In response to Howard

Question :
This is just the blog I've been looking for!

We're replacing some of our appliances as part of a kitchen refresh/remodel. The ones we're replacing are 19 years old. One of the main requirements is that they either be panel-ready (for the fridges) or black. We have no stainless steel, nor do we want any.

For the oven, we're looking at the Electrolux double in either 27" (if we don't move a wall) or 30" if we do.

For the cooktop on the island, we'll likely replace our KitchenAid glass-top gas cooktop with their current model, although it looks like cooktops from Bosch, GE, JennAir and Miele would work, too (we have a drawer 4" below the countertop that we want to keep).

We currently have a KA downdraft (no popup) that doesn't do much. We thought about replacing it with an overhead island hood, but between the expense (remember - no stainless), and the view blocking, we don't think we'd like it. We're looking at the Dacor PRV36B downdraft with the 600 CFM external blower for this replacement.

We currently have a 36" SubZero with the freezer underneath. We have an additional old side by side in the pantry. We're thinking of replacing the SZ with a 36" all-fridge, and the pantry fridge with an all-freezer. The SZ replacement needs to be a panel-ready built in. The SZ BI36 is currently at the top of the list, but have Northland, Viking and Miele on the list. We'd like the freezer to be a built-in panel ready as well (looking at Northland, Bosch, others) around 15 cu ft, but if budget demands, we may drop back to a free standing (it will take up more space, however).

We're also looking for the largest, most-powerfull microwave that can be built into a 24" cabinet.

Our dishwasher is only a few years old, and we're keeping that.That's our full list unless you're doing plumbing fixtures too - we're looking for faucets, sinks, and undercounter water filtration plus hot and cold.Would love to get your advice on any or all of the above.
Thanks!
HG

Answer :
HG, Thanks for the question. We'll start at the top and work our way down.

First of all, you can't go wrong with the Electrolux wall oven. I'd definitely try and get the 30" in there if possible - you'll appreciate the extra space it provides versus the 27". A quick story : ever since we married, my wife had problems making cake, and for each of my birthdays I'd insist she'd make me one (they always came out dry, despite what she tried). To get straight to the point, once we put in the electrolux oven they came out near perfection - now she makes cakes without an excuse of a birthday and persistent husband, and they're great. The oven holds a tight temperature, with little fluctuation. We've used the meat probe several times and love the 'perfect turkey' feature and you can't overlook the nice blue inside and the easy-glide racks (I've seen people buy these ovens just for the racks - not the smartest consumer, but they are an attractive feature). The lighting is bright and the wave touch controls always seem to make the friends ohhh and ahhh.

I'm going to have to pull my stick out on this one. I'd find a way to make the overhead hood work, if not for one simple reason - smoke, steam, etc... rises. It is natural for it to go up. You run into a lot of inefficiencies when you try to downdraft, and I don't think that you'll find much more luck with the Dacor than you did the Kitchenaid. I'm a true believer in the Vent-a-Hood line. They are the only fire safe hood on the market, they are quieter than any other hood, they last forever, and you can get what you want. They can do ANY color hood you are wanting. I'd spend a little more money here, and when Thanksgiving rolls around and you're cooking up a storm you'll thank me when there's no smoke filling your kitchen.

On to refrigerators, Sub Zero makes great machines, as you probably know, and the Miele is a good machine, but I like the Thermador (it's practically the same thing as the Miele - the Miele is just a little easier to put panels on). Northland is a little less expensive and the idea that you can unplug the cooling guts of the refrigerator and plug new ones up if you ever need to is intriguing. One of the main reasons I'd go with a Thermador over the others is the warranty they have backing it. It's a 2 year full parts and labor on anything, 3-6 years covers the sealed system (these are all the parts that go into cooling) full parts and labor and the 7-12 years cover the sealed system parts - you'll just have to worry about the labor. Sub Zero is a 2, 3-5, 6-12 and the Miele is a 1, 2-5, 6-10. Northland has a little different setup - the first year they cover the whole unit parts and labor, the second year they cover just the parts on the whole unit UNLESS it has to do with the sealed system, which is covered (full parts and labor) until the 6th year. They also have an 'inner liner' warranty that covers the inner liner if the paint chips or rusts until the 10th year.

All in all, I'd look at the Thermador units in your case.

On the microwave, do you have a 24" cabinet opening or 24" overall cabinet?

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