knobs, common backguard and big display legs.
Whoppdedoo.
Restyled Pro-Style Drop-in Gas Cooktops
VGSU models with new grates and increased performance with a 16K burner.
Glass Canopy Hood
This 36" glass chimney hood features 1/2" thick glass, invisible
fasteners, 12 hour timer, mesh filters and the option of integral or remote
blowers. Available Q3 2005
Clever Glass Warming Shelf
Features heating element in the
glass itself
2004 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Prototype Duel Technology Induction Cooktop
Viking displayed a prototype Ceran smooth top electric cooktop with 4 radiant
and 2 induction burners. The cooktop features knob controls and is
expected to retail for $5000 if it enters production. We do not know the
power output, or why this mixing and matching of element-al technologies is a
good thing.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2004Appliancephotos/vikingradiantinduction.jpg
Who Needs a Roof Anyway
Viking pushes the envelope..........well actually the envelope was already
pushed there by Cabana Kitchens, but OK, right behind Cabana Kitchens Viking has
quickly followed with an outdoor range to satisfy your outdoor baking
needs.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2004Appliancephotos/vikingoutdoorrange.jpg
http://www.vikingrange.com/outdoor/od_range.html
http://www.cabanakitchens.com/
Outdoor Electric Smoker
Viking invents a new category with this 30" wide 120V thermal convection
outdoor certified electric smoker with side swing door. How does this unit
do all of this with the same power supply of a toaster oven? Hmmm.
It was promised for Q2, 2004, but it is already Q4 2004 and it's nowhere to be
seen.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2004Appliancephotos/vikingoutdoorsmokeroven.jpg
Slight Redesign on the Pro Series Cooktops
Designer high styled grates and knobs bedeck 30" 4 burner and 36" 5
burner Pro Series cooktops. Each burner is sealed and features 15K BTU
output. Not available as of Q4, 2004.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2004Appliancephotos/vikingdesigner30.jpg
Carbon Dioxide, BBQ Carcinogens, Heat, Cabinet Destroying
Moisture, and Eventually a Stinky House..........All Optional.
Viking has added a re-circulating charcoal filter kit for use with Designer
chimney and Professional 10" high hoods. A solution for their Condo/Manhattan clientele
where the building super frowns on drilling willy-nilly through the
walls. This offering is not without risk for
a company built on high output cooktops and ranges as Viking certainly knows
from the downdraft-behind-pro-cooktops fiasco. We are certain that Viking
is supplying because consumers are demanding, but hasn't Viking learned anything
from Michael Jackson's last plastic surgeon? The customer is not always
right. It is a mistake to buy this unit and place it over a high
performance gas cooking appliance, and unless the performance of this hood
verges on the miraculous, it may be unethical for Viking to sell it. Is
this product in Viking's best interest? In the consumer's best
interest? We think not on both counts.
http://www.vikingrange.com/ventilation/rec_conv_kit_ps.html
2003 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
We wish Viking the best, but does anyone else get the uneasy feeling
that Viking's success with all these absolutely over-the-top and unnecessary
appliances portends some sort of economic calamity over the horizon? If
Viking starts a kitchen floor reinforcement company, you might want to move your
cash into gold.
Expanding Refrigerators for Expanding Customers
Viking adds 30" and 36" all refrigerator units AND 30"
and 36" all freezer units. Available end of 2003.
Viking displayed 30" and 36" all fridges next to 30" and 36"
all freezers to create virtual 60" and 72" side by sides.
Viking added a 42" side by side refrigerator freezer with water
dispenser. Available 2nd Qtr 2003.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2003Appliancephotos/viking72fridge.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2003Appliancephotos/viking42sidebyside.jpg
The Big on the Outside, Small on the Inside Oven
NOTE: On Feb 29, 2004 we received Viking sales
training materials describing their method of measuring oven capacity and which
belies our "Small on the Inside" comment above. We applaud
Viking for taking the more difficult path. Our review below is now
somewhat erroneous.
Click to Viking oven measurement procedure.
Viking introduced its 36" built-in single electric oven to compete with
Dacor and KitchenAid but also launched a 36" built-in double electric oven
which competes with no one. Each of the 3 ovens for the 2 Viking models
feature eight cooking modes, hidden
element convection, and a meat probe which shuts down the oven when the target
meat temperature is reached. Viking claims an oven volume of 4.2 cu ft for
each of the (3) ovens. (less than Dacor's
claimed 4.34, well below KitchenAids claimed 5.25 cu ft, and barely larger than
several 30" built-in ovens). Viking seems to have chosen the same
oven box or "Can" as used on their 36" ranges. Available in
too many colors to mention, on sale 2nd Qtr of 2003.
With Dacor, KitchenAid, and now Viking entering the 36" oven fray, and as a service to
our readers, we offer to publish the results of any manufacturer's official
comparison tests of these units.
http://www.vikingrange.com/cooking/elecovens1.html
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2003Appliancephotos/viking36oven.jpg
Gas Cooktop With Continuously Sad Grates
These are possibly the most sexy gas cooktops on the market. These 30" and 36" cooktops with sweeping full surface grates,
crud-crack-less one piece main tops, sealed burners, electronic ignition and
automatic re-ignition units featuring (1) 14K BTU, (1) 12K BTU, (1) 8K BTU, (1)
6K BTU and an additional (1) 10K BTU burner for the 36" unit. Our
only question is, couldn't they have turned that frown upside-down? Its a
Best in Show.
http://www.vikingrange.com/cooking/dgsu_ds.html
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2003Appliancephotos/vikinggastop.jpg
The Ted Williams Charcoal Ceramic BBQ/Smoker
We are a little confused by this unit since it's been at every show in some form
since 2001, yet still not shown as a current product on the website.
Supposedly this unit will be available in the 3rd Qtr. Viking
claims that the unit cooks faster because of its design and ceramic materials
which holds in the heat. This is a huge lab-style, liquid nitrogen-esque stainless steel egg that
upon opening, one would almost expect to find Ted Williams' head. Who
cares how well it cooks really? It looks so cool.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2003Appliancephotos/vikingsmoker.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2003Appliancephotos/vikingsmoker2.jpg
The Little Range with Big Ambitions
The 24" Pro range launched in 2002 will now be available with specialty
tops: all-BBQ, or all-griddle, or all-Wok and positioned as a second range,
thereby getting them out of Manhattan and into McMansion. It has no
competition, and it is clever, and it probably didn't take a whole lot of
engineering time to develop what in fact is a new category, and for these
reasons alone we give it a Best in Show. Does anyone need it....that would
be No. Will it sell? That's a different question entirely.
http://www.vikingrange.com/whatsnew/companion_press.html
Sealed Burner Option Spreads Throughout the Pro Line
Sealed burners are now options on the 36" and 48" dual fuel ranges and
the 30" and 36" all gas ranges and cooktops.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2003Appliancephotos/vikingsealburner.jpg
2002 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Viking rests a little this year.
Viking Makes a Competitive Course Correction
30" pro ranges will now be available with sealed burners, while 36", 48", and 60" units and some 30" will continue to have
open burners.
http://www.vikingrange.com/whatsnew/sealed_burner.html
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2002Appliancephotos/vikingsealburner.jpg
New Microwave
Viking will be introducing a microwave with 2.0 cu ft capacity, 1200 Watts of
power, 13 sensor settings and trim kits to match Viking electric and gas
ovens. Styling will match both Designer and Pro Series. Available
the 4th Qtr 2002. Viking indicated at the show that they build this unit,
but we believe (without any facts of course) that that would be true only with
the most lenient definition of "build" which might include "tape
the box", or "adhere bar code label". No one competes with
the Asian microwave suppliers.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2002Appliancephotos/vikingmicrowave.jpg
The Manhattan Project
Viking is launching a 24" wide pro range with (4) 15K BTU burners, and a
gas oven with convection. Available summer 2002. This unit will
compete with the start-up Capital Cooking, and Five Star for the cash rich,
space starved New Yorker.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2002Appliancephotos/viking24range.jpg
Can Actually Cook a 43 lb Siamese Turkey Joined at the Butt
Viking showed off a 72" double oven range prototype which will
only be built to order. The staff of ApplianceAdvisor threatens to slap
anyone who orders this unit with a thawed 3 lb flounder. Buy (2)
36" units and save your installer the hernia.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2002Appliancephotos/viking72range.jpg
Tall Built-in Wine Fridge
This 84" tall, 30" wide, 24" deep fridge has a 150 bottle capacity, 3 temperature
zones, electronic control panel, extendable shelves, UV resistant glass door,
and when you think how much 150 bottles of wine might be worth to a guy willing
to buy a 150 bottle wine fridge, then you can understand why Viking included a
feature allowing the fridge to be connected to a home security system "that
is activated if temperatures fluctuate or if the door is left open."
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2002Appliancephotos/viking84winefridge.jpg
New Outdoor Toys
Viking is adding a charcoal grill smoker made of stainless steel, and some sort
of stainless steel drawer....which really isn't an appliance.
2001 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
New Fridge Styles from Viking’s Amana Fridge
Line Acquisition
Viking is offering some new door styles
and trim kits and the addition of some new features. The 36" bottom-mount
refrigerator has a pullout freezer drawer. All fridges feature electronic
temperature control, dual-magnet doors with automatic close when the door is
less than 30 degrees open (angle not temperature), and a door ajar alarm if the
door is open for greater than 3 minutes. I was a little confused by this so I
asked for more information. For a door opening of 1 to 30 degrees the door
closes automatically. If the door is opened greater than 31 degrees for longer
than 3 minutes, an alarm goes off.
http://www.vikingrange.net/designer/desiger_main.html
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2001Appliancephotos/Vikingrefrigeratorphotos.jpg
Undercounter Fridges
New line of undercounter 15" refrigerators and freezer for 30 bottle
wine cooling OR 35 lb per day ice maker OR simple refrigeration. These units
feature 3.0 cu ft of storage space, auto defrost, and interior light and can be
installed either indoors or out.
Beer Tap
New beer tap fridge
http://www.vikingrange.com/outdoor/outdoor_images/bevcenter_large.jpg
http://www.vikingrange.net/outdoor/od_bevdispenser.html
Outdoor Warming Drawer
http://www.vikingrange.net/whatsnew/outdoorwarmdrawer_press.html
http://www.vikingrange.net/outdoor/od_warmdrawers.html
Specifically Designed for the Well Heeled Country Hick
Egg shaped smoker (prototype)
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2001Appliancephotos/Vikingsmokerphoto.jpg
Viking Expands Hood Line
Viking introduced additional hood styles to its line. Viking added new
features such as digital electronic controls, dimmers, delayed shutoff, and heat
sensors to turn the hood to max power when high heat is sensed.
New Outdoor Grill
Viking introduced a new series of grills
with features including; stainless steel construction, 25K BTU grill burners,
porcelainized grates, thermometer on the grill cover, fully enclosed rotisserie
system, enlarged smoker tray, and 9V battery driven electronic ignition.
Available in lots of colors and in 30", 41", and 53" widths.
http://www.vikingrange.net/whatsnew/tseries_grills_press.html
http://www.vikingrange.net/outdoor/od_gasgrills.html
Viking Buys Cabinet Maker
Viking introduced its recent purchase of Rutt HandCrafted Cabinetry where
Viking founder and CEO Fred Carl had once been a dealer.
New "Viking" Brand Cookware And
Cutlery
Pans are fabricated in Belgium of up to
7 layers of aluminum and steel for heat distribution. Safe for induction
cooking. Viking also adds a line of German cutlery. Even if these lines do not
turn out to be profitable, to competitors it is a "look Ma no hands"
brag. Viking has reached a point where this kind of growth can be at other's
investment expense…..some poor Belgium pot manufacturer trying to break into
the US for example. Competitors hope that the cookware and the cabinets are
signs that these particular Vikings have discovered that the world is flat, and
they're teetering on the edge. It depends upon how these project are structured,
and only time and/or the Viking CPA will tell. This may also be part of the
strategy of offering distributors profit streams other than other appliance
brands. We’re taking bets: Does Viking go into flooring, sinks and faucets, or
kitchen garbage bags.
http://www.vikingrange.net/whatsnew/premium_cutlery_press.html
http://www.vikingrange.net/whatsnew/premium_cookware_press.html
http://www.vikingrange.net/culinary/culinary_main.html
No Bonnett in Viking's Bonnett…Or Something Like That
Viking's New Jersey class battleship of range prototype produced by Bonnett
of France and shown at the 2000 KBIS did not return for the 2001 KBIS. This
project is on "indefinite hold". La Cornue can relax.
2000 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Wow……….what can we say, but wow. So what do you do if you live in
Mississippi? You spend your time figuring ways to kick the ass of competitors
living in California. Viking has been one busy little company running on
internet time, not the lumbering movements of a major appliance manufacturer.
New Line New Style
The new Designer Series is a closed fist swipe at Thermador/ Dacor/ Euro brands.
A complete line of sleek built-in appliances, cooktops, ovens (single, double,
warming drawers, and microwave hideaways), hoods, dishwasher, refrigerators. All
the appliances feature a unified non-pro yet contemporary style in controls,
handles, and materials. Gas on ceramic glass cooktop features nearly pro-style
performance of 14,000 BTU burners. Ovens have an analog clock, which tells the
time, but controls nothing.
Second Self-Clean Pro-Style Gas Range
Viking launched a 36" all gas self-cleaning pro-style range to join the
30" (launched 4th Qtr 99) This is the only all gas pro-range line with self
clean.
http://www.viking-range.com/new/pr20.htm
Hood Line
Viking introduces too many hood styles to count, but since they already counted…8.
Viking has manufactured its own hoods for only 2 years or so, but they have
really jumped in with these products. Styling follows a somewhat Euro chimney
look, as well as several more oddly designed. Viking hoods feature 304
stainless, (glued not welded), a somewhat shallow capture area, and mesh or
baffle filters. The controls are too many and too complex for the Advisor's
taste. The second generation should be better.
Outdoor Gas Wok
What a great idea! Since Asian cooking can produce enough smoke to make your
eyes bleed, wok cooking is most often an outdoor affair in Asia. Viking added a
manual spark ignitor.
French Style From Mississippi
Viking showed a prototype French style range, manufactured under license from
France's Bonnet (Group, Spa, Inc??). "Appliance" does not quite give
justice to this tank without a turret, gleaming cast iron, bright blue, brass
accented, styling salute to the Merrimack and Monitor, ostentatious shot across
the bows of the French made brands of La Cornue, La Conche, and Grande Cuisine.
The Advisor guesses that Viking wants a piece of Purcell-Murray's La Cornue
action. Assuming Viking chooses to go ahead with this line, the Advisor guesses
that the model will list in the "if you have to ask ….." category,
of $10,000 - $20,000+. ApplianceAdvisor believes that Viking will, or already
has, decided to produce this line.
As If All This Were Not Enough
Viking added 6 more color options for a total of 14. How many new colors did AGA
add again?
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