Hi. Today I want to talk about appliances. Lately I have been mad at our refrigerator and our stove. The fridge is loud to the point of distraction (I wonder if the fridge is why my hair is going completely white?), plus it rattles. Now, I already know that newer fridges (ours is about 5 years old) have better compressors, and I think I want one of the new French door models if/when I get a new fridge.
But the oven. Oy, it is ticking me off. When we bought our house nearly 6 years ago, it was with great joy and excitement that I shopped for an oven, the first oven I could call my own. I decided not to go bottom-of-the-barrel, but I couldn’t go high end, either (we didn’t get an interest-only loan like some people, but hey, a mortgage is a mortgage). I went for what seemed to be a good, solid Kenmore–not sexy, but reliable … NOT! Now, in all the crappy rentals I’ve lived in, I never had a problem with ovens not baking like they should, but this Kenmore? We have had to replace the temperature sensor at least once, maybe twice, and now it’s acting up again! F2 ERROR! F2 ERROR! Piece of junk!
Now, I don’t think I can get a new oven any time soon, but a girl can dream, right? I’m thinking about a separate cooktop and oven next time. The cooktop will be gas, maybe Dacor with the continuous grate system, and the oven, let’s go electric, maybe with the convection option. What about you?
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Oh gosh, not the F2 error. We own a GE. We’ve seen that once too many times here unfortunately too. Once we had to send in the computer board from the oven to have it replaced. The next time, my husband somehow got it to stop. ugh. On the fridge front, we bought a new one last year that’s quite spiffy (kenmore). The ice machine is on the door and gives more room in the freezer section as a result. Nice. Go for it! -t
Do you have HGTV? I think there’s a new show called “I Want That/It” which my mom likes to repeat three times fast. Showcases the newest home goodies. And the home electronics showcases on HGTV are promising, too. Good things to come so don’t feel so bad about waiting.
Perhaps you can calculate how many times you’d need to repair the f2 error before it costs more than a new oven.
I had a GE oven that F2-ed me into insanity. They never could get in repaired.
Now I have a Whirlpool (I think) that may be staid and sedate, but is totally reliable.
that’s weird, all our kenmore appliances have always been so reliable. you got a lemon, girl. but i would NEVER get an electric oven/stove/grill/etc. you can’t make fast temperature adjustments. big issue for me in an oven.
My experience with the separate cooktop and oven is that the oven has a smaller capacity. I am afraid of gas appliances, so we got electric, which the husband complains about, and gives him excuses not to cook! I would like what I saw an elderly woman had… a double oven! Especially during the holidays!
Six burner stainless Dacor — gas (propane) on top with electric convection oven here. (It came with the house, don’t groan at me!) Just have to be careful not to put anything in the oven during pre-heat. It goes into superheat mode in the beginning before arriving at the desired temp. I forgot to inform my MIL of this fact. 🙂
Do NOT ever buy the GE Millenium fridge/freezer. Save up for the Sub-Zero.
Want to come over and cook with me?
This is what Consumer Reports is for. I use my online subscription and their search function nearly every week. Frankly, I don’t like gas because of the VOCs associated, which can aggrevate allergy suffering – and the quick way to adjust electric temperature is to take the pan off the element.
We have a DCS six burner gas oven/cooktop that came with the house. I have been so tempted to pitch it out so many times. I am a baker and therefore was very happy to have gas again. But the doggone thing keeps going through igniters like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It seems to go through one per year. At a cost of $300 – OUCH!! My husband has finally learned how to replace the darn thing himself so we can at least save on the labor cost bringing it down to $126 every time it needs to be replaced. Plus the temperature gauge goes off temp over time. It was up to 50 degrees too high the first time. Truthfully I don’t think I would ever get a higher end unit again as I seem to have more luck with the “normal” ones.
My sub-zero however (which also came with the house – lucky me)…I love that thing! It’s the best fridge I’ve ever had and works so well. Although the dimensions took a little getting used to at first I truly believe they are well worth the price and will budget for it if we ever move again. My mother-in-law liked it so much that when their fridge died they chose to get a sub-zero.
jm.02
Perhaps Kenmore did not anticipate the amount of baking that occurs in the ordinary course of business Chez Eggplant. They were counting on a few frozen breadsticks, the occasional pizza warm-up–you know, like normal people do with their ovens–turkey once a year and a few miscellaneous uses from time to time. Nothing on the heroic scale such as nonstop cupcakes, endless green tea cookies, Chez Panisse ginger snaps. Clearly, if you are baking Chez Panisse anything, you should be chopping wood and not bothering Sears.
Not that this excuses the F2 pandemic. Be strong! xox Kay
Mariko, I have a Maytag Gemini that I absolutely LOVE:
http://www.fotoconnection.com/viewitem.php?IndexID=9547&RefTag=yahoofeed
This one, in black. TWO OVENS! This has saved my sorry ass on numerous number of social occasions when I’ve accidentally gone and planned a menu needing two ovens at the same time. And the bottom oven is full size.
we bought a house a few months ago and, prior to moving in, gutted the kitchen. we went with mostly ge profile products (the only exception being a bosch dishwasher) and have been happy so far… gas stove/oven (with convection) as well as a microwave/convection oven/hood thing. i must admit, i don’t cook THAT much. so i may never wear out any of the appliances in the kitchen!
Wolf range all the way baby! You’ve never baked until you’ve baked on a Wolf. Seriously. Temps that hold. Even baking. Its awesome. Yes, it was initially painful at purchase time, but its probably the only oven I will ever buy. Everything is basic (no fancy computerization, so if you like fancy cooking timers this is not for you), but that means everything can be repaired.
And make sure your frig is leveled. That is the most common cause of annoying noises. Good luck. 🙂
We’re cooking with gas – I love Viking stove. And it’s not just a pretty appliance; the oven is convection and the cooktop burners can be set on super hot or simmer. No electronic buttons to go bad. No learning curve. Although we’re not gourmet cooks we rarely ever eat out, so the stove gets a lot of use. Also DH bakes bread using perforated metal French bread pans and c’est magnifique! I know you bake, so if you can at all swing the price tag, get a real stove. You’ll love it.
OK I am an expert (hah!) at this stove/oven thing. My folks have a dacor dual fuel (6 gas burners on top, electric/convection oven on the bottom). That oven is the buggiest thing on the face of the planet. You turn it on to warm it up and an hour later it’s not even to temp!
We recently were “gifted” by my folks with a new cook top (we had an ancient Jenn-air that came with the house and the “convection” fan was wired to the vent fan instead, and so when trying convection, everything would BURN!). Anyway, we chose the kenmore elite dual fuel range. Consumer reports agrees with us too — it’s a best buy.
How far out are you on your warranty with your current range/oven? If it screws up again I’d find a way to get sears to take it back and get the kenmore elite instead. That second oven is a LIFE saver for holiday meals (last minute warm the stuffing while baking rolls? NO PROBLEM!) and the gas is a DREAM to cook with.
Just a note: It looks really expensive. For some reason I remember my dad only paying like 800 on it. Maybe they were having a huge sale at the time — but I thought the original cost on it was only around 1200.
Luckily, I rent and I have a nice landlord who forked over for new appliances when the old ones broke. I’d recommend going for an energy saving model and checking out the PG&E rebates.
I love having a cooktop and a wall oven. The gas cooktop is from 1962 and still works like a charm. The oven is a newer (~5-6 years old) Kenmore, and it works quite well too.
We have had a gas Wolf 6-burner cooktop and an electric KitchenAid oven (self cleaning with the convection option)for about 10 years. The Wolf is terrific – love love love it! The KitchenAid oven cooks beautifully but it is small and vents into the kitchen. There was no option for venting to the outside. So when we broil, or something bubbles over, the kitchen fills with smoke too fast for the exhaust fan to handle and sets off the smoke alarm (not to mention irritated eyes). We have been thinking (for several years now) of replacing it. But, well, two kids in college is all I really need to say. I don’t think any refrigerator, unless you’ve got top-of-the-line will be quiet. Ice machines, freezers, water lines are all noisy.
The Dacor dual fuel is the best. I have the gas top and electric convection over. Worth every penny. Don’t wait you cook waayy to much to suffer. It’s not like a waste of money.
Valerie
We closed on our first house on Friday. Today our new fridge was delivered. It is the Kenmore trio. It’s got a bottom mount drawer freezer and then french door fridge on top. Pretty cool. I haven’t had the chance to use the new oven that came with the house but I am looking forward to it. The one in my rental house is the pits, and the heating elements like to burn out, with lots of sparks and awful smells. Good luck with your appliances.
Assuming $$$ is no object (hah!), I’m pretty fond of those Wolf ranges. We’ve had appliance woes recently too – just replaced our dishwasher. But, I can give two thumbs up to our new Miele dishwasher. A bit pricey, yes, but it actually washes dishes! Can you imagine?!?
If I could get a gas stove and oven I would in a HEARTBEAT. I believe they are superior as far as temperature control goes. Alas, South Florida has no natural gas. No wonder everyone eats out-they can’t cook.
A little birdie told me you make puppy clothes too and I should show you my new raincoat cause you made one! Mine isn’t a perfect fit yet – mommy ran out of the reflective tape but she says she will make it better one day. http://minoupitou.blogspot.com/2005/04/rain-jacket.html
Trivection, baby! Alton Brown was the consultant on it…made by GE…
I love my 6 burner gas Kitchen Aid cook-top and double convection wall ovens!!! Nothing like a pasta feed with three pastas and three sauces!!