I tested it
Built-in · 36-inch
Miele KM 7740 FR
Best for: cooks who juggle several pans and like direct number controls. Miele's SmartSelect lets you tap a number for each zone instead of sliding, which I found faster with wet hands.
My verdict
My verdict: Buy it if you like pressing a number for each setting and want five separate zones. Skip it if you'd rather pay less for a similar layout.
My test results
1 quart boiled in 2 minutes and 47 seconds; 6 quarts in 14 minutes and 15 seconds; simmer about 5°F up or down; fan very quiet.
| Boils 1 quart in | 2 min 47 sec |
|---|---|
| Boils 6 quarts in | 14 min 15 sec |
| Simmer swing | about 5°F |
Quick facts
Size / zones: 36 inches, five individual zones, about 11-inch center zone, stainless frame · Controls: SmartSelect numerical controls; TwinBooster; hood communication
Pros and cons
What I liked
- Its number controls are direct and quick.
- It has five separate zones.
- Its simmer was steady; my tomato sauce stayed put without stirring.
What I didn't like
- You pay a premium price for a fixed-zone layout.
- Five large pans didn't fit once I counted the handles.
My notes
Best for: cooks who juggle several pans and like direct number controls.
Miele’s SmartSelect lets you tap a number for each zone instead of sliding, which I found faster with wet hands. Five separate zones meant I could run a stockpot, two saucepans, a skillet and a small butter warmer at once, though five large pans did not fit once handles were counted.
It lands eighth because its 6-quart boil trailed the GE by nearly two minutes and it costs more than the Bosch, and because of the reliability data below. Wirecutter rates this model highly, so if you’re set on Miele, buy from a dealer with good local service.
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