Why take the risk ???

Also, doesn't it make you wonder why I'd give you a "free" hood to entice you to buy a fridge ? If it was so great , you'd gladly pay full price and we wouldn't have yo resort to games , would we ?

I'm certainly no fan of Liebherr, but would take that before I let a Viking fridge into my home.

Thanks for your comment! To be fair, the free hood isn't a Viking only thing. Monogram, Thermador, and others do it too.

What are your concerns about liebherr? What do you recommend?

Thanks Geoffrey. It's nice to hear positive feedback about the brand, even before the acquisition, because it helps put in perspective that even if a huge number of problems existed, te majority of units are fine. I've just been scared with all the terrible stories and then haven't heard any good ones since the acquisition.

on the compressor, it's true most have just one, but it's a selling feature on most of the higher end units to have two. I like that it has a variable speed compressor, like the liebherr. Seems to make sense that it would be good for product lifespan to be variable speed and frequently on instead of always turning on and off.

Do do you have a Viking hood as well?

Thanks!

Don't.Go.There. And if you do, you were warned. Good luck with your decision.

rococogurl = Viking hater = vendetta = self proclaimed expert

@NFT: Yes, we have a Viking Hood, with a 1500 cfm ventilator on the roof. 6 burner gas range with grill - easy to take apart and clean. No problems except a oven igniter which I replaced for $50.

I have no idea why a variable speed compressor is necessary or better. The compressor compresses the refrigerant, that goes through the condenser, becomes a hot liquid, and then is metered into the evaporator with an expansion valve or capillary tube. Variable speed has nothing to do with it. Sounds like a sales gimmick.

Thanks for the info. I was drawing my own conclusions on variable speed, because, as I understand it, turning things on and off is more taxing on the mechanical parts than consistently running at low speeds. I certainly could be wrong... or misunderstanding the situation, it's just what I thought I learned from my engineer father.

The marketing gimmick is that variable speed is more energy efficient... Even 10% amounts to a few bucks a year.

@rococogurl: From reading the archive, I know you've had your share of terrible experiences with Viking. If you still have their products, has customer service improved since the acquisition?

geoffrey = viking fanboy.

NFT, variable speed is simply about control. If you're that concerned about 10% energy savings of the few dollars a year you'll spend on hood energy - you probably shouldn't be looking at Viking or any other high end appliances to begin with.

Single compressor is fine. BUT , if you can get two systems for around the same price why wouldn't you. The main thing is risk, like I've already said before . Why would you want to take the chance that their manufacturing and cust svc. have improved ??? What if they haven't ? What if they have , but your units were made on the Wed. before Thanksgiving when the assembler's mind was elsewhere ? And then you get a phone rep that has one foot out of the door because the transition still isn't ironed out ?

If these things were 25% less than the competition then that might be an incentive , but otherwise to me it's not worth it. Sound to me like your mind is made up, but you just want some,one to validate your choice saying you'll be the exception. You might be, but the smart money won't give you those odds.

@xedos as I said, the 10% is only a few bucks a year, it's NOT how I am making the decision. I don't want to pay 8-9000 for a fridge. The only ones that don't come out to be that much, but are still built in, are Viking and Liebherr... And I prefer the Viking aesthetic and it feels far more substantial than the Liebherr.

But, I really don't know what is out there and what people have had good experiences with. I feel like I'm taking a risk with any of the premium brands as there are plentiful horror stories for all, but near unanimity regarding Viking. So, right now, the way I see it, it's about 1500-2500 in difference between Miele, Thermador, Bosch and liebherr/Viking. Knowing that does it change your risk/reward calculation?

What recommendation do you have for built in fridge?

edit: rereading your post, it seems like you misunderstand,. I haven't made up my mind... I had been firmly against Viking until i actually looked at one. I was leaning heavily towards Liebherr, and had basically made up my mind. Now I am 100% undecided. Truth be told, I'd rather not spend 5000, let alone 9000, on a fridge - but that's the price tag on the type of fridge I want, but I'd certainly like to pay 1000s less if I can without inviting tons of stress and frustration,

I am not looking for validation, I'm wondering if anyone has recent exp with Viking, especially on their new product line. It sounds like you don't, but maybe you have valuable advice on what else I should be looking at. So far you've said I shouldn't get Liebherr or Viking, but haven't offered up what you would do instead.

@xedos: " if you can get two systems for around the same price why wouldn't you." Yeah, I'm looking for a car with two motors - must be better than one.

I'm not a Viking proponent. I'm simply saying that I've had no real problems with my range / fridge / hood. I have to say many of the people on this forum are pretty much clueless, and the first little thing that happens they get all upset and don't know how to handle things - this is not about Viking.

Following your logic xedos, Viking will never be good enough, ever.

Be sure to instill FUD = fear, uncertainty, doubt.

These fridges are all about the warranty. You want a 10 - 12 year warranty on the sealed refrigeration system.

@NFT - Not in my experience. When my fridge needed repair they were nicer but had no idea what the parts were. I had to replace the fridge after only 3 years of full time use although it was older. There had been a major repair on the freon, door seals were worn out and the crisper had cracked. I liked the layout a lot but, sorry to say, there is no comparison to the Liebherr in terms of noise or keeping quality. I had Liebherr in the apartment at the same time.

Maybe you could get a buy on Thermador? People like those a lot. I have the Miele cousin now. I hate to see anyone go through what I went through.

I still have the original Viking cooktop and the vent. The vent is fair at best --- it never pulled very well but it does work. The run is very short. This is the third cooktop -- replaced because the decals wore off. This one has lasted a long time but the decals are starting to wear. I have stainless counters so hopefully I will move before I must replace.

Wish I had something more positive to add. Truly.

Geoffrey, some of the most powerful and most expensive cars on the market today do have two engines ! Viking does have satisfied customers to be certain. But , the mere fact that they were struggling the last 5-10 years and swallowed up by big business should also tell you something. The market leaders in quality and service aren't on the for sale block.

So, again , as a consumer it doesnt make a lot of sense to bet on a struggling or emerging or turnaround entity unless I'm getting something in return. Lots of people do, but the odds don't favor you. And all the big fish have a 10-12 yr sealed system warranty. Trust me when I tell you you never want to have to need that. If you do, it's the experience you have getting it repaired that is what is important. And again , again, odds are better that someone other than Viking will give you that .

NHT , I've dealt with Viking both personally and professionally over the last couple of decades and my current stance is never again , unless the current crowd can show a consistent turnaround with a measurable tack record. A few satisfied customers and a pr blitz is not enough. Give me decade of leading products and service and I'll dip my toe in again. Oh, and redesign the built in fridge line entirely .

I think the best value in a built in today is the thermador 36" freedom at around $7500 waaaaay better built that the Liebherr , larger usable freezer space and doesn't come with that chintzy plastic Liebherr seems to be so fond of . I also integrates better and easier into cabinetry . It is more expensive though, but there's a reason for that . Trust me , if Liebherr could charge 7500 for theirs , the would. They get laughed at though.

@xedos thanks for the info. is that the unit that is similar to the Bosch benchmark? Bosch may come in at a lower price point. I feel like if I pay 7500 for Thermador, I'm paying for the free hood/free dishwasher promotion that I won't be using. Id go all in with Thermador, but I do want an open burner range.

@rococogurl. Thanks for the input. Same salesman with Viking suggested Bosch and Thermador (see comments above re: Thermador pricing). He hates the Liebherr. I really like the Miele but I can't see spending a full 9000 (+tax, installation, delivery etc!)... I do like the Viking fridge aesthetic, but I have a nagging uncertainty that is causing a good deal of waffling. Will give the Thermador a fresh look and also the Bosch. I may take the plunge on Viking, but it won't be blindly! Thanks!

The bosch and t'dor units are almost identical save for the drawers and bins. They are more substantial on the T'dor models. They may not be worth $500 xtra to you though.

Got it. Thanks. Now that you said that, I was not impressed with how much the Thermador freezer drawer moved from side to side when open. Didn't seem very substantial.. Will give it another look, though.

Also , keep in mind that the Bosch 36" is ONLY available in French door configuration.

re: the side to side test - you're obsessing now. The freezer drawer runners are plenty substantial on those BSH and Miele models. They are all the same whether you get the entry level Bosch or the top of the range Miele or Gaggenau.

Maybe it's the floor model I saw, but it moved a TON. I felt like I could rip it off with minimal effort.

I installed my 36" Miele about a month ago. Everything is built rock solid, great lighting. About $8600

We met with our appliance salesman and the Viking rep last week to go over expectations and so they would know the level of hesitation I had with the brand, so that if anything came up later, I could reference this meeting.

Ultimately, we decided to give the Viking fridge a shot and are banking on the new Viking company under middleby to be better and have better quality/customer service.

Now we just can't decide whether to go with the 24" wolf or Miele combi steam oven!

sometime in the next few months, the kitchen will be done and I can update on whether the Viking's doors fall off and destroy my kitchen.