I may be replacing my three major kitchen appliances soon. That is fridge, Range, and Dishwasher. Actually the range is fine, its the fridge and dishwasher that will need replacing soon, but since I'm looking to replace those two, might as well replace the range too.

My top/bottom fridge is 9 years old, works pretty well, but a while back I had to replace the thermostat in the freezer because it was frosting over causing cooling and leaking water issues in the refrigerator. After replacing it, it worked fine for another 3 years, but now I see its starting to leak from the freezer again.

Dishwasher I have no idea how old it is, but it has been in the house since I bought it in 2003, at least 9 years old maybe even older. It works fine, but the drain cover mildewed over and I had to clean it out. The only reason I discovered it was because of a moldy smell coming from it every time I opened the dishwasher. It had never done that before. Other issue I have had a few years ago was with it clogging up and failing to drain properly after cleaning. I fixed that issue myself after the genius repairman couldn't seem to fix it after 2 separate visits

Range (gas) is also at least 9 years old, been in the house since I bought it in 2003. No issues at all other than the pilot light going out.

Anyway I'm looking at brands and have no idea which ones are good, bad, break after warranty expires etc. I'm not looking for anything expensive, I don't care about bells and whistles, or other non essential features, just the basic appliance that cooks, cleans, freezes and cools. Stainless steel is nice, but not essential and white appliances are just fine. The only thing I'm looking for is a side by side fridge, and a self cleaning oven; anything else doesn't matter.

My budget for all three is $2000.

Can anyone recommend a brand/brands in this price range that are reliable and don't have a habit of breaking 10 days after the warranty expires? While I would prefer them all to be the same brand, they don't have to be.

 

Consumer Reports says GE brand (non-Profile) models of refrigerators are at the top of the list for reliability.

Check out Consumer Reports annual "Buying Guide" and magazines at the local library, or buy the Buying Guide at a bookstore or newstand.

Your budget should keep you from getting Bosch, Asko and other premium brand, higher-cost but less reliable fridges and dishwashers.

 

My GE appliances that are all around 7 years old are ok but not perfect.

In the dishwasher many of the internal parts such as rack wheels and the silverware baskets had to be replaced after 5 years. I assume that they couldn't tolerate the detergent and heat. I also had to replace one spray arm because I couldn't clear a clog from it and it wasn't obvious if it could be taken apart without breaking it. The parts were easy to find online and the cost was reasonable.

My gas range/oven works okay but there is some small places where the paint has flaked away near the oven exhaust because of the heat. Not a huge deal.

Fridge is starting to make some noise now.

This stuff used to be made much better. My dad has a GE fridge that is about 25-30 years old and still runs like a champ.

My GE dishwasher in my previous house flooded the kitchen because the water value froze in the open position. Good thing we were home.

 

Stay away from Whirlpool/Maytag and LG brands as far as refrigerators go, I bought one of the top of the line ones from Whirlpool and it died 2x within 6 months. Finally I managed to get them to get me a refund and bought a Samsung Refrigerator! Absolutely love it!

As far as range, what's your budget because I would say Viking or Wolf(Sub-Zero Refrigerators as well). As far as dishwashers go, Bosch is a hit or a miss as I've seen with breaking and repairs, but I've had a kenmore one for a bit and it's worked amazingly well!

EDIT: Wolf/Subzero is having a 1K off sale when you buy a Fridge and Range from them!

 

Maybe you just had a lemon. Consumer Reports still rates Whirlpool/Maytag at the top.



Freezer reliability according to Consumer Reports

Side By Side

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Bottom freezers

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Top freezers

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Dishwasher Reliability

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Below Fisher & Paykel (with pullout drawer) was...

Amana.... 18
Maytag.... 21
LG.... 21

 

Stove Reliability

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We have everything kitchenaid. 7 months, no issues.

 

I have a GE Profile range (unfortunately electric) and wine fridge and both work well. ALso have a maytag refrigerator which I've had no issues with.

 

Whirlpool side by side refrigerators have worked very well for us. I think we have had three over the past 30-35 years. If they give, me problems after 10 years I just replace rather than repair.

 

Mediocre with Kitchen Aid isnt all it it makes out to be

Bad luck with Bosch dishwasher (computer repair and latch broke right after warranty)

Good luck with Jenn-Air, Sub Zero

 

I can give you a simple suggestion and this is what I did when I wanted to buy a new set of washer and dryer.
I went to home depot, they had the red LG washer and dryer set for 2100. I went to a local appliance store that carries that same washer and dryer set and here the price is negotiable. I managed to beat the price down to 1200 usd and then asked them to print it on their invoice sheet and told them I would be back as it was the lowest price I had encountered so far. I then took the invoice to homedepot where they match competitior prices and beat them by 10% now behold Homedepot gave me the washer and dryer for 1080 usd including sales tax. Home depot also offers free delivery and installation all over the country where as the local store delivers for $75.00. So I saved on that. So make sure you find the appliance that is right for you, go to local stores and have corporate stores beat local prices and save up some money! and if you like the prices that the local stores sell for get it from them. Its just that I am a student and on a budget otherwise the local store would earn my business. Sometimes appliance shopping can be like car shopping! just my 2 cents!

 

FWIW...

I have an LG bottom freezer refrigerator, a Maytag dishwasher, a GE electric free-standing range, and a GE over-the-range microwave. All were purchased in 2009 and all have given me zero problems.

 

Don't take this the wrong way, but I spent $1,700 just on our stove (SS). It's nice but nothing really exotic. You may need to add a little more to the budget. In addition if you have a hood fan you'll want to replace that with a matching unit otherwise it may look out of place.

 

Thanks guys for all your suggestions!

I'm going to price shop sometime this week. I just discovered that the dishwasher and stove that came with the house are both whirlpool and I guess they have had a a fairly useful life assuming they both more than likely over 10 years old. The fridge that I bought in 2003 is a Fridgadaire.

Stove still works fine, its only the dishwasher and fridge that is starting to act up, though I think I bought the dishwasher some more time using the baking soda vinegar trick. I may stick with my range and just replace the fridge and dishwasher for the time being. My kitchen is white so either white or stainless steel would be my color choice. If I go with SS, then my stove will definitely not match the new fridge and dishwasher, but I'll have to deal with it until I replace that as well and I completely forgot about the range hood when considering my budget, so that will need to be replaced as well eventually.

 

$2k budget for all 3?!?!?!?

Unless you want bare bones Frigidaire type appliances, you might want to up your budget.
...or buy them one at a time as your budget permits.

Just the Fridge alone can/will push north of your budget.

 

Ummm... OP has a top-freezer fridge, not a side-by-side or
French door, so it's probably @ $500-700 for comparable replacement. A mainstream non-stainless side-by-side from Home Depot will be less than $1000. Seems like plenty left for a decent range and dishwasher to me.

 

yeah I really don't see how ~ $2000 is unreasonable. I see side by side fridges for under 1000 dishwashers for around 400, and stoves for about 600 and these are for stainless steel. I put together a non stainless steel set for about $1700 for all three. I just don't know about reliability of each brand which is why I didn't rush out and buy it.

For stainless steel, I may go a little over $2000 but its not like I should have to spend $3000+. There is no way I will ever spend more than $1500 for a fridge, over 1000 for a range, or over 600 - 700 for a dishwasher. I personally don't see the point. If not like I have a big family or entertain a lot guests. its just me, my wife and son. If I remember correctly, my current fridge cost me $600 and worked fine for nearly 10 years.

Like I said I don't care about bells and whistles or impressing guests; just a fridge that keeps food cold/frozen, a dishwasher than washes dishes, and a range that cooks and bakes.

 

When my 10 year old GE fridge failed on me I bought a Samsung and love it. Currently using an old white dishwasher and range and will replace those as budget permits with Samsung products considering my satisfaction.
Depending on the colors of your kitchen, you could consider going with black to save some money. It's not as much as stainless, but also much more acceptable to home buyers than white in case you ever decide to sell and leave them there.

Good luck in your search.

 

Do you think black look ok in an all white kitchen? I like black more than white, and being that its cheaper than SS it would be my first choice if not for the white kitchen

 

That's tough to judge. My buddy has black appliance with white cabinets and a dark countertop.

My kitchen had white with dark wood cabinets and white granite counters.

Post a pic and let everyone give you some feedback.

 

I prefer white, but obviously it depends on floor/cabinet/counter top color as well. I have SS only because I thought white appliance with white cabinets would be overkill.

 

Everything in my kitchen is white, white floors, white cabinets, white counter tops, white walls, white doors, the only thing that isn't white is the sink, and the kitchen table, which is wood with white tiles.

 

I'd get black appliances for the contrast.
Fridges seem to be the same price in white or black. The stainless steel finish versions are more expensive.

FYI, some appliances like dishwashers have changeable exterior panels to change the appliance color to fit different decor.

 

^ - Those are usually less expensive too. My parents bought a miele without the front portion so it could be made to match the rest of the cabinets.

 

Although I guess it may have cost more to have the panel made. Hm.

 

Me and my girlfriend just moved into a newly renovated apartment with brand new stainless steel Frigidaire appliances. I'll let you know how they hold up/perform.

 

Paint the walls or cabinets so there's colour somewhere, and then white appliances will work.

 

Need pictures of this all white kitchen

 

Albino kitchen, if you will

 

I think you can get all three appliances within the $2,000 range for sure, especially if you don't care about any of the bells and whistles. You said you don't even necessarily need a range, so that makes it even easier....save it for last, if you have money left over after getting the dishwasher and fridge - items you say you do need. You can also check used. Often people doing kitchen renos sell perfectly good in-new-condition appliances for very good prices.

 

Also, check out scratch & dent sales and floor models. Most blemishes are on the back or side and you'd never even see it once it's installed. Unless it's near a critical working part, the appliance is still in 100% working condition.

 

I bought a 2400$ GE Profile dishwasher recently. Somehow it holds 25% more dishes than what it replaced. The big big big plus for me, since I live in a 800 sqft condo is that it's virtually silent when running. Oh and I only paid $1100 taxes in, friends family has a directbuy membership

edit: Oh and it does an amazing job cleaning the dishes too, never anything left on them.

 

Well the kitchen is not entirely white. I looked again when I was taking pictures and there all three walls that are a dark beige-ish color. (Shows you how much time I spend in there). I'll get the pictures up here today hopefully.

 

Few pics of the kitchen








My wife and I really like this samsung fridge, but the reviews on amazon and other sites are not very encouraging.


The same fridge got overall good reviews on hhgregg's site though,

http://www.hhgregg.com/samsung-25-6-...item/RS261MDRS

 

My thoughts remain the same. Add a colour, even a light colour besides beige, and white appliances will look nice and fresh.

 

I think white appliances will look fine. Like Street Spirit said, you can add color by painting the walls if you feel it's necessary.

 

I like that idea too, but wifey doesn't really like the idea of painting or white appliances. I think she is set on stainless steel or black. I was about to make a purchase today after playing fotoball, but found out that the fridge we liked was too wide for the enclosure in our kitchen. The fridge we liked was 36" wide, and the enclosure only has space for 35 1/2" if that, and that's if I remove the floor moldings. Damn house designers! They do have the same model in a smaller width, but those are $100 more! WTF is up with that?

I found a range we both really like and a dishwasher that is sufficient, and an ok side by side fridge a few minutes ago; not exactly what I want, but its the only one we like that fits in the enclosure as well as in my budget. All are stainless steel and it will come out to $2030 since its a tax free holiday this weekend. I'll wait to get the range hood since its just cosmetic

The tax free holiday here ends tomorrow as well as many sales, so if I wait these same items could end up costing me over $500 more.