Appliances

[ArizonaKevin]

Working on the early planning stages of our kitchen remodel and wanted to poll the braintrust here on what the best go-to is for appliances for reasonable cost?

We are wanting a larger commercial style built in refrigerator but would like to avoid spending $20k on a sub zero or a true residential.

Is Bosch still the go-to for dishwashers?

There is no gas in our house or neighborhood, but we both really prefer cooking on gas to electric. Has anyone installed an exterior propane tank and stubbed gas into the house for a cooktop? If we don't do that, preferences on induction vs traditional electric? Go-to brands for those?

Ovens and microwaves?

 

[NicPaus]

Kitchenaid makes a nice 48" fridge. Last time I $14k. I have a built in oven micro combo electric Kitchenaid. New in the crate. SS that retails for 4k I would sell for 2k. Never opened.

Filling up the propane would get old quick. Just go electric induction.

 

[JLG614]

Working on the early planning stages of our kitchen remodel and wanted to poll the braintrust here on what the best go-to is for appliances for reasonable cost?

We are wanting a larger commercial style built in refrigerator but would like to avoid spending $20k on a sub zero or a true residential.

Is Bosch still the go-to for dishwashers?

There is no gas in our house or neighborhood, but we both really prefer cooking on gas to electric. Has anyone installed an exterior propane tank and stubbed gas into the house for a cooktop? If we don't do that, preferences on induction vs traditional electric? Go-to brands for those?

Ovens and microwaves?

We recently got a Bosch dishwasher after our kitchen aid broke. No complaints on the bosch but also don't think its anymore amazing than our kitchen aid was

Is your home or homes in the neighborhood on propane? Are all of the other appliances electric? If you have the space and access you can easily install a propane tank there and run a line stubbed into the house for gas. You could get away with a pretty small tank if it was just for the stove. A 120 gallon vertical tank would last you months, maybe even a year

 

[ArizonaKevin]

We recently got a Bosch dishwasher after our kitchen aid broke. No complaints on the bosch but also don't think its anymore amazing than our kitchen aid was

Is your home or homes in the neighborhood on propane? Are all of the other appliances electric? If you have the space and access you can easily install a propane tank there and run a line stubbed into the house for gas. You could get away with a pretty small tank if it was just for the stove. A 120 gallon vertical tank would last you months, maybe even a year

Good to know that there isn't a broad gap on Bosch. There's no natural gas to the neighborhood. 120 gal is what we would do, anything larger has to be 10ft away from the house.

Kitchenaid makes a nice 48" fridge. Last time I $14k. I have a built in oven micro combo electric Kitchenaid. New in the crate. SS that retails for 4k I would sell for 2k. Never opened.

Filling up the propane would get old quick. Just go electric induction.

If memory serves you're in this contracting world right? Is the juice worth the squeeze on a built in refrigerator in your opinion?

Appreciate the offer on the oven/micro combo, we are probably at least 6 months out on starting this so I'll pass and let you sell it sooner than that.

 

[Riverbottom]

We did all G.E. seven years ago and they are all working flawlessly. The G.E, dishwasher is much quieter than the old Bosch it replaced. ( I did not think anything would be better than the Bosch)

 

[530RL]

Good to know that there isn't a broad gap on Bosch. There's no natural gas to the neighborhood. 120 gal is what we would do, anything larger has to be 10ft away from the house.



If memory serves you're in this contracting world right? Is the juice worth the squeeze on a built in refrigerator in your opinion?

Appreciate the offer on the oven/micro combo, we are probably at least 6 months out on starting this so I'll pass and let you sell it sooner than that.

I'd buy them now and put them in your garage. Could save you a large chunk of money.

 

[Machally]

Following as we are doing the same. Thinking of going all Kitchenaid.

 

[TPC]

Avoid LG refrigeration.
They use a screwball compressor, improved but still prone to failure.

Our LG stove, washer / dryer are great, but we bought their highest end.

Bosch Dishwashers in RDP have had a 50 / 50 response. We didn't have a good experience.
Kitchenaid when we can find it.

 

[Mandelon]

I get a good discount on KitchenAid, Jennair and Whirlpool products. Send me the model numbers you like and I can check to see if it is helpful.

 

[Bobby V]

I'd buy them now and put them in your garage. Could save you a large chunk of money.

Tariffs? I have Kitchen Aid in my kitchen.

 

[scottchbrite]

We went with the Frigidaire Professional single door fridge and freezer. It’s a built in type of fridge. My only complaint is that there isn’t a water dispenser inside the fridge. A Britta deal fixed that. Look at a microwave drawer. It cleans up the range area and keeps the microwave out of sight.
We are on propane and I built the house for either gas or electric range and dryer. We have one 500 tank and I’m getting a second to run the spa. Propane is expensive. Price it out and see what works. I’ve never used electric or induction.
I've been told Miele are the best dishwashers. Idk personally

 

[boatpi]

Go with GE Monogram, I have a built in kitchen in 5 year old house, 42" frig, 42" cooktop NG, etc. No issues, very high end easy to repair mostly USA parts.

 

[Orange Juice]

Working on the early planning stages of our kitchen remodel and wanted to poll the braintrust here on what the best go-to is for appliances for reasonable cost?

We are wanting a larger commercial style built in refrigerator but would like to avoid spending $20k on a sub zero or a true residential.

Is Bosch still the go-to for dishwashers?

There is no gas in our house or neighborhood, but we both really prefer cooking on gas to electric. Has anyone installed an exterior propane tank and stubbed gas into the house for a cooktop? If we don't do that, preferences on induction vs traditional electric? Go-to brands for those?

Ovens and microwaves?

Check insurance on gas. Our cabin has a 100 gallon upright tank. You can go gas heater too. Remember you’ll need CO2 alert/monitor.

I’d stay electric. Tech has changed a lot. We don’t have enough power to reliability run an electric heater and stove at the cabin.

Gas company came out and set up their tank, next to the cabin.

If it’s more than 100 gallons ) 200 gallons, there are setbacks from building structures.

 

[NicPaus]

The built in fridge looks better and high end until you need to replace. This house i am at now is going for sale Friday. The Monogram fridge has some ugly dents in it. But homeowners don't want to replace. We freshened up the rest of kitchen. It looks new except appliances. Just talking with my realtor about listing it $17,500 over and offering new appliances with full price offer.

Realtor has same size fridge. 48" kitchenaid it's 17 years old and had a issue last year. I brought her one of my extras to hold her over. Local appliance repair wanted 5k repair or 14k replace. Home warranty took 2 months but fixed it.

My new fridge I just got that sticks out a ways not counter depth like this one. By looking at it. Mine holds just as much if not more.

I found a few of these exact fridges for sale 2-4k and tried to convince them to buy one and swap over the doors and interior broken pieces.

 

[EmpirE231]

Kitchenaid is pretty good stuff. Kinda of the middle ground before steeping into sub zero / Viking etc.

 

[PDQH2O]

We had all electric, HATE cooking with electric cooktop. Installed 250 gal propane tank for cooktop and dryer. Also ran stubs for 60 gallon water heater (when the existing electric unit dies) and the grill on the patio. Ran about $2500 for everything, including purchase of a tank. Refill the tank about every three years.

As for appliances, we went with all Samsung based on previous experience with them. HUGE mistake. Quality severely dropped in the past 10 years. Microwave died within 2 years after install, freezer had major issues due to well known design issue shortly after the warranty expired. They honored repair because of an ongoing class action suit nationwide. Never again for for Samsung.

 

[JL95]

My sister did an all Jen air package. Has the counter depth black interior fridge that was like $12k. It’s the nicest fridge I’ve ever felt weight and finish wise but interior volume is not much different than a normal person peon unit.

I have an all KitchenAid package at my house but it’s normal people stuff, I like it. The microwave is about $1k and nice to me. The oven is kind of finicky being a dual zone/upper and lower door setup. Burns cookies

 

[napanutt]

We did all G.E. seven years ago and they are all working flawlessly. The G.E, dishwasher is much quieter than the old Bosch it replaced. ( I did not think anything would be better than the Bosch)

We did all GE for our new house here in NH. As you said, the dishwasher is very quiet.
We have a 500 gallon in ground LPG tank for our heat so I requested gas for the range as the kitchen was wired for electric.
Worked out good because it freed up a circuit for the Tesla charger.

 

[JM21]

Built my house 2.5 years ago....All thermador, made in same factory as Bosch. Built in fridge, slide drawer microwave, dishwasher, 2 ovens, beverage cooler, hood....and besides a soft close door controller on the built in fridge (warranty) it's all been great, but expensive.

 

[Racer56]

We went with Thermador column refrigerator and freezer with matching Cook top and ovens and they give you a free dishwasher. You have to buy one make as a package to get any kind of discount.

BSH appliance makes Bosch, Thermador, Gaggenau, Siemens and Neff. Pick a company that has good customer service and parts in your area. Also If you use a real appliance supplier they will save you a lot of time, money and heartache in the long run.

 

[JM21]

We went with Thermador column refrigerator and freezer with matching Cook top and ovens and they give you a free dishwasher. You have to buy one make as a package to get any kind of discount.

BSH appliance makes Bosch, Thermador, Gaggenau, Siemens and Neff. Pick a company that has good customer service and parts in your area. Also If you use a real appliance supplier they will save you a lot of time, money and heartache in the long run.

We got the same deal, I forgot we got their gas cooktop as well. My wife loves the cooktop and I love the LED accent lights on the front panel. Makes a trick night light for when you have company and they need to get up and access the kitchen after hours.

 

[mjc]

Good to know that there isn't a broad gap on Bosch. There's no natural gas to the neighborhood. 120 gal is what we would do, anything larger has to be 10ft away from the house.



If memory serves you're in this contracting world right? Is the juice worth the squeeze on a built in refrigerator in your opinion?

Appreciate the offer on the oven/micro combo, we are probably at least 6 months out on starting this so I'll pass and let you sell it sooner than that.

I looked into propane in Havasu but couldn't do it I needed a big tank way out in back, then a couple years ago I found out I could have done two smaller tank right outside my garage. Too late now to change but I really prefer cooking on gas so may cut up floor to get gas to the island.

 

[Javajoe]

We have a brand new induction range that came with the house. It’s horrible to try to cook on. You lift the pan it goes off, has to be centered, super flat, right size, etc. pretty crazy. Good thing we only visit lol. Wife ran out and bought a hot plate griddle to cook breakfast on 🫤

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

Go with GE Monogram, I have a built in kitchen in 5 year old house, 42" frig, 42" cooktop NG, etc. No issues, very high end easy to repair mostly USA parts.

This. We had Monogram fridge and freezer 30” columns with cabinet faces, minimalist oven, and minimalist steam over. We went 36” Thermador freedom induction cooktop which I miss like crazy. Hate our gas stove at the new place. Dish washer was a high end kitchenaid.

 

[DLC]

Plan on having the every mother board going bad on all your appliances!

San Diego Casa -
In 2019 we bought a Samsung micro / oven combo during our remodel - BEFORE COVID - 1.5 years later they had to replace the fixture - stopped making the motherboard

$2 k under cabinet Drink fridge had a bad door seal

New Miele DW also had an issue

All 3 appliances we bought in 2018/19 had an issue


2022/23 Hava House -

GE profile fridge had a recall
GE profile Ele cooktop had a motherboard go out


Oven is still good
Exhaust hood is still good

So expect problems!

 

[DLC]

We had Viking appliances @ the San Diego casa before the remodel and the fridge was 100% mechanical no electronics replaced the ice maker 1 time in 15 years

Gas cook top was excellent

For the remodel in 2019 we had the cook top rebuilt cost was about $750 from our local appliance service shop new igniters and a regulator

We didn’t care for the built in fridge they are not very deep

 

[ArizonaKevin]

I get a good discount on KitchenAid, Jennair and Whirlpool products. Send me the model numbers you like and I can check to see if it is helpful.

Thank you, as we get closer I'll send you a PM. Meeting with cabinet folks this weekend to get a better understanding of the plan and design.

We went with the Frigidaire Professional single door fridge and freezer. It’s a built in type of fridge. My only complaint is that there isn’t a water dispenser inside the fridge. A Britta deal fixed that. Look at a microwave drawer. It cleans up the range area and keeps the microwave out of sight.
We are on propane and I built the house for either gas or electric range and dryer. We have one 500 tank and I’m getting a second to run the spa. Propane is expensive. Price it out and see what works. I’ve never used electric or induction.
I've been told Miele are the best dishwashers. Idk personally

Love the visual nature of a microwave drawer and that it puts it at children's level so she can microwave her own nuggets, but I'm 6'5 I feel like it would get annoying bending over to get stuff in and out? Our old house had a wall mounted oven/micro combo and I liked that the microwave was roughly at chest level and not as high up as the vent hood mounted ones.

We had all electric, HATE cooking with electric cooktop. Installed 250 gal propane tank for cooktop and dryer. Also ran stubs for 60 gallon water heater (when the existing electric unit dies) and the grill on the patio. Ran about $2500 for everything, including purchase of a tank. Refill the tank about every three years.

As for appliances, we went with all Samsung based on previous experience with them. HUGE mistake. Quality severely dropped in the past 10 years. Microwave died within 2 years after install, freezer had major issues due to well known design issue shortly after the warranty expired. They honored repair because of an ongoing class action suit nationwide. Never again for for Samsung.

Current house that we bought last year is all samsung, and have had nothing but problems with them. Ice maker gets wonky, stops working, then leaks. The microwave will phantom turn on if you pull the door just right to open it, the cooktop has cold spots etc That's actually accelerating our remodel plan a little bit. Don't want to sink money into an appliance package that we're going to rip out anyways.

We went with Thermador column refrigerator and freezer with matching Cook top and ovens and they give you a free dishwasher. You have to buy one make as a package to get any kind of discount.

BSH appliance makes Bosch, Thermador, Gaggenau, Siemens and Neff. Pick a company that has good customer service and parts in your area. Also If you use a real appliance supplier they will save you a lot of time, money and heartache in the long run.

When you say a real appliance supplier, is that like a dedicated appliance store and not a big box store?


Thanks for the input everyone keep it coming

 

[Racer56]

Thank you, as we get closer I'll send you a PM. Meeting with cabinet folks this weekend to get a better understanding of the plan and design.


Love the visual nature of a microwave drawer and that it puts it at children's level so she can microwave her own nuggets, but I'm 6'5 I feel like it would get annoying bending over to get stuff in and out? Our old house had a wall mounted oven/micro combo and I liked that the microwave was roughly at chest level and not as high up as the vent hood mounted ones.



Current house that we bought last year is all samsung, and have had nothing but problems with them. Ice maker gets wonky, stops working, then leaks. The microwave will phantom turn on if you pull the door just right to open it, the cooktop has cold spots etc That's actually accelerating our remodel plan a little bit. Don't want to sink money into an appliance package that we're going to rip out anyways.


When you say a real appliance supplier, is that like a dedicated appliance store and not a big box store?


Thanks for the input everyone keep it coming

Yes

 

[DaytonaBabe]

We've had a really good experience with all of our GE Café appliances.

Now that I've put this out in the universe, they're bound to shit the bed though....

 

[1tonfun]

We went with Kitchen aid when we did our remodel back in 2019 on everything but the microwave, guy I have been using for years recommended the GE microwave over the kitchen aid. Got everything through Spencers, beat the big box store price and have knowledge about the products they are selling.

 

[NicPaus]

For the dishwasher. Check out Miele if you are doing higher end stuff.

Otherwise I put Boach in all the rentals. There are obviously different levels and the price reflects that. Usually the more expensive they are you get the 3rd top rack and the decibel level goes down.

I put in a whirlpool yesterday on house that's being sold. It was $929 currently on special for $650 and a additional 20% off. After my discount $500. Nice unit. Not sure how it will hold up though.

All appliances are not made as good as they used to be. You want no problems for 5 years. Buy the 5 year warranty. Then the problems will start at 5 years 1 month.

 

[Echo Lodge]

2022/23 Hava House -

GE profile fridge had a recall
GE profile Ele cooktop had a motherboard go out


Oven is still good
Exhaust hood is still good

So expect problems!

Did all GE profile when we did our kitchen remodel about 10 years ago. The frig had 2 fans replaced the 1st year, the microwave took a crap at the 5 year mark, and the trim pieces on the dishwasher had to be glued back on. Can't believe how crappy appliances are today. I keep a spare of all 3 fans the frig uses. I have to replace at least one of them every 2 years. Super easy but lame you have to do it. The frig in the garage is 20 plus years old and just keeps running.

 

[OCMerrill]

Avoid LG refrigeration.
They use a screwball compressor, improved but still prone to failure.

Our LG stove, washer / dryer are great, but we bought their highest end.

Bosch Dishwashers in RDP have had a 50 / 50 response. We didn't have a good experience.
Kitchenaid when we can find it.

Your not kidding. Were on our third scroll compressor made by LG and my bottom drawer side by side wears a Whirlpool Made in USA badge right on the front.

My warranty is long up so when, not if, it fails I will look at specs more carefully on a new unit.

 

[Orange Juice]

Plan on having the every mother board going bad on all your appliances!

San Diego Casa -
In 2019 we bought a Samsung micro / oven combo during our remodel - BEFORE COVID - 1.5 years later they had to replace the fixture - stopped making the motherboard

$2 k under cabinet Drink fridge had a bad door seal

New Miele DW also had an issue

All 3 appliances we bought in 2018/19 had an issue


2022/23 Hava House -

GE profile fridge had a recall
GE profile Ele cooktop had a motherboard go out


Oven is still good
Exhaust hood is still good

So expect problems!

I’d have someone check your Power.

 

[Cobalt232]

We have all KitchenAid at the Havasu house. I hate the gas cooktop. It feels cheap and when you wipe it down, the gas can turn on without the igniter—bad and dangerous design on the cooktop. The KitchenAid dishwasher is great, super quiet. The oven/micro works really well. The fridge kept turning off intermittently. A Google search pointed to 2 different boards in the back along with how to test, but it needed to be in failure mode. I just ordered both boards and put them in. That was less expensive to have someone out to properly troubleshoot. The boards are super easy to get to.

At our home in San Clemente, we have a Samsung fridge, which has been OK. I've had to fix a few things including the paddle that broke off that delivers water and ice, the defrost drain tube backed up, and sometimes we have to thaw the icemaker line. We have a Wolf cooktop that I really like. We have a KitchenAid oven that one of the buttons stopped working on, so I ordered a control pad off of Ebay. When my kid took it apart, he realized there was some corrosion on a ribbon cable. Good ever since. We need a new dishwasher as the KitchenAid's racks look like a pirate ship.

Since Covid, my parents have been through 2 KitchenAid fridges, 1 Whirlpool fridge, and a KitchenAid dishwasher. All new and within 6 months dead. No parts available, they just sent replacements. Their 20 year old Viking cooktop and ovens just keep plugging along.

 

[25Elmn8r]

We used a smallish (23 gallon) propane tank that we already had for our range and a stub out for bbq because I hate cooking on electric. Everything else is electric in the house. Surprisingly that tank lasts us a complete year with some left when we refill. Because it's such a small tank I have to take it to get refilled, but it's really not that big of a deal once a year. The other plus to this setup is in a pinch if we run that tank dry, we can attach a small bbq tank to get us thru.

 

[bbrownster]

Oh those dents look familiar. Our microwave oven is next to our counter depth refrigerator. Came back one weekend and saw the damaged from an incredibly negligent son…

 

[scottchbrite]

Thank you, as we get closer I'll send you a PM. Meeting with cabinet folks this weekend to get a better understanding of the plan and design.


Love the visual nature of a microwave drawer and that it puts it at children's level so she can microwave her own nuggets, but I'm 6'5 I feel like it would get annoying bending over to get stuff in and out? Our old house had a wall mounted oven/micro combo and I liked that the microwave was roughly at chest level and not as high up as the vent hood mounted ones.



Current house that we bought last year is all samsung, and have had nothing but problems with them. Ice maker gets wonky, stops working, then leaks. The microwave will phantom turn on if you pull the door just right to open it, the cooktop has cold spots etc That's actually accelerating our remodel plan a little bit. Don't want to sink money into an appliance package that we're going to rip out anyways.


When you say a real appliance supplier, is that like a dedicated appliance store and not a big box store?


Thanks for the input everyone keep it coming

I’m 6’4ish and have zero issues. We have it in one of the 2 kitchen islands and it puts it right in the middle of the action of the kitchen but out if sight from the living room and main entertainment area.

 

[wzuber]

I’d have someone check your Power.

Yep, good quality grounding is critical for PC boards.

 

[SoCalDave]

2015 we did a remodel and I found a 42" counter depth Kitchenaid at Sears in the Buena Park mall that was a display. Perfect condition French door with out all the BS with ice maker in the bottom freezer and was originally $9k. Clearance was marked down to $3,800. I offered the department manager $2,800 and we walked out of there at $3k delivered with an additional 5 year warranty. Later I found out it was a 2007 model....
Fast forward to 2021 and it started acting up on me so I called for service but it was about the time they were going under so I took things on myself. A little internet search on the issue and it was a known issue with the (Wirlpool) control board that was NLA. Found a place in Greenville, SC that does nothing but circuit board repairs. Everything from automotive to farm equipment to appliances even dash clusters. You name it if it has a circuit board they can repair it. Anyway I sent them my board via FedEx overnight and they repaired it for $95 and sent it back to me within 24 hours. Reinstalled it and everything has been fine since then.

Circuit Board Medics - Automotive, Trucking & Appliance

Circuit Board Medics is an automotive, trucking, and appliance electronic module repair company serving consumers and businesses worldwide.

circuitboardmedics.com

 

[CoolCruzin]

I would buy electric. Been cooing on them for years .
The plus’s is being a smooth top which is easier to clean .
A wet sponge and done .

 

[TPC]

Lots of White Label appliance's built that various companies stick their name on.

Over all Kitchenaid has served us well.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

Doing some research on more appliance specific forums, and it seems like virtually every company got smoked during COVID and quality fell through the floor. Even the premium manufacturers are relying on word of mouth that "my 20 year old xyz refrigerator is still working fine" when someone else has a 2 year old unit that's broken. They don't make them like they did 20 years ago. Normally I'm very anti warranty, but sounds like I may have to bite the bullet

 

[adam909]

If you want a fridge that has the best chance of lasting get a side by side fridge. The issues with french door fridges is the ice machine is in the cool part of the fridge. So, you got a motor that's trying to keep ice frozen and the rest of the area cool. So, they are working against each other. Unless you get a french door fridge that drops the ice in a bucket in the frozen food department.

 

[Waterjunky]

Doing some research on more appliance specific forums, and it seems like virtually every company got smoked during COVID and quality fell through the floor. Even the premium manufacturers are relying on word of mouth that "my 20 year old xyz refrigerator is still working fine" when someone else has a 2 year old unit that's broken. They don't make them like they did 20 years ago. Normally I'm very anti warranty, but sounds like I may have to bite the bullet

I have never been an extended warrantee person, that said, when I bought a new fridge a few years ago we did. This was slightly before Covid. The only thing we had an issue with was the ice maker. Samsun appears to be legendary on poor icemakers on a whole range of years.

I am also planning a major remodel on the house over the next year. This is a timely thread as the kitchen is on the list.