anyone with access to consumer reports? i'm kitchen appliance shopping. tanx ;-)

[robfilms]

some of our 16yr old kenmore (re-branded Frigedaire) kitchen appliances are starting to show their age.

we are looking at gas stoves and refrigerators.

i looked at wirecutter as a starting point but their suggestions are based on data collection rather than actual hands-on testing.

i figured i could head to my local library and see if they still subscribe to the consumer reports magazine (they had for years. i always remember that april is the car reports!)

anyone with access to consumer reports and feels like sharing?

thanks in advance.

stay well.

rob

[jdc]

Somone might, but I would say try not to overthink it.

We just had this conversation over thanksgiving with my 6 closest neighbors, we all had different makes (except ranges, GE profile, came with the house) or fridges and washer/dryters.

they all seemed about the same.

We did buy a new fridge 6 months ago, Fridgiedaire, french door, counter-depth, no water in door -- and its fine. We looked at 3 others in the same $ range and specs, numbers were nearly identical. We have always had counter depth, so knew that our choices might be limited going in.

[cbelt3]

My library card gives me access to Consumer reports through their portal. But.. their ratings are not that useful for appliances.. they mostly look at features and cost, and not actual reliability numbers.

I'll simplify,

1- NEVER Samsung. Their quality is horrible, and durability is about zero. Guaranteed to fail as soon as the warranty expires, if not before.

2- LG Quality control has been suffering desperately lately. They are at the level of Samsung now.

We recently replaced a Frigidare dishwasher and microwave and a GE Profile stove with all GE appliances. So far so good, except GE's microwave lighting scheme is incredibly stupid. Who puts a pin halogen bulb with NO reflector ? Really ? There's room for a huge LED strip, and they just dropped in this crappy halogen pin bulb.

[Ombligo]

Just remember that a few companies make most of the brands we know.

Whirlpool also makes KitchenAid, Maytag, Amana, and Jenn-Air
Electrolux company currently owns Frigidaire, Tappan, Kelvinator, and Gibson appliance
Haier manufactures GE, Hotpoint, Cafe, Profile, Fisher 7 Paykel, and Monogram
LG and Samsung pretty much makes everything under their own name.

If I was buying, I would look sat something from the Whirlpool family.
I would also avoid Samsung like the plague.

[Fritz]

what Ombligo said.
I would avoid LG like the plague as well.
Our formerly busy appliance service guy told us 15 or so years ago when we redid the kitchen, "whirlpool or their stuff for other badges."
So far (knock steel and plastic) he's right.

[Markintosh]

^ what Fritz said above...and by the way, Consumer Reports is trash too.

[SDGuy]

Ombligo wrote:
...If I was buying, I would look sat something from the Whirlpool family...

:agree:

[FormerlySaleenl]

I would check out the reviews by Yale Appliance. Search their blog for articles about repair rates and in-depth reviews. https://www.yaleappliance.com/

[jdc]

In that same vein -- check out AJ madison.

its an online appliance store -- but they have *tons* or models, the ability to compare features, and prices -- so a great place for research. lots of bundles, rebates, and options you wont see in the big box.

[C(-)ris]

I went with Samsung, because it was by far the cheapest, I liked KitchenAid if I wasn't on a budget. If you are looking for a deal, I was able to use a 25% off Home Depot movers coupon on my range. It saved me over $200. Ended up with a $1k range for $568 after the sale price and the 25% off were stacked.