Dandridge.....Sorry it took me awhile to get back to you. I'll try to respond to the points you made. When I get a chance I'll also email KA. But actually it would be good if I got another customer service rep.....just to see if their 'stories match'. :-) Yes, I've also heard that the vent is supposed to stay closed for 4 hrs. But then why have SO many people had their counter tops ruined from moisture? I can't figure it out. Maybe they didn't install the moisture barrier that apparently came with old model dishwashers with vents on the top. If indeed the vent is at the bottom and blows straight out (as opposed to down on the hardwood floors), then that sounds like an improvement to me. As far as being a 'guinea pig' for a new product, I wouldn't worry about that. I get the impression that the workings of this new model are basically the same as the old model. I think they've only tweaked it a bit......changing the fan because that's the one consistent complaint they have received, and lowering the decibel level (which is to compete with the Miele, which has been quieter). This is just my non-technical opinion. :-) Like you, everything else I've heard about the dishwashers has been outstanding. There are so many people who rave over this machine, so I think I just need to go with it and pray that I don't get a lemon. And on that subject, I will absolutely buy an extended warranty for every appliance I buy. Consumer Reports says it isn't necessary, but it's cheap insurance for the unbelievable hassles that can result from an appliance that does go bad. I think you'd be fine with either the 60 or the 70 model. I'm not the kind of person who needs the top of line anything....my other appliances will be KA refrigerator, Monogram single oven and Advantium, Bosch 30" induction cooktop. They're good appliances, but certainly not the top of the line or as expensive as Wolf's, Thermador's, etc. But I do think I'm going to buy the 70 model KA because of our circumstance. We're down-sizing to a small home, and I'll be in close quarters with my dishwasher. I want to run it and not have to listen to it. Also, I'm not SURE it will dry plastics.....don't know if any dishwasher will. But I'm so sick of my current dishwasher.....I have to dry a bunch of my dishes by hand after the cycle is finished before I can put them in the cabinet. It's very annoying. So the fan on the 70 sounds good to me. I had to laugh at your last paragraph. Yes, me too!!!! The dishwasher, the sink (believe it or not), and the range hood and getting the right CFM's have all been insanely problematic for me. But I'm whittling everything down now, and we're close to a decision on everything. Whatever happened to the good old days before we had the ability to research like this? We just picked out the color or style we liked, or we asked the Sears salesman which one he recommended. Voila! Now we almost have too much info at our disposal, and it can get overwhelming at times. Good luck with your purchase. If you can wait to purchase, you may eventually find one in a store that you could take a look at. Let me know what you ended up doing. BTW, Lowe's has an extended warranty program that sounded pretty good. You can for instance buy 4 appliances from Lowes, but buy an extended warranty for only 2 of the appliances. You don't have to designate WHICH appliance you want the warranty for. Probably all 4 appliances won't go out, so you're saving a little (and gambling) by buying the extended warranty for only 2 appliances and using it only on an 'as-needed' basis for whichever appliance should happen to go out.

Hapikat...welcome to the site! (I meant to welcome you on my previous post!) First off, I recommend taking a step back and reading the following information/questions. Meanwhile we can help you with your design, but the information below would be very helpful. Yes, I know you're in a hurry, but time spent upfront will save much more time down the road in mistakes and disappointments (bad design/bad work flow/overall look/etc). Not a guarantee...but less likely. One comment so far, your appliances seem crammed into a small place, I suggest spreading them out somewhat. I think you need not only elbow room, but also counter workspace, of which you very little of right now. First step: Take the "Sweeby Test" It will help you define what it is you want out of your remodel (besides new "things"). Next, evaluate your current kitchen...what works, what doesn't AND what do you like, what don't you like (not always the same thing!) How many people will be working in the kitchen? Do you have children? If so, what age range (infants/toddlers, young, preteen, adolescent, grown)? These are just a few of the questions to ask yourself. See Beginning a Kitchen Plan While doing the above... Think about and set your budget. Keep 10% to 15% in reserve for emergencies...those unexpected surprises like insect damage, unsafe floors, etc. When walls are opened up or floors pulled up, you sometimes find unexpected situations...sometimes good, but probably not so good! Design Layout: Once you've figured out what it is you want from your new kitchen, it's time to start thinking about the layout itself. * The best place to start is to draw up your kitchen (to scale, if possible) without cabinets & appliances. This means measuring everything...walls, ceiling height, widths of doors & windows, distances between windows, walls, doorways, etc. * If you cannot move plumbing or gas, mark them on your drawing as well. * Mark all doorways & windows (w/dimensions) and label them as to where they lead. If they're actual doors, mark how they swing. * It also would be helpful to see the connecting rooms, even layouts so you see how they interact with the kitchen and/or extend the kitchen feel and flow. * Make note of traffic flows in and out of the kitchen Make a list of things like: * What are your goals? E.g., more counter space, more storage, seating in the kitchen (island? peninsula? table?), etc. * Do you plan to merge two rooms/areas (e.g., Nook and Kitchen into a Kitchen only) * Where are you flexible? .....Can windows or doorways change size? .....Can they be moved? .....Can windows be raised/lowered? .....Can any walls come down? .....Does the sink have to be centered under a window? .....Does it have to be under a window at all? * Do you bake? Do you want a coffee/tea/beverage center? * What appliances do you plan on having (helps to figure out work flow, work zones, and types of cabinets...upper/lower vs full height, etc.) .....Range or Cooktop? .....Single or Double or no Wall Oven? .....Warming Drawer? .....MW? (Advantium, drawer, OTR, countertop, built-in, shelf?) .....DW? Standard or drawers? If drawers, 1 or 2? .....Refrigerator CD or standard depth? .....Vent Hood? .....Other? Sizes of desired appliances (e.g., 30" or 36" or 48" cooktop; 36" or 42" or 48" wide or other Refrigerator? Counter depth or standard depth refrigerator, etc.) * Pantry: Walk-in or cabinets? ***** Very Important ***** Is there anything you: * Can't live without? * Definitely don't want? * Would like if you can find a way? This information will be valuable to not only you, but also any Kitchen Designers you may hire or talk to. Additionally, if you've been haunting the site, you'll notice that we also help with almost all aspects of the remodel, including layout help. If you do ask for help, then all of the above information will help us help you. Sometimes we stray from what you think you want to give you some ideas that you might not have thought of, but it's your kitchen and you can veto anything...we may argue for something (we're good at that!), but in the end it's what you want. And remember, we are just giving you ideas and possible layouts, in the end when you finalize your design it's whatever you want and decide on! After all, this is your kitchen! [Keep this in mind if/when you use a Kitchen Designer--it's your kitchen, not his or hers...don't let them talk you into anything unless you're sure it's what you want!] Good luck and welcome to the Kitchens Forum! Links that might be helpful: Sweeby Test Kitchen Forum FAQ Kitchen Forum Acronyms Beginning a Kitchen Plan Finished Kitchens Blog Appliances Forum Kitchen Forum threads that might be helpful: Read Me If You're New To GW Kitchens! (Help keep on Page 1) Best advice from this forum Care to share your best kitchen storage ideas? Now that I have [X], I think I could have lived without it tray cabinets - top 1/2 wasted space What do you wish you had done differently? Here is a link that might be useful: Thread: Read Me If You're New To GW Kitchens!

Deee, thank you so much for going to all that trouble to find the link for the CD fridges. Holligator, again, I am so relieved to know you have this exact one and love it AND it looks great! Momj47...thank you for that link. And last but not least... Kathy NY...THANK YOU! I don't know how that happened, guess I just clicked on the wrong one! I did go back and look and it says the KA is 24 3/4' without door & handles and 30" with. OMG, I can't believe that I did that and I have been fretting over it and involving so many people in my dilemna. I feel horrible. But, everyone has been so nice and helpful! But, there is still this issue of 30". Our fridge now comes out 31" and it's a standard depth, so what's up with the CD only being and inch less? Oh well, if people say they have a CD and it works and doesn't stick out, I've gotta believe you! Thanks again so much everyone! Here is a link that might be useful: KA CD Fridge

I think there's probably a tradeoff with the heat in the kitchen. The Bosch speed oven has a fan that does a very good job (too good!) of cooling the electronic board/mechanism by blowing all the hot air right into the kitchen. And for good measure, it stays on a few minutes after the cooking cycle's finished. This took a little bit of getting used to, as we weren't accustomed to hearing a fan running when something wasn't cooking. My impression (from reading/rereading the manual and from deciphering the Bosch sup's explanation) is that AutoChef 1-8 (the non-brownie modes, I call them!) do use a combination of microwave and convection. I've been cooking for so long that it's almost more work trying to work through the various modes and figure out what they all are. As I mentioned up top, I don't feel like experimenting with a meal: when I'm hungry, I wanna eat! :) If I'm ever feeling adventurous and have plenty of time to fiddle, I'll try one of the AutoChef meals/modes and report back. Right now, we're still in month 18 of a kitchen reno that has gone far too long. ETA: I did just have a tiny spark of a lightbulb moment. Why not grab a pyrex casserole bowl or an 8x8 glass pan, fill it halfway with water, insert the metal baking rack in the oven, then 'pretend' you're cooking a small AutoChef meal. Keep an eye on the red light icons to see if it switches back and forth between convection and microwave.