Kitchen appliance help and recommendations for new build.

10 months ago

We are building a new home and will need high-end appliances. Is it best to buy a suite of the same brand, or get from different manufacturers who are best for specific units? I've read endless reviews and that has only made me more confused on which appliances to choose. PLEASE HELP

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pennfire

10 months ago

three years ago, we did a major remodel. We ended up with wolf/subzero package because I just really prefered the Wolf range over the other option. We are VERY happy with the appliances. our DW is a bosch and I cant remember the brand of the under counter beverage fridge.

We had Kitchenaid at our weekend house. The Mr. insisted on a matched set. 7 years later, the fridge is the only KA left. The DW and range (gas) went after 5 years, garbage. The fridge isn't going to be there much longer. The handles keep falling off and part of the produce drawer is broken.

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Comments (22)

darbuka
10 months ago
Never get appliances from just one brand. Though a store may give big discounts for buying a package, no one company…high end or not…produces the best appliance in every category.

Having had an incredibly successful experience with SubZero (our first one was still going strong at 26 yo, when we sold that house), we purchased another SZ, a 42” FD, for the home we purchased 7 1/2 years ago. Not one issue with this SZ. Btw, hands down, SZ has the best customer service in the business. Yes, I know they’re still having delivery issues, thanks to Covid. But, it’s worth the wait.

For the rest of our appliances, we chose a Thermador gas range top, Bosch 800 series dishwasher, Miele double wall ovens (combi steam, and convection), and a Vent A Hood for ventilation. All have performed flawlessly. The Miele ovens are truly fantastic.
Kara Michael thanked darbuka
M Miller
10 months ago
Different manufacturers excel at different appliances. One might make good ranges but not good dishwashers, and so on. Also, people have very different viewpoints on what "high-end appliances" means. Please provide more detail on what you view as high-end and which brands you are considering.
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thanks for posting the photos. First, I feel like there is a mix of styles in the design that aren't really complementing each other. The waterfall walnut frame around the frig and wall oven areas is VERY modern. But the rounded front cooktop/bar, the divided light glass front cabinet doors, and molding on the upper cabinets are very traditional -- maybe even a bit 'cottage'. The looks are fighting each other IMHO. Also, I would reconsider the placement of the wall ovens -- they seem very crowded back in that corner. And the range hood going to the ceiling but the cabinets stopping short looks odd to me. Maybe a different hood with a narrower chimney would look better. And, is that the dishwasher on the island? --- Yikes -- I would want that right next to the sink (otherwise you'll be dripping water all over the floor everytime you load it)
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Ok, first of all I think we have very similar tastes because I looked at the pics you tagged in your idea books, but this layout is not efficient at all. your working triangle is non existent and I think there is way too much crowded in one corner. The island is staring out into nothing, and definitely needs to be rotated 90 degrees and I think the shape looks like something you would see in a bar. I am currently doing my own kitchen in two shades of painted cabinetry and will post my drawings and actual images, and then some images that you might like. I think the sink and DW need to be in the island. The fridge needs to be integrated to avoid this much stainless steel since you clearly like a more eclectic, non modern look, and the hood can be more elaborate. I personally think a 48" range with a dramatic hood on that back will with the island turned the correct way will be a nice focal point for your kitchen. You could also do a microwave drawer in your island, that way you only see the range from the front. Also, where is your pantry? Where are you storing food? The second image is a range hood you will probably like The third and fourth are drawings of my kitchen, and the first is a painted on painted kitchen with whimsy you might like. I will attach photos of my project on an additional feed since 4 photos is the limit.
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Kara Michael
Original Author
10 months ago
Thank you @darbuka. SZ has been my front runner for sure! Thanks for info on brands you use and your experience. I've been debating more on the others. @mmiller my thoughts were different manufacturers would be best based on who does what best. Looking at Wolf, Kitchenaid, Thermador... Also, trying to decide between a stove top and wall oven vs dual fuel range. I don't do a lot of cooking, but I want reliability and consistency along with the quality expected in a nice kitchen.
stiley
10 months ago
Another vote for different brands for different appliances. We had a similar experience as darbuka -- our 1984 house came with the original Sub Zero fridge that was still going, so when we remodeled, we got a new SZ fridge. Bosch 800 series dishwasher. There are so many options for cooking though. We moved from a cooktop with a wall oven/microwave combo to an induction range; we put a countertop microwave behind pocketing cabinet doors. And if you panel your appliances, that will keep them looking uniform even if they're different brands.
darbuka
10 months ago
Kara, two further things. If I’d had my way, we’d have gotten an induction cooktop, instead of the gas range top…for ease of cleaning. However, my husband is the chief cook these days. He loves cooking with fire, Also, living on Long Island, there is a tendency to lose power during storms (two weeks with Hurricane Sandy). He didn’t want to risk that again…and, didn’t want to spend for a generator. Since I got everything else I wanted in the kitchen, including soapstone counters, I didn’t fight it.

Two things to remember when deciding between a dual fuel range, and cooktop/range top with double wall ovens…the ovens in ranges take quite long to pre heat. It’s been a frequent complaint on the forum. Wall ovens pre heat within 1-2 mins. That’s been my experience with the Miele wall ovens. Also, many people have remarked how tiny the second oven is, in the dual fuel range. So small, as to render them useless for anything but a small baking dish.
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Kara Michael
Original Author
10 months ago
Thanks so much @darbuka . I will take all the advise I can get! We are building our forever home so I've been asking for advise on all the dos and don'ts . Anything that people wish they had or had not done has been gold to me :)
darbuka
10 months ago
If you move to induction, get the cooktop with double wall ovens. Best of both worlds.

Should mention, the SZ fridge and Bosch dw, are both paneled, so fhey blend in with the (wood) cabinetry. Wall oven are mostly black, with stainless handles. Only the range top and vent hood are stainless. Though the top of the Thermador rangetop is black enamel.
Kara Michael thanked darbuka
M Miller
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
many people have remarked how tiny the second oven is, in the dual fuel range. So small, as to render them useless for anything but a small baking dish.

@darbuka - are you mixing "dual fuel range" with a range that has two ovens? The OP has not said what size range she is considering, or if she is considering one of the 30" ranges that have two ovens. She also mentioned a cooktop with wall ovens.

To the OP - a lot depends on the size and layout of your kitchen in choosing your appliances. Also, some people would prefer a larger sink than a larger cooktop, or vice versa, and their kitchen can only fit one of those. So it depends on your kitchen.

If you are looking at a gas cooktop, my preference is a 36" rangetop plus 2 wall ovens. Notice I said rangetop, not cooktop. A rangetop is like the top of the range, without the oven underneath, so that the knobs are on the front not the cooking surface. If instead you are considering an induction cooktop, my choice is still a cooktop in a 36" width plus 2 wall ovens. I would not go bigger than a 36"width because then you have to go bigger with the hood for it, and perhaps forego upper cabinets to fit the larger hood, and so on. I also do not care for a 36" range because the oven is too big. I rather have the flexibility to put two different things in two ovens that might have different temperature requirements.

Having said that, many people here love their 48" ranges, and did not mind the expense of the hood for it, so it's individual choice.

As to paneling fridge and/or dishwasher, some people prefer their appliances to look like appliances, or they want to break up a wall of cabinetry with stainless steel. Or they do not want the additional expense - which can be substantial - of paneling the appliances and would rather use that money for something else in their kitchen. Note that not only are the panels expensive, but the appliances themselves that take paneling are much more expensive than appliances that come with stainless steel doors. Others want their appliances do be more hidden. There is no right or wrong choice. It would be helpful for you to look at a lot of photos of kitchens and decide what you would prefer.
darbuka
10 months ago
I’m talking about a range with one large oven, and a small side oven, usually on the left of the large oven.
catbuilder
10 months ago
darbuka, That has nothing to do with dual fuel. It pertains to 48" ranges. I haven't looked at 60" ranges, so I don't know the sizes of ovens on those.
M Miller
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
OK, a "dual fuel range" is a range that has a gas cooktop with an electric oven. What you are talking about is a 48" range, and it could be dual fuel, or all gas, or (more rarely) all electric depending on the homeowner's choice.
catbuilder
10 months ago
I have a new (delivered late 2022) 800 series Bosch. It does not clean well at all, and the tines are spaced so badly that dishes don't fit properly in the middle rack. Good luck getting your silverware to fit in the baskets, unless you want to leave the lid up on the basket and then risk the utensils "nesting" and thus not getting cleaned. In my opinion, there was some very bad engineering involved in the new design.

I miss my KitchenAid.
mcarroll16
10 months ago
What M Miller said, except that even for induction, I would investigate rangetops. Cooktop-surface controls are the one annoying feature of my induction cooktop. I'm hoping that by the time our cooktop fails, there will be many more induction rangetop models available.
M Miller
10 months ago
Note that @mcarroll16's rec of an induction rangetop is good, except that I believe there are only 2 manufacturers of them currently (and it might even be just 1 manufacturer and the other is a re-badge of that one). So if you are interested in this configuration, there are only a very few made and they are extremely expensive. As s/he said, let's hope there will be more of them available in the future so that the price will come down. But if you are shopping now, there's not much.
chispa
10 months ago
In the previous house , in a very HCOL area, family house, we did:

SZ 36" integrated fridge column

SZ 24" integrated freezer column

Wolf 48" Dual Fuel Range

Wolf 24" MW drawer

Miele 24" CSO XXL

Miele coffee machine

Miele DW

U-Line 15" under counter beverage fridge

In the current house, built in 2022, nice area but overall lower COL than previous city/state, retirement house, we did:

SZ 42" FD fridge/freezer

SZ 24" under counter beverage fridge

Wolf 36" Induction Range

Miele 24" CSO XXL

Miele coffee machine

Miele DW

Sharp 24" MW drawer (all made by Sharp, so not worth going with name brand ones)

I don't like large expanses of stainless steel, so I paneled every appliance that could be paneled. SZ now makes a 48" FD fridge/freezer, so I would have gotten that instead of the 42" if it had been available.

Love the Miele CSO. Hardly ever use the 36" oven, except if entertaining large groups.
Kara Michael thanked chispa
darbuka
10 months ago
Same here…I would’ve gotten the 48” FD SZ, had it been available when we renoed our kitchen
Dana shebuilds
10 months ago
Just a strong vote or gas, whatever the brands you choose. I caved and installed a lovely La Cornue induction and regret not running gas for it. It just doesn't cook the way I'm used to, and it's frustrating. Trying to find pans for it is frustrating. Trying to figure out which one will actually boil water is frustrating. Could totally be user error lol, but I want an easy to see gas flame I can control. Also, gas is great for resale. Some buyers won't consider a home without it.

If you look at most professionally designed homes these days (unless they are sponsored by an appliance brand), they have a mix of all different brands. Paneled appliances - highly recommend! It increases the cost of your cabinetry but the look is beautiful.
Kara Michael thanked Dana shebuilds
PRO
Ward 5 Design
10 months ago
I agree with the previous responses! Different companies make certain appliances better than others, but nearly all of them have a range of colors and finishes that you can choose from to make sure they all look the same. Also, consider your own personal lifestyle when deciding where to splurge and save; do you cook a lot? do you have good ventilation in the kitchen? Do you use your microwave more than any other appliance? do you have a big family that could warrant a super big fridge? All of these questions can inform which appliance you want to splurge on, like getting a really fancy oven that would make Thanksgiving dinner a breeze, or a really high end range hood to make up for poor air flow. You should, however, try to buy your appliances from as few stores as possible to save yourself the logistical headache of the deliveries and potential returns. Most appliance stores wont care what brand youre buying as long as they get the sale.
Bruce Embree
10 months ago
My 2 cents. My wife and I built a new custom home in 2019-20. I spent a lot of time and effort on building the best kitchen I could for our needs and enjoyment. We too went with SZ 42", Bluestar 36" inch platinum gas range and a Miele dishwasher and Miele XL plumbed steam oven.

We couldn't be happier with all selections. We had an upright freezer to put in our pantry already for the additional needed frozen space needed. I'm in love with the Miele Steam oven and the Blue Star is so non mechanical and easy. The oven is huge and the 25K burner is so powerful, while the simmer is perfect.

Good luck and have fun with it. We did!
Kara Michael thanked Bruce Embree
akrogirl32
10 months ago
Danalynne, personal preference. We are seriously considering moving to a diffent state where gas is more common. If the move takes place, the first item on the to do list will be replacing the gas range with induction.
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Kara Michael
Original Author
10 months ago
Thanks so much for all the great info! We are so excited about building our dream house! We definitely want to get it right, being in our 50s I don't see doing it again.

Kitchen appliance help and recommendations for new build.

pennfire

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