JennAir and SKS are two professional ranges you can buy and have delivered without waiting a year.
But is that a reason to buy either?
In this article, you’ll learn about the best features for both JennAir and SKS for the cooktop, oven and controls.
You’ll also learn about any issues they may have and whether they might be right for your kitchen.
Both companies manufacture ranges in the 36 and 48 inch sizes in dual fuel and all gas. Both manufacture 30 inch ranges as well.
However, Jennair has professional ranges in gas and dual fuel, while SKS offers its high-end slide-in range.
Other than that, let’s look at the basic feature differences.
Table of Contents
Cooktops
Both have good output. SKS is outstanding with up to three 23,000 BTU sealed burners compared to three 20,000 BTU for JennAir.
SKS has the highest output for a sealed burner at 23,000. Hestan does have one 30,000 BTU, but it’s only one big burner. You lose that second burner behind in that configuration.
SKS’s ultra low simmer burner is probably the best at 100 BTU as well on two burners. JennAir’s lowest is 1,000 BTU on one dedicated simmer burner.
If 100 BTU sounds similar, it’s the same as Thermador’s extra low but has a constant flame instead of compared to Thermador’s intermittent flame.
Both the chromium infused so food slides off, requiring far less cleaning. JennAir was the first with a chromium griddle. SKS replicated that feature in their pro ranges.
How their griddles are powered differs greatly. JennAir says they have the fastest preheat. But it’s a 1,320 watt electric element and takes about 15 minutes to preheat to 350 degrees.
With an instant 18,000 BTU gas element, SKS will be faster than the JennAIr. JennAir has the 16,000 BTU infrared griddle on the top.
The griddle is excellent. It’s like a sear burner on a professional outside grill. So yes, you can grill in the winter on the JennAir inside your home.
The grill is available in 36 and 48 inch sizes. You can also buy the 48 inch grill and griddle.
You’re starting to see the induction option more in professional ranges. Induction is faster than the hottest pro burner, the better simmer.
The glass doesn’t heat, so cleaning is easier as well.
Another reason is venting. Induction is more efficient doesn’t require as much venting as a gas burner.
In theory, for all of you in Massachusetts dealing with Makeup Air regulations, you can buy this range and still comply with the 400 CFM vent without a Makeup Air return.
This is convenient for many existing and tougher installations. SKS offers induction at 36 and 48 inch ranges. JennAir does not have an induction option.
SKS also offers the Sous Vide option on the stovetop while JennAir does not. Sous Vide is a gamble for SKS. I don’t think people were demanding a Sous Vide option for a professional range.
Then again, the technique is growing in popularity.
Ovens
Both have self-cleaning ovens, even in all gas. Many of the best ranges like Wolf, Thermador Harmony, and BlueStar are not self-cleaning in their gas ranges.
SKS is larger 6.3 cubic feet, then 5.1 for the JennAir in the 36 inch range and the larger oven in the 48.
JennAir has twin convection in all their models, while SKS has a single convection. However, SKS offers pure convection on all their models, including gas.
They are the only ones, with BlueStar, to do so in a gas range.
Pure convection, also called also called true or European convection, is blown in from an element behind the fan. Regular convection is fan blown air from the baking element below.
Pure convection is technically better than the regular method of baking element turning on and then the fan blowing the rising air.
SKS incorporates Thermador’s best feature of adding steam in the smaller side ovens of their 48 inch ranges.
Steam is the healthiest way to cook, adding moisture instead of baking nutrients like regular ovens. SKS has that option, while JennAir does not.
And the SKS has a full service 18 inch combi steam oven offering comprehensive guided cooking system.
It can also be used in full steam mode, straight convection, or a combination of both.
The water reservoir is placed inside the oven door and uses steam injection technology, which is more precise and controllable versus the broilerplate technology in the Thermador.
Controls
Both have smart functionality. JennAir was the first to smart in a professional stove, while LG, SKS’s parent company, is the leader overall.
Both have ties to gourmet apps like Innit, Side Chef and Tovala. JennAir has the most elaborate interface with a cuisine, so you pick the food weight, and how you want to cooked.
The range will calculate time and temperature and show you how it looks before it’s cooked. SKS is less elaborate, but ThinQ is a higher rated platform. LG is testing smart diagnostics so the range will self diagnose self sending an alert to a service agent. The service agent will be able to fix the range before issues arise.
As a service agent for SKS in Boston that will be huge. It will eliminate the guesswork when repairing appliances. Not to mention, speed up the process greatly.
Reliability
Reliability is a huge consideration, even more than ever. The supply chain for parts, it’s worse than for appliances.
Some may be waiting months to fix your professional range from any brand. SKS is bit unknown, but it’s parent company, LG, is not.
The most reliable refrigerator, range and dishwasher are all LG, according to our service teams. Over 40,000 service calls logged last year.
With their philosophy of building more of the appliance internally, than outsourcing, SKS should be reliable.
Key Takeaways
Both are good considerations, especially when you factor in availability. JennAir will have a 30 inch pro range and more styles and options, especially if you grill.
SKS is more powerful, with a better simmer and a larger oven. Sous Vide is an interesting feature, while induction is simply a better burner.
Steam is a great option as you’ll cook better, but like Sous Vide, you must learn how to use it.
A better range depends on how you cook. You also want to buy the best supported brand for delivery, service, and installation in your area.
After you buy the best features, shop for the best support.