Has anyone bought any appliances lately?

After looking and looking I am planning on buying a Frigidaire Refrigerator and stove.
They have so many more bells and whistles for the money than the more popular brands. What's the downside to the brand? Anyone know?

[caddmannq]

I just bought a new range for the house we are selling.

I bought the Frigidaire, because it was considerably cheaper than any other brand, and looked almost as good.

But it sure is lightweight compared to my old Westinghouse.

Like half the weight.

My impression is that their appliances will work fine, they just don't feel as "solid."

[kenyg]

?? got me, I got a new 'magic chef' oven bout 2yrs ago - I don't know much about ovens and stuff - it just gets hot and cooks stuff is all i know.

I got a new fridge too - I'll have to look at the brand when I get home. What I like about it is - ice dispenser and water in the door - and the door shelves are wide enough to hold several gallons of milk/water.

(sure beat the old fridge, which decided to break over a weekend in the summer when we were away.. oh, that was a pleasent house to walk into.)

[MDS]

I have a Frigidaire glasstop stove and a Frigidaire fridge with water/ice in the door. I have had them both for 2 yrs without one problem I ended up with Roper washer and dryer. I purchased all the appliances the same day talk about dropping some $'s, I figure they will all die the same time also :O

Yep it's the glasstop stove I'm getting. It even has a convection switch for the oven and a warming area on the stove top which is only found on much pricier models.
The fridge has many more features than the same size Whirlpool or GE for the same price.

Hmm haven't looked at Roper for the washer and dryer.

[MDS]

My washer and dryer and I got the updated dryer that has the buzzer and has a removable shoe rack for dring shoes. BTW it is made by Whirlpool as the repair and service in the owners man. list Whirlpool repair service.

[MTAtech]

According to Consumer Reports Magazine, this is how Frigidaire stacked up in repairs:
TOP FREEZER MODELS (No Ice Maker): of the 9 brands, only Amana had a worse record. 7.5% reported a serious repair needed.

TOP FREEZER MODELS (Ice Maker): Only Sub-Zero owners reported more problems that Frigidaire. (12%)

SIDE BY SIDE: Only Maytag had a worse record of the 7 brands listed. 22% of owners reported repairs and serious problems.

How to choose

Performance differences. Most refrigerators--even the least expensive--keep things cold very well. Many models are pretty quiet, too some very quiet. But configurations and convenience features all vary considerably. Less expensive models usually lack glass shelves, large bins, easily arranged shelves.

Energy efficiency does vary, according to Consumer Reports tests. An efficient model that costs more may be a better buy in the long run than a cheaper but less-efficient model. The savings can be substantial, since your refrigerator may account for up to one-fifth of your annual electricity costs.

Models made as of July 2001 were required to meet new efficiency standards up to 30 percent more stringent than those in place before. Some models on the market have an Energy Star designation; that means they're 10 percent more efficient than what the new regulations require. Yellow Energy Guide stickers, which include information on energy usage, are required on all refrigerators. By 2003, new models must be made without hydrochlorofluorocarbons, which can harm the earth's ozone layer. Some models already have this in place.

Recommendations. Top-freezer models give you the most refrigerator for the money. But kitchen layout or personal preference may necessitate another type. Most built-in models offer no performance or efficiency advantages. In general, larger refrigerators have more features. An icemaker adds $70 to $100 to the price; a through-the-door water dispenser adds about $100.

Some models can be placed flush against a side wall, and others need space for doors to swing open. Top- and bottom-freezer models have reversible hinges so they can open to either side. The doors on side-by-side models require the least amount of front clearance space.

Consumer Reports surveys show that the presence of an icemaker or a water dispenser tends to increase the chances of needing a repair. A recent survey of refrigerators found that almost 30 percent of five-year-old side-by-side models with an icemaker and a water dispenser had needed a repair, compared with almost 20 percent for top-freezer models of the same age with an icemaker and just over 10 percent for top-freezer models without an icemaker.

Considering cost of repair, cost of replacement, and technology improvements, you'll probably want to fix a broken top-freezer that's less than five years old or a side-by-side that's less than six years old. You may want to repair a model up to eight years old if you're satisfied with its performance. You'll probably want to replace an older model that's broken to take advantage of a new model's features and reduced energy costs.

Top-freezers. The Maytag MTB1956GE[W] is feature-rich and energy efficient. Nearly as good--and larger--are the Kenmore (Sears) 7118[2] and Maytag MTB2156GE[W]. At $630, the GE GTS18KCM[WW] stands out for value. The LG LRTPC2031[T] has a VCM (vinyl-coated metal) finish that looks like stainless steel but resists fingerprints.

Bottom-freezers. The Kenmore (Sears) 7228[2] and the Amana ARB2217C[W] are both very good performers; each has a freezer compartment that pulls open like a drawer.

Side-by-sides. A very good, full-featured choice is the GE Profile Arctica PSS25NGN[WW]. Though it has fewer features, the Whirlpool Gold GD5SHAXL[Q] is also a very good choice. The GE GSS25JFM[WW], $1,050, performed very well and is relatively roomy; it's A CR Best Buy.

Built-in models. The Sub-Zero 650/F is very able, but reliability is a concern with the brand. The GE Monogram ZIC360NMRH is almost as good, and it's quieter.

[Cruez]

I meant to say something to you about that surreal...
Since I just bought all of mine a few weeks ago...when we finished building our new houes.


There is a place in PA that was the cheapest I could find anywhere... I even paid an extra $250 to have it delivered to North Carolina.

We bought all Amana Appliances...
Side by Side Stainless Fridge, ceramic cooktop, build in wall oven and Dishwasher...

I checked lots of opinions before I finally settled...

So far I love em ... and they were alot cheaper there... And I checked prices for months...

They have many different manufacturers there...not just Amana

[Brainchild]

My Mom has the same stove, and it works great, In fact she bought a second one for the daycare. She has had the one at the house for 3 years.
Frigidaire has been around a great many years,I would concider them a good brand.I think everything is getting lighter in construction.New technology makes that happen IMO.

[Knothead]

Hi, Surreal, I don't have a hot recommendation for the 'fridge, but on the oven (it sounds like you're doing the cooktop/separate oven thing) stay away from anything by Modern Maid. I've got an over and under model I've been suffering with for years! It's horrible!

OTH, as for the cooktop, look into the Jenn-Aire line. They're a bit pricey, but I had a glass top model I put into my last house, and man, what a joy! It feels solid, it's incredibly accurate in terms of gas feed (useful for when you want to cook at super-low temps...often the flame will go out...not on that baby! ) Highly recommended.