Educated Appliances

[sarahperdue]

Taking off our common belief--at least most of us--that older appliances work better, when my mother bugs me to get the newest this or that and cannot understand why I want some old...

I always maintain that the only thing in my house that needs a brain is my computer. My stove doesn't need a brain, my fridge doesn't need a brain, my coffee pot surely doesn't need a brain... Zap the brain, and you've got a very, very expensive piece of silicone that must be replaced to make the thing go.

Ok, my digital camera and my mp3 player have brains, but none of my basic appliances do.

What are your thoughts. Which appliances need brains and which ones don't?

Sarah

 

[rp2813]

I think you'll get a lot of posts here that advise modern day washers absolutely do not need a brain, in particular where factors like water levels and temperature control are concerned.

My Affinity washer is mentally challenged on both counts, and came from the factory that way.

 

[qsd-dan]

Quality made timers/controls > Brain

 

[bugsyjones]

My aunt & uncle, plus both of my cousins are all into the latest and greatest. They all have iPhones, etc. and they arrogantly flash them around. I then proceed to show them how proud I am of my old beat up $29.95 bare bones cell. No camera, no internet, no nothing.

They can't seem to understand why I like old things and old appliances.

While I am perfectly fine at going to an estate sale and digging through dusty old boxes and musty basements for the possible treasure I may find, they will not set one foot in a Goodwill store. For any reason. If it was a tornado outside, they would probably seek refuge in the gas station next door.

My aunt claims she goes 'antiquing', but I'm pretty sure she only shops the upscale 'boutiqe' (A.K.A: Overpriced) stores.

While they will gladly throw down $1,500 for a new flat screen tv, I will gladly buy the old 70's console tv for FREE off of craigslist. I just saved $1,500. And if the old tv goes bad, I can chuck it out or donate it, because I have little or no money tied up in it.

I definitely do not envy them.

Now to some of you on this site who own a Foodarama or a '57 Frigidaire Unimatic set, I do envy you!



~Tim

 

[mixfinder]

Using it All

I have always owned feature laden ranges, washers with lights and pushbuttons and dishwashers with cycle choices. While none of them worked off brains and printed boards I loved the whirring sound of the timers advancing through cycles before the machine springs to life. I use the self cleaning option on the range for the oven and for all things cookware not stainless or chrome. The washer gets used on every cycle, temperature amd water level. I long or short the dishwasher depending on soil level (waht is rinse?)and would trade off a lot to have a refrigerator with glass shelves. The lunacy of printed circuit boards, fuzzy logic and even on and off controls that cost $100s to replace is crazy. Its a small annoyance but its easier to set a knob for the oven temperature than waiting for up and down arrows to respond.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Electronics have no place in a major appliance (or an automobile!).

Ken D.