Help pick New Home Appliances mix or match?

15 years ago

Hi,

My builder offers a package of GE appliances with my home specs....I want to upgrade on most of them. Is it ok to mix brands you think? The way my kitchen is configured the wall ovens & fridge are most visable. The MW is also visable but the DW is in the island area, not so visable. Everything will be stainless.

Here are what I've narrowed down as choices:

Double Oven:

GE JTP75SM upper oven convection

OR

Frigidaire FEB30t7FC, both ovens convection

Microwave: Do I need to match with the ovens?

The GE is "spec" so no extra charges JEB1860SM 1.8 cu ft. Also has "trim kit"

OR

Frigidaire PLMBZ209GC, costs a little more

Cooktop: Gas, both 5 burners

GE Profile JGP975SEKss, an upgrade from the spec model

OR

DCS/Fisher Paykel CTD-365

We also need to purchase a fridge. I've been looking at counter depth b/c we are exploring adding cabinet panels to the fridge. I've seen the ones that have the internal water dispenser which seems nice. We have a seperate ice maker nearby so it doesn't need to dispense ice. Can't decide on brand, sidexside, or french door style. Would like space and economical. But we will have 2nd fridge in garage. Any suggestions. I think I'm weary making decisions with building and can't seem to make "easy" decisions now!

Help!

Comments (6)

sher_nc
15 years ago
I always thought that everything needed to match, but after viewing pics on this site & nice remodels I've seen in person I definitely think it's ok to mix it up. Most manuf. have similar designs anyway.

I think it only needs to match if it's on the same wall.

I also need a frig. I'm leaning towards the GE Profile w/bottom freezer.
jab913
15 years ago
My appliances do not match but are all styled similarly. No one has ever noticed. So far anyone who has seen them has been quite impressed. Performance was more of an issue. Of course there had to be some compromises due to budget and other layout/design considerations.

With all that said obviously I am of the opinion that they do not all need to be of same brand or matching perfectly. Just so you know I am also considered a very obsessive compulsive person so one would assume matching would be important.
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Before deciding on fridge depth, you need to determine what is the distance between the two counters. 2nd question is whether or not you have the option of recessing into wall and still be able to run the water line for ice/water. Once you've determined that, then you can move on to brand. I vote KA DW over Bosch any day of the week--Bosch has less stacking flexibility (IMO), no food grinder (you've got a filter to clean instead), and no heated dry. KA has all these features in models that are more pocket book friendly. My sister has the GE Profile double ovens and loves them. Get back to us with the measurements and we can help you from there. Hope this helps!
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I was recently looking at all those brands for my new home. I ended up going with a Viking D3 range, fridge and dishwasher. Partially for the rebates, partially for the matching and most of all because I loved the range. Great features and it is gorgeous. Beyond that the Viking D3 has a better warranty than the rest and I negotiated an extension to 5 years from the dealer for $175 for all 3 appliances. Also free delivery and install. The fridge is the same same as the jenn air and kitchenaid. Just different handles. The only iffy thing is the dishwasher. I am sure I could do better by buying a Bosch or Miele but with the 5 year warranty I think I am taking a safe risk on the Viking. Still need a range hood but I dont think I will go with Viking on that.
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First I want to ask, have you gotten a chance to see these appliances in person? If not I highly recommend you do so. Just looking at appliances in person will often reveal "deal breakers" that you may never have found online. This is a great way to narrow your list quickly when you're overwhelmed with choices. I've been reading a little more on hoods on garden web. From what I read, it seems a 600 CFM should be sufficient and 24" depth by 42" length would be best...does that sound about right? If we go with 600 CFM we won't need makeup air correct? What do you think of vent-a-hood? Looks like that would not require the separate blower.Or do you think baffle is preferable? I think there may be confusion here as to some of the terminology. Baffle refers to the type of grease filter in the hood. It is the same type of filter as found in commercial restaurant hoods. The alternative to a baffle filter would be a mesh filter, which are mainly found in lower end hoods. Baffles are what you want, especially for a more powerful hood. Internal vs. external blower is a separate issue. Internal blowers are cheaper and easier to service, but external blowers can be quieter. Most inserts can be ordered with either an external or internal blower option, including the Faber you were quoted, so you don't need to go Vent-A-Hood to get an internal blower. I have never owned a Vent-A-Hood, but my overall impression of them from reading Gardenweb is that some of their advertising claims ("Magic Lung") may be a bit far fetched, but that they do make a quality product. It is true that best case scenario, the hood should overhang the cooktop by 3" on each side, so yes 42" would be the optimal width hood for a 36" cooktop. As for depth: remember that you are NOT buying a hood here. You are having your hood custom made, and buying an insert to put into it. The depth of the insert for example, could be 19" like the Faber you were quoted, but the overall hood depth would be 24" which is what you ultimately want. Still no idea on the fridge. Thinking of probably doing the 36" french door style and having a second cheap one in the garage or pantry (would add in the future, not now). There are too many options for french door! It is completely overwhelming. Do any stand out? Do you think the columns would look nicer than a typical 36"? "Nicer" is a subjective word, but the columns would definitely give a higher end look than a typical 36" (even if in reality they cost about the same). You're right that the french door options can be overwhelming. If you go that route, start by narrowing down your options. Do you want it to be counter depth or do you need the extra capacity of a standard depth? Do you want ice and water thru the door? If no, do you want an internal water dispenser? If yes, do you want dual icemakers? Which ones do you like the layout of the most? Work from there. Thanks again for all of this guidance. Sorry for all the questions. We have a very short time line to figure everything out and I am starting out with a knowledge level of close to 0. No problem. You came to the right place!
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For starters I wouldn't get black stainless because of all the issues I have read in terms of the finish just being easily scraped plastic. As a design feature, I would do as another poster suggested and get panel ready appliances for that wall of cabinets so there is a cohesive look.
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rhome410
15 years ago
My Wolf rangetop is on the same wall with the Electrolux hood vent, my Panasonic microwave, and Electrolux all fridge and freezer set...all adjacent to the wall with the Fisher and Paykel oven and another Electrolux all-fridge. Get the appliances that will fill your needs the best. :-)
palomalou
15 years ago
Probably depends on your mix of form vs, function. The more you plan to use the kitchen to cook in, the more they should not match, but suit your needs, as Rhome says. If it is largely for looks, your needs might be that they do match. I've got a Wolf range, Monogram dishwasher (what a mistake!), Electrolux Icon fridge that has been problem-free, and a Frigidaire wall oven, and Broan RAngemaster hood, so not a thing "matches."
friedajune
15 years ago
I myself don't like the "matchy-matchy" look. It says to me that there was more concern for the matching than for the functionality of the appliances. I think there are several reasons to buy non-matching brands in appliances:

- The appliance manufacturers all have their strengths and weaknesses, i.e. some make good ovens, but not good dishwashers, and the like. For example, people here rave about the Thermador column fridges - compared to other similar fridges they're winners! Yet the Thermador wallovens are very expensive and have been reported to be problematic. I think there is no consistent brand.

- people overly worry about matching the handles. Trust me, no one will notice, including you, whether the handles match or not.

- Some brands have more bang for the buck than others. You can see by shopping around, and definitely by checking this forum which brands offer more on an appliance than others; and it varies by appliance, it's not across the board.

- Some brands of appliances are just re-badges of more reasonably-priced brands with an upcharge just for the name, but otherwise the same machine. So people who want, e.g., all matching Dacor, will then buy a Dacor microwave for, like, $500, when it's actually just a re-badged Sharp that cost $250.

- Builders push the matchy-matchy look. That's because they buy hundreds of appliances in bulk from one manufacturer, so it pays for them to extoll the all-one-brand look.

As to your other questions...panelling a fridge. It can be expensive, both for the panels and also there's an upcharge for a "panel-ready" fridge. If you love the look, then it will be worth it for you. That's a personal taste thing. Also, the panels may be easier to keep looking clean than stainless steel doors. Re SxS vs. french door, I would advise you to look through this forum as that decision has been discussed a lot. I find my SxS fridge to have lots of cu. ft. (25), yet I think it's too narrow. If I had to do it again, I'd get a single-door, bottom-freezer fridge, or a 42" or 48" fridge. The french-door fridge is good if you do not have a lot of aisle clearance, but the counter-depth size FD do not have a lot of capacity. Since you will have a 2nd fridge, that won't be an issue.

You should go to a good appliance store, and see the various choices in person. Also read this forum thoroughly. Yes, it'll be hours of your time, but the payoff will be worth it in the long run.
eandhl
15 years ago
I have always selected appliances by what is rated good with minimal problems. I presently have a F&P frig, Bosch DW, DCS range, Kobe hood and Sharpe micro/conv. My last house I had a Bosch DW, Thermador cook'n vent range, Maytag badged Amana frig, Sharpe micro/conv. All were/are SS and blended fine.

Help pick New Home Appliances mix or match?

Comments (6)

sher_nc

jab913

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rhome410

palomalou

friedajune

eandhl

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