Please help me pick appliance package?

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Buying a home and renovating. We currently have electric cook top so was thinking Wolf gas range top but just discovered induction. Now I’m thinking wolf 36” induction? Gas vs induction? If go induction which hood?Planning a Bosch dishwasher. Thinking microwave in island so Sharp drawer. Are these reliable? We like that the Bosch double oven doors swing open instead of pull down. Does Bosch make a good double oven? What would you do for slide in refrigerator with what I’ve listed? What would you change? Thanks

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artemis_ma

4 years ago

I don't have appliance recommendations for you, as I sense that your budget for appliances is higher than mine was, when I built two-three years ago. I will say I LOVE my induction range - the only change I'd make would be to go to 36" over the 30" I have. I've cooked on both gas, regular electric and induction, and I far prefer induction. Easy cleanup, temperatures at the lower end are easier to control than gas, and if I had young children, I'd just feel safer about it. The only downsides I've found have been that you can't run the induction during power outages, and you can't roast / char peppers on the elements. (But both of those can be taken care of via the outdoor grill, and I don't really need to roast peppers often anyway.)

A lot of people have discovered that having different heights at the island or peninsula aren't that efficient - so I'd recommend against the elevated seating areas. Like you, I have my sink on the peninsula, but without the elevated area behind the sink - with enough of your counter slab material behind the sink, you won't get splashings into the dining room. Many folk also find it more comfortable to sit at a counter at approximately 36" height than at 48 - including me, and I'm tall.

I do have some layout thoughts, but I'll try to remember to look at this further later on today, with an actual suggestion or two. But I am wondering if you need all those counter seating areas, or if just one of them would suffice? (How many are there of you, and how do you entertain?)

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Comments (8)

artemis_ma
4 years ago
Another thought here - you move all around the kitchen in order to cook. I'd put a prep sink on the island, with some space for food prep. You can go from fridge to island to rinse things, slice things - then either to the cooktop or to the ovens as needed. Yes, leave the regular sink where it is - a prime spot for doing the dishes.
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I have the KA French door with no water or ice on door as we just didn't ever use it and on our last ancient fridge it was the first thing to break although after many years. I don't mind going into the drawer for the ice at all because they provide a nice scoop and you can just quickly scoop a big amount of ice and be done with it. There is ice water spout inside the fridge on the side wall. I didn't want to sacrifice fridge space to have it on the door but everyone has different needs and wants. I have been happy with my KA and have had it for about two years plus. It's stainless and once I got the hang of how to keep it looking good I love it. I have stayed in condos on vacation that have all GE and I was very impressed with the appliances. The dishwashers did a great job and I liked the washer and dryer so much I sold my Bravos Maytag set that I loathed and got a GE front load that I love : ) My sister did a huge kitchen reno and has the GE ovens and she is happy with them. I have to tell you there really isn't that much difference in appliances unless you get up in the stratosphere of price and even then they all keep food cold, freeze ice, cook food. If you have a limited budget just stay in a price range that works for you and don't get too caught up in worrying about this that and the other thing. I admire you for trying to keep it in the 3K range but I don't see how you are going to be able to do that with the number of appliances you need and the brands you are looking at. I am wishing you all the best and absolutely YES I would say that the counter depth is definitely worth it. It made such a difference in my kitchen with not sticking out in the pathway and gave us so much more room and utility. We have a small fridge in the basement for overflow and still since our family is small I have plenty of room. Sometimes the freezer can be a problem but with the extra space in the other fridge it's workable.
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dan1888
4 years ago
Miele has a XXL CSO steam oven that's an option in an oven stack. I'd choose Miele or Bosch for a 36" induction cooktop. Sub-Zero frig although Bosch has a less expensive counter-depth dual compressor frig.
Zalco/bring back Sophie!
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I love induction, Bosch, Wolf, Miele are all good performers and reliable. Definitely look at Miele CSO. Refrigerator, IDK, I have had Bosch and Miele and am/was happy, would probably get SZ were I to choose again.

I like a raised breakfast bar when it's done in a cool modern way. See Bulthaup or the Bradbucks sketches on IG.

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniemcneal/bradbucks-quarantine-instagram

Scroll down a bit for a good picture of the set up. It's in a video embedded in the story.
eam44
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Hi Jed.

Gas vs induction? If go induction which hood?

There are many, many, many threads filled with passionate posts on induction vs. gas. If it makes any difference to you, professional grade gas ranges need great vent hoods, which in turn need something called make-up-air. Choosing induction, even expensive induction, will save you thousands on ventilation. You can choose a 400 cfm vent hood, just make sure its size exceeds the 36” cooktop be a few inches on either side.

Planning a Bosch dishwasher.

Bosch dishwashers are beloved on this forum, as are Miele.

Thinking microwave in island so Sharp drawer. Are these reliable?

I believe all microwave drawers are made by Sharp, and no, they are not particularly reliable. A microwave on a shelf (with or without trim that can make it look built-in) that can be replaced as needed is the general recommendation.

We like that the Bosch double oven doors swing open instead of pull down. Does Bosch make a good double oven?

I don’t know. Bosch ovens in general get mixed reviews, but the BlueStar and GE Café French door ovens have been lauded here. BlueStar will be considerably more expensive.

What would you do for slide in refrigerator with what I’ve listed?

SubZero.
decorpatti
4 years ago
Just an anecdotal note on Sharp drawer microwave: we have had ours for 10 years, use it daily, and we have never had an issue with it...not a single one. My husband uses the button to open/close, I just pull it open and push it closed, and both work just fine. So they can be reliable and convenient, and I love that it does not make a pronounced visual statement in the room.
eam44
4 years ago
Oh, you said a slide-in refrigerator. I’d go for a KitchenAid. @decorpatti, that’s great to know. When it comes to the drawer at least you bought the Sharp instead of a re-branded one at twice the cost.
Sammie J
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I would take induction over gas any day!!! And I LOVE my Bosch dishwasher!!

Please help me pick appliance package?

artemis_ma

Comments (8)

artemis_ma

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