No personal experience with these but others here do have. From what I've read, Bosch DWs seem to be tiered. Would be interested to hear what antss and others thinks of the model you've listed.

Friend of mine just got an Electrolux induction range. Unclear whether it's the favored brand or what and no idea on price. It also has an odd front configuration which needs to be carefully considered in re cabinets but it might be worth a look. I have a Viking smoothie electric cooktop with plenty of power but I'm looking to swap for induction. If I had no gas, I'd go for induction. Worth it because it won't need to be replaced in 3-5 years.

One of my friends who's a pro cook has an LG French door fridge and loves it. Several years old -- no issues so it might bear a look-see.

I'd migrate to another brand of frig-everything else seems fine.A salesperson said Frigidaire is to be avoided when there are some more intricate workings...like fancier washers, better frig's, dishwashers and the like. Entry level stuff would be okay, and that's about it. Get a better brand frig.

There is an LG fridge that is in my price range, the LG Studio Series LSFS213ST. There are no reviews on ajmadison, but in my poking around here, it looks like the LG's are pretty well regarded.

Maybe I should just stick with the side by side and buy smaller frozen pizzas!

Oh, I didn't see the post above mine when I was posting. So regarding the Bosch, are you referring to that particular model? It seems that Bosch is really well regarded here for their dishwasher line if you aren't going for the top end Miele. I was also talking to a friend of mine and she has the FP drawers and is in love with them. A little more pricey, but reasonable so now I am looking at Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer Series DD24DTV2 as a possibility.

For the range/oven/cooktop question, I am now considering gas because somebody told me that it shouldn't be difficult to run a gas line. And that just opens up a world of more options which means that my head will likely explode with all of the choices. I hadn't really considered the cooktop/oven thing because we are keeping everything relatively "standard" so they can be easily replaced. That way if our budget gets blown with cabinets, countertops, sinks and such, while it wouldn't be ideal, we could put our crappy old appliances back in until we can afford to replace them. To change to a cooktop and oven, this wouldn't be an option because we would have to reconfigure the cabinets. I can see what you are saying though. Since we are changing the cabinets, now is the time.

"That way if our budget gets blown with cabinets, countertops, sinks and such, while it wouldn't be ideal, we could put our crappy old appliances back in until we can afford to replace them. To change to a cooktop and oven, this wouldn't be an option because we would have to reconfigure the cabinets. I can see what you are saying though. Since we are changing the cabinets, now is the time."

As much I hate to say this, why blow all your budget on items that really don't contribute to actual cooking itself? Cabinets, countertops, sinks and such....A top of the line undermount sink is great, so is granite countertops but a kitchen comes down to pan/pots on fire (or electric)and food.

I'm just looking at it from another perspective.

You totally have a point of course. A little bit of it, a range is something that I have always had and have never pined away for anything else like double ovens and a cooktop. The range concept works perfectly well for me. So in a manner of speaking, if it is not broke, don't fix it. I am pretty sure that professional grade appliances would just not be money well spent for me, nor are they in my budget. At this point, the purpose of the remodel is to replace shoddy 25 year old cabinets (and address some storage and functionality issues) with something of better quality. It is alot easier to replace a refrigerator and range than a kitchen full of cabinets. This is a modest remodel cost wise all the way around, and appliances (even with the less expensive choices that I have laid out) is already a pretty sizeable chunk of it. I have seen people posting here whose proposed budget for appliances alone tops my entire kitchen remodel. I am envious, but unfortunately I am just not in that position, so am looking for opinions within my budget and constraints.

Switching out appliances is not always easy/possible. There isn't really a "standard." Usually cabinets are configured using specifications (downloads) for specific appliances that have been chosen. The cabinet makers will need those to do the kitchen properly.

If the crappy old things are to be exchanged for newer stuff, it's good practice to check the specifications for BOTH and be sure they are the same -- height, width, depth, clearance. Some ranges have flanges that sit over counters which makes changes in those edges -- no way to disguise that when switching out. Assuming they will fit can lead to tremendous (and expensive) headaches, odd spaces for things to fall through etc.

That was why I suggested another approach to your post on the cabinets and decisions over in the Kitchen forum. My last reno we kept existing cabinets and painted but added new appliances. It took considerable adjustment and I was lucky but all the cabinets had to be removed and put back.

First, I'd pick appliances that work for your needs and in your budget. Then check the specs against the old appliances to be sure you can do what you want. There are many affordable gas ranges around in different styles including slide ins.

Budget willing, I'd try to get new appliances that you will enjoy. Those will be state-of-the-art and that won't need to be changed later. Also, service for appliances must be considered and heaven forbid something needs to go back. Fine to deal on the internet but as someone else pointed out, it depends on the savings. I'd also be sure that any internet dealer was official with the company so the waranty is respected. Alternately, buying locally in a store where you are purchasing all the appliances can be a way to negotiate discounts. I'd compare savings vs other issues.

Re DW, with F&P I'd be sure to try out the drawer to be sure things you need to wash in there fit. There's an art to filling it but it's tighter than the conventional style.

Re Fridge, I personally would never have another side-by-side. Others may disagree but there's a huge improvement for me with width of the bottom freezer space. We don't use the freezer that much but you can't fit an ice cream cake, as one example, in a side-by-side.

It's a lot to juggle and, while replacing the cabinets are the main purpose of the reno it can be more costly to do things in phases.

I appreciate your thoughtful replies. And to be honest I think you guys are right, as much as it pains me (and my quickly expanding budget) to say it. I swear there are so many moving parts to a kitchen reno that I feel like I am running in circles and not making any headway. I really don't want this to drive me into the poorhouse too, but it is hard to have champagne tastes on a beer budget, I have really been trying not to fall into the "oh, I'll just look" trap because these things can so quickly snowball out of control. I have the devil on one shoulder saying that since I am doing this, it only makes sense to do it right and try to get what I ant, but the angel on the other trying to keep the spending in check. But the point that JCWR made is a great one, the kitchen is to cook and produce food. Maybe I need to rethink my priorities and realize that paying double for cabinets that go to the ceiling isn't as important as getting a stove that finally cooks at the appropriate temperature and with burners that all work. Anyway, I apologize for using GW as a journal but sometimes it helps to get the thoughts all out.

So, we went and looked at appliances today and think we have hopefully made a couple of decisions (and yes, the cabinet people all wanted our appliance decisions when they are doing the plans). I am hoping that maybe there will be a couple of specials before year end because what we liked is slightly "over budget" but are factoring in functionality and things that we don't want to skimp on (like counter depth and the french door style). They also have a no interest payment plan, so that helps us since the original plan was just to pay for the entire reno in cash, this gives us the wiggle room (can you guys hear the snowballs forming?)

Fisher and Paykel dishwasher - DD24DCB6V2 - $1029. I am quite sure that everything that we use will fit and like the fact that we'll most likely only have to use one of the drawers most of the time. Just two people and we handwash our pots and pans. I really liked the configuration and the drawer set up.

Samsung Refrigerator - RFG237AARS - $2488.44. They have a platinum finish that I actually prefer to the stainless, I liked everything about the set up of the fridge, hopefully the quality is there. With the LG, they told me that the ice maker was typically an issue with people who like ice (which I do) so the Samsung won out.

Loved the induction cooktops. LOVED THEM. Loved the Electrolux. I am splurging, I am going to either get a gas line put in (which I need to price) and get a gas range, or I'm springing for either an induction range or fancy induction cooktop/crappy wall oven. Guess I'll have to see what that does to the cabinet pricing. Lots of variables to this choice. Regardless, I'll be able to bring the water for the ramen noodles up to a boil quite quickly and have a nice stove for the frozen pizzas since that will be all that we can afford once this is all said and done ;)

I just ordered fridge, range and micro from Number 1Direct out of St. Louis. The retail stores there under the same umbrella are called Goedecker's. they were cheaper than aj Madison and we are saving $1000. The people were very helpful on the phone. It should take 2-3 weeks. Several years ago I ordered toilets online with no problem, so thought I would try it since it was such a savings. Have also just ordered tile online and saved $2000 over local store. I'll post when I receive to let everyone know how it went.