Need a new refrigerator, any recommendations on which one?
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11 years ago
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Need help picking low to mid range applainces
Comments (1)FRIDGES: Basically, the current CR survey results (of 61,000 CR members with newer fridges) show Whilrpool models to be the most reliable. Maytag and kitchenaid are brands used by Whirlpool, not Frigidaire (which is actually an Electrolux subisidiary). Whirlpool also makes some of the refrigerators that Sears sells under its Kenmore brand. The other primary Whirlpool Corp. brands for fridges are Whirlpool, Whirlpool Gold and Amana. Whirlpool bought Maytag/Amana after bad management nearly wrecked them over the last decade. (On the other hand, I've still got my vintage 1998 Maytag 2156. It met the 2001 Energy Star requirements and is barely less efficient than those meeting the current standards.) By the mid-2000s, Maytag and Amana had a deservedly terrible reputation for a while, enough so that it continues to poison the results of the Consumer Reports reliability surveys which go back 6 or seven years. Check out the link below for a recent extensive discussion of these brands in the context of bottom freezer fridges Kitchenaid fridges are gussied up versions of the same thing that Whirlpool sells under its other brand names. Kitchenaid comes back with slightly less reliability basically because almost all of them come with ice-makers and a high proportion of them have through-the-door ice-makers and water dispensers. Ice-makers and water dispensers are the components that can be troublesome and account for a goodly proportion of defect complaints. This is true of all makers. Again, check out the link below because it will lead you to other resources. DISHWASHER: Tons of threads on these including low and high end. For basic dishwashers, I am partial to the basic Ascenta Bosch models. Look for sales on Columbus Day. It has a combination stainless and polypro tub and gets pretty high marks from CR. What I like is that they run relatively quickly. A lot of the Whirlpool and Frigidaire that I looked at recently had very long cycle times (like more than two hours). Do you have access to CR ratings? Getting stainless steel exteriors usually adds a hundred bucks to the price, but holiday sales can help lower that cost a bit. (Pretty much true for all appliances, btw.) STOVES: Gas? Electric smoothtop? Coil burners? Induction is nice but may be pushing the budget. The least expensive one I've seen recently was Samsung's new NE695 freestanding stainless induction stove which was down to about $1250 at Best Buy over labor day weekend. IF the budget can accomodate that, then the next question is whether or not s your sister have much cookware already? Costco sells several sets of induction capable cookware for about $200. MICROWAVES: Hard to give specific advice without knowing more about the kitchen but there are tons of postings here about microwaves. Any space constraints? Does it need to go on a shelf? Will it sit on a counter or cart? Are you looking for an OTR? You can really save a lot of money if you do not need an OTR. Better to get a inexpensive externally venting range hood and an inexpensive microwave. EXTENDED WARRANTIES are only as good as the service companies to whom service is outsourced. Several of the national service companies have awful reputations. For a sense of how good or poor warranty service. Check out consumeraffairs.com to see what warranty service can do to a manufacturer's reputation. Here is a link that might be useful: Need a new refrigerator, any recommendations on which one?...See MoreNeed Refrigerator Recommendation - Old one is dying
Comments (19)A2gemini - you "live" your fridge? LOL, I can't tell you how many times I've texted DH that I "live" him. :) We have a GE that's 2 yrs old. I bought it based on looks and layout. It's counter depth. It freezes any lettuce that is closer to the back of the fridge than the front. Ditto for celery. However, I look like a super healthy person because now I keep all spinach, lettuce, etc in the doors (where normal ppl put ketchup, mayo, and salad dressing). I won't put the fridge temp over 37/38 deg F, so this is my compromise or work-around. I also had problems with my old side by side freezing lettuce if it got too close to the dividing wall (between fridge and freezer compartment). So maybe it's me. But the standard depth LG French door fridge we left in NC never froze produce, so I think it's the counter depth or side-by-side that causes the problem (or my refusal to risk warm milk). If you can have a std depth fridge, go for it. The PO here remodeled the kitchen and the island (that I love and never would have thought to put in) left not enough room for a std depth fridge....See MoreBest refrigerator brand??? so confused!
Comments (4)FYI, Kitchenaid is a Whirlpool brand. The Bosch-branded fridges currently being sold in North America are made for Bosch under contract by Whirlpool. Best brand? Can you be more specific? I ask because "best" can mean very different things to different folks. I've seen posts here where "best" has meant "adds the most resale value to my house" or "most impressive to visitors." For some posters, "best" meant overall reliability and durability. For others it has meant the models with the compressors and electronics most likely to last into the next century. For others, it has meant drawers, slides and shelves that don't crack. For others, it has meant having the most options for drawers, slides, bins and shelves to give the greatest flexibility and storage capacity. For some, "best" has meant most even temperatures throughout the compartments. For others, it means ability to store greens for weeks in crisper drawers. For others still, it means largest capacity or the best organized. For many people, it has meant a mix of some or all of the above with varying degrees of emphasis. There are some long threads here that discuss wending your way through evaluations. If you have not already seen this very long one one (it started in 2012 and last updated in February of this year), it might (or might not) help you sort through some of the process of figuring out what matters to you in choosing a fridge. http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2312819/need-a-new-refrigerator-any-recommendations-on-which-one...See MoreI'm in need of a new dishwasher. Any recommendations?
Comments (31)Thank you, everyone. I purchased the Bosch SHXM4AY5N last night at Lowes. My decision was based on it's appearance and noise level. It's 48dba is a little higher than I wanted, but the salesman said the difference between the 48 and 42 (the other machine I considered) was so inconsequential. I also preferred its handle even though I'll now have mismatched handles in the kitchen. Another thing I liked was that it's fingerprint resistant (but not sure the stainless steel is a shade different [worried there] and that it has InfoLight shine on the floor so you know it's actually running. Lastly, the price was very reasonable - $540 for the dishwasher, with the add-ons (hose, kit, power cord, installation) a total of $919.58. You were all so very helpful in making this an easy decision. Thank you again....See Morejwvideo
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