You know, they're both fine DWs. The important thing is, they load differently. Have you taken a 'sample box' in to an actual display where you can see if odd-sized dishes and pots/pans/casseroles/baking sheets will fit? I was perfectly open to buying a Miele, KA or F&P Dishdrawers. But when I tried to fit really big items or thick potteryware - the KA was the only one that was going to work for me. My KA is a different model but has the Pro Wash. On mine it works only in the 2 back rows on the bottom rack, with items facing in reverse (towards the back rather than towards the front). It works really well - I do a lot of cheese-encrusted casseroles and it gets the casserole sparkling clean - but there's a couple of things that are just a little too tall to fit in easily. I've noticed here that many people discuss the right detergent to use with the Miele. It seems a little fussier about that than the KA, I'm not sure why. I know that for DWs without food grinders it's important to use the enzyme-based detergent. THe only detergent I've had a problem with on the KA was a 'green' brand that was just awful. Otherwise I've used powders and gels of different brands, and they've all worked just fine.

I have a new less than year old KitchenAid dishwasher that has been nothing but headaches. It is one of the better "30" series and cost over $1,000. Control board went out, wrong one sent numerous times, basically a 4 month nightmare. Then the top rack broke and had to be repaired. Broke several glasses in the process. We took the thing out and I have been hand washing dishes. They are at least clean now. I also have had a basic classic KitchenAid and it was O.K. but not thrilling. Dishwashers need water (wow, what a concept) and power to clean dishes. I am NOT impressed with ANY of the new dishwashers, or their reviews. I would not take one if you gave me one free. Some people have had fires, and deal with smells. I find it ridiculous that any of the Whirlpool family dishwashers tell you to use Afresh in their dishwashers to cover up odors. Instead of fixing the problem let's just use a chemical to hide it. How disgusting! I have bought a Hobart made KitchenAid KDS-19 in good shape to restore, and am going to buy another old Hobart KitchenAid that has been refurbished, as well as another one locally that is ready to install. I am going to have spares as I will not ever, and I mean ever, buy another new one unless something drastic changes with the junk available in this country now. The poor quality and regulations have ruined them as far as I am concerned. Our appliance dealer said he hated to sell dishwashers, but said KitchenAid did better than most. He told us Miele service was terrible, particularly in our area, and that he personnally found the KitchenAids to be better overall. This is a large high end appliance dealer in a major city. If the Miele owners get upset over that, sorry. Get yourself a nice vintage dishwasher. You can even get nice stainless panels made from quality stainless...not the junk that is on many of the appliances now.

Normally I wouldn't recommend nonstick for everything, and usually agree with people who suggest that you avoid sets. But if you've got a limited budget and want to get the most bang for your buck, sets make sense. That normally means all the pans will be of the same construction. For you, with your Wolf cooktop, I'd suggest anodized aluminum. It heats very evenly, cleanup is easy, too. It can't go in the dishwasher, but again, cleanup is super easy, so it's really not an issue. It's also durable and will look good for a long time. For pure value, Tramontina is excellent. Good thickness, well made and has every pan you'll need for a long, long time. For an extra thick pan that will give exceptionally even cooking, I like Kitchenaid. It's got a good selection of pans, also at an excellent price. The thing about buying a nonstick set is that you need it to last, so that means you have to treat it right. No metal utensils, ever. No cooking sprays, like Pam. They ruin nonstick. Nothing over medium heat, ever. But that's ok with aluminum, because it will heat faster than other metals, so there's no need to crank up the heat. For boiling water high is ok, but only for that. Ignore recipe instructions that call for high heat or preheating before adding oil. Add oil to the pan, turn the heat to medium. When the oil is just showing wisps of smoke, it's hot enough to sear meat. Most foods don't need it that hot. If your pans should get a little sticky, make a slurry of baking soda and water, then lightly scrub the pan with a blue scrubby sponge. But if you treat it right, this shouldn't be necessary. Here's the Kitchenaid link: http://www.kitchenaid.com/shop/kitchenware-1/cookware-2/cookware-3/-[KCH1S10KD]-404866/KCH1S10KD/ Note the model number, or buy from the KA website. There's a lot of older KA cookware out there that's not as thick. Here is a link that might be useful: Tramontina Anodized Aluminum

Enduring, so many questions. :) I wouldn't worry too much about the amazon reviews. I doubt many people actually buy there and people who've had a problem with a product will sometimes try to take "revenge" by posting negative reviews all over the internet. Reliability is one of Miele's hallmarks. If you search on this forum you'll find that people tend to own them for a long time. My last one, a W1926, gave us 15 trouble free years before the motor went. I seriously considered fixing it and seeing if I could get another 5 or 10 years out of it, but in the end decided to replace it, which I don't regret. I think we'll easily get 15 years out of the new one. I had no interest in the Little Giant because it runs about $4,200, more than twice what I paid for the W3033 and it's way more than we, as a family of four needs. The LG was really designed for commercial customers, like gyms or restaurants. And as you mentioned, some people have had trouble getting the electrical hook up done correctly. Any authorized dealer can setup the W3033. It's really just a matter of removing the shipping struts, moving it to the desired location, connecting the water hoses and plugging it in. I would just call the Miele customer service number and ask about authorized repair people in your area. There really should be some, but they keep the master list. Most dealers don't do the service. I would hesitate to buy one if there weren't a couple of authorized service companies in the area. In my area (suburban NYC) there are quite a few, and it's usually companies that specialize in servicing high end appliances. Re your installation question and the floors, what you describe should be fine for the W3033, but I have no idea how the Little Giant would do there. You might consider getting the stainless steel platform if you get the W3033. It raises the machine an additional foot off the floor and makes loading and unloading it easier. The Des Moines area is lovely - I used to go there on business.