These 2 Luxury Kitchen Appliance Brands Are Actually Owned By Bosch

German engineering is synonymous with precision and craftsmanship, and when it comes to kitchen appliances Bosch is certainly a household name. What began as Robert Bosch's workshop in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1886 has grown into a global name in home appliances. Bosch has developed several innovative technologies, such as PrecisionWash (which uses intelligent sensors to optimize dishwasher performance) and CrystalDry (which uses natural minerals to deliver exceptionally dry dishes). As Bosch states on its website, "Consumers who demand superior quality, reliability, and outstanding performance place their trust in Bosch."

Today, BSH Hausgeräte GmbH is headquartered in Munich and remains a major force in the home appliance industry, producing refrigerators, dishwashers, and many different types of cooktops. The company's portfolio also includes two respected luxury kitchen appliance brands: Thermador and Gaggenau. While each brand has its own identity and design philosophy, all three share a commitment to quality engineering, performance, and thoughtful design.

The Gaggenau brand has a long, storied history in the world of kitchen appliances. Dating back to 1683, the company was first established as an ironworks factory in the town of Gaggenau (in Germany's Black Forest region) under the direction of Margrave Ludwig Wilhelm von Baden. Its initial focus was on manufacturing iron products and agricultural equipment to improve efficiency in farming.

Over the centuries, the company evolved into a pioneer in domestic kitchen technology, introducing its gas- and coal-fired stoves in the early 20th century and later bringing professional-grade innovation into the home kitchen. Gaggenau's pioneering achievements include the combi-steam oven for domestic use and the full-surface induction cooktop. In 1995, the brand was acquired by BSH, further cementing its place in the premium appliance market.

Today, Gaggenau continues to push the boundaries of kitchen design and performance with an award-winning portfolio that includes vacuum-sealing drawers, warming drawers, espresso machines, wine refrigerators, dishwashers, and combi-steam ovens (which are worth the splurge). Its Bauhaus-inspired aesthetic is defined by minimalist lines and precision engineering, and has earned the brand a devoted following among discerning home cooks and Michelin-starred chefs alike.

Founded in 1916 by William E. Cranston Jr. in Irvine, California, Thermador set out "to create products that redefine the home," as the company's website puts it. Originally focused on electric heating and cooling, the company soon turned its attention to kitchen appliances, introducing a number of firsts for the industry. The first ever built-in wall oven was released in 1947, the first all stainless steel dishwasher came out in 1962, the first self-cleaning oven followed in 1963, and the first oven and microwave combination unit came out in 1975. The list goes on. 

BSH acquired Thermador in 1998, ushering in a new era of innovation. Among the brand's newer milestones was the introduction of the first convection warming drawer in 2006. Thermador continues to push the boundaries of home cooking with a lineup of high-performance appliances including refrigerators, wine storage, gas and induction ranges, ovens, microwaves, cooktops, and rangetops.