Style advice: GE Profile or Cafe Range/Fridge? (Or Samsung)

11 months ago

I have narrowed our refrigerator choice to GE or Samsung French Door options (Samsung maybe with Flex Drawer). Since we're getting a GE Range, I'm leaning toward GE for both. But for both range and refrigerator, if we get GE, I'm having trouble deciding between the Profile or Cafe in terms of style for our Farmhouse-ish kitchen. Do you think Profile or Cafe would clearly go better style wise?? If they seem equally good, I'll go with Profile because it's less expensive and meets our needs!

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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
11 months ago
last modified: 11 months ago
IMO you buy aplliances for how you cook not for how they look in the space . I never buy matching appliances from one maker since there is no maker that makes everything well. Have you read reviews on these choices ? This is why I always reccommned plain old stainless finish that works with all choices and brands. Which GE Profile range are you thinking of?
Julia Grody thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
Julia Grody
Original Author
11 months ago
Totally agree on "buy for how you cook"! I landed on those choices because of reviews -- in fact, I switched from 36 inch to 30 inch BECAUSE of the reviews. Thinking: GE Profile™ 30" Smart Slide-In Front-Control Gas Fingerprint Resistant Range with No Preheat Air Fry -- edge to edge grates and front controls mean the cooking area should be big enough, and I don't need to fit "catering size" pans in oven.

It seems like Profile and Cafe are pretty equally in practicality -- but people buy Cafe for looks. So I could justify spending a little more if the look would fit.

Getting Sharp microwave drawer, Bosch dishwasher, and GE or Samsung French Door Fridge, based on reviews. Thanks for help!
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I don't see anybody jumping in, so maybe I can help get a conversation started for you. GE had pretty significant reliability and parts problems with its fridges when it started contracting out (outsourcing), but it has brought much of its production back to the US a few years ago. CR's survey data shows that GE is now no less (and no more) reliable than most other brands of SxS models. In our area, GE also cut back on the number of dealers it works with and seems to be concentrating on the highest-volume retailers and big-box stores. Some friends bought one of the large new GE SxS models a month or so ago -- I think it is the one rated for 29 cut. ft. -- and say they are very pleased with its features and capacity. Something to else to bear in mind is that rated capacity is often overstated. Supposedly 25 to 28 cu. ft. SxS fridges sometimes turn out to have no more than 18 cu. ft. of actual capacity. Capacity is affected by the size of the through-the-door ice and water dispensers and some of the larger capacity models have two ice makers. If memory serves, CR rated the Whirlpool and Samsung SxS models as having more usable capacity than other brands with similar capacity claims. Samsung models have separate evaporators for the freezer and fridge compartments. Not the same as having completely separate compressors and cooling systems (ala Sub Zero) but still something of a marketing leg up because of the theoretical advantages. When I was fridge shopping, it seemed that the jury was still out on whether the separate evaporators made much practical difference. Doesn't the biggest Samsung SxS have an external display screen that connects to the internet or you smart phone or displays photos or something? Strikes me one more thing to fail. cascade to other circuitry and interfere with the primary functions. FWIW, some friend have had a Samsung 26 cu. ft. SxS (no screens) for three years with no problems. They make heavy use of the external dispensers. This post was edited by JWVideo on Sun, Jul 6, 14 at 15:48
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We had a repairman once tell us that he would never buy GE products because he has to repair them so often. Now we had Profile models and not Cafe. I know that the Cafe series is supposed to be a higher end, but his words still resonate with me. In ten years the electrical board on the double ovens had to be totally replaced twice along with several other repairs made on it. The refrigerator only had minor repairs such as the ice maker which stopped working and the dishwasher quit working altogether. (We replaced it with a Bosch, which I didn't like for other reasons.) The only GE appliance we had that we never had problems with was the gas cooktop. Ironically it was just a plain lower end model GE and not Profile or anything fancy. YMMV
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A couple of things to keep in mind with today's refrigerators. You can expect them to last, on average about 8 to 10 years before they need to be replaced. Another interesting fact is that today's modern refrigerators don't operate below 50 degrees F. That means no more garage refrigerators. I'm shopping for new appliance now because I'm remodeling my kitchen. My old refrigerator is in pristine condition and works perfectly. But it's white and would look out of place in my new kitchen. Having said that, I'm seriously considering having the doors powder coated or spray painted at an auto body shop to a new color. Except for energy efficienty, everything about my refrigerator is superior to what's being sold today. And even on the energy efficiency front, it will only consume about $15 more dollars per YEAR than a newer model. My recommendation would be to stay with GE, Whirlpool, or Frigidaire simply because they have better parts and servicing across the US. Samsung and LG parts and service can vary wildly depending upon where you live. Since the expected life of a refrigerator is so low, I'd say by the least expensive model that's meets you needs and pass on the expensive bells and whistles. It might also make economic sense in some cases to fork over the 7K+ for a built in refrigerator that will have a serviceable life of 20+ years. You could easily spend that amount replacing and servicing standalone refrigerators in that same 20+ years window.
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GE Profile with Cafe handles???
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I actually wanted to do this as well when we renovated our kitchen and purchased all profile line appliances. We had wanted the slate color which was only on the profile line and ultimately the price tag fit our needs too, but I love the retro shape of the cafe line, it matches my cabinet wear and style so much more etc. It is certainly interesting that the spacing is different because they print up one set of installation directions for all GE replacement handles - so you'd think it would have worked! Darn!! Maybe someday.....
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stiley
11 months ago
Would you get stainless in either option? It looks like the main difference, looks-wise, is the shape of the handles. And the Cafe comes in more color options. We just got the stainless Cafe induction range, and I like it. To me, the round handles look a little higher end since that's the shape of brands like Wolf and Viking. And you know that on the Cafe, you can remove that colored band with the logo? Ours was rose gold, which doesn't go with the kitchen, so I had the installation guy disassemble, remove the band, and then reassemble. It's the details! Ha ha.
wdccruise
11 months ago
GE Appliances often sells virtually the same refrigerator under its several brands (GE, Profile, Cafe, and Monogram), commonly just changing the handles and the badge -- and the price -- to differentiate them. Use the search criteria, photos, and specs sheets at appliancesconnect.com to compare. For example, the following 36", 3-door French door refrigerators are nearly the same:
- GE GWE23GYNFS ($2700)
- GE Profile PWE23KYNFS ($2960)
- Cafe CWE23SP2MS1 ($3230)
- Monogram ZWE23NSTSS ($4400)
PRO
Sabrina Alfin Interiors
11 months ago
If the appliances are all stainless, then I'd just get the models that have the best features for you within the budget you're willing to spend. I like mostly matching appliances because the handles are consistent, but that's a matter of personal preference. The exceptions to the rule are dishwashers, in which case I often spec the kind that have recessed handles so it blends in.

Style advice: GE Profile or Cafe Range/Fridge? (Or Samsung)

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Patricia Colwell Consulting

Julia Grody
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Style advice: GE Profile or Cafe Range/Fridge? (Or Samsung)

Comments (5)

Patricia Colwell Consulting

Julia GrodyOriginal Author

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stiley

wdccruise

Sabrina Alfin Interiors

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Julia Grody
Original Author