The Home Appliance + Lighting Blog

A Review Of The Best Professional Ranges

Steve Sheinkopf — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:33:00 GMT

Many professional ranges all have a commercial appearance and very similar features:

Convection: Fan forced heat to maintain an even temperature.
High Output Burners: BTU output ranges from very hot at 15,000 to an inferno-like 22,000 BTU.
Simmer: Low temperature output for sauces and soups. Thermador is the lowest, but it is intermittent. Wolf and Viking maintain temperature more evenly.

Now lets look at the unique specs of each range. We will use dual fuel 48". 30" and 36" ranges have similar features just smaller profiles.

Wolf DF486 Professional Range: Wolf is the only company offering twin convection in the main oven, which allows for more precise cooking. Wolf also simmers extremely well with each burner maintaing a constant simmer of 500 BTU. The top is available with an infrared grill and french top configurations. Buy a Sub-Zero with a Wolf and receive a $1000 rebate (and $300 for every additional Wolf product, up to $2,500 total).

Thermador PRD48JDSGU Professional Range: Thermador has really changed this industry in terms of features with a steam oven and warming drawer standard on their 48" range. Steam is the most healthy way to cook, as it injects moisture so the nutrients are not baked out like traditional ovens (subscribe to our cooking newsletter if you want to be invited for a steam oven demo). The Thermador Harmony also adds a warming drawer, which can maintain food without dehydration for up to three hours. The top has a powerful 22,000 BTU burner and two burners with ultra low simmers of 200 BTUs. Thermador offers rebates of free dishwashers and hoods with purchase of a stove and refrigerator.

Viking VDSC4856GSS Professional Range: The original professional range has been improved with an 18,000 BTU burner and improved simmering on every burner. Viking is also available in every color of the rainbow and has a $750 rebate (which ends January) and another $150 for liking them on Facebook.

Jenn-Air JDRP548WP Professional Range: The retooled Jenn-Air is a very interesting range with two 20,000 BTU burners and state of the art controls. The JDRP548WP has a LCD screen for clock, timer and "doneness" control. The griddle is infused (love that word) with chrome, so it is much easier to clean. Jenn-Air has rebates and a free dishwasher with the purchase of the range.

For more information, download our Professional Range Buyers Guide.

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Executing a Luxury Kitchen Design With Appliances

Steve Sheinkopf — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:02:00 GMT

It is hard to believe my folks bought a place in Needham for $24,000. Of course that was 47 years ago. When I return to my hometown, the residences are profoundly different.

Let's look at a 3 million dollar home. I am not advocating spending or not spending this type of money on a residence, but it is a good idea to look at the high end for ideas.

Let's see what the builder, Metro Construction and Design, built on South Street:

In terms of luxury products, there seems to be two main designs. The kitchen appliances are either stainless steel or hidden behind cabinets for a more integrated approach. MetroCorp was also smart in choosing one manufacturer to maximize rebates.

Products:

Shaw Sink RC3018 - Farm sinks (sinks with an exposed apron or front) are a diversion from the undermount sinks as they call attention to the sink as a design element. Farm sinks at one time were for traditional kitchens, but can be used for any style. Shaw seems to be the product of choice for this type of sink.

Viking Integrated Dishwasher DFB450 - Integrated dishwashers with the controls on the inside have become more popular in the last decade. Bosch, Miele, Asko and KitchenAid all have integrated products.

Viking Columns DFFB530L and DFRB530R - Integrated refrigerator/freezer columns have become much more popular over the last few years. Integrated refrigerators differ from other counterdepth products, because the door does not protrude. In other words, the refrigerator looks like a cabinet. You can also customize the sizes and placement of the products. Sub-Zero, Thermador, Miele and Bosch also offer integrated columns.

Viking Double Wall Oven and Professional Cooktop VGRT5486GSS / VEDO5302SS - Cooking is the hardest part in planning a kitchen. The cooktop and wall oven combination allows for two equal size ovens without bending whereas the big professional range has your cooking in one central area. Both options completely change the layout of the kitchen. As I have said before, cooking should be where you start.

Viking Power Pack VBCV48381 with VINV1200 - I love the mantel hoods. Basically, you are using the cabinet as the capture area with the guts (power pack) of a hood to expel air.

This is a sensational, well conceived and designed luxury kitchen. Many of these ideas can be adapted to really any plan. BTW, the house is on 580 South St. Company is Metro Construction and Design.

A Review Of LED UnderCabinet Lighting

Steve Sheinkopf — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:21:00 GMT

This post is a sequel to last weeks LED vs Xenon post. We added another display, so let's compare the different LED undercabinet lights. First, the benefits of LED are 40,000 hour lamp life, 90% efficiency and no heat emission. No heat means your peanut butter and chocolate will not melt in the cabinet above the light itself.

Some technical lighting answers (there is a video below).

Dimming LED: Some LEDs do dim, but most existing dimmers can not be used. LED uses so few watts that traditional dimmers cannot detect the bulb. Also, most magnetic dimmers need the wattage load to be at least 50% of the transformer capacity. Thus, a 60 watt transformer can only work at 30 watts or greater. Most LED undercabinet lights are 10 watts maximum.

24 Volt: The LED tape uses a different voltage, so it can be run across 60 feet without affecting the quality of the light, especially at the end.

A review of Kelvin temperature (this is important)

Kelvin Temperature: Kelvin is a color rendering or quality of light scale. 2500 degrees Kelvin is incandescent. An incandescent renders a warm, yellowish light. Older fluorescent lighting renders at 5000 degrees Kelvin and renders a harsh white light like the sun.

Halogen and low voltage are considered "white" lights at 2900-3100 degrees Kelvin, but only white compared to incandescent. Our showroom is all "white" LEDs on the appliance side as the light really emphasizes the stainless steel.

The Lights

First Cabinet:

Top Left: Juno UPL30 Pro LED: 9.5 watts 52 lumens 3000 Kelvin
Middle left: CSL Mach 120 LED: 10 watts 340 lumens 2900 Kelvin

Second cabinet:

Jesco High output tape: 3.5 watts per foot (7 watts) 3000 Kelvin
Jesco Low output tape: 1.5 watts per foot (3 watts) 2700 Kelvin

Video:

I like the tape, because you don't see it. With the tape, you need to buy a LED driver at $170, but the per foot cost is cheap at $30 per foot. Big tip: You must see LED before you buy the product as the light quality really differs.

A Review of Cooking: Gas , Electric, Dual Fuel and Induction

Steve Sheinkopf — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Behold the best cake I have ever eaten (I had 2 pieces for dinner and 2 more pieces for breakfast). Yellow cake, vanilla frosting with homemade lemon curd in the middle.

This cake was made from scratch by Mom's friend, Sally. We looked at her kitchen a couple of years ago. Curiously, she baked it in my mothers stove.

Rather than her own (a 48" version of this)...

Mom has a 30" dual fuel range. Sally has a gas convection range. So let's look at the simple differences and understand the reason why Sally chose to bake this unbelievable cake in her neighbors range.

Electric: Electric is 55% efficient and has a slower, less responsive top (except induction), but a more even bake, especially in convection. Broiler is not as hot as gas.

Gas: Gas is 60% efficient, but is faster than electric on the top. Over the years, the average gas burner has increased from 10,000 to 12,000 BTU with some regular ranges having a power burner of 17,000 BTU. In the oven, gas broilers are typically infrared and much faster than electric broiling, but for baking, gas convection is not as even as electric.

Dual Fuel: Best of both worlds, combining the speed of the gas top and the evenness of electric baking. The electric broil is not as good, and the price is more expensive than comparable gas or electric ranges.

Induction: Induction is 90% efficient and is faster to boil than the hottest gas professional range. Induction also offers an instant simmer and is the most child safe because only the areas under the pan heat up. The oven offers the advantages of electric convection with the less efficient electric broiler.

If you want to see cooking appliances in action, subscribe to our cooking newsletter. The cooking newsletter has cooking tips, featured cooking products and scheduled cooking demos in our showroom.

Viking vs Sub-Zero Refrigerators

Steve Sheinkopf — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:05:00 GMT

Unlike last weeks post of Sub-Zero vs Monogram, Sub-Zero vs Viking is a comparison of equals in terms of price and name recognition.

At one time, Sub-Zero was a clear victor by default. The original Viking professional refrigerator tooling was an Amana prototype. Amana was about to manufacture the product but the company was bought and dissolved. Viking marketed this untested product and had issues to say the least. 10 years later, the Viking refrigerator has become reliable as it should.

As we previously posted, Viking is having a rebate on their ranges and professional refrigerators of $750 each. How does it now compete with Sub-Zero who ironically anounced a price increase effective last October 15th?

Let's look at the best selling pieces:

	VS
Viking VCBB536RSS $6849 after rebate (Like Viking on Facebook for another $150)		Sub-Zero BI36 $7249 after price increase

First, both the Sub-Zero and Viking are excellent refrigerators. Both have air cleaners inside the refrigerator. Viking uses Sharp's Plasmacluster to eliminate mold, bacteria and other impurities. Sub-Zero has an airscrubber, which scrubs the gasses off food. So food stays fresher for a longer period of time.

Both have electronic controls to maintain temperature. Both maintains with 1 degree, and Sub-Zero about three. Both have excellent warranties. Viking is 3 years, and Sub-Zero is 2 full and up to 12 years on the compressor.

Viking has a separate temperature control for the crisper. Sub-Zero, however, does have a vacuum seal on the door and their crispers are magnetized to prevent air inside and outside the refrigerator from reaching food.

Sub-Zero uses 2 compressors, whereas Viking utilizes one.

From a technological standpoint, SubZero still has the clear technological edge over a much improved Viking product. The Viking for the next few weeks with be 15%, or over $1100, less.

For any questions about refrigerators in general, download our Refrigerator Buyers Guide for brands, features and terms of the latest products.

Undercabinet Lighting: LED vs Xenon, Which is Better?

Steve Sheinkopf — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:27:00 GMT

Be prepared to re-learn everything about lighting you know...seriously.

Following is a new undercabinet lighting display at Yale showing the following lamp types from top to bottom:

Juno UPL30 Pro LED: 9.5 watts 52 lumens 3000 Kelvin
CSL Mach 120 LED: 10 watts 340 lumens 2900 Kelvin
CSL Mach 120 Xenon Halogen: 120 Volt 140 watts 270 lumens 2900 Kelvin
Juno Pro Xenon Low Voltage: 12 volt 80 watts 800 lumens 3000 Kelvin

Before we answer some pretty interesting questions, following are some lighting definitions.

Kelvin Temperature: Kelvin is a color rendering or quality of light scale. 2500 degrees Kelvin is incandescent. An incandescent renders a warm, yellowish light. Older fluorescent lighting renders at 5000 degrees Kelvin and renders a harsh white light like the sun.

Confused? Let's talk about lumens....(there is a video at the end, don't worry)

Lumens (according to Wikipedia): The lumen can be thought of casually as a measure of the total "amount" of visible light in some defined beam or angle, or emitted from some source. My definition would have been measurable light to the floor or counter.

The problem with comparing Xenon with LED for lumens and Kelvins is it varies among manufacturers, and like the mattress police there are no enforceable standards. You almost have to see the light itself.

LED is whiter at the same Kelvin teperature as halogen or low voltage.

Let's compare from a specification point of view

Life expectancy:

LED 50,000 hours
Low Voltage 10,000 hours
Halogen 2,000 hours

Heat: (heat is significant, because a hot lamp will melt your food in a cabinet)

LED: Minimal
Halogen and Low voltage: 300 degrees

Watts: (energy consumed)

Juno LED 9.5 watts
CSL LED 10 watts
Halogen 140 watts
Low voltage 80 watts

Take a look at this video to see the comparison:

Sub-Zero versus GE Monogram Refrigeration: Which is Better?

Steve Sheinkopf — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:50:00 GMT

Comparing Sub-Zero vs GE Monogram is a bit different than comparing Bosch vs Miele or any other comparison of equals. Sub-Zero vs GE Monogram is comparing a luxury brand versus a near-luxury brand with a similar look at a cheaper price. Both have merits for a customer.

For full disclosure, we stopped carrying Monogram late in 2011. I like this product, but we couldn't sell it. The near-luxury segment is packed with other labels with big incentives like Liebherr, Bosch, KitchenAid and Jenn-Air.

But these two brands are still two of the strongest and deserve the comparison. We will look at two categories, wine storage and built-ins.

Warranties are virtually the same at 2 years (Sub-Zero is full, Monogram is limited), 5 years on the sealed system and 12 years on the sealed system parts.

Wine Storage

	VS
Sub-Zero 424		GE Monogram ZDWT240PBS

The Monogram is a beautiful unit with really interesting controls and is 10-15% cheaper than Sub-Zero. SubZero, however, has created a system to address the complexities of storing wine. The 424 controls temperature and humidity by employing two evaporators to maintain two distinct zones. The door is a Low-E door, which refracts harmful UV light. It is also gasketed to eliminate temperature cross over between the two zones.

In order to stop wine-killing vibration, the drawers are on rollers and slide out. The compressor is on rubber grommits to eliminate shaking and vibrating the unit when cycling.

Professional Counter Depth Refrigeration

	VS
Sub-Zero BI-36		Monogram ZICS360NXLH

The 36-inch bottom freezer professional counter depth refrigerator is by far the most popular unit in its size in the luxury niche. Monogram is a nice unit and again is 10-15% cheaper than the Sub-Zero. Sub-Zero, on the other hand, is manufactured to preserve food fresher for a longer period of time. It is still the only refrigerator with two compressors, one for the refrigerator and the other for the freezer. Sub-Zero eliminates air from infiltrating into the refrigerator with a vacuum seal and the crispers are sealed magnetically to prevent the same.

Sub-Zero is the only company to have an air scrubber. This system scrubs the gases off food, arresting the spoilage process.

For price, Monogram may be the better choice. In terms of functionality and food preservation Sub-Zero is definitely the better product.

For more information about refrigerators with brands terms and features, receive our free Refrigerator Buyers Guide.

The Best Induction Cooktop Ever Created

Steve Sheinkopf — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:41:00 GMT

I just wrote a post about the best induction products of 2011. This soon to be released Thermador cooktop is way better. For review, induction is:

90% efficient vs 60% for gas and 55% for electric
Faster to boil (yes, even faster than pro gas)
Instant simmer

The Thermador has no burners, meaning the whole unit is a burner. This is a vast improvement over existing 5 burner technology. Induction is still only activated by a metal pan, so there should not be any safety concerns.

The controls are a LCD screen within the cooktop itself. More pictures of the new Thermador Freedom cooktop here.

Great technology...What do you think?

Additional resources:

Download our Electric Cooking Buyers Guide with information on all electric and induction products.

Bosch vs Electrolux Appliances: Who Is Better?

Steve Sheinkopf — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:14:00 GMT

We will be comparing the German Bosch versus the Swedish Electrolux. Although they compete in the suddenly crowded mass-premium segment, Bosch has higher-end appliances in Thermador with Electrolux dominating the value segment with Frigidaire.

Still, if you are renovating, replacing or rebuilding, these two brands should be considered without question.

First, they are both European companies yet few of these products are actually European. Bosch operates the largest dishwasher manufacturing facility in North Carolina. Cooking is built in the US as well, with the high-end refrigeration built in Turkey. Electrolux is manufactured in the US with refrigeration built in Mexico. One small note - Bosch's less expensive ranges are built by Electrolux until 2013.

So let's look by category:

Dishwasher
For any purchase under $450, Electrolux (under the Frigidaire label) clearly is the choice. Over $450, however, Bosch is the clear choice with better features and more models. Where Electrolux and Bosch compete over $1000, once again Bosch is the better decision. Download our Dishwasher Buying Guide for more information.

	VS
Bosch Dishwasher		Electrolux Dishwasher

Stoves

I like the style of Bosch and they have some decent models. However, cooking seems to be Electrolux's pedigree both under the Frigidaire label and Electrolux with tons of models and features from $500-$3500. Electrolux offers induction in 4 models, whereas Bosch does not offer induction as of this writing.

	VS
Bosch Electric Range		Electrolux Electric Range

Refrigerator

Once again, Bosch and Thermador own the high-end with integrated and true professional refrigerators. Electrolux and Frigidaire almost have a monopoly on top mounts (freezer on the top). In the counter depth refrigerator market where they do actually compete, Electrolux offers a side by side and french door whereas Bosch markets just the side by side. However, Bosch seems to be more reliable then the first generation Electrolux. They are on the second generation at Electrolux, so we will see. All refrigeration topics are covered in our Refrigerator Buying Guide.

	VS
Bosch Refrigerator		Electrolux Refrigerator

Built-Ins (Wall Ovens and Cooktops)

Both are competitive, but Bosch has a more compelling wall oven story with both brands, Bosch and Thermador. Interestingly enough, the Bosch induction cooktop is better with more power in the middle burner. Gas professional and regular cooktops are better under the Bosch and Thermador brands with better power and simmer control.

	VS
Bosch Wall Oven		Electrolux Wall Oven

So how do you decide? Value end to Electrolux. High end to Bosch. In the middle to high end, that really depends on what you consider important.

Are Miele Dishwashers Really Worth It?

Steve Sheinkopf — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:16:00 GMT

Question can be answered many different ways. First, you can buy a really good Bosch dishwasher at $699 in stainless, while Miele starts at $1100. We actually wrote a post comparing Bosch vs Miele, so from a price standpoint the answer is probably not.

From a quality perspective, however, there is no better dishwasher. Over 96% of the dishwasher is manufactured by Miele's factories in Germany. Such stringent manufacturing standards produce a less repaired machine.

Other unique and compelling features include:

Drying Capability: Miele is the only machine with a legitimate drying cycle. Most European machines use rinse aid and steam from the wash cycle to dry the dishes. American models add a heating element. Miele is radically different. On the basic models, Miele employs a fan to draw the hot steamy air to the cooler side wall. On the better models, Miele will employ two fans, automatically adjust the rinse time and the amount of rinse aid dispensed. On their best model, The Diamond, the machine will actually open itself automatically.
Turbo Function: Miele is the only dishwasher to increase water pressure as well as temperature to reduce cycle times by as much as 30%.
3 Real Wash Arms: First, Miele has three real wash arms vs two in other brands. They rotate clockwise and counter clockwise to insure better washing of the dishes.
Circulation pump with internal heater: Miele guarantees every drop will be at the accurate temperature.
Sensor wash capability: Miele dishwashers use 5.5 gallons of water but can use as little as 2.9 gallons depending on the soil level of the dishes.

If you are looking for a dishwasher under $1000 (and candidly, most dishwasher purchases are between $399-799, then Miele is not the right brand for you. However, if you wash fine china or flatware and want the best dishwasher available, then Miele deserves serious consideration.

For more information about dishwashers in general, download our Dishwasher Buyers Guide with brand comparisons, terms and features on all the major brands.

The Best Stainless Appliance Packages For January

Steve Sheinkopf — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:54:00 GMT

Rebates in the appliance industry are structured to increase with additional purchases. Thus, the more purchases mean better rebates. It is mentioned prominently in our Appliance Buyers Guide on how to buy appliances for less.

Let's look at the best incentives for January. As I write this, I am omitting the ubiquitous Frigidaire $1699 appliance package. Every month, it is a highlighted package. It is on the front of our website.

Have a look at the other five:

Frigidaire $2099 after 200 in rebates (additional $150 installation credit available): This Frigidaire Gallery package is better than the $1699 package. Stove has 5 burners, dishwasher and microwave have more cycles. The dishwasher and over-the-range microwave can be installed to existing plumbing for only $149.

Maytag $2599 after 300 in rebates: The Maytag offers an affordable bottom mount refrigerator with an over-the-range microwave, stove and multi-cycle dishwasher for the least expensive price.

Bosch $2999 after $1366 in rebates: $1366 in rebates is 40% off. So much for price increases. Bosch is a great package for the price with a counter depth refrigerator, 5 burner range, over-the-range microwave and stainless steel interior dishwasher.

Jenn-Air $4549 after $950 in rebates: This package had a price increase from last year, but is still a great value. Counter depth french door refrigerator, slide-in convection range, over-the-range convection (you can use as a separate oven) microwave and stainless integrated dishwasher.

Viking $9846 after $750 in rebates: Viking still has the $750 in rebates on some of their products. The range is iconic. The dishwasher is very decent. The refrigerator and microwave are rebranded from Whirlpool and Sharp. Still, this is a great package for an upscale developer looking for name recognition at a cheaper price.

Professional Ranges vs Commercial Ranges

Steve Sheinkopf — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:14:00 GMT

I was at the restaurant Tremont647 for New Years Eve and sat at the vaunted chefs table. So, I had a birds eye view of their kitchen and shot this video, which in turn inspired this post:

	VS
Wolf 60" Professional Range		60" Commerical Range

Commercial Range Advantages:

Heat Output: Infernoesque 28,000 BTU burners (that's why I am so hot in this video). Average Professional range is 15,000 BTU with the high being 22,000 BTU on a few burners.
Price: The price is really inexpensive for a 60 inch range at $3874. A professional is $8000+ for a 60 inch.

Professonal Range Advantages:

Insulated: The Professional range will not scald if touched. It can also be placed next to wood cabinets without starting a fire.
Residential: The Professional range is easier to clean on the top, has a clock and timer and can be purchased in dual fuel for better baking or self cleaning....for easier (you guessed it) cleaning.

Further considerations (as I learned on New Years):

Because the commercial range is hot and uninsulated, the specs of your kitchen will change. You need special sprinkler systems and as I filmed, one large vent to capture the massive amount of heat.

So, it is heat and price against useability and cleanability. A couple of useful resources:

Professional Cooking Buyers Guide: Details the BTU output, terms and features of the most popular professional ranges.
Ventilation Buyers Guide: Great help with planning any kind of ventilation.

The Best Range and Refrigerator Rebates in January

Steve Sheinkopf — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:17:00 GMT

The Yale blog is an eclectic mix of how-to's, energy tips, honest product comparisons and reviews. However, the blog has been the best venue for the appliance industries best little known secret: rebates.

View this post for the best January Washer and Dishwasher rebates.

From a performance standpoint, the difference in brands is not enormous, so rebates become a tipping point in the purchasing decision, and every company from Sub-Zero to Frigidaire has different rebates.

Yesterdays post was on dishwashers and laundry. Today is the best refrigerator and range rebates.

Refrigerators:

Frigidaire NFTR18X4LS $399 after $100 in rebates: An 18 cubic foot stainless steel refrigerator at $399? Small note: Frigidaire dominates the top mount category, because most companies could not conform to minimum energy standards. So Frigidaire is competing against itself. Good for you.

Jenn-Air JFC2089WEM $1549 after $450 in rebates: $1549 is by far the least expensive counter depth refrigerator, and Jenn-Air is a decent unit with more rebates in packages as well.

Maytag MBF1958XES $1099 after $150 in rebates: Maytag, Whirlpool, Amana and KitchenAid are manufactured in the same place and are the same refrigerator. Buy the cheapest (same) refrigerator. In January, that is Maytag.

For more information about types of refrigerators, brands, counter depth versus free standing, download our Refrigerator Buyers Guide. It's our most popular with over 1200 downloads.

Ranges:

Basic Self-Cleaning:

Frigidaire gas range FFGF3027LS $549 / Frigidaire electric range DGEF3041KF $499 both after $100 in rebates: Hate to sound like a broken record, but the best value line in the appliance industry is Frigidaire.

Slide-In Ranges:

Jenn-Air Gas JGS8850CDS / Electric JES8850CAS / Dual Fuel JDS8850CDS $400 rebates: Slide-In ranges are an interesting segment. A slide-in is a range without a backguard. Consumers prefer a slide-in range for remodeling so they can see the backsplash instead of a backguard. Unfortunately, most companies either don't make it, don't make it well or charge too much. Jenn-Air owns this niche with convection, a warming drawer, power burner and decent styling for an affordable price.

Professional Ranges

Jenn-Air JGRP430WP $3699 plus a free dishwasher / Viking VGIC5304BSS $2849 after $900 in rebates: The Jenn-Air JGRP430WP is a great unit with two 20,000 BTU burners, convection and a cool LCD screen. The free dishwasher is pretty compelling. January is the last month for the Viking $750 instant rebate plus the additional $150 for the Facebook "Like"...supposedly.

For more information about ranges including brands, terms and features view one of our range guides.

The Best Appliance Dishwasher and Washer Values For January

Steve Sheinkopf — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:51:00 GMT

Happy New Year...

It's amazing, after almost 25 years of stagnant prices in the appliance industry, last year prices increased 15-20%. Still, the ongoing market share battle between the manufacturers has provided some great buying opportunities, if you know where to look...namely, what is still being heavily rebated by appliance companies.

View this post for the best January Refrigerator and Range rebates.

So look here for the answer:

Washers

Frigidaire FAFW3801LW $399 after $100 in rebates: Don't look at it as a washer, look at any front load washer as an investment. Seriously, this machine will use less water, energy and detergent and is 40% bigger than a top loading machine. Currently, this machine is also cheaper.

Whirlpool WFW9151YW $599 after $125 in rebates: Hard to believe the Duet is $599. The Duet is larger than the Frigidaire at 3.46 cu. ft. vs 3.26 for the Frigidaire and is a whopping 95% better than the Federal Standard energy efficiency.

For more information about front load vs top load and other washer features, download the Yale Laundry Buyers Guide.

Dishwashers

Frigidaire DGBD2432KF $299 after $150 in rebates: This stainless dishwasher is still $299. It still is a good dishwasher with every option imaginable. What it isnt: Stainless on the inside, quiet and water efficient.

Bosch SHE43RL5UC $699 after $150 in rebates: This Bosch is the best seller in their whole line. It has the main wash cycles, stainless steel interior and is very quiet.

Asko D5223XXLCS $799 after $400 in rebates: Someone at Asko finally figured they couldn't compete with Bosch and be $300 higher in price. Asko is the best unknown dishwasher: Dead silent, graphite racks and super water efficient.

For questions about Asko, Bosch, Frigidaire, European vs American dishwashers or any other dishwasher question, download our Dishwasher Buyers Guide.

Once again, the key to buying appliances at a decent price is maximizing rebates. Tomorrow, we will look at ranges and refrigerators.

The Problems With The Appliance Industry

Steve Sheinkopf — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:52:00 GMT

Sears lost over 25% of its market cap on Tuesday. Their problems mirror the industries and are attributable to policies established over the last decade. Namely, the financials, especially cost cutting, are more important than actual operational excellence.

If you are a consumer, you have probably experienced the following:

Bad Salespeople: Either they knew nothing, less than nothing, had a bad attitude or better yet all three
Zero After-Sales Support: Does anyone even answer the phones?
Untimely Execution: Delivery and service appointments are routinely missed or delayed
No Product Service: Appliance problems have been climbing over the last decade. Yet there is very little service. Warranty service is a money loser as manufacturers pay less than the actual cost of the service call (we will lose $500,000 this year alone, which is actually our best year). Thus, nobody wants to fix problems.

The sad truth is Sears is the best of the box stores in appliances. Most companies now outsource customer service in India, delivery to outside contractors and service to whomever is the least expensive.

So now the customer has truly a cheap experience. Unfortunately they (you) will never return.

So, years of decline have followed years of absolute dominance at Sears, you have to ask:

Is cheap prudent?

Sub-Zero and Miele Appliances

Steve Sheinkopf — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:27:00 GMT

I wrote a post called The Best Appliances. It was only a natural to post the two best companies, Sub-Zero and Miele. Best in this regard means quality of manufacturing and uniqueness of product.

I could write another post about best value, which would be Frigidaire and Jenn-Air or affordable luxury which might be Bosch and Thermador. But for our purposes, best is Sub-Zero and Miele.

Their best products:

Miele Dishwashers - I have written this a million times and it still impresses me. Every control, spray arm and component is manufactured by Miele. Such attention to detail begets a better product and less service issues.

The 3 Best Professional Ranges For 2011

Steve Sheinkopf — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 13:24:00 GMT

So continues our year-end review for 2011. It worked for Dick Clark so why not? The following are the three best professional ranges for 2011.

Just as a review, a professional range is a stove with high output burners and restaurant styling.

The Best Professional Ranges of 2011:

3. Viking VGIC5304BSS - In October, Viking announced a $750 price discount AND lower prices plus $150 rebate to like them on Facebook. For the first time in 20 years, a Viking stove is under $3000. Viking is still an iconic brand, and VGIC5304BSS is pretty compelling at 25% off.

Read more about Viking ranges and rebates here

2. Thermador PRD48JDSGU - Wow. This range changed the game. Thermador now has the hottest burner at 22,000 BTU, but they added a steam oven and warming drawer next to the master oven. A steam oven adds moisture and is the most healthy way to cook. A warming drawer can maintain temperature for up to three hours without dehydrating or refresh leftovers.

See how Thermador compares to the other professional ranges

1. Jenn-Air JGRP430WP - The Jenn-Air JGRP430WP adds good technology to rebates and then adds a fresh dishwasher for good measure. First, the JGRP430WP is a very good range with two 20,000 BTU burners, LCD screen and gas convection oven. The JGRP430WP is $3499 after $300 rebate, but then they add a $1299 dishwasher for free. So the JGRP430WP nets after the dishwasher for $2299 or less than a regular slide-in stove.

View the current rebates offers from JennAir, Thermador, Viking and Wolf

Happy Holidays

Steve Sheinkopf — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:21:00 GMT

To the most educated and passionate customers, vendors and employees....

Happy Holidays,

Steve Sheinkopf

CEO

PS:(wait for the picture, its kind of cool)

How To Add A Stove Without Changing Your Kitchen

Steve Sheinkopf — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:42:00 GMT

So, you want another oven, but have no space. Changing the configuration of the kitchen costs money...lots of money. Here is a tip for the space challenged. This will be visual. My friend Ha Richmond thinks the blog should be more visual less factual.

Before. I actually like this cooktop. It's a Gaggenau.

Watch the metamorphosis:

Finished product:

Our installer, Rick Robitaille, eliminated the space under the cooktop by adding the wall oven with a stainless steel brace.

How to:

Check the appropriate gas/electric lines. By adding a wall oven, you need 30-50 amps. For gas, you need a new gas line.
Investigate the dimensions of the wall oven and cooktop. Some wall oven are too tall. Ditto with cooktops.
Support the cabinet as picture above and you have yourself more cooking.

If you are starting out with your kitchen, try one of our buyers guides, almost 8,000 people have downloaded so far.

Appliance Buyers Guide - For a general guide to brands and how and when to buy appliances.
Electric Cooking Buying Guide - Know the difference between electric, hybrid electric and induction units.
Professional Cooking Buying Guide - Compare the brands and configuration of the most popular professional cooking like Wolf, Thermador, Viking and Jenn-Air
Gas Cooking Buying Guide - Know the terms, features and brands of all the major gas cooking products.

The Best Induction Cooking Products

Steve Sheinkopf — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:27:00 GMT

I was walking by this new restaurant called Sebastians. They were cooking rice bowls. I like rice in bowls with the aromatic blend of vegetables, so I ordered one. What intrigued me was their cooking equipment.

Look at this really poorly shot picture:

Sebastians uses induction hobs or two big induction burners. If I was thinking, I should have photographed the vent or filmed the cooking speed.

Before we discuss the best units, the benefits of induction hobs, cooktops and stoves are:

Faster to boil. Yes, faster than a commercial unit.
Instant simmer, even from a boil.
90% efficient versus 55% for electric and 60% for gas. Less heat is emitted and thus, as Sebastians knows, less venting.

The Best Induction Cooktop - Jenn-Air Induction JIC4536XS

The answer to any question is yes. The Jenn-Air has the large induction in the middle, electronic controls and bridge element for elongated or odd shaped pots and pans. Other cooktops have similar features but cost much more. 2011 was a good year for Jenn-Air. Their formula of decent looking products at a decent price seems to be working.

The Best Induction Stove - Electrolux Induction EW30IS65JS

The Electrolux is the best induction stove because it has 4 induction burners and unbelievable controls and settings. Dehydrate, proof, perfect turkey settings...not just good turkey, but a perfect bird. Electrolux wins almost by default as the induction stoves selection is limited.

In terms of performance, speed, and efficiency, consider induction.

More resources here:

A Review Of Professional Counter Depth Refrigerators

Steve Sheinkopf — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:51:00 GMT

Counter depth refrigerators are shallower than regular refrigerators. Counter depth refrigerators look better in a kitchen, because the sides are hidden by the cabinet and do not protrude into the kitchen.

A professional counter depth refrigerator is taller (typically 84 inches) with the compressors on the top. The professional counter depth is also offered in a variety of sizes and configurations from 30" width to 48" width.

The main benefit is really the aesthetic as it duplicates the appearance of a commercial product. Most models are available in stainless or can be finished with a customer panel to match your cabinets. The downside is the price. These units cost anywhere from $6,000 to $15,000 versus $1,500-$3,000 for a regular counter depth refrigerator.

Have a look at a brief explanation:

Notable manufacturers are Sub-Zero, Viking, Jenn-Air, Liebherr, KitchenAid and Thermador.

A few posts to help with your refrigerator decisions:

Download our Refrigerator Buying Guide, which is actually our most popular with over 1,100 downloads in 6 months. Learn the difference between brands, styles and configurations of different refrigerators.

Best Of Boston Home For Appliances

Steve Sheinkopf — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:40:00 GMT

Small shout out for us. We have been named Best of Boston Home for appliances for 2012. Yale is the only appliance store to ever have won Best of Boston Home and Best of Boston. We have done so for the last 12 years.

"Whether you're shopping for a sparkling chef's kitchen or an economy-minded retrofit, the savvy team at Yale Appliance will be happy to expound on new technologies and product quirks, and quick to offer insight for every price point. On many weekends, local chefs offer cooking demonstrations and tasty treats in the store's working kitchens, turning a boring shopping expedition into family-friendly fun."

To our customers, vendors, suppliers and truly remarkable and creative employees...many thanks. This award is really yours.

The Quietest Dishwasher Revealed

Steve Sheinkopf — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:54:00 GMT

People are more concerned with quietness than washability. Seriously. Most dishwashers do a capable enough job (to some extent) of washing plates while not leaking. Quiet has become an issue, as the kitchen is now open to the family room. So noise is a problem.

All the dishwashers are quiet, but which one is the quietest? Is it.....?

Miele - Miele is a good guess. It is probably the best dishwasher. 96.8% of all the components in a Miele dishwasher are actually manufactured by Miele. Great baskets, seperate cutlery tray and the only true drying cycle further distinguish this great brand.

Bosch - Bosch is another good guess. Great, affordable quality with tons of different models starting at $400 are the hallmarks of a Bosch dishwasher.

Asko - Asko was one of the first Europeans to enter the US market with a quiet dishwasher. Asko dishwashers have graphite racks and low water use.

KitchenAid - The great American brand became great again 15 years ago by imitating the stainless interior of the European brands. KitchenAid dishwashers also have a soft food disposer and is more feature oriented than the Europeans.

The answer is none of the above. The published difference in decibel (dB) levels is not detectable by the human ear. So how does this help buying a dishwasher based on quietness?

Do not spend a ton more for quietness. You can buy a base model of any of these brands and be happy.
Any of the above will be much quieter than your older dishwasher.

For more information about dishwahers, download our Dishwasher Buying Guide for features, cycle descriptions and brand differences.

Buying Integrated Refrigerators and Freezers

Steve Sheinkopf — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:48:00 GMT

Integrated refrigerators differ from other counter depth refrigerators, because they fit within a cabinet. On regular counter depth refrigerators, the door will protrude.

Have a look at this video:

Benefits to an Integrated Refrigerator:

Aesthetic: Seamless look. Integrated refrigerators and freezers are hidden completely by the cabinet.
Customization: You can buy integrated refrigerator and/or freezer columns of 18", 24", 27", 30" or 36" (fridge only) and place them wherever is needed.

Manufacturers: Thermador, Gaggenau, Bosch, Miele, Liehberr and Sub-Zero.

How To Buy a Recessed Light

Steve Sheinkopf — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:06:00 GMT

Probably the hardest decision in our industry is choosing recessed lights:

There are tons of options, literally. First, recessed is two parts: The electrical part (or the recessed can) and the visible decorative part (known as the trim). There are a few questions to narrow down the selection.

We are actually beta-testing a recessed lighting selection wizard on our site. Try it out and let us know if it was helpful.

Can:

Height of the ceiling? You need more output on taller ceilings.
Insulated or uninsulated ceiling? If you have insulation then you have to buy a can designed to be covered by insulation.
Sloped or non-sloped ceiling? Sloped ceilings require different cans.

Trim:

What type of lighting? Is this for general lighting or are you accenting an object? Some trims pivot for better illumination on walls.
What decorative finish? Although white sells in most applications, stainless trims have become popular.
What light bulb? LED, Low-voltage or incandescent.

There certainly is much to consider, which can alter the type and quantity of a recessed light. Some preparation will save confusion in the future.