2 Appliance Brands Owned By Bosch

Bosch appliances aren't a new sight in kitchens or laundry rooms. The German-based company made its first foray into home appliances with a round, compact refrigerator that debuted in 1933. Fast-forward to today, and Bosch offers a full suite of kitchen appliances that includes dishwashers, refrigerators, and cooktops. For laundry care, the brand also makes front-load washing machines and dryers. Frequently, Bosch dishwashers are praised for their incredibly quiet operation. Because of that, it's not uncommon to see the German brand recommended as the most reliable dishwasher brand, or to see Bosch cited by experts as one of the best washing machine brands to consider.

But Bosch's appliance offerings extend beyond the brand's namesake; Bosch also owns the brands Thermador and Gaggenau. These two luxury appliance brands overlap with Bosch's appliance lineup but retain their individual brand identity and unique mix of products. While Bosch appliances can be purchased at some big-box retailers like The Home Depot or Best Buy, Thermador and Gaggenau are only available through a network of appliance showrooms and authorized dealers.

Thermador's kitchen appliance history started in the 1930s; in the following decades, innovation was a hallmark of the company's product lineup. For instance, in 1947, the brand became the first to introduce a matching stainless-steel wall oven and built-in cooktop; in 1952, it introduced the first warming drawer. And in 1957, Thermador released a built-in combination refrigerator and freezer.

In the last 20 years? It was the first to offer a modular refrigeration system in 2006, and in 2011, it offered the first range with a built-in steam and convection oven. These innovations and other unique features gave home cooks the opportunity to leverage new technology while simplifying tasks like keeping rolls warm or creating a crispy roasted chicken.

Today, Thermador large appliances include cooktops and ranges, refrigerators, and dishwashers. It's worth noting that cooktops and ranges are limited to gas, induction, or dual-fuel types — you won't find any electric cooktops or ranges with the Thermador name. The brand also focuses on modularity when it comes to refrigeration; as said, a system it innovated two decades ago. To complete a full kitchen build-out, Thermador has ventilation solutions as well, including wall hoods, island hoods, and blowers.

Gaggenau shares German roots with parent company Bosch, and its history dates back to the 17th century; Gaggenau began as a German metalworking company in 1683. It would be some 200 years later in 1880 that the brand would take its first steps into the appliance world, as it leveraged its expertise in enamel to produce an oven coating for its coal and gas stoves. By 1931, Gaggenau exclusively manufactured stoves.

The Gaggenau brand became known for built-in appliances. The brand was heavily influenced by classical modernism, or the Bauhaus style. A key principle of Bauhaus design and a guiding principle for Gaggenau's approach to appliance design is that "form follows function." With that in mind, you can expect this Bosch-owned brand to have simple lines and streamlined design features. Upscale pragmatism is evident as you peruse the brand's ovens, cooktops, refrigerators, dishwashers, and ventilation systems.

As for design and history, one feature you still will find in Gaggenau ovens is the brand's hallmark blue enamel interior. Also, in keeping with the brand's focus on built-in kitchens, you won't find any ranges within Gaggenau's product offerings.