Are GE Cafe appliances worth it?
HU-945736712
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
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HU-945736712
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Ge Cafe appliance opinions?
Comments (118)Two years ago, we purchased a new, counter-depth GE Cafe Refrigerator and paired it with a suite of Jenn-Aire Pro Style appliances: a Duel Fuel, Convection Range, Steam Dishwasher (stainless steel tub) and above-the-stove Microwave. We considered both the Jenn-Aire Pro Style and GE Cafe appliance suites, due to their comparable costs and features. I realize that some people might be mortified by this idea, but rather than choose between the two brands, we found a solution that gave us the best of both. A review of our unique circumstances, thinking and shopping process may be helpful for some. Each product line really is very nice. But at the time we needed to do our appliance upgrade, the budget prevented us from doing an entire kitchen and countertop remodel. Besides, our countertops and grout were in great shape, even though the house was 20 years-old. Fortunately, our refrigerator isn't clustered on the same walls with the other appliances, so the minor design differences aren't really all that noticeable. In the end, we chose this unusual brand-pairing for reasons of functionality, not aesthetics. Also, I reasoned that over time, reasonable people often install different brands of replacement refrigerators in kitchens. Our solution isn't perfect, but it worked for us. The GE Cafe line of appliances has beveled edges; the Jenn-Aire Pro Style line of appliances has straight edges. From an interior design standpoint, this is the single biggest difference between the two. The result is the Jenn-Air line has a no-nonsense, restaurant-style look; the GE Cafe line has a more graceful and stylish appeal. But both have beefy, pro-style handles and knobs and the brush-stroked finish of the stainless steel is similar. However, the GE Cafe appliance's stainless steel does take on a slightly warmer (yellowish) tint while the Jenn-Aire steel is cooler (blueish). Again, the difference is very subtle. 1. We really liked the GE Cafe refrigerator far better than the matching refrigerator for the Jenn-Aire Pro Style suite. At the time of our purchase, the refrigerator compartment in the GE model had a significantly larger capacity. This may have been because the GE model was taller. This meant it also did a better job of filling the existing cabinetry's built-in space. The GE Cafe model also made better use of the internal refrigerator space, as it had wider shelves that fully reached to each side of the compartment. The Jenn-Aire refrigerator-compartment design left unusually wide gaps between the interior shelves and the sidewalls. This mean this lower-capacity model also would be far less space efficient. Again, we were comparing the counter-depth models. 2. The GE Cafe range is a freestanding design. This would have required us to replace our kitchen countertop because it would have exposed the raw, saw-cut tiles that define the edges of the stove opening. We had some extra tiles in storage, but not enough edging tiles. In turn, this would have forced us to also replace the counters in the downstairs bar and bath, if not the ret of the house. Also, the matching GE over-the-stove microwave measured just a little larger and deeper, making it a tight fit with the existing cabinetry. 3. The Jenn-Aire Pro Style drop-in stove slid right into our existing tile countertop opening and the top edge of the stove overlapped the counter to cover the raw, saw-cut edge of our older tiles. Now, two years later I have three observations about the design and performance of these appliances. GE CAFE REFRIGERATOR Our model's interior light uses an old-fashioned (low wattage) light bulbs. This means the lighting fixture is very large, and it really intrudes into the compartment space. At the time of our purchase, I was very surprised that GE didn't use LED lighting, and maybe it does by now. I wonder if an LED conversion kit is (or ever will be) available for our model? The extra capacity of the GE refrigerator compartment remains important to our small family and I'm still glad we decided on this model. However, the GE Cafe refrigerator just doesn't keep drinks like water, soda and milk as cold as we like, nor as cold as our old refrigerator. The refrigerator compartment measures a standard 32F (the lowest setting available), but this just is not quite cold enough (for us, but it may not be a big deal for you -- we like our drinks icy cold). This may be due to the position of the refrigerator compartment's cold air duct (which gets cool air from the freezer), the interior air-circulation, the fact that GE is designed to store drinks in the door, or a combination of all these factors. Also, we notice slightly warmer drink temperatures when the refrigerator is fully-loaded (such as after a big trip to the store). This makes me suspect the compressor may be slightly under-engineered. One day, when we opened the door to the freezer compartment, a hard package of frozen food dropped to the bottom and cracked the interior liner in a semi-circular line. We just had a repairman out to look at the small crack. These liners are thin shells and a single part (or two). I was told that a styrofoam backing insulator is behind this layer. The only repair is caulk (to prevent the crack from spreading). GE sent the special GE-branded caulk and the repairman drilled two tiny holes at each end the crack and then filled it all with the caulk. JENN-AIRE PRO STYLE DISHWASHER Our inner tub is a stainless steel model, which should last longer. However, the versatile, fully-adjustable baskets have a lot of moving parts and attachments that work using space-age plastic hinges, snaps and roller wheels. These plastic parts started falling off within the first few months of use and this continues today. I think the connector designs need improvement and the harsh wash temperatures quickly took a toll on the functionality of these parts. We just had to replace a locking gate for the top basket due to a broken snap lock. This part cost over $25, though it probably was a 50-cent component. JENN-AIRE PRO STYLE STOVE This stove has two removable grates for the four burners. The grates have rubber feet that nestle into the openings for the burners, but the edges of the grates actually rest atop the stainless steel stovetop. You must carefully lift out the grates to clean the burner wells. When you place the grates back onto the stove, you MUST drop the grates straight down into position. If you misalign the grate placement and then slide the grates front to rear to correct the misalignment, you scratch the hell out of the soft, stainless steel finish. Our otherwise conscientious housekeeper has wrecked the top finish of the stove. No matter how many times I explain how to properly place the grates on the stovetop, she always gets it wrong. Most of these scratches aren't visible when the burner is in place, but they are disappointing and it points to a design flaw in the grate system. The stove's front control panel faces straight forward -- it is not angled up -- even slightly. This makes it very difficult to read the oven control labels and the writing on the knobs that control the cooktop burners. The GE Cafe stove's control panel was angled up slightly, and better in this respect. Also, the digital interface and integrated touch panel for selecting and choosing the Jenn-Aire oven settings leaves much to be desired. The small control panel display forces the manufacturers to use an array of digital, touch buttons and then step through levels to find the setting and value you want. IMPROVING THE DIGITAL KITCHEN I won't see this idea implemented in my lifetime, but it's time for all appliance manufacturers to move the digital controls off these appliances and place them on the iPad using WiFi, Bluetooth or the new NFC (near field communications) radio technologies. Imagine an App for all these controls! The iPad really is a marvelous and versatile device that already is being used to control entertainment center components in the den, lighting, water, heating, air conditioning and security. Why not the kitchen too?...See MoreGE Cafe Line appliances
Comments (1)It appears that the difference are often little more than cosmetic...and price. For example, compare these pairs of cooktops and wall ovens: Induction cooktops Wall ovens With any Cafe appliance, I'd always check, say, Home Depot or geappliances.com or appliancesconnection.com to see whether there was a nearly-identical plain-old-GE or Profile product....See MoreGE Cafe owners! Give me your experience/advice GE Cafe Refrigerator
Comments (12)Hello all, No I did not end up with the GE Cafe fridge. If you all have read reviews, NO refrigerators have good reviews as far as reliability. I ended up with the Samsung 4-door, French Door, Food Showcase (which is the door-in-door feature). I had time to watch prices since we were in renovation and the Samsung was $1,100 cheaper than the GE Cafe for the same amount of space and I got a couple extra features like the water bottle that is in the left door and refills itself automatically. I thought that was a dumb feature, but now that I have it, I see I use it a lot! It's much faster to pour the water from the pitcher if you are filling up a larger bottle or pitcher, than to wait for the little water filler on the outside of the door. And it was my hubby who wanted that 4th door---which is the drawer right above the freezer. I wasn't sure but I love, love, love that! It holds all our cheese, yogurts a few cans of pop or water, and if I have a half a lemon or something like that, which would normally get lost in the fruit or veggie bin, I just pop it right there in the front so it is not forgotten about! The only complaint I have is that the ice maker takes up room in the top left side of the fridge. You don't have this with the GE. But we got the big 28.7 cu. ft. one and we keep a lot of food and have had no issues with space. As far as reliability, since ALL brands seem to have bad reviews, I figured the best thing I could do is get the most extended warranty possible. So I got the Citi Visa which adds 2 years to any warranty (yes---that's a feature of the card!) as long as the total warranty period is not longer than 7 years. Bought it at Home Depot along with the 5 year extended warranty which was around $295 I think, and then Citi will extend the warranty out two more years to SEVEN years! If a fridge is going to be problematic, I figure it will do it in the first seven years. And they will repair but will replace if they have to come out more than 3 times. So I figure I saved about $1300 including taxes by choosing the Samsung over the GE Cafe. As far as my GE Cafe range and microwave, yes I have loved them both so far! Had the range about 6 months and the microwave about 4 months. I got them both in stainless. Someone asked how far it sticks out from the cabinets. I can see about 3/4" of the black side of the oven sticking out beyond the cabinets and then of course the entire oven door sticks out beyond that. I don't mind the handles sticking out beyond that. It seems normal to me. I love having the double oven and the convection feature, although for 95% of the things we do, we can use the upper oven. There is planty of space fo almost everything including a cake or a deep casserole dish. I use a lot of cast iron so that is good, but I had some old Revere Ware stainless that I thought I could use. They are all good except the ones that have copper bottoms and they won't work on this stove. The microwave is a microwave! Haven't used the convection feature on it yet. Anyway, I would recommend both appliances although they are a bit pricey. They do look great in the kitchen!...See MoreKitchenaid mix with GE cafe appliances
Comments (10)I don't know how much difference there is between models of KitchenAid refrigerators. We have a 42" french door side by side - it is a huge piece of junk! It has the poorest interior design you can imagine, and really no way to re-arrange it. The interior parts feel cheap, and do not operate or fit well. Almost 10K, and it's awful! Totally on me - I had had a new Whirlpool a few years earlier (different house) that I loved. I thought KA was a step up, so I didn't research or study it like I should have. Just want to warn others to look closely!...See MoreHU-945736712
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