PattyK, When we moved into our home in March all the kitchen appliances were Maytag and Jennaire. The dishwasher was recalled, the authorized repair shop botched the fix, and after three months Maytag replaced the dishwasher. The two built-in ovens work (so far) and the cooktop is functioning, although it is very difficult to keep clean. We replaced the refrigerator with a Whirlpool side by side, and are satisfied. I really can't recommend Maytag, Jennair or Whirlpool because they are the same company now, and seem to be going through some sort of mid-corporate crisis. I can only recommend that you get the simplest, most energy efficient appliance that fits your needs, and keep your fingers crossed!

I have been surprised by the transition to electronic (not electric) controls in what appear to be simple appliances. My Whirlpool washer that I bought in 2012 from Home Depot appears to be a relatively simple top loader with standard manual dial controls. The only "electronics" visible are a couple of indicator lights. However, when it quit running after going out of balance from a very heavy rug, I found out that those manual-looking dials are connected to an electronic controller. For example to put it into maintenance mode you turn the main dial to a middle position, and then go through a specific sequence (one click left, two clicks right, three clicks left, etc.) and it goes into maintenance mode. From there you can verify cycles, pump water in and out, reset errors, and do all kinds of other tests. I had no idea that a washer that appeared so simple (and was so cheap) would have a built in test capability. Bruce

Consumer Reports does a great job of reviewing cars. Their advice is spot on. But, kitchens? Not so much. Heck, in their annual kitchen review, soapstone wasn’t included in countertop reviews until 6 years ago, and even at that, it was filled with misinformation. Miele wasn't on their radar, either, and, they were way behind in including SubZero fridges, too. wdcruise is a Whirlpool fanboy. He has a tendency to call high end appliances, “fancy pants.” He’ll tell you a basic Whirlpool fridge is as good as SubZero...which is hilarious. I‘m not saying you need to get the top of the line in each “high end” appliance brand, but I can assure you that any Bosch dishwasher will out perform your Maytag (which you said you hate), and other, less expensive brands. We have the 800 series, and love it. However, there have been posters here who have the lowest Bosch, the 100, say it does a great job. It’s just noisier, and doesn’t have as many cycles. Miele is the other top brand to consider. There are two appliances I would not cheap out on, and that’s the vent hood, and the fridge. Wdcruise is suggesting you consider Home Depot for a hood. You will not find a quality venting system there. I’m not the first person on this site to say that. Go to an independent appliance store...not a big box store...to get your hood. There are several high end quality hood makers. Vent A Hood and Modernaire, are two. Many people like their Wolf hoods. When we were doing our research, we found the Wolf too noisy. We got a Vent A Hood, and are very satisfied. It does a great job containing odors, grease, and any steam or smoke, and is pretty darn quiet, even on high. As for fridges, I have 40 years of experience with SubZero. Our first, a 36” over/under, was still going strong at 36 years old, when we sold our home. In our new (to us) home, we installed a SZ 42” French door, paneled. Great machine. It fits a ton of food, and keeps food fresh for long periods. Almost 4 years now, and not a lick of trouble...unlike the stories I’ve read about LG, Samsung, and others. Also, as has been suggested by several posters, if you stay away from through the door water and ice, you’ll reduce the chances of needing repairs. That goes for any brand. Oh, and btw, SZ has the best costumer service in the industry. I would suggest you find an independent appliance dealer for all your appliances. Their salespeople are much better educated about the various brands, than those at HD, Lowe’s, and the like. If you purchase all your appliances from them, they’re likely to bump you up to a higher model dishwasher, at no cost. That’s what happened to us, anyway. Also, many independent stores have their own repairmen, who are certified to service Miele, Bosch, Thermador, SZ, Wolf, etc. Should we have a problem with any of our appliances, we just have to call our independent store, Appliance World (Huntington, Long Island, NY), and they’ll take care of everything. Well worth the piece of mind.

“What brands make the best of each appliance??” It’s a great question, and there are other threads on this topic. I doubt the information has changed much over the last few years, except for the decline in the prominence of Miele. What auto maker makes the best car? It depends on how far you drive, how many people you need to fit in your car, and your budget. As @rebasheba points out, when buying appliances you need to take a similar, customized approach. What is best for you doesn’t include SubZero. You will find other higher end refrigerators roughly equivalent. I would absolutely buy a KitchenAid dishwasher before I bought a Bosch, and I would buy Thermador ovens, but then, I bought the SZ. I doubt you can make a wrong choice. It might be more useful to ask people what to steer clear of (Viking, Miele, Wolf ovens because they are still chipping). Whatever you decide, keep in mind all drawer microwaves are manufactured by Sharp, so they are all pretty much the same.