Please help me select appliances

6 years ago

I am renovating an apartment in NYC and need to select my appliances. What should've been a fun project is now one I just want to be over given the unfortunate and stressful timing: I'm taking care of a newborn and an ill parent, so I would greatly appreciate your guidance as I won't have much time for my own research. I'm especially struggling with my oven purchases.

This is what I'm thinking:

-6 burner Wolf rangetop - fairly committed to this

-Range hood: I've been led to believe the building will let me install a vented hood. I like the look of the hood being installed under a cabinet. What would you recommend for a vented hood?

And, alternately, if I can't install a vented hood, what is the best non-vented? I know that non-vented hoods are generally useless but it may end up as my only option if the building decides not to let me vent one, so I will need to pick the "best of the worst" so to speak. What would that be?

-Dishwasher: I hand wash china, crystal, and plastic so I will use the dishwasher primarily for everyday dishes, flatware, and glasses. I care most about it (1) doing a good job cleaning with minimal pre-rinsing, (2) drying with minimal spots, and (3) being relatively quiet.

I am leaning towards a Miele or Bosch based on comments here but have no idea which models to consider. If you purchased one in the last few years and are happy with it, could you share the model number(s)?

-Wall oven configuration: This is the trickiest part for me. I want two ovens and a warming drawer but I can't figure out which ovens to buy. The one thing I do know is that one of the two ovens will be a "standard" electric convection oven. The question is what to do for the second oven.

Option 1? Buy two of the same "standard" electric convection ovens. This is the "safe" option and I know how to use them.

Option 2? Buy one convection and one speed oven. This provides more versatility but I've never used a speed oven before. Is there a steep learning curve? And will a 9x13 dish fit into a speed oven?

Option 3? Something I'm not thinking about?

I don't think I want a combi-steam oven. While I bake a lot, I never bake bread (usually pies, tarts, cakes, etc). Plus, if I were to get one, it would have to be a non-plumbed version since I won't be able to add a plumbing line in my apartment, so it just doesn't seem worth it to me. Given the other circumstances in my life right now, I realistically don't foresee having much time/interest to learn how to use a combi-steam oven successfully.

So my two questions are: which brand of oven and which configuration?

For the brand, I don't think I want to get Wolf ovens given the enamel issues. It seems like Miele and Bosch Benchmark get good reviews. Would you recommend those or a different brand?

And for the configuration, should I go with Option 1 (2 standard convection ovens) or Option 2 (a convection oven and a speed oven) or Option 3 (a convection oven and some other oven I haven't mentioned yet)?

And finally, for the warming drawer, any brands I should consider? I know Wolf makes one but don't know much about it.

Thank you for reading this post, which I know is lengthy but I hope that by providing as much information on my preliminary thoughts as possible, it will make it easier for you to weigh in. I really really appreciate it.

Comments (7)

Kim G
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
As far as your rangetop - I am an induction convert so can’t comment on the Wolf. I would think for a NYC apartment with venting concerns - induction would be a consideration.

As far as your ovens - I have Miele 30” convection/CSO/Speed. Love them all. Bosch makes a good oven from what I have read but their CSO/Speed are more limiting. I would not dismiss a CSO due to “learning curve”. The Miele CSO can operate as a regular 2nd oven until you have time to experiment with the combi steam modes. Yes it is great for bread but it is also great for reheating foods that are very close to freshly made. It is also useful for roasting meats/poultry/etc. I love it for lasagne/meatloaf as adding moisture doesn’t dry the top while the dish cooks. It also makes great New York Style cheesecake (I now use Junior’s recipe). The steam only option is great for veggies and anything you may want to poach or blanch. It cooks pasta perfectly without worrying about a boiling over pot. I don’t have the plumbed version and filling the tank and emptying the resevoir is really no biggie. Like the CSO the Speed Oven can also be used as a regular oven or a microwave or you can combine the two. I rarely use the micro/oven mode myself. It depends on how you like to cook and are willing to spend some time learning how to take advantage of their capabilities. I had to do this will all my appliances as many advances have occurred since I bought my prior set in 2012. After 2 1/2 years - I still have all my user manuals close by.

I am not warming drawer person as all 3 of my ovens can keep things warm so I didn’t have a need. That was part of my rationale of getting the speed oven instead of a microwave as I thought it would be more versatile than a micro and a warming drawer.

As far as a dishwasher - you are good with either Miele or Bosch. I went with Miele that has the open air drying/LED lighting/most flexible basket design. This is one appliance you need to get to a showroom and see what works best for you. Both clean well and are quiet. I have used both and think the open air drying is more effective. I think Miele has superior racks. It really is a personal choice.

Being in NYC you have many showrooms with live appliances where you can take a few hours do some test driving once you narrow your decisions. Sounds like you have your hands full but appliances are an important decision so hopefully you can carve some hours out and visit a showroom. Both Wolf and Miele design centers have classes on using their appliances. Not sure what Bosch offers there.
DrB477
6 years ago
Steam ovens are awesome if you reheat leftovers regularly. And for so many other things. It does not use much water so not having it plumbed isn't a big deal. I think only Miele makes a plumbed model anyway. There isn't much learning curve for simpler stuff. Honestly now that I have one I can't see doing a high end kitchen without one.

Speed ovens are a good space saver to have a MW and a small oven in one box. Using the two together is occasionally useful, but I could do without the combo mode.

My ideal combo is range top, full size oven, cso, and a MW. If budget and space allow for a speed oven instead of plain MW even better.
Related Discussions
$8,000 budget - Please help me find the right appliances.
Q
Comments (13)
Just curious: I thought the repair prone Elux ovens were the 2009 versions, and improvements have solved the problem? The reports of problems here on the forum have definitely fallen to nil since then. KitchenAid ovens have had such variable and negative reviews here, and additionally, such problems with non-responsive customer service, that I never even considered them. TGC, I found Consumer Reports to be sorely lacking in broad coverage of brands, certainly of a variety of models, and in judging the appliances in areas which I found important...like over time. A day of testing doesn't show it all. Also, their repair history type of reports are misleading, since they only cover a few types of problems. For instance, I did a survey for them in which it made our Maytag fridge look like a star, because it didn't allow for information about how many times we had to replace parts to the drawers, how much we spent in shipping costs for parts, or the evaporator motor we replaced ourselves when the original went out just after the warranty period. They don't take into account necessary parts and repairs that don't require a manufacturer's service tech. Anyway, you're doing things the right way...Consult CR, but also look to resources like this forum and AJ Madison reviews where you get reports from real life experience, and from people who use their appliances in all different ways.
...See More
Please held with appliance selection
Q
Comments (11)
Sorry, I forgot to add that I have a french door fridge (Whirlpool) 23 cubit foot with no ice despenser or water in the door. I am not all that thrilled with it to be quite honest. I have been told I am just not used to it yet, but I preferred the freezer on the top of my old model. I am not a side by side fan at all but wished I had seen the Bosch one. It was a lot less expensive than I thought. I love a lot of freezer space as I freeze lots of summer produce for the fall/winter as well as soups, stews, etc. I think it is much easier to pull things out of the upper freezer than to lift things out of the bottom. I also think it was easier to see things. I might give a side by side a second look if I had to do it again. I think their freezers are too small and not wide enough for what I use. In reality, I probably need a stand alone freezer but don't have the space for one (garage routinely gets to be over 120 degrees in the summer so that is not an option, nor do I want the added electric bill). So check things out on-line and see what you think. Lowe's (if there is one close to you) generally has a good selection so you can see different models and the good and bad points. I liked the freezer section of the GE french door but it was a smaller fridge than the Whirlpool and more costly. BTW, I also am able to open one of the french doors but it opens at a 90 degree angle as I have a wall right there. I can still get things in and out but it is a consideration if you are placing your fridge near a wall. I also extended my fridge space into the garage by 8 inches or so, so my fridge sits flush with my cabs. That thing is a monster.
...See More
Master bedroom help .. Please help me select bed .. can’t decide !
Q
Comments (51)
I'm not a fan of any of those options...for various reasons. Mostly because the style/scale as well as the tone doesn't look like it would compliment the bed.....although without links hard to know. The Bernhardt nightstands in your pic from Haverty's are 40 W x30 H x21 D. That is why they don't look dwarfed by the bed. Do you have room to do something like the pic Penny posted? Basically a simple open rectangle with a sturdy leg? Another thing I'd consider is taking a look at kids' dressers/desks. Some are even similar in size and shape to the Bernhardt nightstands.... https://www.perigold.com/furniture/pdp/smiling-hill-4-drawer-dresser-sta6494.html?piid=17238112 Another approach would be multi-tiered side tables, not these exact ones obviously, but again something with enough heft and presence to play nicely with that bed.
...See More
Please help me select new kitchen sink faucet!
Q
Comments (21)
Thank you all for the feedback! Debbi mentioned Brizo - I found this one (https://www.brizo.com/kitchen/product/63075LF-SSLHP), which I like, but they don't have it in brushed nickel, just polished nickel. My pulls are satin/brushed nickel, so they don't have that shiny "reflection" finish. So I am down to two finalists. I am only getting a single hole, no soap dispenser, and garbage disposal button will either be on the wall or batch feed/twist top drain cover (no hole in quartz for this). Here are the two I'm stuck between. The Kohler one is much more reasonably priced at $400 after the current discount, and I know Kohler is a very good brand (have used them before, good customer service in my experience). I took a pull sample to local store, and the satin nickel pulls I have aren't an exact match to Kohler's "vibrant stainless," but they're close enough and the sink faucet will match the stainless of my appliance handles at least (my appliance handles are brushed stainless). The Elkay one (in brushed nickel) is bananas price-wise lol at $1872. However, I can get it locally for $1250 with a discount (still a lot more than I wanted to spend). I believe the brushed nickel color will more closely match the pulls (since it's actually brushed nickel, which I think is the same as satin nickel), and I also really like the design of this one too. Unlike the Kohler, this shoots water at a slight angle, so it will go more in center of sink. But someone told me you actually don't necessarily want that, as it will splash more this way. From what I gather, while Kohler is very good, Elkway is top of the line (which I don't necessarily need). Basically it's really hard to find nice options in brushed/satin nickel that aren't bonkers price-wise it seems. Kohler https://www.us.kohler.com/us/crue-pull-down-single-handle-kitchen-faucet/productDetail/kitchen-sink-faucets/1782974.htm?skuId=1782902 Elkay https://www.elkay.com/products/details/LKAV1031NK Ok guys, please help me decide between the two finalists! Part of me wonders about ordering both (since Kohler's sale ends soon, and the other I can get on sale), and then returning whichever one I don't want. The Kohler I saw in person, not sure I can view the Elkay one anywhere.
...See More
DrB477
6 years ago
For dw get the Miele that opens when done and has an interior light.
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
6 years ago
Previous research led me to Vent-A-Hood's recirculating hood for circumstances where you have no option to vent outdoors.

http://www.ventahood.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=427&Itemid=331

You can't go wrong with a Wolf range top. However, and I know you don't want to hear this, but if you can't get an exterior vented hood, please do consider induction. Many people consider induction superior in temperature control and responsiveness and big bonus for a busy person **much easier to clean.** Nothing ever gets hot on the glass top, so you can wipe things up with ease.

I have both a speech oven and a CSO. I think they are similar learning curves. The CSO is not a big deal and Miele's non-plumbed version holds an adequate amount of water. Reheated food is much better in the CSO. Plus the CSO make veggie and fish preparation a no-brainer, so I make more veggies and fish.

If you are still opposed to a CSO, the the speed oven seems like a great choice (I do not use mine much, so I can't say a lot about it.

Two regular oven are a fine choice too. And you happen to be stuck between two brands I like a great deal. Miele has some ovens with lots of fancy pre-programmed setting, if that is appealing to you. They also make ovens without the bells and whistles. I would probably lean a bit toward Miele over Bosch.

I like Miele's warming drawer because you can panel it and place it under your range top/cooktop where it gets the most use and I like for it to look like a drawer in that position.

Your life will calm down and I think you should be a little more open to choosing appliances that could make your time in the kitchen a little easier- I know that right now it's hard to envision having an appetite for that (no pun intended.)

Oh, and on the dw, definitely a Miele (pref. with china and crystal setting.)

I am so sorry you are having such a hard time. Taking care of a parent is a hard and heart breaking thing to do - especially when you have the joyous hard work of taking care of a baby. I hope this difficult period passes for you soon and with a good outcome.
DrB477
6 years ago
I measured tonight and 24" miele speed oven usable interior dimensions are about 14x17
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
6 years ago

Here are some YouTubes about using a Miele CSO. Sometimes it makes a difference to see something in action.

This is the best video in the lot- but it is 20 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23Cz9WSCsuk

These are shorter and less informative, but still get you familiar with how it works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abuxPgRxZBo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k5MzTNrfuY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GZ0uxm6Ckc
cpartist
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
With a newborn, I would seriously consider looking at an induction cooktop. Much safer in so many ways as the cooktop doesn't get hot. And control from simmer on up to boil is much more precise than gas. Easier to keep clean too.

I've had a Bosch oven in the past and was happy with it and in my new build am getting another Bosch oven. I had the 800 version in my condo, and because I don't use an oven that often, I'm fine with the Bosch 500 for my new build.

Please help me select appliances

Comments (7)

Kim G

DrB477

Related Discussions

DrB477

Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real

DrB477

Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real

cpartist

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US