It was once easy buying a professional range for your home, like Monogram or Wolf.
You had a few similar looking ranges and bought based on what the store probably had on hand.
30 years later, you have a wide assortment of colors, options, and features not originally available in the early only pro ranges.
There wasn’t even a dual fuel option.
Wolf and Monogram have two new ranges in this new, feature laden group.
In this article, you’ll learn the features and differences of both ranges. By the end, you’ll know which range is right for you.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Wolf and Monogram Basics
The companies could not be more different.
Sub-Zero is a family owned US based company, whereas Monogram is now owned by Haire of China with substantial US factories throughout the Midwest.
Wolf tends to be more popular with homeowners designers and architects, whereas Monogram tends to be more popular with builders looking to save money with a premium brand. I like this new Monogram or I wouldn’t waste your time reviewing it.
Aesthetics
Monogram has brass accents. Wolf is known for their signature red knobs.
However, it’s more important to understand the functions than to look at the aesthetics, especially in this case for both Monogram and Wolf, you only have one choice, stainless steel.
Dual Fuel vs All-Gas
This article is dual fuel only. Most people think dual fuel is way better, but that’s not necessarily the case, depending on how you cook.
Electric is drier and better for baking. Gas is moister and better for roasting. Gas boilers are also better than an electric.
However, most brands like Monogram and especially Wolf add better features like controls to their dual fuel ranges.
Monogram vs Wolf Range Differences
Selection
First, Wolf has a wider selection with three 60 inch ranges, six 48 inch ranges, three 36 and one 30 inch versus two ranges in 48 and 36, and one 30 for the Monogram.
You have more of a selection with French tops, double grill and griddle models than the Monogram. Wolf also has an all burner in 48 inch range as well.
Monogram does offer the most popular configurations in their 36 and 48 inch sizes.
Cooktop
Both use an infrared grill. Infrared is a direct heat and much better for quick grilling and searing. Also burns the drippings and is the best you can buy for Pro Range. Better than a regular gas grill, which spreads the heat, and certainly better than an electric grill, which is slower to heat.
Wolf does have better output at 16,000 BTU versus 14,000 BTU for the Monogram.
Wolf has the infrared versus a U-shaped gas burner for the Monogram. The infrared is more important on the grill, but it will heat the griddle faster with its intense, more directed heat.
Wolf has the French top. It looks like a griddle but is used completely differently. The griddle allows for consistent heat throughout the unit.
A French top has the burner in the middle, so it is varying temperatures from the center.
You can cook many foods at different temperatures on the French top versus the one consistent temperature of a griddle.
Again, which is better for you depends on how you use it. The French top does take up twice as much more room than a griddle or grill.
Burner Output
Monogram is excellent output with a 23, 21, two 18 and two 15 thousand BTU burners in a 48 inch size.
Wolf will have one 20 thousand BTU, two 18, two 15 and one 9,200 BTU simmer burner.
Wolf has an excellent simmer with its three stage burner. You have low temperatures of 300 BTU. It is the best constant simmer.
Thermador does have lower temperatures, but turns on and off.
Monogram doesn’t rate their simmer with BTU. Like BlueStar, DCS, and others, they rate their burner at 140 degrees.
Oven
Monogram is straight single convection or one fan circulating the heat. The fan does operate differently, changing speeds to maintain an even temperature.
Many brands have evolved into twin convection or two fans to spread the heat.
Wolf started the two fan trend but now uses blowers instead of fans to spread a higher volume of air faster.
Its VertiCross blower convection does cook more evenly in our testing.
Control
Both have touchscreens. Monogram articulates or protrudes slightly so you can see it a little bit better.
Smart Functionality
You’re finally starting to see the evolution of Smart functionality with better features and usability.
Haire was smart combining all their websites and brands like Cafe, Monogram and Fisher Bakehel into one platform called SmartHQ.
A couple of more advanced features are the software updates, so GE will download special cycles like Air Fry remotely. Not that Air Fry actually works.
The service aspect has real potential as well. In theory, Smart HQ will sense the problem in your stove and send the part and technician to your home before you know the problem. It will certainly make our life easier as a self servicing dealer, but it probably won’t happen now, but certainly within five years.
The recipe section will also enhance your cooking. You can download recipe into the range and the range will cook the food.
Wolf has a new Wi-Fi system along with their Wolf Gourmet settings. It doesn’t have the recipes, service bulletins or the ability to download more customized cooking modes of the Monogram.
Sub-Zero Wolf is new to Wi-Fi Smart and app functionality. However, in Wolf Gourmet you input the food, how you want to cook, the oven sets, time, temperature, and even rack position.
You even have 50 pre programmed recipes in the Wolf Gourmet as well.
So much of Monogram’s functionality is already in the Wolf range.
The Wolf Gourmet is more intuitive and shows the rack position, which the Smart HQ does not, as of yet.
Price
48 inch dual fuel Monogram is $14,000 plus a rebate of $1500, versus Wolf at an average of about $15,600.
Reliability
Wolf is one of the most reliable premium appliance manufacturers in the industry, based on our internal service numbers.
Both are excellent with parts and even employ service techs after the sale.
I would say they are the two best in service for premium brands. Both operate service departments, which is important, if you’re buying your appliances from a store without service.
You should check in your area for service before you buy Wolf, Monogram or any appliance.
Verdict
Monogram is decent with good output, excellent smart functionality, and a decent price. You should definitely consider Monogram if you’re using mostly just the burners, although the grill is excellent as well.
They don’t have as many models, and the oven is only single convection, which may be a downside.
Wolf is an excellent range with a good simmer and the best burner, grill, griddle, and French top assortment.
The oven is the best with blower style convection along with the Wolf gourmet to make your life easier.
Wolf should be considered. If you like using the grill, griddle or French top. Its oven will bake the best using blowers instead of fans.
The only downside is the price, which is $3,000 more than the Monogram.
So do you buy a good range at a better price for the best range at a higher price?