Best Appliances by Type --> Brand

[joeypete]

I hope this turns out to be a fun thread and not a shouting match about brands LOL. But here goes...

So say someone wanted to fill their house with the best NEW appliances you can buy at major box stores, appliance stores, etc. By best I don't necessarily mean best cleaning or cooking or refrigeration, but I also mean best as in quality/durability/reliability. I want appliances that will last many years.  Looking for brands available here in the U.S primarily. 

What are your picks for best:

<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Top load washer HE/Non-HE/dryer </span></li>
<li>Front load washer/dryer</li>
<li>Dishwasher</li>
<li>Refrigerator</li>
<li>Electric range/oven</li>
<li>Gas range/oven</li>
</ul>

 

[washman]

Can't speak for DW or icebox or stove

But Speed Queen tops 'em all in the laundry department.

 

[Dewey643]

I agree with washman!

 

[mtn1584]

Make the three......

SPEED QUEEN washers and dryers are number one, just google customer reviews.
I would go with either GE or Whirlpool made appliances for the rest.

Worst:
LG
Samsung
Haier

 

[mrsalvo]

Hi Joeypete,
I'd like to weigh in on this as well from my own experience:

Washer: I have my fingers crossed that my new Speed Queen AWN432 will be best washer I've purchased in terms of longevity, repairs, and performance.

Dryer: My 10 year old Whirlpool is doing very good, but I don't use it much as I use clotheslines 95% of the time. I couldn't afford to buy the Speed Queen dryer.

Dishwasher: KitchenAid is performing well. But if I had to buy brand new I'd go with Bosch.

Refrigerator: I have a fairly new GE, but will see how the longevity holds up on it.

Range: Kenmore is holding up well after many years of abuse.

AirConditioning and Heating Systems: Lennox.

 

[henene4]

Though, again, this side of the pond makes things differently, I'd suggest Bosch for the DW. They have somewhat well translated the EU design to the US, and over here they are the most sold DWs and there aren't to many complaints actually.

Oven wise I can't speak a word for the US.
Only thing I can say from Germany that Miele topped all until Bosch released their new Series 8. And as the Series 8 didn't make it to the US yet, I'd say Miele.
Things being:

Convection is the most used heating method in the EU, and until 4D convection was introduced by Bosch, their 3D convection had just as almost any other convection system the tendency to brown things at the back quicker then at the front of the tray, no matter if you cooked on 1 or 3 shelfes.
Miele (in my experience) never had that problem. Not sure why, but the few times I used a Miele oven, they had an almost even browning front to back.
Now, Bosch introduced their 4D convection with a fan that reverses every so often. Seems to improve the results, but not a chance to try one out yet.

Further, self cleaning was always a thing that Miele was just ahead. They first had their PyroFit telescopic runners, thus allowing them to remain in the ofen while self clean. And their racks allowed so as well. However, their backing trays were coated with the special PerfectClean (was that the name?) system, thus being scratch resistant yet cleaned with a single wipe. Some models had a sensor guided self clean cycle and an extra heated fume reduction catalyst, thus makeing self cleaning a 0-care thing.
But the Series 8 now offers simmilar telescopic runners and their trays are self clean safe. Their racks however not. And, in conection to the next point, they have a full-size speed oven with self clean.

Yes, they brought out a full size oven with microwave that even is self cleaning. Meaning frozen fries, ready to eat and just as crispy as out of a deep fryer in just 15 miuntes, without pre-heating. (Claims Bosch.)
They offer a full size steam oven now as well.

But, sadly, these wonders of technology are only avaible here in the EU.

 

[askolover]

Front load Washer:  Miele or Speed Queen....Asko's are too sketchy now until I see how reliable the Gorenje ones are

Top load washer:  won't even waste my time or money on one!

Dryer...I've always been partial to GE dryers...they run and run and run! 

Refrigerator:  Whirlpool-built preferably

Dishwasher:  again, Miele probably...

Gas Range:  I'm having good luck with my new Frigidaire, Mom is too

Electric range:  something with induction....the jury's still out on reliability over the long haul

 

[lordkenmore]

>So say someone wanted to fill their house with the best NEW appliances you can buy at major box stores, appliance stores, etc.

Why would someone want to do something terrible like fill their home with new appliances, when they could have some nice vintage appliance instead? LOL

 

[lordkenmore]

More seriously than my post above...

I honestly have little experience. Most of what I know I know by hearsay.

That said...

Speed Queen for conventional top load/strong choice for front load washers. Might as well get the dryer from them, too.

Value dryer option: clothes lines, available at any hardware store.

I'd also consider Whirlpool/Maytag and LG for front load washers, based on some people's positive experiences. I'd consider Miele, but I'm concerned with stories about limited support on old models. At two grand, I want the option of having the machine run until it turns into a pile of rust flakes in the laundry room.

For easily found stoves and refrigerators, I'd probably go Whirlpool-made. Frigidaire is often too cheap, and I worry about the future support of GE appliances as the division gets sold or eliminated or whatever happens.

Dishwasher: who knows? I have no idea, but I have to wonder if something imported might not be the best choice. Maybe LG, maybe Bosch. I am not impressed by what I've heard said about domestic dishwashers in this era of reduce energy use at all costs. Maybe the foreign companies do better, just like foreign companies did better at making decent four cylinder engines that were more than "cheap, fuel efficient."

 

[lordkenmore]

>But, sadly, these wonders of technology are only avaible here in the EU.

Rub it in!

I look at the market here. I then hear about what Europe has. And it's depressing.

Frankly, one reason I make cracks about filling a home with vintage appliances is I feel so underwhelmed by what's available new here vs. Europe.

 

[joeypete]

Yeah i agree some of our products are lacking! I was just curious as to what people thought. Some brands are obvious (like speed queen) but wasn't sure about others. I'm really fickle with appliances. Some things I will only use new or barely used...like refrigerators and stoves. Used grosses me out big time. Sometimes dishwashers too. I got a new one when I moved into my condo because the one here had bits of paper stuck in the spray arms and it smelled. I was like, no way. LOL. I scoured the fridge and stove but they weren't that bad.

 

[nmassman44]

Hmmm for myself I would pick
Washer: LG front loader
Dryer: LG as well
Dishwasher: Miele hands down!
Range: GE single oven gas stove
Fridge: LG
If I had to get an electric range it would be GE as well.
Top load washer? I have a Speed Queen in retirement.

 

[joeypete]

I would probably pick GE for the range too. I've only used their electric ones and found them to be great.

 

[mjg0619]

Top load washer: Speed Queen if money is no object, General Electric if on a budget.
Front load washer:LG or Maytag
Dryer: Speed Queen, LG, or Whirlpool/Maytag

Gas range: Frigidaire
Electric range: General Electric
Refrigerator: Frigidaire or Whirlpool
Dishwasher: Maytag, General Electric, or Bosch

 

[oliveoiltinfoil]

Well, my kitchen is full of Bosch appliances. They are a company who sell on the basis of a genuinely good quality product rather than flashy designs and advertising. Their appliances last decades. My dishwasher, tumble dryer, washer and fridge freezer are all bosch and I love them. They just work.

Our oven is a Belling and I maintain they are among the best ovens you can buy. It is a range oven, they are built in the UK and are very good quality, again, they last years.

If I didn't have Bosch, I would probably look at Electrolux/AEG fridge freezers and dishwasher, and maybe a Panasonic washer.

 

[yogitunes]

dishwashers.....most likely a KitchenAid again.....got one from a newly built house, maybe 3 or 4 years old, tall tub....runs excellent, I love the soak n' scour...just not a fan of the tiny light that tells you what portion of the cycle its in...

actually have been viewing a new stove and fridge, and like the looks of Kitchen Aid for them as well....but am a fan of the double oven in a standard range

theres something about having the whole kitchen match....

something that caught my eye, and I think its GE, Black Stainless, it has an interesting look to it, just something out of the ordinary......

many people got hog wild about stainless, until they get one, and get frustrated with keeping it clean and shiny......as long as you know the trick, they gleam beautifully!

 

[joeypete]

I'm very anal that way with things matching, lol. I prefer to have the same brand of everything too, though that's not always practical. I grew up with Kenmore and WP products almost exclusively, then had mostly GE as an adult. I've really grown fond of GE and never had any issues with any product I've owned or used of theirs.

Kitchen Aid is wonderful and I like how WP has lately started to make their brands more distinguishable...even though most are all the same thing. Design wise anyway. Seems like they are gearing their nameplate as kind of the general brand...a little on the modern/trendy side...Amana is the no-frills but all the features you need brand, Maytag the "well built" commercial quality/industrial brand, and then KitchenAid as the high end brand.

I personally think GE makes some of the best stoves out there...and I'll probably end up with one of theirs when it comes time to replace my 2010 WP that came with my condo.

I prefer black appliances...except for fridge which I think looks good in stainless...and contrasts nice with other black appliances. Is that the slate you are talking about? It's kind of a grayish matte color? I do like that too.

My grandmother lived in Lodi and usually bought more durable appliances, not necessarily high end but she had a dishwasher with stainless interior and I had never seen one before. We always had cheaper appliances lol. She also had a Magic Chef gas stove that was black/wood grain and had only a stainless top to it...it seemed very practical for cleaning. I was little at the time and I could barely see over the top but I remember seeing the little mouse logo and playing with the ignitors lol. Love that "click click click" sound.

 

[Dewey643]

Washer and dryer: Speed Queen,...and nothing else but them!
Fridge;currently have Frigidaire,...but would switch to Whirlpool or GE!
Range;currently an oder Kenmore drop in 30" range,...would switch to WP if that bites the dust!
Dishwasher:...my own two hands,...LOL!!!
Through wall A/C; Currently an old Gibson 120 volt model,...would switch to GE or WP when that bites the dust.

 

[yogitunes]

opps.....I was wrong, its LG and Samsung....at least for now with the Black Stainless.....give it time, others will follow....

all black is nice too....I have these in one of the APTs, looks good except for the stove, that shows every fingerprint and spec of dust....

http://www.lowes.com/pd_751817-149-RF23J9011SG_1z11pm3Z1z0sb3e__?productId=999901081&pl=1