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Appliance Package for Kitchen Renovation

12 years ago

Hi all, I've been surfing around the site for a couple of weeks now and it has been super helpful in clarifying my thinking on appliance choice.

I am redoing my kitchen and will be getting a new refrigerator, range, microwave and ovens. I've gone to look at appliances a couple of times now, and I think I've narrowed it down, but I would appreciate your thoughts/suggestions about what I'm thinking.

Basically, I'm looking for the following;

-- ease of use (ie, not a lot of complicated controls and such, which I just won't use)

-- easy to clean

-- reliability & good customer service

-- safe to have with kids around

-- at least 4 burners

-- fairly quick boil: I cook a lot of pasta

-- an indoor grill/charbroiler as I live in an apartment and don't have an outdoor grill

-- at least 2 ovens, one of which can be a smaller size like you find under a 48inch range

I cook a lot of pasta and I also saute a lot. I use my oven for both roasting stuff and baking cookies, cakes, etc (basically, the sweet stuff). I need to store food for a family of 5 -- right now we have a 36 inch side by side that always seems pretty full (but, really, isn't that the nature of refrigerators).

I live in NYC and although I have a large kitchen for NYC, I don't have unlimited space, especially for upper cabinets. So although I would love wall ovens, I definitely don't have room for 2 of them, and I think I might not have room for even 1 of them. My budget is pretty open -- I'm willing to pay for what I need/want if necessary.

So here's what I'm thinking:

1. Refrigerator/Freezer: 42 inch side by side subzero (I looked at other brands, but I was concerned about reliability for some, and I also didn't like the Liebherr or JennAir interiors after seeing them in person, and Miele didn't have quite the configuration I wanted)

2. Range&Ovens:

Either

A) 48 inch wolf dual fuel range (4 burners, 1 griddle, 1 charbroiler) with 1.5 ovens below

or

B) 48 inch bluestar (4 burners, 1 griddle, 1 charbroiler) with 1.5 ovens below

or

C) 36 inch bluestar (4 burners, 1 charbroiler) with 1 oven below and single 30 inch Wolf oven (I don't know whether L or E series would be better)

On the range and oven, I am wondering whether just having gas ovens will be problematic on the baking front.

3. Microwave: sharp microwave drawer

Any thoughts would be very welcome! And thank you in advance.

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Comments (2)

deeageaux
12 years ago
I purchased a 36" Capital Culinarian and a 24" Gaggenau wall oven because I think a good electric oven bakes better than a good gas oven.IMO the differences are there but not huge.

People who only own an AG Pro-Range will vigorously argue the opposite. I think if you are baking something that can be centered in the middle of the center rack you are ok. Spread across an entire 36" large oven there are small differences and if you bake on multiple racks there are large difference. 3 racks? Fuhgetabowtit(You understand Newyorker right?)

L-Series vs E-Series. L is the more expensive model with triple pane windows vs two on E series. L has hydraulic hinges so the door never slams open. L has rotating control panel that can be hidden away not available in E and is available in three different SS that match offerings of Sub-Zero while E offers only one SS.

Subjectively, E-series styling is designed to fit with modern European kitchen cabinets.

I think Sub-Zero is a excellent choice as well as the Sharp MW. I own Liebherr All-Fridge,Gaggenau All-Freezer, and a Sharp MW drawer.

I would choose between option B or C. How much you will use a griddle vs a 30" is question only you can answer. My guess would be most people would find C more utilitarian.
beasty
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, deeagaeaux -- you speak poifect Newyorker. A 24 inch oven would be big enough for my cooking purposes, but maybe small enough to solve my space problem. I'll look into it -- thanks for the input!
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What you've listed is possible with the range. Doubtful with your budget for the rangetop and double ovens, but potentially doable especially if you find some good bargains. The best liked dishwashers seem to be Miele (by far the most enthused over) and Bosch. Most people don't use all the fancy cycles so a basic model will save you money. The one issue is drying. Starting in their middle price range, Miele has models that pop open a little letting out steam. These are supposed to dry better. If you don't demand a built in microwave you can save a lot of money here. Almost all name brand microwaves are made by Sharp or Panasonic. They may have a few different features, and a little more money might get you better wires and hinges, but the magnatron degrades just as fast no matter what you pay for it. Get a countertop model Sharp or Panasonic on sale and if you want it off the counter build a shelf or cubby for it. Saving money on those two gives you more to spend on the fridge and cooking. The cooking is where you'll get the most difference for your money. Your cooking appliances will have the biggest effect on your enjoyment of your new kitchen. Do you want dragon's breath for a wok? Do you need more than four burners? Do you want low simmer for delicate sauces on every burner? Do you have special requirements for the oven? For a fridge, is there a style you like best? I prefer bottom freezer, single door on top. But I'd say, find the range you like and use what's left after the first three for the fridge. :)
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