Have Some Control

Ah..JennAir. JennAir carved its niche with downdrafts in the 70s and 80s. In the 90s, it was french door shallow depth refrigeration and then...nothing (except rebates on older designs).

The parent company, Whirlpool, actually retooled and spent some dough. The centerpiece of the new line is this wall oven...



Frankly, I am impressed.

Best controls on the market...BTW, sorry Mom.

The Last Of The Mohicans

There has never been more choice in cooking. Want Induction, Gas, Dual Fuel, Pro, Slide-In, Freestanding? No problem.

Want a downdraft for your new island? Your choice is this.

JennAir is the last company producing downdrafts. GE, Thermador, Roper and Modern Maid have exited a long time ago. But should you buy a downdraft? Maybe. Downdrafts have proximity to the actual smoke and are certainly better than no vent.

I would prefer you bought this...

Although downdrafts are aesthetically more pleasing, hoods provide better ventilation for the following reasons:

1. Typically they have greater CFM or better blower speed to move air

2. They have better capture area. Smoke can be captured and channel in greater volumes

3. Gravity....smoke travels up

What's Hot

Had a sales training today, and the rep emphasized the output of his ranges burners.....So I started thinking.....what is the hottest?

As a reference, average burner BTU is 12,000

Answers as follows:

Capital Range - Their 30 inch range has a 25,000 BTU burner.

JennAir - Their units have 2 20,000 BTU burners.

Viking - Their 30 and 36 inch sealed burner stoves have 18,000 BTU.

Wolf - Their non sealed burners are 16,000 BTU.

Of course any induction will be hotter than any gas unit...

The Return of JennAir

We are back with Jennair for two reasons (actually 1.5).

Refrigerators

JennAir was actually the first company to actively market a french door refrigerator. Of course now there is GE, GE Cafe, GE Profile, KitchenAid, Samsung, Frigidaire, Electrolux, LG, Bosch and Maytag to name a few, so it is not quite an advantage as it was previously.

Downdraft Ranges

Still a proprietary item....The downdraft is within the range, and the only alternative is a hood, which is not a good idea in a replacement scenario.

RIP JennAir (For Now)

As of today, we will no longer be carrying JennAir at Yale. The JennAir kitchen is now Frigidaire Pro...



The display pieces are in outlet...






So what happened? Jennair was very popular at this store since the 1970s and occupied the affordable luxury niche recently. They have had a couple of challenges over the last 8 years.

First, they have been completely out-marketed by Viking and Wolf at the high end, as well as Electrolux, Bosch and GE in their core market. Every one of these companies has introduced new compelling products while JennAir stuck to their dwindling downdraft segment.

Secondly, the brand has been commoditized beyond recognition. I am not critical of Whirlpool as a manufacturer. They are the best appliance factory people in the world. That's the issue. They leverage their factories, so the same product is produced for 6 different labels. There is absolutely no reason to now buy JennAir other than their new overpriced walloven...all the other products are co-branded with other brands.

For JennAir to succeed, Whirlpool needs to start from scratch and create unique products branded exclusively for JennAir. Can they? Absolutely. Will they....?

JennAir/Electrolux

When you read this it will be Monday, where I am now will be Tuesday, but I am writing this on a Sunday. Now for more confusion, lets look at the integrated Electrolux and JennAir...

The JennAir is $1149, and the Electrolux is $699.









This is curious, because it is the same dishwasher. JennAir sells them to Electrolux, but then they can't move them at $1299 and close them out at $699.

Do I like this dishwasher at $1299, heck no, at $699 however, for a fully featured integrated dishwasher...its a pretty good price.

Not My Rules

Every month I review our numbers in the store. Over the past 18 months, I have watched GE grow their business. At the same time, I have seen a dramatic drop in JennAir's business. I have tried to explain nicely to the JennAir representatives to no avail.

I had to show them (what I will show you)



For roughly $200 GE Cafe will offer a 17,000 BTU griddle burner as well as a second oven (instead of a warmer) below the main oven. The GE is also more aesthetically pleasing.

In other words: Improve your old design or continue to be outsold...

Whirlpool is Maytag for $500 Less

The goal of this blog has been to promote energy efficiency, eliminate misconceptions and to offer an unbiased opinion about appliances and lighting.

Which inevitably brings to the enigma known as Whirlpool. Their problems really started with the purchase of Maytag. So they added the names Maytag, JennAir, Amana into their brand portfolio. In their defense, most experts would have been in shock at how desperate Maytag become in just a few short years.

So the decision had to be effected. Would Whirlpool keep the brands unique and independent with their own features and benefits or would they streamline the brands under one platform and just throw different logos on the same machine.

They chose the latter and have been disappointed just like GM with their lineup of the same cars with different logos...For consumers, it is an opportunity.

Two exact laundry pairs...with $500 difference in price...



Hint...buy the Whirlpool.

What Happened To JennAir Downdrafts?

Look at this JennAir Expressions unit





Back in the day (about 15 years ago), we sold a ton of these in single, double and triple units. It was a state of the art product with convertible burners, inside grill and a flush design.

So what happened?


Like anything else, the product hasn't changed, but everything else has. These cooktops are induction, which is not available in the Expressions.

Componentary downdrafts like this Electrolux have allowed people to buy exactly what they want for a cooktop rather than being pigeonholded into a grill or a particular design.





Back to the drawingboard, Whirlpool (owner of JennAir)

How To Buy Appliances

670 plus posts and finally I am on point:


1. Rebates: Its all about rebates these days. in the old days, it was Magic Chef who started it, Frigidaire expanded and now brands like GE, Bosch and KitchenAid have rolled out programs. Rebates can save you almost 1/3 the purchase price. Watch the web, ask a trusted salesperson and review manufacturers websites...They change monthly

2. OEMs: Fancy term for the same product labelled several times. KitchenAid, Amana, Maytag, Whirlpool and JennAir have the same refrigerator. Buy the least expensive. In laundry, this could save $200-300

3. Features: What do you really need? I love the top of the line cooking products with power burners, convection and second oven, but only if the client will use it. The difference between a KitchenAid dishwasher at $600 and $1300...buttons, cycles...aka features

4. Service: Hate to say it, but the chances of a product being repaired by the manufacturer is remote at best. Find the retailer or independent who can fix increasingly intricate products

5. Social: In the old days, you would ask your friends and peers about a prospective company. Now you can check Yelp, Angieslist and CutySearch for hundreds of reviews

Yale Home Show...A Yale PSA

The 9th Annual Yale Home Show sponsored by Electrolux February 7-16

If you have never been to a Yale Home Show, it is well worth a visit.

Each weekend, we have some of New England’s best chefs cooking in our 9 kitchens showcasing different cooking techniques on all the major brands like Wolf, Viking, GE Monogram, Miele, JennAir and Electrolux. This is our best lineup yet with Ming Tsai of Blue Ginger, Jay Murray of Grill 23, Paul Turano of Tryst, Steve Brand of Upstairs on the Square, and Nelson Cognac of Kouzina.

We will also concentrate on newer technologies like LED lighting, speed cooking and induction. We will teach you how to plan recessed and track lighting for your home. Vendors from every manufacturer will be on hand to answer any questions.

If you want to see how appliances really operate, need some technical expertise for a house plan or are just looking for a great deal, The Yale Home Show is a great place to start or finish your project.

Identical Products...Different Prices

Let's save some cash to put us in a good mood this weekend...First some pictures.


Whirlpool Duet vs Maytag Epic





JennAir vs KitchenAid refrigerators (except for the brand new one from last post)





There are many circumstances where products are identical except for minor cosmetics, some features and the label. My advice: When the products are identical, buy the cheapest iteration.

What Happened To This?

About 10 years ago, JennAir introduced their expressions lineup of downdraft cooktops. After initial success, Expressions has stopped selling. Without question, as a subsidiary of Maytag, JennAir was at a marketing, R&D and manufacturing disadvantage, there were, however, other contributing factors.



Better downdrafts: These units were better at venting with CFM ranges of 50-150% greater. Also, the component downdrafts are compatible with any cooktop.




Better Hoods: The Italian companies actually manufacture beautiful products...that vent.

More Shallow Depth Ideas

Shallow depth refrigerators are desirable in a kitchen, because the sides do not protrude. Thus the kitchen looks more linear and more attractive. SubZero pioneered the pro niche in the 60s and 70s, and were followed by GE Monogram, KitchenAid and Thermador. Later, Amana decided to manufacture the regular shallow depth product and were followed(and beaten up by) GE Profile, KitchenAid and JennAir.

Now there are a number of alternatives from an endless number of companies. Unfortunately they tend to be somewhat expensive starting at $1600 as well as only fitting a 36 inch or over cabinet.





Fisher-Paykel and Blomberg manufacture smaller widths, and are decent alternatives to traditional shallow depth products.

Cheap Pros

So you have decided to buy a professional range, it is an exciting purchase. The range will have a burner output of 15-18,000 BTU, convection oven and the all important commercial look. For some of us, the excitement ends at the price, which can be prohibitive. For a 30 inch range, the tag can be in the $3500-6000 range. For a 36, the price can be $5400 to almost 10,000.

There are, however, very good alternatives to the traditional professional range. First, the burner output can be emulated on most standard ranges. A JennAir pro style slide in, for example, will have 2 16,000 BTU burners.

If it is the commercial look you seek then Bertazzoni and NXR offer the "pro" look at a much cheaper price.

Have a look...

NXR:

Upside: Price (the 30 inch is only $1999), 18,000 BTU burners and a great simmer at 500 BTU per burner.
Downside: Brand new and unproven.





Bertazzoni:
Upside: Price, great Italian styling and a multitude of finishes.
Cons: Only a few of the burners are high BTU, only available with burners.

Upside: Price

Power Up....

Years ago, consumers purchased pro ranges, because of the style and functionally the heat output. Although pro ranges seem to be the super premium choice, conventional stoves now have power burners as well. In fact, the outputs have become similar, so the question must be asked.

What is the BTU difference between a slide in at $2100 and a Pro range at about $5400?

JennAir...47,000 BTU(1 16, 15, 12 and 5)



Wolf...54,000 BTU(3 15,000 and 1 9,0000)+ other Wolf advantages: Double convection oven and three stage simmer capability on every burner.



Premium products are still selling fairly well, because people can have more affordable performance. Products to consider: JennAir, KitchenAid, Electrolux, Frigidaire and Bosch.

French Doors 2.0

French doors (side by side refrigerator with bottom freezer) are amongst the most popular appliances sold. They currently outsell side by sides around 8 to 1


The reasons for the popularity are: full width storage, more refrigeration space and add the "coolness" factor, because consumers want form as well as function.


LG, GE, Maytag, KitchenAid and JennAir have new models with ice and water through the door...Here are a few snippets




Hint: For price, look at the Maytag unit. In July there are a ton of rebates on the model mfi2569. For state of the art, look at GE, interior LED and just a beautiful aesthetic

Quiet Dishwashers

Lets face it. Features are fine, but you want it quiet. With rooms now encompassing the living and dining room, quiet dishwashers have almost a standard. People assume cleanability and ask for quietness.

But which one is the most quiet? We have on display working: Miele, Bosch, Asko, JennAir, Viking and Electrolux.



The answer is none of the above, because the difference in noise is not detectable by the human ear. My sleeper pick is Electrolux (believe it or not) which is absolutely noiseless.

OEM

OEM is a term for a product manufactured by another company and relabeled by another. The practice is prevalent in clothing where every brand is manufactured by a central manufacturer. Cars are another OEM industry. Pontiac, the late Oldsmobile and Chevrolet are/were built on the same platform.

The idea is sending the same product through multiple distribution channels to maximize sales and minimize costs. Over time, it does erode brands. After all, there is very little difference.

In the appliance industry, OEMs are becoming almost the standard. Even super premium brands are starting to source their manufacturing....Lets look at this Viking refrigerator.



Same as this JennAir.



My feelings are mixed. On one hand, people can buy an all Viking kitchen for under $10,000, and the Viking logo is still very recognizable. At the same time, it is $600 more than the identical Jenn-Air.

So do you buy the label or the price?

Another Great Deal?

I have started watching this website called GardenWeb. Yes, it is about gardening, but they also have a significant home improvement section with peer to peer reviews including a significant feature on appliances and lighting.

One of the posts was dedicated to the best appliance values. The person posting was talking about her parents refrigerator and how it lasted for 58 years. My feelings about this are mixed. First, I hate to throw anything of value away.

However, a refrigerator purchased today uses 50% less electricity than similar products from less than 15 years ago. A 58 year old refrigerator probably costs about $400-500 a year to operate versus $50-60 for a similar unit purchased today. Antiquated technologies in general like incandescent bulbs and top load laundry are probably costing the individual consumer hundreds of dollars a year every year.

But lets look at something new....What do these refrigerators have in common?



Yes they are Energystar, but there are instant rebates of $75 to 100 on all GE, Maytag, JennAir, Whirlpool and KitchenAid french door and side by side refrigeration.