Need all new kitchen appliances---HELP!!!

[andychris14]

I know I could count on these boards for help. Here goes. I am in the process of redoing my kitchen and need all new appliances(gas range,side by side or french door refrigerator,dishwasher and over range micro). We would get ss but do not want fingerprints. I am reading all of the reviews and it is driving me crazy. I want an appliance that is going to last(like all of us right)
We want mid range price appliances. Please let me know what appliance you love and would recommend.
Thanks a million!!!

 

[sanibelover]

I love love love my Bosch dishwasher!!!

I would not recommend a GE fridge - we have had some problems with ours - less than 2 years old when we had the first compressor go......

 

[andychris14]

I love love love my Bosch dishwasher!!!

I would not recommend a GE fridge - we have had some problems with ours - less than 2 years old when we had the first compressor go......

I am very interested in a bosch dishwasher. May I ask which model you have?
Thanks!!!

 

[sanibelover]

I would say it is similar to the Evolution that they show on their website. It wasn't the least expensive Bosch at the time we bought it, but close to it. They are quiet and wash better than any other dishwasher I have ever used. I put everything in the dishwasher and it comes out clean. The drying cycle isn't heated so it uses less energy and nothing melts! (And things do get dry.)

 

[andychris14]

thank you so much.
Anyone else?
Thanks again

 

[shruley]

Lowes had the best prices for us. We have a Lowes card and got either 10% off all our appliances or no interest for over a year. We also found the stove and microwave on clearance that saved another couple hundred. (They weren't floor models like at Home Depot, just discontinuing.) I wouldn't recommend my stove as it runs HOT (probably why I was able to get a convection for so cheap) but we liked every other appliance we got there, and we just got usually the cheapest that came in a "stainless steel". As for the fingerprints, they make some that look like stainless, but they are more like a brushed finish than a really shiny finish, and they don't show fingerprints! Just make sure you get them all to match. I would like a dishwasher but then realize it came in "shiny" versus "non-shiny". (Sorry, don't know the technical term!)

 

[jel0511]

All of my appliances are Kitchen Aid, with the exception of my fridge. I wanted a french door and the Kitchen Aid one didn't have the ice/water dispenser in the door. I ended up going with the Kenmore one. I love all of my appliances and would recommend them to anyone. I do have all stainless, and the finger prints are a pain, but I still like the look......

 

[Maddie2]

We are in the process of replacing all of our appliances too -- both kitchen and laundry. Quite an expensive process! We recently bought a Kitchenaid dishwasher and we are very pleased. Have not decided on the remaining appliances, but there is an appliance rebate coming out within the next couple of months as part of a stimulus package - and since we are going to be buying so many, we are trying to wait to see what this is all about. It will vary by state. I believe it is federal funding, managed by individual states.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I do not recommend GE anything. We had a nightmare of an experience trying to get ours repaired/replaced after our microwave blew after the first 2 minutes of use. Took over a month to get a new one. Rediculous.

 

[crispychicky]

Since you're looking at replacing so many appliances, you may want to invest in a subscription to a good consumer web site (like Consumer Reports). Personally, I've found the brand-reliability info they have pretty useful and accurate.

Also, the appliance version of "cash-for-clunkers" starts in Feb for NY. You may want to consider looking into this and get some $$$ back.
http://www.energysavers.gov/financial/rebates/state_NY.cfm

 

[tinkarooni]

I would not buy anything Whirlpool. We have had two sets of fridges from them now and both sets died. The second set we allowed them to repair twice and they promised if it broke down a third time they would replace it. They promised in writing.....than when it broke down they refused. I had to complain to a million people including the BBB, the state atty general and the local news before they finally agreed to replace it. By then we had to buy a new fridge and we demanded they return our money, they did eventually but it was an absolute nightmare. Here's the details.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2350621

Good Luck!

 

[MrsPete]

Gotta disagree about the thumbs-down on Whirlpool. When I was married in 1990, we bought a house with all Whirpool appliances. We ended up selling that house to a relative, and I know for a fact that ALL the appliances are still going strong. They had heavy use when I lived in the house, and they get light use now -- but they've lasted and have given good service.

One non-brand-specific piece of advice: Choose a "tall boy" dishwasher. It's a little lower than a standard dishwasher, which takes a bit of getting used to, but it holds my slightly-taller glasses in the upper rack, and larger pots and pans, platters, and baking dishes fit nicely into the lower rack. These same things wouldn't fit into my old dishwasher!

And a question: I love-love-love my ceramic-top stove, but it's black, and it's a chore to keep it clean. When I wipe it down with a sponge or dishtowel, there are always steaks. It only looks good when I wipe it with a sponge AND THEN give it a spray of Windex. It IS glass, so this makes sense. I love it, and I'm in the habit now; given the choice, I'd choose this same stove top again.

Here's the question: If I'd chosen white, would I have the same problem keeping it clean?

 

[happymommy]

We did some remodel in our basement (putting in some built in cabinets and a wet bar, lighting, etc...) and joined Direct Buy (in Columbia Maryland). Just the little bar fridge and ice maker from them versus Sears (they had the same make and model) we saved about $1000, so overall we saved a ton buying our materials from them. I also saved about $4000 on furniture for some bedrooms upstairs.

If you are buying a lot of appliances, you may want to look into Direct Buy if you have one near you. For us, it cost $4000 to join, but we saved so much more than that, and we still need a lot of furniture and window treatments (we have a new very large home).

We also saved on the cabinets, floor tiles, and lighting.

It isn't as convenient as using an appliance store (sometimes it's a pain), but we did save a lot! And no, I don't work for them, just was surprised how much we saved.

 

[andychris14]

Thank you everyone!!!
I really appreciate all of the advice. Yes I did subscribe to consumer reports but to be honest. I am making myself nuts,lol. I did not know about the rebate program, which I am going to look into.
I would not join direct buy because that is a high pricetag to join.
Another problem just arouse this morning. My tv died. Add a tv to the list,lol.
Thanks again

 

[tinkarooni]

Gotta disagree about the thumbs-down on Whirlpool. When I was married in 1990, we bought a house with all Whirpool appliances. We ended up selling that house to a relative, and I know for a fact that ALL the appliances are still going strong. They had heavy use when I lived in the house, and they get light use now -- but they've lasted and have given good service.

I would just point out that 20 years ago Whirlpool may have been building very good appliances. My experiences over the past three years however and my Customer Service experience from them this year has been absolutely horrible. I just want to warn OP. Google Whirlpool Warranty problems and you'll see. There is even a class action suit filed against them. because of their refusal to address warranty issues. Good Luck.

 

[andychris14]

thank you all again-
I have been researching and it seems like kenmore and ge. I like the clean steel finish for ge products. They seem not to show so many fingerprints.
Thanks again

 

[jel0511]

thank you all again-
I have been researching and it seems like kenmore and ge. I like the clean steel finish for ge products. They seem not to show so many fingerprints.
Thanks again

BE sure to take a look at it before buying. My mom has the clean steal from GE and it looks HORRIBLE IMO. NOT a replacement for stainless steel at all, it looks like the cheap imitation it is.....

 

[princessmorgan]

We just bought new appliances at the end of last year and ended up with a Samsung refrigerator, oven, and microwave. We bought a Bosch dishwasher. The Samsung appliances have that satin nickel look which I love, because no fingerprints! The Bosch dishwasher I love because of how quiet it is and how clean the dishes are. The Stainless Steel is a different look though and has a million fingerprints on them. But I do love the hidden buttons, because my youngest DD is always touching it, but she can't touch the buttons We bought the appliances all separately, but found deals on all of them and had an extra 10% off coupon from Lowes (where we bought all the appliances). We went for mid-grade, nothing too fancy, not bottom of the line. I think we spent around $2200 for all of them.

 

[crjack]

I love love love my Bosch dishwasher!!!

I would not recommend a GE fridge - we have had some problems with ours - less than 2 years old when we had the first compressor go......

I could have written this exact post except my GE fridge lasted a little longer than yours before the compressor went!

Love my Bosch dishwasher and fortunately we also bought a bosch oven and cooktop during our kitchen remodel and they are both doing great.

OP I learned so much on the home forums over at www.gardenweb.com. They have a kitchen forum and also an appliance forum with great up to date information and personal reviews.

I used the kitchen forum more than the appliance but you may want to check it out.

Personally I dont think any appliances are made to last that long anymore so I wouldn't go too high end on anything these days.

 

[andychris14]

Thank you again-
a quick question for jel0511

BE sure to take a look at it before buying. My mom has the clean steal from GE and it looks HORRIBLE IMO. NOT a replacement for stainless steel at all, it looks like the cheap imitation it is.....

Why do you say this? The clean steel does not hold up very well?
I really appreciate all of your advice.
I am going to go on gardenweb and check that out as well