We went with Cardell, a kind of "middle of the road" maker. I was a tiny bit skeptic they'd look cheap, but boy, was I wrong.

I'm a little late to this post, but a nice place to find appliances at a reduced rate is murco.net. People contact them when them are remodeling or tearing down houses, and everything is auctioned off. Cabinets, dishwashers, Viking ranges, etc. Even the floorboards in many cases. You really have to keep an eye on upcoming auctions, as each one will have a different range of available pieces. one of the most recent was a kitchen showroom that was being updated, so 6 full, non-used kitchens to dismantle for whatever use you would like. Generally there is also a leftovers section, for pieces that didn't sell at auction. Everything is AS IS, although I've seen many newer appliances go that still had remaining warranties.

I've heard of this, and even was signed up at a time to get the upcoming auctions. heard quite a few favorable stories about ppl getting subzeroes, and all kinds of trim, woodwork, fireplaces for pennies on the dollar.

I feel so bad that I haven't checked back on this thread in so long. Between work and not having a working kitchen at home, I have very limited time to play online. Yes, gardenweb was the website I was referring to.

Seebee- I am so excited for you being almost done with your kitchen. I know what it's like being without one.

We now have painted walls, our range hooked up, working dishwasher, fridge in place and an ikea sink cabinet.
For future readers, here's what we purchased and used so far.
30" Bertazzoni range... Thrillled with it after 2 weeks of use.
F&P Fridge... still like it but think it may be defective
Miele DW... after 2 weeks.... I love it! I have never had a dishwasher so quiet and clean so well


I am looking for White painted shaker style cabinets. I am having a difficult time deciding on a cabinet company. Any suggestions?? My kitchen is tiny... 9x10 and I would prefer to keep the cost under control.

~Christina

I just got an email from Thermador (not sure why I'm on their list, but at least they don't mail me often), and they're having a sale:
Buy a range or cooktop+double/triple oven and get a free dishwasher, add a fridge or "2 Freedom Columns to your cooking system" (not sure what that is, it's my next stop) and get a free ventilation system for the cooktop.

Knowing that my ventilation system cost more than the cooktop (island hoods are expensive), that's not a bad deal.
I have a Thermador cooktop and hood only -- my oven is GE, my dishwashers and fridge Whirlpool. So no brand alliance, but I have been very happy with the Thermador cooktop and range, except for the pains of keeping stainless steel clean and scratch-free.

The phrase "Freedom Columns" intrigued me...I just had to know what it meant and how it related to appliances (I was picturing stainless steel, Thermador-branded ionic or doric columns holding up your new ventilation system).

Ends up that the "Freedom Collection" is their line of "columns", or modular refrigeration units. So you can choose different cabinet-width units (say, a single-width "freezer column", a double-width "bottom freezer column" fridge/freezer, and a single-width "wine column"), choose the handle style, choose if you want a stainless steel finish or panels to match your cabinets, and stick these in your kitchen to form your new, gargantuan custom fridge.

I bet the end product would look totally boss in a big, luxurious kitchen. After looking at that website, my plain white GE is going to wonder what it did to deserve its door being slammed a bit harder than usual, or the derisive cursing as I rummage through the freezer drawer.

Ick. More overpriced Sub-Zero-like stuff.

I've said it before, I'll say it again: Ask your appliance manufacturer about separate matching fridge and freezer units. I saw several at Abt when I purchased, only one of which came in white -- that one went out of production before shipping time, they found an equivalent model.

The ones I saw did not have through-the-door water or ice, because, basically, the freezer unit is just a big basic upright freezer with a spiffier door trim.

I've got two 25cf units: fridge on the right, freezer on the left. Lots of storage, reliable brand, very happy.

My New Kitchen

I'm pretty sure this will work. Using a new storage site - this is the first upload and publish.
This is a 94 meg powerpoint. If you WAIT, it will open. It may take upwards of 15 minutes to start for some. If you are impatient, copy the link into your address bar, hit <enter> and then walk away. Or, copy the link into your address bar, open a new browser, and do OTHER stuff until it loads.

Hi,

I looked at your slide show. You have a very nice kitchen that seems to be in harmony with the rest of your house. All your heavy thinking has really paid off in a grand fashion.

I have a few questions?
- Can you comment on the type of wood, stain and sealant on the floors?
- Does your kitchen now open to the dining room?
- How wide is your oven? I am guessing it is 30 inches.

Thanks for the virtual time travel tour of your efforts to turn your kitchen to a liveable space.

Regards,

Thanx Cathy2!

The floors are oak. I have no idea about stain/sealant. The GC simply said that his floor guy was incredible, and all we needed to do was to leave it to him. I would GUESS that it's a walnutty stain, but for specifics, I am clueless. He'll no doubt be doing the rest of the house, so I can ask him then.

Yes, the kitchen now opens to the dining room. We knocked down a wall that that was between the dr and the kitchen.

The oven is the Electrolux Icon "Pro" 30 inch dbl. We are simple ppl with simple tastes, but that was our "splurge" appliance. We actually got it for 20 or 25% off of retail price via a sears mail in rebate. If we were not able to get that rebate, we would have gone with the regular Electrolux. We might even use it this wknd!

another thing for anyone who might care - since this is a thread about appliances, we ponied up (a little) and bought an "inverter" microwave. How I interpret this "inverter" stuff is this:
When you use the different power levels in your regular microwave (and I use them ALL THE TIME,) here's what really happens: The microwave does not operate on the power level you set it at, it runs on 100% power level for the X% amount of time you choose where X = the power level. SO, when you cook something for one minute at power level four, your nuke cooks your food at 100% power 40% of the cook time, and simply runs idle the other 60% of the cook time. This is why thawing things in a regular microwave is a joke - you get spots that are cooked, and spots that are still frozen. The inverter actually makes it possible for your microwave to run for the entire cooktime at the power level you choose. It also takes less space than the "motor" of a regular microwave, so, you can get a microwave with the same dimension as a regular one, but with a bigger cooking compartment in cubic feet, and more power.

I only use the microwave to heat up cooked food, but as we all know the middle can be cold, while the outside gets "cooked." The inverter feature should take care of this by providing a more even cook, meaning it will warm things instead of cooking one part, and hoping that the adjacent part to the cooked part warms up since the cooked part got so hot. I'm also REALLY wondering if thawing things in the nuke will actually net a decent result now. Will try it soon.

Really interesting about the inverter microwave! Pls report back on how well it works. I use mine exactly the same way you use yours, and it would be good to know that there is a better device to do what needs done.

Geo

We bought the Thermador Freedom Collection Fridge (30 inch) and Freezer (24 inch)when they came out two years ago. I knew about them since I worked for the company at the time. Let's just say I am not impressed with Thermador. We had the Freezer worked on 4 times until they just decided to replace the whole unit (the ice dispenser decided to stop working) We have the 48 inch pro range and have had that worked on three times (replaced the thermostat and the electronic board), and we had our microwave replaced. The only thing that has not been a probelm is the Bosch Dishwasher and washer and dryer (Bosch is the parent company of Thermador and Gaggenau). The discwasher is great and we have the renage hood with the motor mounted on the roof, it is really quiet. Since I got a nice employee discount, the pain of having these fixed is nto as bad as if I would ahve paid retail for the items.

Overall, if you can improve the durability of the units, they could be really good.

This was a great presentation because you could really see before and after.

1) The time that you spent obsessing over the hood paid off. The hood fits perfectly with your house and is a real focal point.
2) I'm glad you kept the back staircase open. The back staircases of older houses are such a wonderful, charming feature.
3) I bet you are enjoying the Electrolux gliding racks! I'm loving my Electrolux gas range, and I'm glad I splurged and got two gliders instead of one.
4) Wow. Huge new kitchen and additional bathroom. Wow.

I still have not gotten around to posting my renovation pix. Mine was not as extensive as yours but I am so happy with it. I hope to have a link soon. It's funny because I went on vacation recently and came back, and when I walked into my kitchen I'd forgotten for a moment that it was redone. I was so happy to have brown granite countertops!

That hole in the ceiling above the sink looks like a portal into an evil world. I may have Lovecraftian nightmares tonight.

Thanks Grits! And also, thanks for your input during. The hood, as an added bonus, actually kinda matches the rounded shape of the island overhang. I'd imagine, however, that the granite guy did that. He was top rate. The contractor pointed out the cutout he made for the sink was better than 99% of other granite guys' cutouts which is why he really wanted us to use HIS granite guy. The granite guy also explained that if we used darker granite, there really will be no problems with staining whatsoever. He had many different stones, and we could have picked anything, but he pushed us towards dark granite after we voiced concerns about "sealing," and staining, and putting hot pans on the countertops. His opinion was that dark granite was really the only option for us in that it is completely maint free, and virtually indestructible. So far, we haven't gotten a chance to really use the oven - still unpacking everything from the basement. It's all still covered in dust even though we put it in boxes!


Thanks again.

Any particularly enthusiastic recommendations out there for a kitchen-specialist architect or reliable, self-managing, prompt contractor? Total kitchen renovation project - in Bucktown, if that matters.

I've got a noisy just OK el-cheapo range hood above my stove. I vent through the kitchen wall about 3 feet from the stove to the outside. Vent is mounted to the side of the house.

It's better than nothing but the noise factor is really bad.

My dream hood would allow me to blacken mackerel in an iron skillet and not know I did that 2 hours later much less 2 days later.

Any recommendations?

FYI:

Sears currently has 40% off all Kitchenaid dishwashers, ends tomorrow. Some really great deals to be had, like the KUDE70CVSS for $930, and Abt is willing to price match on at least some of the deals. Abt also has a $75 rebate on installation deal going.

Kitchenaid Dishwasers at Sears

Does anyone have experience with American Range residential ranges? What about Blue Star?

I've seen long discussions of them in other places (such as Gardenweb), but I'm wondering if anyone here has experience with them. Thanks.

Hi,

I clicked over, the first thing I checked the burner BTUs:

We've "civilized" our Commercial Range
Our professional ranges have the soul and capability of our commercial ranges with advanced engineering and luxurious style. Equipped with 17,000 BTU, 13,000 BTU and 9,000 BTU burners our ranges provide commercial grade fire power with infinite control. To summarize, we've "civilized" our commercial range.

I then marched over to GE to see their burners on a cooktop:

Dual flame stacked burner
Features a unique two-in-one burner design for 18,000 BTU boiling or gentle 140° simmering.

All-purpose burners
Provide a powerful 11,000 BTU burner output for efficient heat-up and sautéing.

For the premium price you are likely to pay, I'd want more fire power. The home cook usually has weaker BTU stoves. So some of the searing a restaurant can achieve, we can't because of the lack of fire power.

Regards,

The 17-18k BTU is pretty standard across brands that have sealed burners. Along with American and GE, Viking, Thermador, Wolf, etc. all top out in that range. You likely wouldn't notice the difference of 1000 BTU across brands and you'd want to take into account the total BTU of the unit and how it is distributed across burners (i.e. one 18k, one 11k, and two 9k burners vs two 17k, a 13k, and 9k). In any case, a max output of 17-18k BTU will get hot enough for just about any home use.

If you want higher BTU in a residential range, you need to get open burners. For example, Blue Star ranges go up to 22k. Some people like open burners, some don't. Some find them difficult to clean, others don't. Commercial ranges of course go much higher (on the order of 32k BTU).

American Ranges aren't actually that expensive. They are less than Viking, Thermador, Wolf, and Blue Star. Probably less than GE Monogram, though I haven't checked. My recollection is that they are in the same ballpark as, or perhaps slightly less than, Dacor and DCS, two other brands I've been researching. So they are a premium brand, but not the top of the market.

keep in mind also that a commercial range will be deeper than standard cabinets/counters, and your residential gas supply may not be able to handle 6x 25000 btu burners in addition to your furnace, dryer, etc.

gleam wrote:keep in mind also that a commercial range will be deeper than standard cabinets/counters, and your residential gas supply may not be able to handle 6x 25000 btu burners in addition to your furnace, dryer, etc.

Just to clarify, the American Range was a residential model, not a commercial one. They sell commercial ones (that is their main business), but I wouldn't even dream of getting one.

Darren72 wrote:

gleam wrote:keep in mind also that a commercial range will be deeper than standard cabinets/counters, and your residential gas supply may not be able to handle 6x 25000 btu burners in addition to your furnace, dryer, etc.

Just to clarify, the American Range was a residential model, not a commercial one. They sell commercial ones (that is their main business), but I wouldn't even dream of getting one.

yeah, for sure. any of the residential stuff put out by dacor/five star/etc is probably going to fit your kitchen, but trying to bring home a jade or american range commercial model is a little insane.

we are in the market for a Miele 30 inch oven for a project (needs to be Miele for various reasons) but unsure which among the offerings makes most sense. any experience/opinions of late?