I suggest you go to your local Sears Outlet that sells scratch and dent items--many are just perfect and that's where I picked up a brand new perfect Monogram 48" side by side for about $3800.

We have the Kenmore Pro ones (like these) which I think are made by Frigidaire. (?) We've only had them installed for 2 months, but before that they sat for 2 years in our dirty garage -- long story -- so we were a little worried about how they would work after sitting for all that time but bottom line, no problems, and we're thrilled with them. For the price they can't be beat. There are two slightly odd things about them however. One is that there's no meat drawer, which I was used to in our other fridge and I do miss that. There are two HUGE drawers which I love having, but we fill one with fruits and the other with veggies, so then I just have meat on one the shelf above the drawers, which is okay but I would rather have a drawer for it. The second odd thing is that the shelf structure above the drawers are actually attached to the drawers themselves and they don't seem to come off for cleaning. The glass itself lifts out, but the surrounding shelf frame doesn't detach from the drawer (at least that we could figure out!) which makes it awkward for cleaning as you can't just turn it upside down into your sink and dump out fallen particles. Those are very minor inconveniences for the space and convenience (especially the freezer space which is incredible), and overall I love these appliances and I would get them again in a heartbeat.

I want to put a follow up on this thread. The GE Monogram all fridge all freezer units we purchased are both giving us problems that, according to the independent service technician, are showing up in more and more older models. In other words as the units age they develop these issues. I guess we are "lucky" in that they happened while we were still in warranty. First, the fridge was getting moldy. Mold was growing on the walls, shelves and even condiment containers and other containers that potentially are in the fridge for a while. I am cleaning the fridge every weekend, spending a couple hours at a time on it. Turns out that GE considers this within normal functioning parameters as the fridge is still getting cold enough. It is also developing rust. According to the technician - there is no fix for this. Second, the freezer is growing BIG hunks of frost on the back wall and according to the same technician this is indicative of "something big about to happen" although he refused to elaborate. So now I have two built in, custom panelled appliances purchased with the intent that they last MANY years and which will now need to be replaced. Be warned - stay away or if you must go with this line - at least go in with your eyes open.

I'm trying to outfit a small galley kitchen with some nice-looking, reliable, not-too-expensive SS appliances. My original thought was to go with Frigidaire for everything (but the dishwasher - that's going to be my splurge - an 18" Miele!). I need the refrigerator to be no bigger than 30", and Frigidaire makes a cool-looking top-freezer model with SS handles. They also have a well-priced range with five burners and convection oven - probably more range than I need, but I like the continuous grates and (again) SS handles. The weak spot might be their OTR microwave, which is really pretty but hasn't gotten great user reviews on the sites I've checked. So I started checking into alternatives - GE makes some well-reviewed OTR microwaves. So then I'm wondering if I should get a GE range as well (so that the SS would match), though the model I would want would be more expensive than the Frigidaire and have less functionality (only 4 burners and no convection), which is probably fine for me except it burns me (sorry!) to pay more and get less. And while I'm at it, maybe I should consider the GE refrigerators, though most of the top-freezer models aren't EnergyStar (grrr), and the bottom-freezer models are an inch or two larger in depth and my kitchen is narrow. Then my concern also about GE is that they're looking to auction off their appliance division (something I know has been discussed here quite a bit), and what does that mean going forward? Anyway, I thought I had all my appliances figured out and now everything but the dishwasher is in flux... Can anyone steer me straight? Thanks!!!