IRVINE, Calif. (July 10, 2012) — After making an immediate splash debuting at the 2012 International CES in Las Vegas, the most anticipated kitchen appliance of the year marks its official launch as luxury appliance pioneer Thermador (http://www.thermador.com/) announces its Thermador Freedom® Induction Cooktop is available for purchase.

The new Freedom Induction Cooktop is the first full-surface induction appliance with the flexibility of a natural-mapping user interface that intelligently recognizes cookware size, shape and position to deliver heat without boundaries. It is the world’s first induction appliance to eliminate conventional cooking elements and offer one limitless cooking surface with an intuitive touchscreen interface.

“Thermador once again delivers real innovations for passionate culinary enthusiasts who can now cook beyond convention with a product that affords no limitations,” said Zach Elkin, director, brand marketing for Thermador. “Since its initial unveiling in January, we’ve seen incredible buzz and interest from the culinary world for this revolutionary product, which finally is available for purchase to cook with and entertain with in luxury kitchens.”

Available with a MSRP of $5,499, the Freedom Induction Cooktop offers all of the benefits of traditional induction technology: instantaneous and precise temperature control, making it as responsive as gas; safer cooking, as the surface stays cool to the touch; and easier cleaning with its smooth and flush surface.

With more than 30 international patents, the Thermador Freedom Induction Cooktop is built with 48 individual 3-inch induction heating elements below the surface of the appliance. This translates to a 63-percent more effective cooking area on the surface by eliminating the conventional standard of predefined elements. Additional product highlights include:

A 6.5-inch, full-color touchscreen display that recognizes pot shape, size, and controls power setting and cooking time

Surface area to accommodate a 21-inch x 13-inch pan with the largest cooking surface in the industry

A range of 4,600-watt maximum power output with Boost feature and 15-watt minimum power output

To locate the nearest Thermador dealer offering the Freedom Induction Cooktop, please visit http://www.thermador.com/dealer-locator.

About Thermador

Thermador has been providing real innovations for real cooks for more than 75 years. The iconic line of cooking, cleaning, refrigeration and ventilation products remains committed to empowering culinary enthusiasts to be their best through continuous innovation breakthroughs – from the world’s first wall ovens and gas cooktops with the patented Star® Burner to a speedcooking oven that reduces cooking time by 50 percent.

Thermador is part of BSH Home Appliances Corporation, a fully-owned subsidiary of Bosch and Siemens Home Appliance Group, the third largest appliance manufacturer in the world. For more information, visit www.thermador.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/thermador and @ThermadorHome, respectively. For Thermador customer service, call 1-800-735-4328.