Hestan blasted onto the Kitchen Appliance scene just three years ago with their impressive, high-end commercial cooking suites. Now, they launch a full suite of indoor Kitchen appliances and the pace they’ve set is staggering.

After pioneering nonstick cookware in the 1970s, Stanley Cheng has recently decided to focus on the broader cooking experience, leading to the creation of Hestan Vineyards, Hestan Commercial, and Hestan Home.

Here is the abridged version of the company history:

Hestan Commercial Appliances

Hestan Commercial Appliance Suite in Action

Hestan Commercial

In early 2015, Hestan Commercial launched and impressed right out of the gate.

High-end restaurants began custom ordering Hestan Commercial as they became one of the “go-to” manufacturers for high-quality, custom cooking suites.

Two of the most famous restaurants in the world became early adopters of Hestan suites:  The French Laundry in Napa and Alinea in Chicago.

Hestan Outdoor

Hestan Outdoor

Hestan’s Premier Outdoor BBQ Grill

The next year, in 2016, Hestan released it’s Hestan Outdoor Grills for the home. Built in the same factory as their custom commercial suites, these grills are currently some of the highest quality pieces money can buy.

In 2017, they released the Hestan Aspire grill series – a budget conscious but still American-built grill for the home.

Related post: Hestan Outdoor BBQ Grill Review

Hestan Cue Induction Hob

Hestan Cue

Hestan Cue Smart Cooking

Also in 2017, Hestan also found the time to release the Cue – a remarkable counter-top induction hob which has pushed the boundaries learning in the Kitchen.

The Cue garnered tons of praise and press, with an innovative app that has quickly amassed more than 250 interactive video recipes.

Hestan’s goal is to have 600 video recipes on their app by the end of this year.

Hestan Home Appliances

Hestan Home Appliances

And here we are in 2018, with Hestan’s launch of their first, full product line-up for the home.

Hestan Dual Fuel Range in Orange

Dual Fuel Ranges – Hestan KRD Series

Borrowing the style of their now iconic commercial cooking suites, the Hestan range shares some direct parts from the commercial side – namely it’s Circuflame Power Burner, which puts out a staggering 30,000 btu’s of cooking power.

The oven door handle features an LCD screen with internal termperature and cooking mode readings.

Hestan Dual-Fuel Range in Stainless Steel

The exterior features a beefy, angled oven door with knurled handle. All ovens and ranges are available in Stainless Steel or one of 11 different color options.

Main features:

  • Electronic ignition/reignition system
  • Patent-pending MarquiseDisplay delivers a chef-friendly digital display elegantly embedded in the oven handle.
  • PureVection Technology utilizes a single convection fan for optimal performance.
  • Nine high-performance oven modes: True Convection, Bake, Convection Bake, Roast, Convection Roast, Broil, Convection Broil, Proof and Self Clean.
  • Soft-close oven door eliminates soufflé-crashing slams and ensures that the door closes fully to secure heat inside with counterbalanced assisted closing.
  • Extra-large oven window and soft-on interior lighting for maximum viewing.
  • Porcelain enameled oven interior provides even heat distribution throughout and ease of cleaning.
  • Three full-extension, telescopic professional oven racks with six-position rack supports glide easily and offer convenient access.
  • Angled oven door, end caps and handle are ergonomically designed for easy opening and closing of oven door.
  • Marquise Accented oven handle with commercial-grade end caps provides industry-exclusive durability and style.
  • Standard meat probe provides accurate temperature measurement.
  • Backlit patent-pending knobs enhance both visibility and style.

Built-In Ovens – Hestan KSO Series

Offered in 11 different colors, the Built-In oven is unique to the market in one big way: styling.

A thick, large angled door with Hestan’s signature knurled handle (what Hestan refers to as “Marquise Accented”) are refreshing in the current climate of slim door profiles and slick touch screens. The large stainless steel knobs leaves you with little doubt the ovens design is rooted in commercial kitchens.

The thick, imposing door reminds us of one of our all-time favorite ovens – the old Wolf L-Series Single Oven – which had an imposing, thick door and weighty, solid feel. We’re glad to see Hestan go this direction and we think they will do quite well with it.

Inside, Hestan borrows from Meneghetti’s TwinVection Technology, which is a dual convection fan set up, enhancing air circulation and heat distribution.

The door does feature shock-absorbing, spring-assisted closing. It’s extra-large door glass provides very nice visibility in the well lit oven.

Main features:

  • Touch control display offers ease of use and precision control.
  • TwinVection Technology maximizes air circulation while balancing heat distribution with dual convection fans.
  • Nine high-performance oven modes: True Convection, Bake, Convection Bake, Roast, Convection Roast, Broil, Convection Broil, Proof and Self Clean.
  • Hidden/recessed bake, broil and convection elements allow for easy cleaning.
  • Soft-close oven door eliminates soufflé-crashing slams and ensures that the door closes fully to secure heat inside with counterbalanced assisted closing.
  • Extra-wide glass pane helps you keep an eye on things while keeping exterior temperature cool to the touch.
  • Porcelain enameled oven interior provides even heat distribution throughout and ease of cleaning.
  • Three full-extension, telescopic professional oven racks with six-position rack supports glide easily and offer convenient access.
  • Angled oven door, end caps and handle are ergonomically designed for easy opening and closing of oven door.
  • Marquise Accented oven handle with commercial-grade end caps provides industry-exclusive durability and style.
  • Standard meat probe provides accurate temperature measurement.
  • Backlit patent-pending knobs enhance both visibility and style.

Warming Drawer – Hestan KWD Series

The Hestan warming drawer surprised us. For a new brand, we were surprised they had such a robust warming drawer on offer at launch.

It’s impressive size, abundant use of stainless steel and large convection fan make this more than a warming drawer. In addition to holding your food at temp, this drawer can also dehydrate your fruits or vegetables, or proof your bread – with dedicated modes for each option.

Soft-close glides keep your food from disturbing when opening and closing the drawer.

Main Features:

  • Convection warming drawer provides perfectly even temperature control with a true convection fan.
  • Proof to Warm settings offer variable temperature control for warming, bread proofing or food dehydrating.
  • Proof mode allows for the perfect final rise of bread dough.
  • Dehydrate mode provides the optimal environment for properly preserving everything from beef jerky to your favorite fruit.
  • Marquise Accented oven handle with commercial-grade end caps provides industry-exclusive durability and style.
  • Non-shift rubber mat keeps items in place when opening and closing drawer.
  • Halogen lighting provides superior visibility.
  • Soft-close drawer ensures smooth operation and access without disturbing items inside.
  • Stainless steel interior provides a bright finish, longevity and easy clean up.
  • Available in custom overlay option to create seamless kitchen style.

Built-In Refrigeration – KRB / KRC Series

At launch, Hestan’s built-in refrigeration offer is respectable. With the ability to build out a refrigeration area anywhere between 36″ – 60″ wide.

Building off of Fhiaba’s already stellar X-Pro Series of refrigerators, Hestan has added their own commercial styling touches. The Hestan logo abounds – on the door plaque, control panel and even engraved into the side of the interior shelves.

It’s obvious Hestan spent a good deal of investment in making it a Hestan product, as they even went so far as to design an exclusive control panel. When paired up, these units are truly stunning:

The 36″ Refrigerator/Freezer unit comes with dual compressor, dual sealed system, with the ability to turn the freezer compartment into a refrigeration compartment. 24″ and 30″ column units are offered as well, and can be paired up to create a 48″ or 60″ wide configurations.

Our favorite combination is their 36″ Over-Under Refrigerator/Freezer paired with their 24″ Wine Column with Refrigerator Drawer. This is the combination they’ve been showing off at the KBIS and AD show and we really like it as it takes care of all refrigeration and wine storage needs in the Kitchen in a nice, 60″ wide configuration.

Interior Oak Shelves Inside the Hestan Wine Reserve

Main Features:

  • EvenFlow Air Circulating Technology consists of independent ventilation for each compartment, providing uniform and precise temperature control, and ensuring better food preservation.
  • EvenFlow Air Circulating Technology creates an air curtain to prevent cold air from escaping when the door opens.
  • Insulated dual variable speed compressor maintains precision temperature control with minimal vibration.
  • Patent-pending shelf system offers limitless shelf positions, easily adjustable without removing items.
  • Antimicrobial EverCrisp drawers prevent growth of microorganisms and cross-contamination with bead-blasted stainless steel.
  • Soft-close stainless steel storage drawers and bins allow for silent and easy access.
  • Deeper capacity within a standard depth is achieved by a side-mounted evaporator, which leaves greater interior space.
  • Heavy-duty stainless steel interior liner.
  • Two LED light array on top and side interior provide excellent visibility to interior without annoying hot spots.
  • Marquise Accented door handle with commercial-grade end caps provides industry-exclusive durability and style.
  • Robust hinges open heavy-duty doors easily and smoothly thanks to exclusive design.
  • Available in custom overlay options to create seamless kitchen style.

Hestan Dishwasher and Ventilation

Hestan Dishwasher Control Panel

With the styling to match, Hestan also debut’s a dishwasher that’s more than just an OEM rebrand.

The Hestan Dishwasher features Double Axial Washing System™, which claims to deliver greater wash coverage with increased water efficiency throughout the program.

An open-air drying feature is the first time outside of Miele we’ve come across this great feature which automatically cracks open the door at end of cycle to release the excess steam and prevent water recondensating back onto the dishes. A claimed 42 dB rating should keep your kitchen quiet and an LED floor projection will alert you to when your dishwasher is running.

Ventilation is not an afterthought at launch either. With two hood types – canopy and chimney – and a forward-thinking baffle-less design, these hoods will not just look incredible but also out-perform the competition.

Sizes will be offered in 6″ increments from 30″ wide all the way up to 54″ wide.

Conclusion

On the whole, Hestan is bringing to market an impressive first run. You can literally create an entire cooking and cleaning suite of appliances for any Kitchen. Many products which might have been an after-thought to other brands coming to market, Hestan has not overlooked.

Take their warming drawer, or dishwasher for instance. Both have features not found on the majority of their competitors in the market. Impressive for an appliance brand this young.

We are itching to get our hands on a review unit and will certainly report back once we have real-world experience with the brand.

Anthony Rocco

About The Author

Founder and Editor of Appliance Buyer's Guide. With over 10 years experience selling appliances and designing kitchens, and having grown up in the business, I have a unique perspective on todays offerings in the Appliance world. Currently Managing Director at The Kitchenworks in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

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