Thermador ME301ES User manual

PROFESSIONAL®SERIES
MASTERPIECE®SERIES
WALL OVEN
SELLING GUIDE
THERMADOR

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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
TEST PROCEDURES
TEST RESULTS
FACTS ABOUT THE COMPETITION
AT-A-GLANCE COMPETITIVE CHART
THE SECRETS OF THERMADOR’S TRUE CONVECTION
THERMADOR WALL OVEN FEATURES & BENEFITS
THERMADOR WALL OVEN PRODUCT LINE OVERVIEW
NOMENCLATURE GUIDE
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5
6–14
15–16
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19–21
22–24
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Thermador Wall Ovens have been ranked #1 by a leading consumer magazine
nine consecutive times. That alone is proof of the superior performance of every
Thermador Wall Oven.
To help demonstrate the superior performance of Thermador’s Wall Ovens,
Thermador examined the functionality, durability and quality of its products and
compared them to equivalent models from Wolf, Viking and Dacor.
Product feature comparisons and test results are based on product testing
conducted in Thermador’s Research and Development Laboratory along with
product information published by each manufacturer.
To assure comparability, standardized testing procedures were reused each time
in a controlled environment.
To assure objectivity, established testing procedures and quantitative metrics
were used where possible and appropriate.
The following models were used for the benchmark tests:
INTRODUCTION
THERMADOR
30" Wall Oven
ME301ES
VIKING
30" Wall Oven
DESO130T
WOLF
30" Wall Oven
SO30F/S
DACOR
30" Wall Oven
MOV130S

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Bake and Convection tests:
The same recipes and bakeware have been used to prepare and bake the cakes
and cookies. For baking, the cakes and cookies have been placed in the oven as
recommended by the Use & Care Manual of each manufacturer. For Convection
tests, the recommended Convection mode for the test dishes has been used.
The evaluation of the browning has been done with a Photovolt Reflectometer
to measure the slightest differences in browning. Depending on the results, the
tests were pass or fail.
Preheat tests:
The tests have been conducted in three modes (True Convection, Convection
Bake, Bake). Fast preheat has been selected when available. The temperature
has been measured in the center of the cavity.
Temperature graphs:
The temperature graphs have been recorded while running the preheat, baking
and self clean tests.
Self clean tests:
A standardized mixture of ingredients has been used to soil the cavities with an
equal amount and distribution to all accessible surfaces. And the longest avail-
able self clean time has been set for each Oven.
TEST PROCEDURES

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Viking DESO130T
Uneven browning between racks. Cakes
on upper racks have darker browning.
Uneven browning across lower rack
and between upper and lower rack.
Result
TOPS OF
CAKES
BOTTOMS
OF CAKES
Uneven browning between racks.
Lower rack cakes are too brown.
Result
Dacor MOV130S
Uneven browning between racks. Upper
rack cakes too dark. Uneven browning
between racks.
TOPS OF
CAKES
BOTTOMS
OF CAKES
Wolf SO30F/S
Cake 4 on upper rack is cracked.
Uneven browning between racks.
Lower rack cakes darker brown.
Result
Even browning across each rack.
Bottom rack cakes slightly darker
but within limits to pass.
Result
Thermador ME301ES
Even browning across and
between racks.
TOPS OF
CAKES
BOTTOMS
OF CAKES
BAKING TEST 1
TEST RESULTS
Test Dish:
Four 8” White Cakes
Rack Levels: 2
Cooking Mode: Bake
Temperature: 350°F
TOPS OF
CAKES
BOTTOMS
OF CAKES

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Uneven
browning
between
racks. Lower
rack has
darker
bottoms.
Result
Wolf SO30F/S
Upper rack
slightly darker
and uneven.
Lower rack has
dark edges.
Uneven
browning
between racks.
TOPS OF
COOKIES
Thermador ME301ES
Even browning
across and
between
each rack.
Even browning
across each
rack. Lower
rack is slightly
darker, but
within passing
range.
Result
TOPS OF
COOKIES
BOTTOMS
OF
COOKIES
BOTTOMS
OF
COOKIES
Dacor MOV130S
Uneven
browning
between racks.
Upper rack
has very dark
browning.
Uneven
browning
between racks.
Lower rack
darker than
upper rack.
Result
Even browning
across and
between
each rack.
Result
Viking DESO130T
Uneven
browning
between racks.
Upper rack has
very dark
browning.
Lower rack
too light.
BAKING TEST 2
TEST RESULTS
Test Dish:
Sugar Cookies
Rack Levels: 2
Cooking Mode: Bake
Temperature: 375°F
TOPS OF
COOKIES
TOPS OF
COOKIES
BOTTOMS
OF
COOKIES
BOTTOMS
OF
COOKIES

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Viking DESO130T
Dark browning on cakes, all cakes have
large cracks.
Upper rack cakes slightly lighter with
#4 being the lightest.
Result
Dacor MOV130S
Upper rack cakes uneven browning
across rack, cake 4 lighter, too light
overall.
TOPS OF
CAKES
TOPS OF
CAKES
BOTTOMS
OF CAKES
Close up of cracks on cake #4.
Result
CLOSE-UP
CAKE 4
Even browning across and between
racks. Excellent golden brown color.
Result
Wolf SO30F/S
Large cracks on all cakes.
Thermador ME301ES
Even browning across and
between racks.
TOPS OF
CAKES
BOTTOMS
OF CAKES
TOPS OF
CAKES
Close up of cracks on cake #2.
Result
CLOSE-UP
CAKE 2
BAKING TEST 3
TEST RESULTS
Test Dish:
Four 8” White Cakes
Rack Levels: 2
Cooking Mode:
Convection
Temperature: 325°F

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Wolf SO30F/S
Edges too dark
on both racks.
Uneven
browning
between and
across racks.
Back row
too dark.
Browning too
dark, almost
burnt.
Result
Dark browning
on both racks.
Browning is
even but too
dark.
Result
Viking DESO130T
Dark edges
on both racks
of cookies.
Uneven
browning
between racks
Dacor MOV130S
Edges have too
dark browning.
Lower rack has
darker edges
than top.
Overall both
racks have too
dark browning.
Result
Thermador ME301ES
Even browning
between and
across racks.
Even browning
between and
across racks.
Result
BAKING TEST 4
TEST RESULTS
Test Dish:
Sugar Cookies
Rack Levels: 2
Cooking Mode:
Convection
Temperature: 350°F
TOPS OF
COOKIES
TOPS OF
COOKIES
TOPS OF
COOKIES
BOTTOMS
OF
COOKIES
BOTTOMS
OF
COOKIES
BOTTOMS
OF
COOKIES
TOPS OF
COOKIES
BOTTOMS
OF
COOKIES

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Viking DESO130T
Browning on
edges not
even between
racks ; 3 and 4
more browning
than 1.
Even browning
between and
across racks
but too dark.
Result
Dacor MOV130S
Uneven
browning on
edges between
racks. Lower
rack darker
edges overall.
Browning too
dark on all
racks. Uneven
between racks
as lower is
darker.
Result
Thermador ME301ES
Even
browning
across each
rack and
between all
3 racks.
Wolf SO30F/S
Uneven
browning
across and
between
racks. Edges
with different
browning
Even browning
across each
rack and
between all
3 racks.
Golden brown
color is
excellent.
Result
Overall,
bottoms too
brown and
dark
Result
BAKING TEST 5
TEST RESULTS
Test Dish:
Sugar Cookies
Rack Levels: 3
Cooking Mode:
Convection
Temperature: 350°F
TOPS OF
COOKIES
TOPS OF
COOKIES
TOPS OF
COOKIES
BOTTOMS
OF
COOKIES
BOTTOMS
OF
COOKIES
BOTTOMS
OF
COOKIES
TOPS OF
COOKIES
BOTTOMS
OF
COOKIES

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Thermador ME301ES Wolf SO30F/S Viking DESO130T Dacor MOV130S
Bake 350°F 9:03 12:11 10:06 9:07
Convection Bake
325°F 7:08 11:31 9:54 10:02
True Convection
325°F (Ring heating
element +
convection fan)
7:37 11:21 11:42 7:09
THERMADOR WITH
FASTEST PREHEAT
• Thermador with fastest preheat time in Bake and Convection Bake.
• Dacor with fastest preheat time in True Convection.
• Thermador had fastest preheat times overall.
• Wolf’s fastest preheat is up to 62% slower than Thermador (Convection Bake).
• Viking’s fastest preheat is up to 54% slower than Thermador (True Convection).
Thermador ME301ES Wolf SO30F/S Viking DESO130T Dacor MOV130S
Cake on 2 racks
in Bake
Sugar Cookies on 2
racks in Bake
Cake on 2 racks in
Convection
Sugar Cookies on 2
racks in Convection
Sugar Cookies on 3
racks in Convection
BAKING PERFORMANCE
THERMADOR SETS THE BENCHMARK
• Thermador has the best results of all baking tests.
• Thermador’s superior performance is proven by actual test results.

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True Convection at 325ºF Convection Bake at 325ºF Bake at 350ºF
True Convection at 325ºF Convection Bake at 325ºF Bake at 350ºF
TEMPERATURE GRAPHS – THERMADOR
TEMPERATURE GRAPHS – WOLF
MOST PRECISE TEMPERATURE CONTROL
WIDE TEMPERATURE SPREAD-MISSES
THE SET TEMPERATURE
• Thermador wall ovens use a PID (Proportional – Integral – Derivative) algorithm to
keep the oven temperature on the set level (very similar to Cruise Control in a car).
• The oven electronics constantly calculates the on/off cycles of the heating elements
based on the past two duty cycles (1 duty cycle equals 1 minute).
• Each minute, the heating elements are cycled on and off to keep the temperature on a
constant level.
• The result is an absolutely constant temperature control to ensure best cooking and
baking results.
• Wolf wall ovens use a basic 2-point algorithm to control the oven temperature.
• The oven electronics basically cycles the heating elements on or off when the set
temperature level is reached.
• Due to the residual heat of the heating elements, the oven temperature constantly
overswings and undershoots the set level.
• Wolf wall ovens show a temperature spread of approx. 35°F in all tested
cooking modes.

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True Convection at 325ºF Convection Bake at 325ºF Bake at 350ºF
True Convection at 325ºF Convection Bake at 325ºF Bake at 350ºF
TEMPERATURE GRAPHS – VIKING
TEMPERATURE GRAPHS – DACOR
CYCLES TEMPERATURE ABOVE
SET LEVEL
BETTER PERFORMANCE THAN WOLF AND
VIKING, BUT STILL BELOW THERMADOR
• Viking wall ovens also use a basic 2-point algorithm to control the oven temperature.
• For the same reasons as the Wolf wall ovens, the Viking shows a typical swing of the
temperature in the effort to keep the set temperature level.
• The temperature graphs in True Convection and Convection Bake show a complete lack
of keeping the set temperature. The Viking oven stays above the set temperature for a
minimum of 15°F and a maximum of 50°F the entire time.
• Failed baking tests are just a logical result of this temperature performance.
• Also, the Dacor wall ovens use a basic 2-point algorithm to control the
oven temperature.
• The True Convection and Bake graphs show the typical temperature swing.
• In True Convection, the Dacor oven does not reach the set temperature.
It undershoots the set temperature by 5° to 30°F.
• In Convection Bake, the oven regulates the temperature on the set level.

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Thermador ME301ES Wolf SO30F/S Viking DESO130T Dacor MOV130S
Overall Cavity Size 30” – 4.7 cu.ft.
27” – 4.2 cu.ft. 30” – 4.5 cu.ft. 30” – 4.1 cu.ft. 27” – 3.6 cu.ft
30” – 4.2 cu.ft.
27” – 3.7 cu.ft.
Notes
According to the ANSI/
AHAM OV-1-2006
Standards.
According to Wolf
specs.
AHAM standard
capacity according to
Viking Specs.
According to Dacor
website.
CAVITY SIZE COMPARISON
SELF CLEAN TEST RESULTS
THERMADOR HAS THE LARGEST WALL
OVEN CAVITY ON THE MARKET
Thermador ME301ES Wolf SO30F/S Viking DESO130T Dacor MOV130S
Self Clean Settings
Min. 1.5 hours
Max. 2.5 hours
Any self clean time
between 1.5 h and
2.5 h can be set
Only one setting with
3 hours
Only one setting with
3.5 hours
Three settings with 2, 3
and 4 hour self clean
Cool Down Time 30 minutes 1 hour 30 minutes 1 hour
Total Self Clean Time
incl. cool down
Min. 2 hours
Max. 3 hours 4 hours 4 hours
Depending on self
clean setting 3, 4 or
5 hours
Weakness
• Rack supports need
to be removed to run
self clean cycle.
• Self clean tempera-
ture is very low with
avg. 775°F
• Bottom not easy to
clean due to uneven
surface with the heat-
ing element under
glass
Cleaning Results
Slight soil at the door Lots of soil left in
the cavity
Slight soil at the sides
of the cavity
Excessive amount of
soil at the door and
bottom of cavity
WOLF AND DACOR FAILED
SELF CLEAN TEST

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Thermador ME301ES Wolf SO30F/S Viking DESO130T Dacor MOV130S
Self Clean Settings
Min. 1.5 hours
Max. 2.5 hours
Any self clean time
between 1.5 h and
2.5 h can be set
Only one setting with
3 hours
Only one setting with
3.5 hours
Three settings with 2, 3
and 4 hour self clean
Cool Down Time 30 minutes 1 hour 30 minutes 1 hour
Total Self Clean Time
incl. cool down
Min. 2 hours
Max. 3 hours 4 hours 4 hours
Depending on self
clean setting 3, 4 or
5 hours
Weakness
• Rack supports need
to be removed to run
self clean cycle.
• Self clean tempera-
ture is very low with
avg. 775°F
• Bottom not easy to
clean due to uneven
surface with the heat-
ing element under
glass
Cleaning Results
Slight soil at the door Lots of soil left in
the cavity
Slight soil at the sides
of the cavity
Excessive amount of
soil at the door and
bottom of cavity
FACTS ABOUT THE WOLF WALL OVEN
FACTS ABOUT THE DACOR
WALL OVEN
• The Wolf Oven failed in all Cake and Cookie baking tests.
1 Cake cracked in the Bake test.
All cakes cracked in the Convection test.
• The dual convection fans don’t run simultaneously
in all convection modes.
Why have two convection fans if they don’t run
at the same time?
• Doesn’t offer a Fast Preheat mode.
Wolf’s fastest preheat is 4:13 minutes slower than Thermador’s.
• Temperatures during Self Clean are too low for good cleaning results.
• Rack supports have to be removed for self clean.
• Doesn’t offer a ball bearing telescopic rack.
• The Dacor Oven failed all Cake and Cookie tests due to
uneven browning.
• Does not offer any Fast Preheat mode.
• The Dacor Oven stays below the set temperature in
True Convection.
• After Self Clean, the door seal was damaged.
• Cavity showed signs of fracture after Self Clean.

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FACTS ABOUT THE VIKING WALL OVEN
• The Viking Oven failed all Cake and Cookie tests.
All cakes cracked in the Convection test.
• Viking advertises the largest convection fan, running
at two speeds and reversing directions.
The tests show this fan doesn’t help performance.
They failed all Convection tests.
• Doesn’t offer any Fast Preheat mode.
Viking’s fastest preheat is 2:46 minutes slower than Thermador’s.
• The Viking oven exceeds the set temperature on Convection Bake and
True Convection by 15 – 50°F.
• Viking offers ball bearing telescopic racks only with the
“Ultra-Premium Premiere” Series.
• Viking advertises the largest wall oven cavity to the consumer but it is actually
smaller than Thermador’s wall cavity.

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Thermador ME301ES Wolf SO30F/S Viking DESO130T Dacor MOV130S
Cake on 2 racks
in Bake
Sugar Cookies on 2
racks in Bake
Cake on 2 racks in
Convection
Sugar Cookies on 2
racks in Convection
Sugar Cookies on 3
racks in Convection
Preheat Comparison Best in test Fourth in test Third in test Second in test
Temperature
Performance
Keeps temperature
best at set level
Temperature spread
always around 35°F
to set level
True Convection and
Convection Bake
above set level
Convection Bake good,
others marginal
Self Clean Results Slight soil at the door Lots of soil left in
the cavity
Slight soil at the sides
of the cavity
Excessive amount of
soil at the door and
bottom of cavity
Cavity Size Largest Smaller than
Thermador
Smaller than
Thermador
Smaller than
Thermador
AT-A-GLANCE COMPETITIVE CHART
AND TEST RESULTS SUMMARY

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• While developing the Thermador True Convection, it was very important
to perfectly harmonize the interaction of the technical components.
The size, design, speed, location and wattage of the ring heating element,
convection fan, convection baffle and the air guides had to be brought to
perfect harmony.
• Thermador’s True Convection creates heat with the ring heating element
behind the convection baffle. The heated air is then circulated with the
powerful convection fan through air guides (7 in a 30” and 8 in a 27” oven) of
the convection baffle throughout the cavity. With the intelligent distribution of
the heated air, an even airflow is created around the several baking levels
which leads to a perfect environment for multi-level baking and cooking.
• Due to the fast and even moving hot air
each level is heated individually to
prevent flavor transfer between dishes.
• The True Convection provides faster
heat transfer to the food than standard
Bake, which results in up to 25% faster
cooking time.
THE SECRETS OF THERMADOR’S
TRUE CONVECTION

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MASSIVE OVEN CAVITY
• Six rack levels for multiple item cooking
• Hidden bake element and fully recessed
broil element
• Cooks an entire meal at once
• Maximizes cookware versatility
• Full extension telescopic rack for safe and
easy access to your meal
ELECTRONIC TOUCH CONTROL
• All modes available at a ngertip with direct access
• Number pad for precise setting of temperature
and time
• Info function provides additional useful
information to every mode
• Easy to read, large text display
• Two large text displays for double ovens
• Easy to clean smooth glass surface
TRUE CONVECTION
• Perfectly even and precise hot airow
• Quick heat transfer to the food
• Excellent multi-rack cooking
• Cooks an entire meal at once without any avor
transfer between dishes
• Cooks up to 25% faster compared to standard Bake
• Saves time by faster cooking and multi-rack cooking
FASTEST SELF-CLEAN / SUPERFAST PREHEAT
• Adjustable Self-clean cycle in 2 hours from
start to nish
• Saves time so the oven is available to use sooner
• Spend time cooking not cleaning
• Fast Preheat available for up to 6 cooking modes
• Preheats the oven in up to around 7 minutes
MAIN FEATURES AND BENEFITS
THERMADOR MASTERPIECE®SERIES OVENS

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In 1976, Thermador introduced the rst “Speed Cooking” oven with a combination
of microwave and thermal heating. Thermador has been a leader in wall oven
technology ever since.
In 2000, Thermador introduced the CookSmart™ Technology, a combination of
microwave and convection heating that results in optimal temperatures and cuts
cooking time by up to 50% without compromising taste or texture.
COOKSMART™BENEFITS
• Combination of microwave and convection heating
• Cuts cooking time by up to 50%
• 5 individual CookSmart™ modes with pre-programmed
combination of microwave and convection
• Automatic cooking time conversion
Available on DM Series wall ovens:
DM301ES and DM302ES
COOKSMART™
THERMADOR MASTERPIECE®SERIES DM OVENS