Kitchen Appliances - YouLookFab Forum

My new house is supposed to be ready in May/June and I am starting to think about appliances.

I had a gas line installed so I have all options open for the stove. I know I want stainless steel with the front controls (slide in style) but that is as far as I've gone. My partner who is more of a cook than I am, prefers gas for the stove top portion. The opening is 30" so the standard size which I think is more than enough since I can't recall ever having all four burners going at the same time. I am debating whether the warming oven instead of the drawer is something I will need.

The fridge opening is 37" wide and the cupboard above is 2' deep to accommodate a counter depth refrigerator. I know a few people who have had endless problems with the ice makers and water coolers so am hoping to find a model without these features. I had initially thought a french door style would be best. My parents and BFF have the side by side and find them inconvenient but they were the regular depth which are usually 30-32" wide. Perhaps the wider counter depth would address the access issues and lack of width for things like a pizza box.

I would be interested in your feedback regarding the features of your fridge and stove that you love and those you wish you had foregone.

Thanks.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I strongly prefer a gas cooktop, and that's what I have. My entire kitchen is equipped with Frigidaire professional appliances--all stainless steel--because that's what was in the house when we bought it. I can't say enough bad things about the dishwasher. It's been replaced once since we moved into the house in 2008, and the replacement dishwasher has started giving problems. As for the fridge, the ice and water dispensers have been very problematic. If I had my way, I'd get the simplest fridge available, without the bells and whistles. Oh, and this past year we also had to replace the microwave.

Do buy extended warranties on all the important appliances such as fridge and dishwasher. It's money well spent. I didn't buy an extended warranty for the gas cooktop because it's a very simple design with regular knobs. There's nothing electronic on it that can give problems. Anything that has electronic controls and/or a digital keypad needs an extended warranty. Trust me on this!

Hope this helps.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

We have an oven with a warming drawer - it came with the house - and I thought it was a great idea at first. I've used it maybe a dozen times in six years, mostly in the first month.

You didn't mention a hood, but I think they're important. Our house came with cheap, Sears-brand appliances. None of them have broken (in-door icemaker included), and I've been happy with all of them except the fan. That I replaced fairly quickly with one that vented better and, crucially, was QUIET.

We remodeled our kitchen about 6 years ago and went with a slide in GE Profile gas stovetop and oven with storage drawer. We put a GE Advantium oven/microwave above it which is fabulous. DH uses it as a warming oven when he wants it. I don't particularly like my food really hot and never use it that way.
We also put in a counter depth GE Profile refrigerator and love it. The deep cabinet above it with o e shelf is perfect for storing those big packages of tissues, TP, and paper towels from the big box store. It makes the whole kitchen more streamlined and spacious. Ours has a single door. I don't know anyone with the French door style who would buy it again. We don't use the ice maker, didn't want one but could not get a fridge without it. We just made sure that the whole thing wasn't wired through the ice maker like one we once had from Sears. On it, when the ice maker went out, the whole refrigerator stopped. Good luck with your kitchen.

kellygirl

We recently replaced our appliances. Our dishwasher went out and DH wanted to change from white to stainless so we decided to replace everything figuring that after 13 years we were bound to have some issues. I went from a side by side fridge to a french door with a bottom freezer and I love it. The water dispenser is on the inside which requires opening one door to access it. I thought it would be a pain but it is working out nicely. I like that it doesn't take up any door space--lots of shelves for condiments. The pull out freezer is awesome too--I love how accessible everything is. Hard to believe but it is so much easier to find things in the drawer than it was in the side freezer.

I've always had a gas range. My only complaint is how messy the stainless gets. The SS we chose is suppose to be smudge resistant--it's kind of brushed but it still shows fingerprints which drives me batty. Actually, I can live with it--what drives me batty is DH telling me "we need to clean this" which translated means "I need to clean it." I't's a constant battle to keep the fingerprints and water drips at bay--DD's need to wear cotton gloves in the kitchen, me thinks. I have five burners which I love. I've never used them all at the same time but I love that the center burner allows for a really big stockpot without infringing on the space of the other burners. I also really like having the "simmer" burner which is smaller and doesn't provide too much flame.

My microwave is annoying because the door open button is stainless and always has finger prints. I have a top and bottom oven--same as before but stainless. I've never had a warming drawer but I think it would be great for entertaining. Dishwasher is super quiet--that was the number one priority. It is quiet and has heated dry which I really like. I hate drying dishes....

Our new range hood is quite nice too although it is very loud. It is easily disassembled and cleaned. No messy screens to deal with.

pil

Dianthus, if you want tons of information check out the kitchen forum on gardenweb. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath/
There is also a forum strictly for appliances.

anne

Just wanted to second Kelly girl on the five burner love. I got one about 5 months ago and love it for the same reasons!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Thanks very much for the information. We went looking last night and have tentatively selected appliances.

We are going with the SS french door fridge without water. It seems that most of the problems are with the ice/water systems. There doesn't seem to be a counter depth version without ice but we can just leave it off.

We are debating between two stoves. Both are dual fuel with convection and a warming tray. One has the fifth center burner and the left burners can be used together to make one long burner for grills, etc. The two are originally the same price but on sale. The sale price for the fifth burner one is $400 more than the other though and we aren't sure it is worth that much more. Both got excellent reviews.

I am not too fussy about dishwashers and have it narrowed down to three that have tall SS tubs, integrated controls, and varying options.

We are going to ask the sales person to do a package price with a stacking front load washer dryer as well. Progress.

Now if they would only get moving on the house so I had hope it would be ready on time, I would be thrilled.

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