Need recommendations for kitchen appliances

October 24, 2009 4:19 PM

Need a full new suite of kitchen appliances, would like some recommendations. Got some prices on some Electrolux models today that looked great, but some quick research on the web doesn't leave me so confident. Is this a case of the squeaky wheel complaining online and they're actually a solid product? Or should I be worried. I'm looking for all stainless steel appliances: fridge with ice-maker, slide-in stove, dishwasher, and range-hood microwave. Specifically I'm looking for a large fridge and electric stove I'm in Canada if that makes a difference.
posted by gfroese to home & garden (12 comments total)

It might be worth tracking down the latest Consumer Reports Magazine issue on appliances. Everyone will have a stainless steel option right now, so don't worry about that. Just figure out the best values first.

I suspect you could also pay for the content online. You might be able to get it for free at your local library.

It's hard to research this on the web for exactly the reason you suggested.
posted by bluedaisy at 4:26 PM on October 24

I just bought a new fridge last month. When the repair guy was here giving me the news that pushed me to decide to cut my losses and buy a new fridge I asked him what he would buy. He said nothing but Whirlpool crosses the threshold of his house. ( He was looking at my GE fridge at the time). We bought a Whirlpool fridge.

So for whatever that is worth...
posted by COD at 4:49 PM on October 24

This consumersearch site gathers reviews from multiple sources. I've found it really helpful.
posted by orme at 5:42 PM on October 24 [2 favorites has favorites]

I can only comment on the dishwasher, because we recently replaced ours. We purchased a Bosch SHX model. It is amazingly quiet. I mean, nearly silent. It's also super-efficient and uses a minimal amount of detergent and still gets everything just as clean, if not cleaner than our old one.
posted by odinsdream at 6:04 PM on October 24

Last year I bought Kenmore versions of the Electrolux magnetic induction stove top & dishwasher. Both are extraordinarily efficient and will pay for themselves in energy savings in less than three years. The dishwasher is so quiet I can't even tell when it's running. The stove top is unparalleled in performance. It is truly an amazing appliance.
posted by torquemaniac at 6:14 PM on October 24

I love consumer reports. I bought the affordable online membership (consumerreports.org) and it has payed for itself.
posted by serazin at 6:22 PM on October 24

Consumer reports is good but the coverage is spotty, especially for higher end stuff. Some of the fundamental dilemmas are not immediately obvious:

- Do you want your dishwasher to have a food grinder? If yes, it won't be among the quietest or best-rated, but you won't have to clean the filter yourself.

- Do you want a fridge with ice and water in the door? That greatly limits your choices.

A lot of sites have user reviews, which are somewhat useful if there are lots of them. I liked AJ Madison in this regad.
posted by jewzilla at 7:14 PM on October 24

Overall, we've had nothing but good, long-lived service from any Kenmore appliance we've ever purchased. Plus, when you buy Kenmore, you get the parts diagrams that help you to perform any maintenance you might want to tackly down-the-road.

We currently have a Whirlpool dishwasher that hasn't impressed us very well. It had a recall service to replace the heating element and we had to have the pump replaced.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:17 AM on October 25

We have a mixture of Neff (oven, hood), Smeg (gas hob, dishwasher) and Siemens (fridge), none of which have ever done anything to annoy me and all of which feel well made. Certainly cost a little more than really basic stuff, but not a rip off. My feeling is that the Germans know how to make kitchens. They're all brushed steel so they all coordinate.
posted by rhymer at 6:22 AM on October 25

Are there any other brands that offer a second over in the slide-in style of oven?
This electrolux has an upper and lower oven, but all the other ones I've seen only have a warming drawer on the bottom:
http://www.sears.ca/product/electrolux-30-electric-slide-in-range-br223-629-933/223629933
posted by gfroese at 2:52 PM on October 25

@torquemaniac: what do you mean by the Kenmore version of Electrolux? Are those branded differently at Sears?
posted by gfroese at 2:53 PM on October 25

FWIW, we love our new Whirlpool Gold dishwasher and freestanding oven. The oven does not have a warming drawer or second oven, however. We bought a Whirlpool washer and dryer a few years ago and they've been great, too.
posted by DakotaPaul at 10:53 AM on October 27