About Miele
Miele's story begins in 1899 when Carl Miele and Reinhard Zinkann founded the company in Gütersloh, Germany. Their first products were cream separators and butter churns, but the commitment to quality that would define Miele was present from the start. The founders' motto—"Immer Besser" (Forever Better)—continues to guide the company today.
What sets Miele apart in the appliance industry is their manufacturing philosophy. While most appliance manufacturers design products for a 10-year life and outsource component production, Miele designs for 20 years of average use and manufactures nearly all components in-house. This vertical integration—making their own motors, electronics, and precision parts—ensures quality control that's impossible when relying on third-party suppliers.
The company remains family-owned through four generations, allowing long-term thinking that publicly traded companies often cannot achieve. This ownership structure enables Miele to invest in quality even when it would be more profitable short-term to cut corners. The result is appliances with measurably longer service lives and higher owner satisfaction ratings.
Miele in Arizona
Miele appliances generally perform very well in Arizona's climate. The German engineering's emphasis on durability and precision translates well to our demanding environment. The company's MasterCool refrigeration handles Arizona heat effectively, maintaining precise temperatures even in extreme conditions. For Miele dishwashers—perhaps their most popular product line—Arizona's hard water presents the primary challenge. The sophisticated drying systems and crystal-clear finish Miele promises depend on water quality. We strongly recommend water softening or filtration for Miele dishwasher owners in Arizona. The AutoDos automatic detergent dispensing system, while convenient, can be affected by water quality issues. Miele's cooking appliances perform reliably in Arizona. The precision temperature control works well at our altitude, and the robust construction handles daily use. Steam ovens may require more frequent maintenance in Arizona's mineral-rich water environment. Miele coffee machines, popular in luxury kitchens, also face water quality considerations. Descaling frequency increases with Arizona's hard water, and filtration extends the life of these sophisticated machines.