<p>condolences… my thoughts are with you and your refrigerator.</p>
<p>We also recently purchased the KitchenAid french door model. We are happy with the filtered one hand water dispenser; most other french door model require you use two hands to get cold water, one for the glass and the other to press the button. We do not miss the through the door ice maker.
I also like that the bottom freezer drawer has a removable divider; we took it out immediately. Again, most of the other models have either 2 separate ‘large’ drawers or permanent dividers.
One warning though, the ‘counter depth’ model is 3-4 inches deeper than our old GE Profile counter depth side by side.</p>
<p>We built a new home seven years ago and bought Sub Zeros. We have a full-size refrigerator and a freezer (two separate units that are side-by-side) in the kitchen as well as two refrigerator drawers in a pantry. We also have a Sub Zero ice maker downstairs and a wine cooler. With the exception of the ice maker, I’ve never had a problem with any of these SubZero appliances. The ice maker problem resulted from not cleaning the condenser area. You need to remove the kickplate/grille in front of the condenser and vacuum the surface to get rid of the dust and lint. I called Sub Zero and was really impressed with the help I got trouble shooting the problem. The customer service guy walked me through the process and told me that it was essential to do this kind of condenser cleaning with the refrigerator and freezer as well. Since then, I’ve done it once a year and haven’t had any issues.</p>
<p>I have an Amana with freezer on the bottom and I like it. We don’t have ice or water in the door, although we do have an icemaker in the freezer. I hate side-by-sides, because you can’t fit stuff into them, but the french door type might be fine, as long as the shelves go all the way across.</p>
<p>Sub Zero had better never require repair, because they cost over twice as much! Our old fridge was an old SubZero side-by-side, and I hated it. But I believe it only had one compressor, and it WAS old when we moved in.</p>
<p>Bromfield has the ideal set-up. I’m jealous. :)</p>
<p>We shopped fridges very extensively a few years ago, and learned that it is very difficult ot beat the quality of a Kenmore for the price and features. Subzero is better, but way more expensive, and not usually a choice for a replacement unit.</p>
<p>Someone mentioned the “stainless” problem earlier. Real stainless really shows fingerprints, but there is a material that looks stainless, yet isn’t. I’m not sure what it’s called, but that’s one of the few things I like about my GE.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Unless it’s changed, most Kenmores are actually built by Whirlpool. So are KitchenAids.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The Kenmore we just bought has an ‘ultra-satin’ finish, which is like stainless steel, but matte. It doesn’t show prints at all. You could really see the difference in the showroom between these and the traditional stainless ones.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>This is correct but LG is now making some of their fridges. Maytag, Amana and Jennair are also made by Whirlpool. Seven out of ten of Consumer Reports’ top fridges are Whirlpool made and all of their “recommended” models are. LG, GE and Liebherr (???) round out the top 10 and Viking holds the #11 spot (at 350% of the cost of the top rated Amana!). If you’re interested in a french door fridge, the Amana is top rated, followed by the Maytag. Also, LG has been slapped with big fines and had the Energy Star rating stripped from a lot of their fridges (and the ones they make for Kenmore) for falsifying their data regarding energy efficiency.</p>
<p>If you want any specific info from CR, I subscribe and I’d be happy to look it up.</p>
<p>^^ That’s good info to know - thanks Schmoomcgoo.</p>
<p>How Viking is still in business is…it is a marketing and aesthetics genius! Their products on the other hand are crap! The only thing I’d buy a Viking product instead of is a Fisher Paykel product. There does seem to be an inverse correlation between quality kitchen appliances and cost.</p>
<p>Same story. Trusted repair guy comes, says not worth trying to fix our Bosch dishwasher, so we went and bought a new one. Took out a subscription to consumer reports online (its like 6 bucks for a month, 20 for the year). Well worth it! </p>
<p>While there, I also peeked at fridges. We have the bottom freezer type but I can’t stand its lack of capacity (I doubt I’ll ever replace it unless it breaks down, but it drives me nuts). On CR, definitely check out the actual freezer and fridge capacity numbers before you buy. </p>
<p>I was interested in side by side with water dispenser but apparently CR says they are a major source of repairs so I guess I can live without it still and the narrowness of side by side can be a pain. </p>
<p>The frenchdoor type seems to be very new - now more trendy that the bottom freezer type. Maybe it resolves the narrowness issue? And coming along the way are the four door type. Samsung has a model and LG is coming out with one soon.</p>
<p>Oh and when you buy, don’t forget to negotiate! </p>
<p>Every place will negotiate on appliances. And even moreso now perhaps. Many don’t feel comfortable doing so but all it takes is this: When salesperson is beside you and has told you all he can, look a bit torn, stare at the price, and say very earnestly, “is this really the lowest possible price?” Then either take what they offer or if you feel bold enough, negotiate from there. </p>
<p>Oh and don’t get blinded by the price: even on a purchase of say $1000, $30 is still $30. You may not think its worth it for such a small knock off on a big price, but the money you save is the money you save.</p>
<p>I save $160 today on our already on sale dishwasher by asking the above question (and we aren’t even starting to feel the oncoming recession in our neck of the woods yet).</p>
<p>Which new dishwasher did you choose?</p>
<p>Another Bosch. Forgetting the model offhand, but midrange stainless steel with hidden controls and adjustable height shelves. </p>
<p>Narrowed it to Bosch at the outset as we like the brand and knew the fit for size and plumbing. Went to two stores. Chose a model on the CR list, that was on sale and in stock so we could install tomorrow. Total time about 2 hrs. I hate shopping.</p>
<p>If anyone is interested, here is how I bought my last car (I only buy every decade). I just realized that maybe it would work for appliances too!</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Shop around and figure out the model and features you want. </p></li>
<li><p>Go on line and buy an invoice report for the car you have decided upon. Any such thing for appliances?? Wholesale price? </p></li>
<li><p>Email all the dealerships that sell your car, tell them what you want, ask what they have in stock, tell them your invoice report price, and ask what is the best offer they can make for you today. </p></li>
<li><p>Negotiate between them, all via email. </p></li>
<li><p>When you settle on the best deal, drive to dealership and sign your papers.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Starbright, I’m in the process of doing basically that. So far, on a car with MSRP of $41,985 and dealer invoice of $37,674, the best offer I’ve gotten is $ 34,441. I’ve only talked to two dealers and I have not specified color (and may end up using that as my last negotiating point).</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for all the information. I just purchased a Kenmore Elite side by side. Did it on line and got a rebate for delivery and delivery on a Sunday. I was quite hampered by the fact that I wanted the fridge in the color bisque (almond as it used to be called). Naturally, all the appliance makers are phasing this color out. Washers and dryers come in every color but not refrigerators apparently. Thanks again</p>
<p>starbright, (and anyone else) just a heads up on Consumer Reports online. I did the same thing, signed up for ONE MONTH to do some appliance research. Figured it was cheap for $5.99. But then the monthly charge kept showing up on my credit card every month, they automatically renewed me even tho I am quite sure I was signing up for one month only. (Even a dope like me knows there are cheaper ways to get CR than $72 per year) I immediately disputed the charges on my credit card and they reversed them. I was really ticked off (!!) mainly at the idea that “Consumer Reports” would be running what I considered a consumer scam.</p>
<p>Onward, I read a great review about Kenmore Elite yesterday! Sounds like a great choice. </p>
<p>Schmoom…I’m so curious to know what your final price will be when you start playing them off each other. One thing I found was in the 11th hour the guy I ended up buying from trying to talk me into the more expensive stereo, then I learned it was already in the car so I said take it out. He ended up just including it for no extra cost.</p>
<p>Good point on CR. Buyer beware! I just checked and it does say auto-renewal. In their defense its pretty clear now, but I hadn’t really paid attention when I clicked “$5.99”. I’ll have to put in my calendar to cancel it! Thanks!!</p>