Well 5-7 years probably means ten and by that time the money is gone from the appliances and you've gotten good use out of them. YOU don't want to buy cheap stuff, I'd buy mid range. This way you're not blowing money and still get to work with good stuff. If you cook and bake a lot then the extra expense is worth it.

As for cooktops I'll assume you have a 36". I'd look at a Jade 36" drop in. Mine functions great and has an 18K btu burner. I was able to get mine for around $800.

Definitely get a double oven. Take a look at Elux. They seem to be good value.

Take a look at the Sammy refrigerators. I just got my 28 cu/ft french door and love it. Tons of room even with ice and water in the door. The ice and water in the door though is not like it was years ago with a big cave to rest your glass on. I got that on sale too for under $2K

Lastly, everyone boasts about the Bosch DW's but to me they seem cheap definitely not cheap price wise). KA was nice but I'm not dropping $1500 for a dishwasher. I got an 800 series Samsung that specs better than the best KA as far as noise and washes all my dishes perfectly. It also feels very well built and solid. I got that for $800.

I think you should be focusing on best value appliances while taking into consideration performance since you're going to be using them.

A few questions

What is your budget range?

What type of cooking do you plan to do on the cook top?

By cooktop, my assumption is you are referring to one that drops into the counter. I'm not meaning to confuse you more, but if you are redoing cabinets too, you can also consider a range top. These will have the knobs in the front rather than the horizontal surface. Depending on size you can added features such a griddle or grill. If you are looking for high power 'open' burners the Blue Star cooktop is an option and there are a few threads about that unit. Not sure of the price tag. If you prefer a sealed burner cook top, it is my understanding that many of the mid to upper level 'consumer' brands will work just as well as the pricier 'professional' brands. If you plan to sell the 'professional' brand may appeal more to the potential buyer.

If you think you will use both ovens on a regular basis the double oven is a good option. In my opinion a built in microwave may look appealing but in today's market a microwave is more or less disposable. A microwave shelf is a better option, some microwaves have trim kits that make them look more built in. Some manufactures even make fake doors to hide microwaves behind (Miele is one).

As for the Bosch vs. KitchenAid DW. One of the main differences is in the drying cycle. The Bosch utilizes heat retained from the wash cycle to try the dishes. The KitchenAid has a heating element so it can reach higher temps in the drying cycle. May not be an issue if you always 'air dry' anyway. We have a mid level KitchenAid that has worked well for about a 1.5 years.

We are also happy with our KitchenAid french door fridge that is cabinet depth. If you don't have the in the door ice and water you get more interior space. (We have the ice/water in the door and use it frequently.)

keep the gas cooktop you already have. The ovens too.

Fridge: without ice and without a water line, you will have a good number of fine options to choose from. With freezer on the bottom. State a few more criteria.

Dishwasher: things have evolved to the point where many brands have good dishwashers, silent or quiet, and cleaning well. Again state a few more criteria.

Hth.

You are asking the right questions & it is great that you have some freedom & flexibility in remodeling your kitchen. We just completed our kitchen remodel this spring & made the mistake of mostly staying within a single line -- KitchenAid Architect II. Although there are several products in that line I do recommend, just make sure you are comfortable with your decisions.

We are very happy with our KA CounterDepth French Door refrigerator. We have the internal water & no ice/water in the door. I had become weary of losing things (condiment & olive jars) in the back of the standard depth fridge & have found the 72" high one very roomy.

I also have the KA Warming Drawer & will insert some comments I made recently on this web site instead of re-typing. I'm happy, but as I mentioned in the thread I am a WD novice. I do think there may be a day I wish I had a 36" WD, but for today & with the other "features" the KA was the right decision.

We have a KitchenAid 5-burner gas cooktop. It was a closeout & at $300 a bargain I couldn't refuse (it enabled me to justify the warming drawer). It's performance compared to the JennAir I had is stellar -- the ignite times are instantaneous & with a high power burner, as well as simmering burners it is meeting my needs. If I'd had unlimited budget I would have looked at a Wolf drop-in or professional style cooktop. It has gotten great reviews & would be worth considering.

I will not purchase my built-in KA double oven again. I will also include a link to recent comments I made on Garden Web about it & not re-type here. From what I have heard a good mid-priced, but higher than KA, is Electrolux. I'm sorry I didn't think this one through. From an oven perspective I wanted double built-in & it is a decision I'd repeat. Depending on kitchen arrangement I may have considered a double range, but that would take some re-thinking of my work style. I have convection in one & will consider convection in 2 with my next purchase since sometimes I find myself deciding to change my cooking methods mid-stream & it would help me be a more flexible.

We have the Sharp Microwave Drawer & LOVE it! Since I am short I could not put the MW in my double oven stack & I didn't have enough counterspace or even cabinet space to allow a MW shelf. I also didn't want to be on my hands & knees by installing under the counter, thus the drawer is perfect. You can check & stir without removing the dish from the oven. It is great.

We purchased a Zephyr Island hood -- it is a good mid-price hood, but there are a lot of options & some good insight from others on this web site. I kept my 6-year-old Kenmore Elite dishwasher. I understand it is KitchenAid & honestly isn't that the business KA began in? Some people will tell you, Counterdepth Fridge & Dishwasher; KitchenAid is strong. The DW is quiet, cleans well & I can get a lot in it -- plus it has a heated dry cycle & when drying all the plastics we have today, I need it. :-)

If you do have carte blanche with your kitchen remodel I would get a Kitchen Designer involved. One who is strong on organizational skills & helps with design/color, but one who provides you with a working kitchen -- not a trendy kitchen. He/she will work with you to get the kitchen working for you & your family (if you happen to be in Atlanta/north Georgia area I have a stellar one).

As you remodel be aware (something I didn't realize until into the project) that you have many more options these days with sinks and plumbing, hardware, granite, etc. (you can spend as much on a sink as another applicance if you want -- but you don't have to) & these things, plus a great set of cabinets give you the kitchen of your dreams in the end.

This can be such a fun project. Good luck!

It seems I can only put one link in the "Optional Link" below. I will submit this note & then open another comment with the Warming Drawer Link.

Postscript: I did not research the KitchenAid Professional so cannot comment on it.

Here is a link that might be useful: GW KitchenAid Oven Link

It really is ridiculously overwhelming. I would keep reminding myself to be practical. Expensive appliances are generally expensive to repair. Always consider who you'll be able to call when something goes wrong because eventually something will malfunction.( I have first hand experience with this.)

My mom has basic kenmore appliances, and her kitchen is pretty darn cute. I fell for the Miele DW (not broken), the leibherr frig (ice maker doesn't work), Fisher Paykel oven (broken for a year, finally replaced), and De Dietrich induction cooktop (love, but pray it doesn't break), etc. All probably bad choices as I live 75 miles from a major metropolitan area.

Ask yourself how tolerant you are of malfunctioning appliances.

Keep some perspective. I have a friend who has a tiny kitchen with 70's electric appliances. She turns out amazing gourmet feasts. Another hiking/kayaking friend makes incredible meals on a backpacking stove.

Maybe since you love to bake, splurge on your oven(s). Is your Kitchen visible from other areas of the house? Buy stuff you won't mind seeing if so.

Hide the microwave in a cabinet.

Have fun but don't get sucked into the hype!

I agree with you Missy. I am planning a new home and am still stuck on the range and hood.

I did purchase an LG dishwasher last Feb. to replace my KA. I would never buy a KA dishwasher again and LOVE LG. Quiet, great space and you can wash the top rack only. I will probably buy another for the new house.

Good luck and let us know your decisions.

Ah, the age old dilemma: do I build to suit me or the next person buying the house? I say suit yourself. Look at the price differences from what you would get if price were no object and what you are "settling" for. Amortize that over how long you expect to live in the house and you might find the price difference isn't so great.

Another option is to buy a standalone stove that you would consider taking with you if you move. We have a Lacanche that is perfect for us, and if we did move it would definitely come with us.

Joe

Here is the link for my KA warming drawer comments. I ran into problems last night having "already commented", thus GW wouldn't allow me to make another "comment".

I hope it works this time & I hope it helps with your decisions.

Here is a link that might be useful: GW Thread KitchenAid Warming Drawer

Missy, I completely sympathize with your dilemma. I don't have any advice to give on appliances since we're still in the planning stage, and my appliances are anywhere from 10 years to 18 years old. I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone in your confusion!

Thank you all for your thoughtful and wonderful responses. i will keep you updated as to what we decide. I am hoping to install a range top, not a drop in cook top. I like the look of them and also like the option of having a griddle rather than get out my huge electric griddle whenever my son wants pancakes...which is frequently. I appreciate the thoughts on the microwave. we will have to see where the microwave is currently. the kitchen is rather small and i need to use my space wisely. a charming old 1930's colonial, however, so it should be fun. will look into the above suggestions!

I'm suffering through this too. What's been working for me is to focus first on the appliance that matters most to you. Make a decision there, buy it, cross it off your list. Sit a while if you can, then regroup and do it again. Keep your eyes open for sales. It helps to have a little bit of an idea of what you're interested in even if it's not the next-most-important appliance on your list in case good sales come up. But don't let those sales freak you out. If you miss the Columbus Day one, the Thanksgiving Day one will be right around the corner. Then Xmas. Then New Years'. Then spring. Then V-day, etc, etc, etc. The salesmen *want* to sell to you, so they'll try to offer you incentives -- sometimes you'll catch a bargain, sometimes not. Just try baby-stepping it, if you can afford that pace. It's one strategy to minimize the stress, perhaps.

Good luck! Sinks are next and last-up for me, but I'm going to wait on finalized cabinet plans -- guess the cabinets are next-up actually.

The frustration involved can be disheartening as it seems that all manufacturers have some issues reported. The one thing to remember is that bad news is reported more than good experiences. I recently bought a range and was completely frustrated with the decision. So far I've been fairly happy with my mid to high level priced Frigidaire gas range with double oven (not that your looking for a range).

The one additional suggestion would be to look at the double ovens that fit into a single oven space. One oven is small, which then heats up very quickly. There was a thread on the GE unit not too long ago. On our range we've had it about a month and only used the large oven once all other times we've used the small one.

The most important thing is to pick the appliances based on how you think you will cook with them.

Thank you all for your thoughtful and wonderful responses. i will keep you updated as to what we decide. I am hoping to install a range top, not a drop in cook top. I like the look of them and also like the option of having a griddle rather than get out my huge electric griddle whenever my son wants pancakes...which is frequently. I appreciate the thoughts on the microwave. we will have to see where the microwave is currently. the kitchen is rather small and i need to use my space wisely. a charming old 1930's colonial, however, so it should be fun. will look into the above suggestions!

Update:

Well, I feel like we have a better handle on this now....Here is where we are:

double oven: Probably the GE Profile or Electrolux) any suggestions? Decided against the micro. combo. Seems to risky with one part breaking and replacing the entire thing.

microwave: Going to do a draw microwave like suggested

Rangetop: Most likely the electrolux 26 inch. Also like the price of the Kenmore Pro one, but not sure about reviews.

Refrigerator: Most likely doing the counter depth bottom freezer samsung

Dishwasher: Still up in the air on this. The guy basically had us talked into a Samsung that is made just like the Bosch, but 1/2 of the price, but I am not sure. Also thought about getting price on a Miele and still like the KitchenAid.

We got a price on Miele double oven and although they sound great, we didn't think the price was worth it at this point.

So....that is where we stand...any suggestions?