Written by Lou Lenzi, Director of Industrial Design for GE Appliances
While few of us really know our way around a professional kitchen, a lot of people like to be surrounded by that pro-kitchen look at home. The “pro” signature design details are obvious. Handles the size of a stove pipe (slight exaggeration here), barrel-size burner knobs, and crisp, folded and welded corners, all rendered in industrial strength stainless steel. It’s clearly aspirational for a lot of us wannabe chef’s and we kind of like the visual presence it creates in any kitchen.
So we’ve decided to take this aesthetic one step further and created this unique French door built-in wall oven.
Introduced last June in our GE Monogram product line, it would be a natural if you saw it in the kitchen of your corner pastry shop. We did, however decide to domesticate this design a bit in order to make it more consumer-friendly. After all, while we aspire to pro-status, not everyone is willing to give up certain conveniences. With that in mind, we did two things not typically found in true pro-products. We linked the doors together so they both open and close simultaneously, and we put a handle on each door – for either right hand or left hand operation. Good usability begins with great engineering. And speaking of great engineering, despite the big challenge of sealing two doors, we didn’t sacrifice the popular self-cleaning feature.
The result is the best of both worlds – a professional looking wall oven with the features and conveniences our customers expect in a high-end product.
Are you ready to go pro? Or is this a look best left at the bake shop?
New GE Monogram French door wall oven
Save Room For Design by Monogram Appliances 
French door ovens are not new. The house we bought in Florida in the 1960’s had one. It also had a cook top that pulled out for you to use and then pushed back out of the way when you were finished. I loved that combination. I know who made it and I have wished I could have it back a thousand times. I never once burned myself on the oven or cook top. It was stainless steel. Just thought you might like to know that some company made it many years ago.
What a great memory, thanks for sharing! Do you have any photos of this French door oven? We’d love to see it so we could do more research on the model.
I doubt that there is a picture of it anywhere but should I run across one, I will send it on. That was a long time ago. My daughter was 3 and she is now 49. I can tell you who made it…….GE could have made it for them. It was Kenmore. Of all the cooking systems I have ever had, I loved that the best…………it was just neat and fit me right.
If we learn any more, Diane, we will be sure to share the info with you.
I’ll bet that 1960’s oven didn’t look like this one. I also remember the Flair ovens and they were not made with the precision of a Monogram product. GE had a refrigerator that looked like kitchen cabinets about the same time. If there isn’t enough demand products like this in the mass market brands tend to die. In premium brands like Monogram can afford to fill those niches. Good product, good job.
Thanks Jerry! We appreciate your support.
Actually that two door oven looked a lot like this one. It was stainless steel with black handles and it had glass in the doors. It was a brushed stainless steel, easy to keep clean. I do not remember just where the controls were. It has been about 45 years and I cannot remember little details but I loved that oven. And cook top.
I thought GE sold their appliance line and the appliances are going to be under another company.
Great question. The sale of GE Appliances to Electrolux is currently under regulatory review. Until that occurs, we are continuing to operate business as usual as GE Appliances and Monogram. Thanks for your interest.
When we purchased our home over 20 years ago we had a French door stainless steel wall oven made by Frigidare. It was from 1957. It worked perfectly and was very convenient. When we remodeled the kitchen our contractor’s employee took it and was going to put it in his summer cottage kitchen. Great idea and I’m happy that the idea has returned.
Thanks Jim, sounds like we are moving in the right direction!
How wide is this oven. Building a house starting in the spring and will want a 30 inch wide oven. Is this 30 or 36? We are nearing 70’s and this could be handicap assessible.
Great question! This wall oven will be 30″.
Love the new look. I have been wondering when someone would design an oven that had doors that open instead of fold down. It is great for short people.
We think it will be really meet a need too, thanks Suzy!
Does it vent outside keeping the house cool?
Holly – All of our wall ovens are self venting (at the bottom) so minimal heat is exhausted into the room. Thanks for your question!
Blue star has always made this oven in a 30″ and a 36″
Thanks for sharing, Nancy!
When is this product available to purchase for consumers? I’m building a new home and want this oven in my home.
This wall oven will be available in February 2015. You can learn more about it at http://pressroom.geappliances.com/news/new-ge-monogramR-french-door-wall-oven-puts-culinary-possibilities-within-reach. Thanks for your interest!
I currently have double wall ovens. Does this take up the same amount of space or more than a single wall oven?
Camille – the Monogram French door wall oven will take up the same space as a 30″ single wall oven. Thanks for your interest.
Will you be able to get this has top and bottom ovens
Yes, we believe so. Thanks for your interest.