I'm currently battling Whirlpool over replacement of a Jade fridge--Whirlpool now owns Dacor, Jenn-Air and Jade--and they have told me they "can't get" the Dacor fridge. What this means, or if it's even accurate, I have no idea. They have also told me that the Jenn-Air fridge--basically the same fridge but a bit cheaper with different handles--is "built to order," meaning they don't make them until they're ordered. Not sure if this is true either, but it's what I've been told by both a salesperson and Whirlpool themselves. If I didn't already have cabinets built to fit this fridge (all are built on the same chassy), I would definitely look elsewhere. -Susan W.

I should've said "hood blower".

There is a knocking now and then but since our previous fridge, a 19+ year old Kenmore badged Whirlpool, did the same, much worse and more often, I haven't given it much thought. It was louder before we placed the fridge cabinet back in place but now it doesn't even register with me unless I consciously make an effort to hear it make that sound. Since we're still within the 1st year of ownership, I should call for a service call and see what they have to say about it, just for the heck of it. We looked at the GE model, as well as many others including a Whirlpool since we'd had such good luck with our previous fridge (not one service call in 19+ years). Unfortunately, Whirlpool didn't offer a CD version. KA is now owned by Whirlpool (and Amana and a bunch of others) so we opted to stick with that appliance arm and not go with GE. According to Consumer Reports, GE does really well with ovens and cooktops but their rep slips down the list with fridges. But honestly, I felt as though we could have chosen our fridge with a dart throw since I could find bad reports on any fridge I researched. One other reason for our choice is that, according to my research, the KA is made in the US while the GE is made in Mexico. Not sure if this is still true. I couldn't find out where parts came from - both could come from overseas. If all else is comparable, we're trying to make an effort to choose appliances made, at least in part, in the US.

Thank you so much for your replies. The plumber already came by and looked at it. The estimate is 1K. We are doing it. I guess a wife in a panic mode makes things move..... The refrigerator is spec'ed for Thermador Freedom 36 inch bottom freezer with fully integrated panel. I am already spending a fortune. It has 90 degree hinge per installation manual I read on line. By the time all is said and done, my guess is this will be a ten thousand $ refrigerator. Egad! Rococogirl, on the side, I think I am leaning toward a KWC Suprimo. I saw a mod Eucalyptus kitchen with the faucet in your blog and it looked great. Thanks for your blog. This is a very functional faucet, IMHO that is also nice looking. http://www.atticmag.com/2009/09/modern-eucalyptus-kitchen/ I wish I could have a window like that in my kitchen, but I can't. Maybe the next house. Alas.