A Bad Twin

Have a look at KitchenAid's new range...

This is actually an old range. It was first marketed by Maytag and was called the Gemini, for two ovens. As history has shown, nothing designed by Maytag between 1995-2001 was any good. In fact, their new products; the wide by side refrigerator, the infamous Neptune and to a lesser degree the Gemini were instrumental in Maytag's destruction and sale to Whirlpool.

Some people will say, "two ovens are a great idea!" To that, I say...look again.

Oven is way too low...Better design is oven on top with the smaller lower oven below

The Stainless Range

If you are want to see emerging trends in residential product design, look in the commercial/restaurant space or travel to Europe.

The stainless range is no exception. Someone once looked in a commercial kitchen and thought...I wonder if this would work in my house.

Thus the pro range was born. The pro range has the high heat of a commercial with insulation, so it can be situated next to cabinets. It also wont burn your hands by touching it...a necessary perk.



Then of course, stainless became a nascent (good word, admit it) trend. Frigidaire was the first to see it 15 years ago and now every manufacturer markets a bunch...Add the competition to another recent trend, the recession, and you have the next fad (a short term trend)...called the price drop.

This stainless self-cleaning range is now under $400 or $300 cheaper than its original price...

Freestanding vs Slide-In

Lots of pics today.

To review, the difference between a Slide-In and Freestanding is basically a back-guard.







The price, however, can be up to $600 more for a slide-in with the same features.

Why would you pay more? Tile, steel, or any custom appointments become more noticeable and accentuated without the back. Have a look...

Freestanding




Slide-in




Close up




Different range/same back-guard

Pro Alternatives

Once upon a time, professional ranges (defined as fast burners of 15,000 BTU with a commercial appearance) were widely sold. This segment has been decimated with the economy and general housing market.

However, there are alternatives...

GE Cafe CGS980SEMSS

In many ways, this could be a better unit than a pro oven with a 17,000 BTU power burner, griddle burner, convection oven, second oven and self cleaning...Good value at





Bertazzoni A304GGVXE

Faux pro. Looks like a pro, but has regular burners and a much more ordinary price at $2299.





KitchenAid KDRS467VSS

Ok, this is a pro range. It is the hottest at 20,000 BTU with a clock, timer and self cleaning. At $5499, it is $3000 less than similar products.

How To Buy The Same Range

Seems I have been confusing a bunch of people with this Bosch Vs Frigidaire range. To newcomers, Bosch has been buying their less expensive ranges from Frigidaire, but can be actually cheaper depending on rebates...or so I thought. At the end of this post, I will throw in a short "How to buy a gas range"...no extra charge.

The Bosch HGS3053: Five burner no convection $839 (the Frigidaire 5 burner is $679).





The Frigidaire DGGF3042: 4 Burners, Griddle (elongated) burner and convection $809





The Bosch HGS5053: 4 Burners, Griddle (elongated) burner and convection $959





But wait, Bosch has package rebates which net the range down significantly. I will provide a link to our package page, so you have a sense of the options.

How To Buy a Gas Range....simplified, but it really is easy.

Pick any brand with the base model self-cleaning..You will pay for the following upgrades in this order:

Fifth Burner:





Griddle burner...good for pancakes





Convection: Fan forced heat for even baking





Warming drawer: Keeps food warm (duh) for up to 3 hours great for refreshing leftovers





Second Oven: That's right, TWO ovens, one range

The Best Ranges (For Now)

Its almost Thanksgiving, which means cooking.....and thus means ranges. Beats thinking about the Lions being beaten down yet again.

But which to choose? Following are my favs for value...

The Frigidaire FGF368(Gas)/FEF368(Electric)

Just a great basic self cleaning range...Stainless steel is only $589











The Bosch HGS5053/HES3053

I like this range. It has a power and simmer burner, convection and a griddle burner for good measure. Its manufacturered bt Frigidaire, but looks better under the Bosch name and is $120 cheaper....











The GE PHB925

You can buy a 30 inch induction cooktop for $2000 or buy this range with convection and double ovens for $2499....Best performing cooking product in the store.

Less is More

For no apparent reason, lets discuss cooking or more specifically the differences between slide in and freestanding stoves...

Basically, freestanding stoves have controls on the back and slide-ins have the controls on the front.

Have a look...

Freestanding



Slide-in



The Electrolux freestanding and slide-in are pictured for a reason, because the slide in is on average $500 more. Slide-ins look cleaner in a kitchen. Without a backguard, you can customize your backsplash.

The skinny: Slide-in nicer, freestanding less expensive...

Electric Ranges...Basics

As I wrote with gas, the basics of free standing stoves is easy to understand, of the two, electric is even easier. Most electric ranges have a glass top called ceran. There are only two places where these tops are manufactured with Schott being the primary supplier.

So lets look at the real differences between electric ranges...

The top

1. Basic 4 burner
2. 4 burners with warming zone
3. 4 burners with oblong or griddle type burner
3. Induction...Magnetic heat. Fastest and best form of cooking (gas or electric)



Oven

1. Basic radiant oven
2. Convection..fan forced heat to keep a more even heat



Drawer

1. Storage
2. Warming Drawer - keeps food warm for up to 3 hours
3. Second Oven



1. storage
2. warming drawer...keeps food warm for up to 3 hours
3. second oven

Two companies seem to dominate our electric range sales, Frigidaire and GE. Frigidaire has decent features for the price. GE is a little more upscale and has the only induction range in the free standing category.

For more specific information about electric ranges, please click here for the electric range buyers guide

Back To Basics...Gas Freestanding Ranges

Gas ranges and appliances aren't difficult when you really look at them.

Have a look...

The top:



1. Basic Top with 1 power burner of 14,000 BTU(unit measure of heat output)
2. Better Top with 5 burners and a power burner of 16,000 BTU
3. Best top with top BTU output of 17,000 and a griddle


Oven



1. Non Convection
2. Convection...fan forced heat for a more even temperature


Drawer



1. A...Drawer
2. A warming drawer which maintains food for up to 3 hours or refreshes leftovers
3. A second oven

Not much harder than that.

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)

Its All About The Knobs

Bertazzoni has just started manufacturing a new range. At first glance, it looks like their other 30 inch model...








$300 price difference for knobs? Are they solid silver?

Products To Consider...Appliances

Part 2 of Thursdays post....

Front load laundry: You are probably tired of hearing this, but laundry is the surest way to lower your utility bills. Difference in price between an EnergyStar and conventional is not as profound either. A front load will save 2/3 water, 1/2 (at least) the electricity and will spin faster to accelerate drying...and is 66% larger on average.








Induction: 90% efficient versus 60% for pro gas...Cook faster with more precision and with no heat being added to the room. You can also choose a less pricey vent.








Power Gas burner: Almost every gas range above the standard can cook like a pro range with at least one burner of 15-16,000 BTUs.

Something New...Finally

Finally, something new worthy of a blog post...The new GE Induction range.





Although its a tad pricy at $2699, this range is a great product with all electronic controls, induction burners, convection oven and a warming drawer.

To review, induction is the fastest (yes even faster than a pro), way more efficient, and emits zero heat, so venting can be conventional...great unit.

Wolf vs Viking Part 2 - 48 inch

This is the biggest battle in cooking. Wolf, owned by SubZero, is the retooled newcomer vs the entrenched incumbant Viking. Viking at one time owned 50% share in the pro range market, but a funny thing happens when you spend your time opening culinary centers and hosting cooking tours. You become increasingly vulnerable to competition, especially from companies who plan well...

Viking woke up last year and launched a new range. Lets look at this versus the Wolf... But before, there are new products out as I look at this old post from the future. Have a look at the Pro Range buers guide

Buyers Guide







Wolf still has better simmer capabilities, convection and self cleaning in the second oven and a clock and timer unit....

Same Range, Different Label

Today is my last post as I am off to visit a friend in Manila of all places. I will be ghost writing posts for the next two weeks. In the meantime, say hello to Pat.

Anyway, about 2 years ago, Bosch discontinued their most affordable range. Affordability evidentally has a different meaning in Germany, because this range was $950.

Somehow someone in the company had the peculiar notion that Americans buy ranges under $1200. So what do you do when you have a need for a product yet lack the capacity to build it?

You buy it from someone else...Introducing the new affordable Bosch ranges built by Electrolux...









I am out of here...

How to Light a Kitchen Part 3: Accent

Why am I spending so much time in the kitchen? When you watch TV in the living room or go to sleep in the bedroom, you are shutting the light down or off. Kitchens and baths are a different story and really the only true task applications in your house.

As the kitchen has become all encompassing to include the living space, there are many opportunities for different types of light. You may have artwork on the walls, pottery on a counter or crystal in a cabinet, which you would like to highlight. Accent lighting provides this function.

For example, Next time you are in a nice hotel and see a beautiful flower arrangement, look up. It will most certainly be highlighted by accent lghting. The most common accent lights (for now) are pinhole recessed, which looks like this(they can be smaller)...




Or track lighting




They both utilize a low voltage bulb, which is slightly whiter than an incandescent. This whiter light is great accent lighting. Crate and Barrel utilizes this light commercially better than anyone, especially glassware.

Off today...will respond to questions Monday.

Extended Warranties

I find extended warranties interesting. Then again, I have a strange sense of humor. These slips of insurance really run the gamut of consumer emotion. From people who think it is expensive(which it can be) and a waste of dough to customers who are irate for not buying one and having to pay for service.

Here is the skinny: If a company does not have a service department, do not buy it ever. I don't care if they return a portion of your dough after the contract expiration. The contract is worth nothing, and the seller is banking on breakage and non redemption. We spend 10,000 per month in contract redemptions. The rough percentage is 20-25%, but when you need service...the average call is more expensive than the contract.

Skinny Part 2: Be very wary of third party contracts. Often times, a dealer will hand you a contract, which is backed by a warranty provider. I have a healthy respect for most of my competitors...But in this case, run the name through the Better Business Bureau. The results can be shocking.

Skinny part 3: Do not be oversold and do not overpay. You should pay $150-$250 for a basic appliance and $250-350 for a professional piece...Some of the rates can be outrageous. Look for ancillary benefits, refrigerators can have a food loss guarantee. (ours is $250)

And remember...it is your decision.

Post 701 and Handles

Hard to believe the ole blog has surpassed the 700 landmark. Now social media is the rage because it helps the brand, google rank and corporate credibility. We started The Yale Blog in 2007 to advise people honestly on how to shop for appliances, plumbing and lighting. I never really considered social media back then. Just wanted to be a reliable source of information in an industry that seems to need it.

The Yale Bloggers:





Frigidaire has a new line of appliances. It is updated aesthetically with three different handles styles, which can be good until you try to package their different lines.





Lets look at this new range. It looks different, but it is $100 more expensive than the model it superceded. The older piece also had a second oven, which is not available on this unit. So for $100 more, you seem to be buying less.

Frigidaire has always occupied an interesting niche of affordable stainless steel. Perhaps they should have rethought this latest line. GE, their largest cooking competitor, will have a new line of economical stainless steel appliances in August.

File this post under bad timing...

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.

Kelly Rippa is Wrong?

I will be in New York tomorrow talking with Electrolux about their advertising campaign (like my opinion should count). They spent 250 million dollars advertising their brand featuring Kelly Rippa in one year.

That's right $250,000,000...

At the end of the day, did they receive a return on a huge investment? Then I was thinking what if I was the CMO...What would I do? Leveraging strength in my opinion is the way to market anything, whether its Yale or Electrolux:

My campaign would feature the following:

The Biggest





Their laundry is the largest at 4.7 cubic feet. They also have a 18 minute wash and dry cycle, so they are the fastest. They also have the shallowest vented dimension, so they fit in more closets...

The Fastest





Induction is faster and better than even professional gas ranges. I would show a comparison on Youtube with boiling water (I think we do)...Costs $350 for a good camera with video, so I am way under budget....The Electrolux induction is also the least expensive unit...Multiple themes could be generated here.


Technological





Their control panels allows consumers to cook anything at any cycle...allowing for multiple themes here.


French





So far, I have spent $350. I would probably spread out a few more dollars on the internet content spends as well as blogger alliances and maybe some paid Google searches...and spend the rest on manufacturing a french door refrigerator, which has dominated this segment. They have it out now, but Electrolux has lost package driven consumers for almost 3 years.

How did I do?