What will happen to Kenmore Appliances?

[appnut]

Sears exclusive features

When KitchenAid introduced their clean water wash system (self-cleaning filter) dishwasher in 2014, I knew eventually I would be getting one.  And as time went on, they brought out an entire line of KDTM models--initially 5 models.  And I studied them and had everything memorized.  August 2015, Sears put on their web site 2 new Kenmore Elite models that has what they called MicroClean filter system.  And I knew their TOL of the two was what I was eventually going to get.  It had features no KitchenAid model offered.  The motorized  bottom wash arm was a very different different design in the Kenmore Elite which I felt was far superior.  )It's the only modern dishwasher I've come across that reminds me of the GSD1200 PotScrubber with Multi-Orbit wash am due to the force of water).  The top rack has a one-hand rack adjuster design.  My model even has bottom rack only wash--KA only offered top rack only wash.  The TurboZone jets rotate--KA's are stationary.  And what really got my attention, high-temp wash option raises main wash temperature from 120 to 140 degrees.  KA manual stated high temp option raises wash water temperature from 105 to 130 OR 140.  105 degrees for light/no soil load wasn't gonna cut it with me.  

 

When Sears began selling the Duet-based HE3t, it had steam for stains option.  The comparable WP Duet didn't offer that feature until the first generation update.  

 

All those Sears differentiators are pretty much nowhere to be found from what I observe now.  

 

[jamiel]

Firedome...believe me if I could find a nice Frigidaire Custom Deluxe or similar GE from about 1979 I'd be all over it. Here in Detroit you'd think there would be Frigidaire all over the place but I've spent about as much time on CL as I care to plus putting it out on our community FB pages.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Ranges

I might add a bit of caution too, on Frigidaire built ranges. I just felt like the Kenmore badged Frigidaires seemed like a lesser quality range than GE or Whirlpool.

Though, I will say the Kenmore Elite range is beautiful, and if its one I recall is about the only new range to have a console light (it uses a purple LED color).

When we looked at ranges a few years ago, I found the GE and Hotpoint to be the heaviest built, at least by feeling. Also the coils on the GE Calrod elements are closer together than they are on Whirlpool or Frigidaire. The same also seems true for the new Sensi-temp elements.

Personally I'd like a heavy vintage range and of course a console light also.

 

[joeypete]

Someone will buy the brand if it comes to that. It still has a lot of value in the market place...even if all Kenmore's are just clones of another model. However despite that, most Kenmore appliances come with more standard options than the comparable name brand equivalent.

I just bought a Kenmore Elite dishwasher and I absolutely love it and have no regrets. Considering it's basically a KitchenAid, I am sure the reliability will be similar.

It would makes sense for a retailer like Lowes or HD to acquire the rights to sell it. Amazon is interested in selling just about anything they can, so I wouldn't rule that out either. Their biggest hurdle would be not having stores for people to go look at the appliances.

 

[joeekaitis]

And now a moment of levity . . .

 

While spending a couple weeks with his mountain-man grandfather, a young corporate executive noticed that the dishes weren't as clean as he would have liked.  When he mentioned it, the grandfather always retorted "Those dishes are as clean as Kenmore and Cascade can get 'em!"

 

An odd explanation, as the grandfather lived off the grid and the kitchen lacked a dishwasher.  About midway through the sojourn, the grandfather asked "Can you ride into town and pick up my mail, Jimmy?  I don't get that much so once a week does the trick."

 

"Sure thing, Grandpa!"

 

Upon returning, he was blocked from getting back into the cabin by the grandfather's snarling hound dog and hissing cat.

 

"Leave him be!  He's family!" bellowed Grandpa.  Relieved, James went inside just as Grandpa remarked "Ain't never seen Kenmore and Cascade behave like THAT before."