Need help! All my appliances are failing...

10 years ago

Hi all,

I am new to the forum, although I have read many reviews. I purchased a house 14 months ago and now everything is failing (appliances, roof, hvac). I have already replaced my dishwasher and cooktop with Miele appliances and have an urgent need to replace my refrigerator. I currently have a big decision to make that impacts my future oven that I would appreciate input on.

Is it better to go with a 27" wall oven and go with a larger refrigerator, or stick to a 36" refrigerator and go with 30" wall ovens? The latter choice would require significant cabinet work to make it happen; the former I can put in a larger refrigerator and 27" wall ovens with minimal effort. I am looking for top cooking/baking performance; the name is irrelevant to me.

While 27" wall ovens are big enough for my needs, the choices from top brands seem to be limited. If I go Miele, I have to buy 2 separate ovens ($$$$). My local dealer recommended Dacor and/or Thermador. I really liked the Dacor and have read many negative reviews from 2008-2010 on this forum about them. Have they improved recently? Thermador also has very mixed reviewed. Wolf/American Range/etc. all do not make 27" ovens. If I go the Miele route, I'd have to get a single oven and possibly a speed/steam oven. That seems prohibitively expensive. Does the infrared broiler work well on steaks?

As for fridges, I'm torn. I can get a Kitchen Aid 48" through a work partnership program at 25-30% off. I really like the 48" Sub Zero, however. As much as I want to buy them, the Miele and Thermador columns are between $2500 and $5000 more than the Subzero. Thoughts?

I'm also in need of a washer. There seem to be so many negative riviews on every washer now except the Miele. Will I regret getting the Miele? I have a small child. Again, I can get a deal on the Whirlpool deut through work; the reviews are abysmal.

Thanks in advance for any advice!!!!

-AA

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

dan1888
10 years ago
Miele began as a washing machine manufacturer.
That is the core of their identity. I wouldn't trade mine for another product.
ginny20
10 years ago
Are you sure the 27" will be big enough? Over time, the interiors have shrunk on ovens. If the oven is old, your current one may be more comparable to a new 30". Just check the interior dimensions so you aren't blindsided. Also, can you fill a 48" fridge? It sounds wonderful to have, but I've been told that fridges operate most efficiently full.

If it were me, I'd prefer 30" oven and 36" frig, but I understand if it's not worth the extra effort to you. Changing cabs could lead to even more problems. As long as the 27" interior is big enough, then go for it.
Related Discussions
failed garden! Need help!
Q
Comments (5)
Oh my, Michelle! I can totally feel your frustration. I am not sure why the nitrogen would need fixed with brand new "soil", but it sure sounds like that is what happened. It may have been the particular kind of compost you used? I know Mel suggests that you really must use at least 5 different kinds of compost, but many people don't have better success than you did. The compost seems like the only variant of what the "soil" was comprised of.... Now, peat makes the soil acidic, so it could be a factor especially if the compost didn't compensate for it... Know what I mean? I think you're on the right track to do a green cover crop that will add nitrogen. I'd also get on the homemade compost bandwagon and make as much as possible as soon as possible to mix into your current "soil". The leaves are falling and they're very good for your composting efforts and for your plants when they're in the soil. Have you checked to see what the Gardner and Bloom compost is comprised of? I checked the labels on my compost products to see what all was going into my mix to be sure it was from SEVERAL different sources.... It could be something that was composted that had no nitrogen to begin with maybe? I've also never seen squash not grow when cared for... hmmmm... I feel so bad for you, but that's all I know to chime in with.... ~Angela
...See More
Appliance research frustration--need basic appliance help
Q
Comments (13)
Some basic questions as I have recently replaced the older appliances in our home. What type of range are you currently cooking on? Do you already have a gas range/cooktop? The reason I ask is that when your used to one type of heating switching can be a surprise. I've had the Frigidaire FGGF304DLW (in white) all gas double oven range. I've only had it for a week so I'm still getting used to it. So far I really like to double oven feature. We've only used the larger oven once, but the small upper oven preheats quickly. Can't really comment on temperature uniformity/accuracy but the temps don't seem far off. The one surprise is how much heat is 'wasted' on the cook top with the sealed burners. We had an older (not sure how old) coil top electric stove before. If I try to boil a cup and a third of water in a 6" diameter pot (an AllClad) it seems to take longer than the old coil stove. Also we've found out that our over the range microwave has a overtemperature feature that turns on the exhaust fan. It had never gone off before. I'm still on the learning curve so I won't give a full review. Just to let you know if your going to a different system, you may be surprised at how different it is. If your already using a sealed gas cook top, it might not be that different. The Consumer Reports appliance review did mention that even the electric smooth top ranges are more efficient than the 'consumer' gas ranges they reviewed. In terms of your other selections, we have Kitchenaid DW and cabinet depth french door fridge that we are happy with. Also look at the 'distributor's' in your area. These are the companies that sell directly to builders, they may also sell to consumers. I'm in Cincinnati and the one I've dealt with has come close to on-line prices (definitely beats big box stores). Also see if there are stores that have scratch and dent show rooms. Often the slight damage is in the unexposed area.
...See More
Needing advice on all appliances
Q
Comments (6)
You may get better responses by breaking this down into separate questions, one per appliance category. Searching these forums more might help too -- lots there on DW drawers, on Miele vs. Bosch vs. Kitchenaid etc., and epic threads on fridges. People have *lots* to say about their fridges. I agree about separating the oven and cooktop purchases if you bake seriously. My general advice would be to inventory everything you want to do in your kitchen -- which you've started doing -- and prioritize: are the extra features of a Gaggenau oven interesting to you, or will a standard GE do fine? Do you want a big gas cooktop? What does the fridge need to hold? You're looking at four purchases that are each, potentially, as complicated as choosing a car. Take your time. Three tools: The AJ Madison website has a pretty comprehensive selection and lets you choose by features. I used it to start generating sets of appliances to check out further via reviews or in showrooms. Consumer Reports, though much and sometimes justly maligned, is helpful and worth an e-sub. J.D. Power http://www.jdpower.com/consumer-ratings/ratings.htm has some interesting ratings.
...See More
Need help choosing all kitchen appliances
Q
Comments (1)
What is your budget? Do you want all gas, induction, electric? What is your cooking style? How often do you cook? HOw many do you cook for? How often do you entertain? How many do you entertain for? HOw long will you be staying in this house? Are you stuck on Jenn Air? Do you need a double oven? Single oven? Steam oven? Combi Ovens? More questions than answers for you, but until we know stuff like this we really can't help. phil
...See More
deeageaux
10 years ago
27" ovens if you don't want two single ovens I would go with double Electrolux ovens, Better than Thermador or Dacor IMO.

I would take your bakeware to the Appliance store to see if the interior of the ovens work for you. If they do I would get 27" ovens.

On average a 48" fridge is only about 2-3 cu ft more interior room than a standard 36" fridge. The 36" fridge with most interior room is larger than the 48" fridge with smallest capacity. The built-in looks better, is better organized ,better quality, better temperature consistency.

I have a 24" freezer and 24" fridge with family of 3 and I don't find it difficult to fill up.

Neither Miele nor Bosch make full size American washers anymore. Asko's full size washer is a rebadged Daewoo. If looking for Euro size washer I would look at Asko, the only one that can reach near boiling temps.

If looking at full size washers there are no great options.

GE is bringing out their first American made front load washers. The RightHeight washer seems like GE benched marked all full size washers currently available in the USA and matched or beat all specs. There is risk to buying first run of any new product but I would do it if I was in need of a full size washer.
alexaqui
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi! Thank you for the input.

As for 36" vs 48" for the refrigerators, the capacity difference is pretty big for a small increase in cost.. For example, the sub-zeros I was looking at go from 16.4 to 19.1 for the fridge and 5.3 to 9.8 for the freezer. We are new parents and sadly never go out. We also make our own baby food and cook 99% of the time. I could easily fill the fridge. I don't think I can swing the independent/freedom from Miele/Thermador as they are only marginally bigger (if at all) than the sub-zero and cost a lot more.

Thanks for the tip on the Electro-lux double ovens. Seems to be what I've seen online here is that people are having a lot of luck with their ovens. That being said, I am toying with the Miele 27" and Wolf combi/steam ovens in place of a double oven. My biggest problem right now is actually finding a 27" that I can measure in person. Most dealers are stocking the 30s on their floors and Miele for example does not post the interior dimensions of their oven (???). We have an old 24" Maytag that fits so little it is worthless. The cabinet contractor said he can easily convert to a 27" oven. If we want 30" ovens, we have to pull new electrical, build a new cabinet, move light switches, to go next to the where the refigerator would go (I have 71.5 inches total to play with on that wall). Tough decisions...

Your comments hit the nail on the head with the washers. They all seem to be unreliable. I'm hoping the Miele will be big enough for my needs. Miele said I can return it within 90 days if it does not meet my needs. Not sure if they will really honor that if we do end up buying the unit!

Need help! All my appliances are failing...

Comments (4)

dan1888

ginny20

Related Discussions

deeageaux

alexaqui
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Need help! All my appliances are failing...

Comments (4)

dan1888

ginny20

Related Discussions

deeageaux

alexaquiOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

alexaqui
Original Author