We are going to do a big remodeling job for the kitchen and we plan to get high-end appliances such as Viking/Thermodore/GE Monogram/etc. I am pulling my hair out trying to select the appliances. Anyone has any suggestion on what to get or not to get? What are some good websites that review high-end appliances? I already looked at Consumer Reports and I found the information to be limited.
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Per the models you mentioned, I looked in the 2007 Buying Guide published by Consumer Reports: RANGES- Smoothtop models: Viking VESC306-48(SS) ranks #23, 60 of 100% 30-inch gas models: Thermador PG304BS ranks #3, 70 of 100% 30-inch dual-fuel models Viking VDSC305-49 (SS) ranks #10, 61 of 100% Viking VDSC307-48 (SS) ranks #11, 61 of 100% 36-inch gas models Thermador ProGrand ranks #1, (of 2 ranked) 70 of 100% Viking Professional Series ranks #2 (of 2 ranked) 57 of 100% You may want to get a copy of this publication or find it at the library for their comments on each product. Pages 306 to 315
I know you said you looked in Consumer Reports, but I suggest you look particularly hard at the reliability issues because most of the high end appliances have a much higher percentage of problems. Just my two cents.
Smiley1 said:I know you said you looked in Consumer Reports, but I suggest you look particularly hard at the reliability issues because most of the high end appliances have a much higher percentage of problems. Just my two cents.
That is so true. My mom's husband repairs appliances for a living. He is always replacing some $30 part on Sub Zero refrigerators. They charge a pretty penny and use cheap crap. Call an appliance repair place. Better yet, go visit one, pay them $50 for 30 minutes of their time and ask them what is good and what is good to avoid. It will be worth the $50 in the long run.
Smiley1 said:I know you said you looked in Consumer Reports, but I suggest you look particularly hard at the reliability issues because most of the high end appliances have a much higher percentage of problems. Just my two cents.
Totally agree. I did a remodel a few years ago and got a great look - dual fuel convenction range, dishwasher drawers, etc.. -by doing my homework (lots of Consumer Reports input) and balancing style with reliability. Most appliance lines have the "high-end" look you are going for so you shouldn't have to make a trade off. But this is a huge investment and you need to think hard if those lines you are looking at are really the best for you or merely for designer label "bragging rights."
As well as the usual suspects look at Blue Star and Ventahood. Especially if you're looking for a working kitchen as opposed to something shiny to impress the neighbors with
Why get high-end appliances when you can get better appliances for less? For example, Viking ovens are rather famous for breaking down, and nobody ever saved the most energy with a Sub Zero refrigerator.
my two cents...LOVED my Bosch dishwasher and also LOVED my Thermador cooktop. You can put a stick of butter on to melt and walk away- the low setting is THAT good!
I recently went with a Bosch dishwasher as well. Get a 10% off coupon from Lowes. Sign up on there website. Agree with other posters check out reliabilty ratings for other items.
I have been a field rep for 11 years for BSH Appliances(Bosch/Thermador/Gaggenau). Having been in the industry for about 20 years, I have a good knowledge of what each manufacturer/company does well. I talk with salespeople and servicers from most major retailers daily, and the feedback helps guide my own opinions.
1. COOKING - GE makes terrific cooking products in the mid to high end price range with their Monogram line. Thermador, Wolf, and Viking are also excellent, but you will pay a high price for the names. Service on these brands is also at a higher incidence rate and parts are more expensive.
2.DISHWASHING - I may be biased, but Bosch makes the best dishwashers ever built. They have completely changed the industry in the last 10 years with new innovations, energy savings and exterior design. Prices start at about $500 up to about $1500. Whirlpool also builds a great product along with the Kitchen Aid brand that they also own along with Sears brand of Whirlpool built Kenmores.
3. REFRIGERATORS - Again Whirlpool/Kitchen Aid fridges have had a good track record with the exception of side-by-side ice makers having a few issues a couple of years back. The new Korean built LG brand are also creating quite a buzz as far as value, innovation and reliability. Sub Zero remains a well known high end brand, but is plagued with very expensive service calls during the life of the product.
I would completely stay away from Electrolux Brands (Frigidaire, Westinghouse) as they have had major problems with engineering and servicability forever.
The Maytag Corporation is now owned by Whirlpool, which hopefully can turn the company around, since it has been in financial trouble for the last 10 years. Recently, the reliability of Maytags products have gone down as the Iowa based company has had massive layoffs in all departments.
Maytag was known for years for building the best laundry products available, and have made great strides in cooking with the Gemini Ranges they introduced 7 years ago. Whirlpool should help with a great engineering and development background.
I appreciate your sharing insights as a professional! After much research late at nights, I am picking the following appliances. Please let me know what you think...
- Range: Dacor Duel fuel 6 burner. Are you aware of any issue with Dacor? The brand seems to be more popular in California (headquarter in SolCal). I even plan to sign up for their cooking demo in their office, of course, using Dacor appliances. - Frig: KitchenAid bottom freezer 42'' french door. Looks like there is no other brand that has this feature spec. - Dishwasher: Bosch. People can not stop raving about the Bosch dishwasher. But the sales people at the store all warn me about the fact that there is no food grinder, small utensil holders and the filter cleaning. - Microwave/Convection combo: GE Monogram Advantium. This one has 'speed cook' technology. It looks very useful and multi-functional. - Small beverage center: Marvel. Similar to wine cooler but colder. We need a place for all the drinks (wine, beer, soda cans, etc). I didn't find review on this brand though.
I also researched home warranty. It doesn't say the expensive high-end appliances are excluded. What do you think of that? Better than getting extended warranty from the store?
Regarding LG, I spent around $1000 on their top of the line LG front-loading washer one and half year ago. The water keeps getting in and underneath the door gasket (that rubber ring). Over the time, mold develops due to all the water accumulated there and it is absolutely disgusting. While I am waiting to schedule repair with Home Depot extended warranty, I called LG help line. The rep said the user should dry and clean the gasket every time after use?! It is ridiculous and there is no way to clean underneath the gasket. And the rep said it is not an uncommon problem that people call in for. As soon as I mentioned the word 'mold', she knew what the problem was. And she denied it was a design flaw, of course. I am very disappointed and I will be NOT buy LG anything again!
If you really want a great cooking range at only have the price of viking or wolf I would suggest blue star.. They make an excellent range at only half the price.
I appreciate your sharing insights as a professional! After much research late at nights, I am picking the following appliances. Please let me know what you think...
- Range: Dacor Duel fuel 6 burner. Are you aware of any issue with Dacor? The brand seems to be more popular in California (headquarter in SolCal). I even plan to sign up for their cooking demo in their office, of course, using Dacor appliances. - Frig: KitchenAid bottom freezer 42'' french door. Looks like there is no other brand that has this feature spec. - Dishwasher: Bosch. People can not stop raving about the Bosch dishwasher. But the sales people at the store all warn me about the fact that there is no food grinder, small utensil holders and the filter cleaning. - Microwave/Convection combo: GE Monogram Advantium. This one has 'speed cook' technology. It looks very useful and multi-functional. - Small beverage center: Marvel. Similar to wine cooler but colder. We need a place for all the drinks (wine, beer, soda cans, etc). I didn't find review on this brand though.
I also researched home warranty. It doesn't say the expensive high-end appliances are excluded. What do you think of that? Better than getting extended warranty from the store?
Regarding LG, I spent around $1000 on their top of the line LG front-loading washer one and half year ago. The water keeps getting in and underneath the door gasket (that rubber ring). Over the time, mold develops due to all the water accumulated there and it is absolutely disgusting. While I am waiting to schedule repair with Home Depot extended warranty, I called LG help line. The rep said the user should dry and clean the gasket every time after use?! It is ridiculous and there is no way to clean underneath the gasket. And the rep said it is not an uncommon problem that people call in for. As soon as I mentioned the word 'mold', she knew what the problem was. And she denied it was a design flaw, of course. I am very disappointed and I will be NOT buy LG anything again!
Thanks!
As far as Dacor is concerned, I do know they make good cooking products. I dont have any retailers that carry that line, but have heard through the industry that they are well built and provide alot of features. DCS is also a good choice in the mid to high-end cooking catagory.
Kitchen Aid (made by Whirlpool) Built-ins Refrigerators have a great track record and are usually about $2000-$3000 less than SubZ, Viking, & Thermador. In fact, Kitchen Aid has made all the Thermador built in models up until last year, and they were building us a great unit, with almost no service issues.
Bosch dishwashers do not need a food grinder, they heat the water to 161 degrees and use 2 pumps for greater water pressure. The combination of the heat and pressure breaks down the leftover food and also self cleans the filter. The only time you would need to clean the filter is if a bone or something hard were to get into it, which would protect the pumps from getting clogged and jammed.
GE Advantium has really come a long way in the last 8 years since it was introduced. They have added alot of features and there is nothing like it on the market..great choice! GE makes great cooking products period! No other manufacturer can match them in quality and features for the dollar. GE also owns Hotpoint which is their low-end line.
I have heard of Marvel, but really dont know anything about the quality. U-Line is the industrys favorite choice, but their product are rather expensive.
Warranties are another issue, as I sold them when I worked the retail floor several years ago. Products like refrigerators, freezers, ranges, ovens, cooktops, microwaves rarely need service which is mainly due to very few moving parts. Washers, dryers and dishwashers are completely another story, many moving parts where water is concerned is a recipe for a service call in the first 5 years of ownership. Home Warranties are hard to collect upon, and usually require a deductable. I have never had good luck with a home warranty myself. The cost seems fairly high ($300-$400) for just a years worth of coverage. I would probably go with a store warranty on the laundry and dishwasher alone.
LG, Samsung, Goldstar are all fairly new to the upper end appliance market. These are all South Korean owned companies that are changing the industry with lower prices for the consumer and higher profits for retailers. Unfortunatly, by making a cheaper product, you have to cut costs somewhere.
LG laundry products although innovative and eye catching, have had many service problems along with Whirlpools Duet laundry, and Maytags Neptune series. These companies are new to making front load washers and have had many problems that will probably get ironed out as they re-engineer these units. European manufacturers such as Meile, Asko, & Bosch have been making front load washers for decades and have better overall engineering, but again at a higher price.
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