Find out who makes the fridge for Sears that you like or the one you have and look at that brand. This may help.

http://www.appliance411.com/purchase/sears.shtml

What is your budget for the range? What functions are important? What type of cooking do you do? How do you use your oven? All gas vs dual fuel?

Per a salesperson in Sears all the Kenmore Elite appliances are made by LG. If so, LG gets high ratings in refrigerators. I've also been told the Sears stand alone appliance stores are owned by a different entity and are not part of the bankruptcy. I'm not sure how accurate any of this information is.

Thank you all. I've been spoiled by my experience with my current refrigerator, I realize it's far from being the norm. I will look into LG.

As for cooking, my main objective is to be able to fit more than 2 pots or pans at the same time. Fingerprint resistant finish and self cleasning option would be a plus (I am aware not too many 36" ranges have these options). I've also been driving myself crazy reading reviews of various brands and a common complaint I hear is that convection fans tend to be noisy. I'd like to avoid that if possible. One last thing. someone mentioned that stainless steel drip pan gets scratched almost instantly and black porcelain is better. Would love to hear some opinions on that as well.

When looking for a refrigerator, the comments included LG as being problematic when needing parts because they were a foreign make. Don't have personal experience, but that's what I found. Also, you might want to direct your search at some of the 5 burner stoves that will give you more cooking space.

“As for cooking, my main objective is to be able to fit more than 2 pots or pans at the same time.”

So are you looking at prostyle? Even a 30” prostyle might give you more room because you have more depth.

Don't buy anything based on brand name. Buy something with features and price that fit your needs. These days kitchen appliances aren't made like they once were.

Consumer Reports has range reviews. I'd supplement them with consumer reviews on sites such as Home Depot. You can join for a month for $8.

I think it would be worth your time to visit a few appliance dealers (not big box stores) and talk to the manager or owner about the different brands and what kind of service issues you should be concerned about with the different brands.

I have read the same thing about a possible problem getting parts for foreign made appliances, but after talking to a local dealer who sells a myriad of brands, I'm not convinced that is an issue. It sure could be down the road, but he sells LG and doesn't have a problem getting parts.

We read the Yale blog on appliances, Consumer Reports and checked reviews on HD and Best Buy. We also wanted to see the appliances in person. Some of the refrigerators interiors seemed to be very poor quality with drawers that didn't glide smoothly and cheaply made shelves. The lay-out is important also. We started out in one direction and ended up elsewhere. I think the most important thing is having someone who will stand behind what they sell and someone who can service the appliance.

I think you are right in wanting function over anything else. As for the maker that really depends on your budget and what you are looking for as to function. Fans will always be noisy it is the nature of moving air. I don’t always use convection but when I do I guess I just firgure it is what it is. I have a Bertazzoni 36” all gas range with a simmer burner and a wok burner because that functions for me since I also run a catering biz from my home. I also have doulble wall ovens since I like some things baked in gas ovens and some not. The advice to go to good appliance stores is a good one and if you can find one that does demos on the weekend even better.

Various manufacturers have produced appliances for Sears over the years. Don't assume that the fridge you like was produced by LG just because that's who's contracted to make Kenmore Elite these days. Use a model number decoder (such as than on appliances411) to figure out what you have and like.

Get a 30" double oven range instead of jumping class into the darn expensive world of 36" ranges. Or add a separate wall oven to go with a standard 30" range. Or a 36" cooktop and double wall oven.

The total expense of a 36" range includes increased ventilation needs with a 42" hood, and makeup air both. That costs as much again as the 5-7K range does. That's in addition to the price of the range itself doubling from a 30" category. Then, the rest of the appliances have to match that level, or the kitchen looks off. That's not Kenmore refrigerator territory. Now you've got a 20K appliance budget.

I do not agree Ilove my 36” 6 burner stove and I would never go back to a 30” and there is no doubling of price form 30 - 36” from the same maker I think out bert was another $ 600.00 to go up. Yes the ventilation needs to be bigger and better but it is woth it. As for everything else matching it you buy appliances for how YOU cook not some imaginary look that can only be achieved with 1000s of dollars wasted on a sub zero for instance if all you need is a good fridge.