The Truck

Lets look at this big, ole truck.

This guy travels cross country, so this is part truck and part condo. Have a look...

But what about the appliances(your first thought)...Yachts, Trucks and RVs are interesting because they typically maximize space efficiently

Integrated refrigator. Intelligent choice a regular refrigerator would protrude another 12-14inches into the truck/condo.

Convection/microwave combination..Sharp is a decent choice. This trucker can cook, microwave or do both in combination.

Induction cooktop. Fast, less heat in the condo and induction will shut off without a pan (yes, this is a bad pic)

Have a galley kitchen or tight space and need ideas, look at a truck

Meet The New Boss (Tomorrow)

Had a great blog set for today...I was posting the new introductions on appliances from an industry show held at Foxwoods yesterday, but I forgot the pictures. So now the post is about: How to buy appliances now:


Some of this is a review

1. Look for rebates: Its still number one. Sears, Lowes, Home Depot and every appliance store has some kind of rebate offer. Example: Viking and Thermador pro ranges have similar specs, but Thermador is also adding a dishwasher for free with purchase...advantage Thermador.

2. Have a Bottom Line Mentality: 30% off $1,000 is still more expensive than $650. As consumers, we pay with dollars not discounts. The price at the bottom of the invoice is the only relevant item

3. Free is...?: Free Delivery is a great idea, unless there is a charge of $30 for removal, another $60 to walk up two flights of stairs and $25 for a range cord(which costs $3). Ask these questions before you buy

4. Buy what you use, will use and more importantly understand: The over the range GE Advantium is a great piece cooking at 4-8 faster than a regular range. If you use just the microwave only feature, you have overspent by $400-500...same with convection or any other step up feature.

5. Be Social: Angies List is worth the subscription, some free resources like Yelp and Citysearch will have reviews. Quick Note: There are issues with every store...Look at the responses from the stores to the problems as an indicator of your future experience...Also, ask friends, neighbors and tradespeople where they shop

6. Selection is good: Meaning you want to see it. Do not be pushed into store brands without a reason as salespeople typically are paid a higher commission for selling a store brand

7: Service: Establish who will fix it BEFORE you buy. Appliances are not cars. Every major car dealership has service, not every appliance store does the same. You will need service on a new product 15-18% of the time, so prepare beforehand

8. Walk: There are plenty of stores who want your business if someone is being unreasonable or unaccommodating(or both)

How To Buy Appliances..Part 7

This is really not all that difficult...Its easy if you know what you want. Much harder when you have no idea. How about a novel idea? Lets stay under your budget, pick desirable items and as an added bonus, not lose your mind.

1. Establish a budget. You will stick to it.

2. What pieces do you really want. Is it a SubZero, stainless steel appliances, slide in range?

3. Rebates. I hate to say it, but $500 in rebates would sway my loyalties between similar items.

So lets say you have no idea:

4. Start at the range. There are more tough choices than any other product.





5. Refrigerator next, once again the most difficult dimensionally.





6. Dishwasher and over the range microwave should match the other two pieces.









If you stay within the same brand, there are numerous budget saving rebates. I am not partial to side by sides, but this Bosch package has a whopping $1350 in rebates...I can learn to love it for that type of money.

Your Choice...Seriously

I will occasionally work on the sales floor to sharpen my dwindling skills. What I would buy seems to be the question Du jour. So lets look at this GE Advantium as a case in point.



The GE Advantium will cook 4 times faster than a regular oven. It has simple preset cooking programs, so it is easy to operate....My question to you (and you to yourself)

Would you use it? (assuming it fits)


If the answer is no, then spend $300 less for a simple microwave.


If yes, does it fall within you budget...If not, look above.


If yes, certainly consider it. (don't worry, we will show you how to use it)

Basic Math

As I have posted previously, appliance prices, like gas, insurance and food are on the rise. Frigidaire and Whirlpool both announced increases of 6% effective November 1.

They can announce increases. I am not sure their true intentions. Lets look (Scroll to the bottom if you are pressed for time.)

Frigidaire digital stainless dishwasher. The price is $489( before rebate, but we will be there shortly).




Frigidaire stainless over the range microwave vent $409.




Frigidaire 5 burner convection gas range with power burner $899.




Frigidaire 18 cubic foot pro stainless refrigerator with ice maker $749.




The total is $2546. After rebates the total cost becomes $1599, which is the lowest ever. For consumers, the message is clear:

Pick a brand to maximize the rebate
Buy Rebated Models
Save money

Advertising, Package Rebates and Other Stuff

As you know, I ceded my spot as CMO to a very capable Igor Muravyev. Our styles could not be more different. I was a radio guy. He is a print person. I am about leveraging our competitive difference. He is about shopping experience as a purchasing driver. Store environment is important for me, but in recessionary times price has to be a main driver. I also think you can price and brand in the same ad.

As I have said, he wasn't hired to be me. So he wins...for now.

But he doesn't write the blog (yet).

Seriously, the only silver lining to a recession is the rebating from manufacturers. The sole intent is to maintain the factory output....For people renovating, this becomes a huge purchasing advantage.

For example:



You are looking at the Frigidaire Professional series: 5 burner gas range with convection, integrated dishwasher, over the range microwave and matching top mount refrigerator. After mail in rebates of 25%, the price becomes $1799 for the package.

Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks and Turbochef

I am a total vegetarian wannabe. My grazing diet is salad, fruit and repeat. To be truthful, I do not like meat, especially burgers and steak.

Ocassionally, I will eat fish or chicken. Recently, I have fallen in love with a breakfeast sandwich at Starbucks of all places. It consists of eggwhites, light cheesse and turkey bacon on a whole wheat english muffin. I was wondering how they are able to serve it so quickly....

Then we look at Dunkin Donuts advertising pizza and flatbread sandwiches, and you wonder how they are able to compose the said items


The answer is unlikely. They employ Turbochef technology or impingement convection with low power microwave. Its unlikely, because until 18 months ago the product had reliability issues....But it seems fixed, unless, of course they are logging thousands of service calls a day





Actually a pretty interesting piece with great technology, interface and of course incredible speed

The True Cost of Appliances

The answer to that question is: I don't really know anymore. One of the minor benefits to any economic downturn is pricing becomes more flexible from manufacturers to consumers. In our industry, this is manifested in rebates. Even car companies are not as bold as appliance manufacturers in rebating products.

Even a brand like Bosch is not aloof anymore. Have a look at the pictures below.



You are looking at a double oven with convection, integrated dishwasher, over the range microwave hood and gas cooktop. What was $5,200 last year is now $3,999 after rebates.

Rebates...How to Buy A Bosch Kitchen

I am dedicating this weeks posts to the manufacturers penchant to rebate their own product. Todays contestant is Bosch. Lets look at a suite of really upscale appliances from this brand.



You are looking at a 30 inch ceran, double wall oven with convection on the top, a fully integrated french door refrigerator(love that look), an over the range microwave hood and a fully integrated dishwasher.

Bosch is a great value for a premium brand. This kitchen of appliances sells for about $10,000, but Bosch has $2,400 in rebates for the month of March...and this is an expensive package for this brand.

For people renovating with a smaller budgets and still wanting marquee labels, Bosch, like JennAir and KitchenAid is a great alternative.

Rebates..How to Save $1175

I blog about rebates, because rebates have become a huge part of our industry. We have listened to the car advertisements promising $500 cash back. Typically, the car averages $20,000 or more. So how about $1200 in rebates on a kitchen that is $7,000

The average breakage, however, or people who do not turn in rebates is 80-90% in groceries. So instead of lowering wholesale price, manuacturers bet on this "breakage". But $1175 is a little different than a coupon for 75 cents off that Green Giants peas.

Have a look at one example:

JennAir Pro kitchen: Dual fuel convection range, french door shallow depth refrigerator, over the range microwave hood and stainless interior dishwasher







Our delivered price $6774

less

factory rebate 500
buying group 400
Yale Instant 275


Final $5599

Ventilation Part 2...For Regular (Non-Professional) Ranges

20 years ago, the average BTU(British Thermal Unit, a measure of heat output) of a typical gas stove was about 28,000 BTU. Today the average stove is between 32 to 40,000 BTU. Most of these units have at least 1 or 2 power burners of 15-17,000 BTU.

As the burners have become more powerful, so has the need for the proper ventilation of smoke and heat.

My favorite 30 inch hood Best K210...Good capture area and blower speeds up to 800 CFM





Three pointers to size the vent properly:

1. CFM or cubic feet per minute. This refers to the speed of the blower or more literally how many cubes of air are expelled per minute. An over the range microwave, for example, is the minimum at 310 CFM, but if you like to wok or fry, you may want a vent with a blower of up to 600 CFM

2. Ducting or the size of the pipe carrying the exhaust to the outside. Ducting should be no less than 6 inches and up to 10 inches in diameter

3. Capture area...Quite literally the depth of the hood. Smoke is not immediately sucked out of the hood. It is rather captured and then extracted. Look for a vent with a capture area of 19 inches or deeper

There are now plenty of options as more companies seem to be manufacturing vents

Cool Microwaves....

Its Renaissance time for microwaves....Stop here for a moment. You can buy a microwave, which will suit your needs for under $100. Microwaves, however, can be so much more than say...a microwave. Remember for planning purposes start with cooking first, and then other appliances are easy to accommodate


Lets look at a few

The Dacor/Sharp microwave drawer...Great for islands, the microwave slides out hydraulically...




The GE Advantium: It is a microwave, which can also speed cook 8 times faster than a conventional oven. Fantastic product, but then again at around $2000, it should be




Sharp Micro Convection: An old standby....Can cook as microwave, oven or both at once. Reasonable at $550(depending on color)




KitchenAid micro convection: Love the look and is easy to operate, but kind of expensive.

Which Wall Oven?

Do you remember when microwaves were first marketed in the late 1970s. Well the original ardor has diminished somewhat, but it still is crucial in kitchen planning, especially in built in designs...


There are two choices for microwave placement for this type of configuration.


Microwave over the actual wall oven:



Double wall oven and the microwave separate:



Consider these questions before committing to a design:

A. How much do you use the microwave
B. How much do you use the ovens
C. Will children be using the microwave
D. How much space do you have


A and B may seem obvious, but if you are a die hard user of a microwave, you can buy Advantium and other very interesting convection microwave combinations. If you are hitting the popcorn button, buy a double oven and build in an inexpensive microwave.

If children are using the microwave consider building it into the island as there are plenty of options.

For more info please take a look at our Electric Cooking Buying Guide.

The Toughest Renovation Decision Part 2

This post is actually part of a series of posts starting last Monday. To paraphrase, the hardest decision for planning appliances in a kitchen is cooking.

We covered wall ovens under cooktops last week...Now lets look at them split, which has become very popular.




The advantages are a profusion of brands offering every feature such as speed cook, steam, double convection and microwave. Cooktops have also become incredibly advanced with professional and induction becoming more popular. The key advantages are the ergo metrics, meaning no bending and the entertainment value. With today's kitchen islands and peninsulas, the user can face their guests.

The disadvantages are expense and space. The minimum space for a regular wall oven and cooktop is 60 inches. The pricing for even a single wall oven alone can be more than a regular free standing range

OEM

OEM is an industry term meaning one company manufacturing basically the same product for different companies under different labels. This philosphy has been around for years especially as we source more product from overseas. It is more efficient, but creating new products becomes more difficult with one source.


Most of the times it is fairly obvious, other times you do not really know like in this instance.....


Pictured below is the glass kitchen at Yale. As you may remember from earlier posts, we try to show direct comparisons between different fuel types such as electric, induction, gas,and pro gas.






We also show the latest and greatest wall ovens. So my interest was piqued to see the new Viking professional 240 volt microwave and steamer. It certainly appears professional

Have a look:






The microwave, however, is the same as the Sharp, and the steamer is the same as a Miele....Logically, you do not want to pay a premium for the same equipment under a different name



Back to LED on Thursday

Contemporary or Just Plain Ugly

KitchenAid has relaunched their successful Architect Line with the out of the box name Architect 2. Heady stuff. I like this over the range microwave and stove because it is different with a contemporary edge. Unfortunately, I seem to be in the minority.


Take a look:











BTW, this is a new kitchen on our display. We will be showing the sink/dishwasher combination and oven when KitchenAid decides to ship it. I blame our rep, Dan Barkley, primarily because he will be reading this


Anyone want to guess what is wrong with the lighting?

EnergyStar Ratings

EnergyStar has just published an interesting guide. Although I do not understand the numbers, it is interesting to compare.



Refrigerator 10 years ago 25.92 per month to operate
Energystar Refrigerator 10.80 per month(seems high)

Electric Oven 1 hour per day 18.9 per month
Microwave 1/2 hour per day 2.16 per month

Dehumidifier 24 hours per day 51.84 per month....Ouch

Top loading washer 14.40 per month(seems low, but does not include water)
Front loading 4.32 per month

Computer monitor, printer
sleep mode 1.94 per month
Not in sleep mode 19.44 per month....OUCH

Waterbed 51.84 per month...Do we really need these things
Matress with a quilt, etc 0



Click here for an interactive energy usage cost calculator


Click here to download the NStar Appliance Operating Costs pamphlet

Appliances to Buy August 31- September 6

Only 7 days? Appliance manufacturers seem to celebrate Labor Day for some reason. Many of the rebates expire September 6.


Frigidaire: Double oven electric range, digital dishwasher, OTR and 21 cubic foot refrigerator...There are $540 in rebates.






JennAir : Slide in convection, shallow depth french door refrigerator, stainless tank dishwasher with every conceivable option and an OTR...There are $1445 in rebates.






Bosch closeout: Stainless steel electric or gas range with a stainless top, stainless dishwasher and matching Siemens Over the range microwave $1999 and $200 rebate to a fourth piece






There are also a dizzying amount of laundry rebates

Energy Tip Of the Day

Use the microwave instead of the stove. The savings is about 15 cents per hour. But like there is bigger residual savings in HVAC costs when a door does not release 350 degree heat into the room.


Another way to save money without impacting lifestyle: Shut off the water when bushing your teeth or shaving.



Small changes will save money and lessen the impact on the environment...Now imagine if everyone did the same


BTW, Did you read JRs' Energy Clock

How To Buy An Appliance Part Three

Its a cool 66 degrees in Boston and raining. There will be no fireworks this year on The Charles. As it is unseasonably cool, my global warming rants are not nearly as effective as the 96 degree days of last week.

My fourth favorite blog topic is buying appliances and the many pitfalls thereof. Some of this is familiar. For the newer readers looking to buy products for their new kitchen, this post will be beneficial. It can also assist in other purchases such as bath plumbing and furniture shopping.

One assumption: You have already decided on the items(my second favorite blog topic)

Now the fun begins(again)

Delivery: We know to ask how much...But where is an even better question. Most internet based companies will drop products on the sidewalk. That's not terrible if you are buying a microwave, but how about a refrigerator. Next question is who...As in who are you letting in your house. If it is an independent operator, ask and run a quick check with The Better Business Bureau...Its easy.


Removal of Old Products: This must be negotiated BEFORE the sale is consummated. Letting the delivery guys handle the transaction is tantamount to adding $200 to your purchase.


Service: Or what happens when the product breaks down....About 16% of new products need service within the first year. You are entitled to a 1 year warranty, but who fixes the product is always a good question to ask. If it is the manufacturer(heaven forbid), ask for the phone number and call to see what experience can be expected for your future product problems


Extended Warranties: The how much is the easy part. Who underwrites and is responsible for the maintenance is an important question...For example, a leading warranty company teamed with an internet sales group has had 200 complaints lodged against them in a 36 month period...(Its hard to fix anything without service techs it seems.)


The small print....How much is a cord? What happens if a product does not fit or cannot be delivered(like in a brownstone in Boston)...Does delivery include hookup as well....

Am I paranoid, hardly...cynical maybe, but ask these questions before your purchase and have the commitments in writing. A drop of protection may save you a ton of hassle and expense in the future.