Working on plans for a new build and interested in folks' opinions - what have you loved and what have you hated with your various appliances. Specifically looking at double ovens, gas range, and dishwasher.

I found one thread on here from January 2020 but with the supply chain issues, we may have to be more open-minded on options. We are in the process of finalizing plans currently so plenty of time.

I can start. We got all new appliances this year. We went high-end hoping they will not only perform well but will last a long time (we shall see).


My favorite appliance....our wolf speed oven. Works flawless as a microwave and as a "mini" oven (not a full size but can still do most frozen pizzas, medium size dishes). We cook pizzas in it often and it gives a good crust. That same day we can use the same device for popcorn or warming up hot chocolate. I love having a microwave that does not look like a microwave. We replaced the "over the range" microwave with a vent.


Just being honest here and this one stings a bit....Sub Zero fridge....while its nice especially with the panels...for some reason I just am not super impressed. I hope it lasts a long time. I am not sure what I expected but I see things in the build that make me go "Hmmmm...this is $9K???" (ie flimsy dividers in drawers that fall down constantly).


Hope that helps a bit.

This is exactly the type of feedback we're looking for. Thank you!

Especially interested in your personal reviews of appliances you own and frequently use. The higher-end brands are also good to hear about - we will be doing quite a bit of cooking.

You can throw a lot of money at all this but my best-bang-for-the-buck + fewest hassles after the sale + does its job better than most:

MW: Genius Panasonic is a MUST! - not built in! - on its own power circuit

REF: We did very well in 2013 with on-sale Samsung-RG257 although not all reviews are 5-star like mine

DW: Kitchen-Aid's interior setup & cleaning superior to all, so long as No Food Grinder (a bad idea that is now past, I think); indeed Bosch will last like a tank & Consumer Reports' fav but ... been there done that German engineering w/o good American designing

Range: 1980 still going strong, some knobs no longer say "hot"/etc. Jenn-Air downdraft electric w/glass top panels plug&play that can be exchanged

TComp: Kitchen-Aid has always ruled here

Ice: Scotsman has been the icon always

Layout: most will keep the coffee bar, Ref. & MW flanking the chef's work area to keep those frequent invaders from being underfoot

Most common equipment in our designs:
Cookie shts/MW-sh/OV/Dwrs tall cab
Range/oven (no pot filler); upper class hood/light/vent-to-outside
Ref - recessed into wall 7" or flanking cabinets get deeper by 6" for B.I. look and superior cab storage
SS large sink w/Disposer & R.O. water system (also runs to Ref)
DW (x2 is rare)
TDwr w/outlet for future TComp
W.I. Pantry w/appliances counter (lots of outlets)
Island w/16-18"d Knee Space & tough material kick back for those on stools; pendant lighting in vogue now
Bar - coffee, colas, beer, cocktails w/deep drawers for 1/2gals

Of course we all love Wolf, SubZero, et al. and of course if on sale, then .....

I can add some more:

Dishwasher.....we tried for Bosch but honestly it was turning into an 18+ month wait potential so we dropped it. We ended up with a Viking. We have honestly loved it so far. The biggest thing now for us will just be how long does it last and how many headaches. It seems well made so hopeful it will give us many solid years.

Icemaker...like vaughn, Scotsman. My only disappointment with ours is i wish we went for the biggest. We have been ok so far but we got it towards the end of summer and I could see us having a large group over and after a few margaritas etc we would need to supplement w/ bagged ice possibly.

Cooktop...we went Wolf and honestly love it. We are not big cookers but we can just tell the performance is much better (even for scrambled eggs lol). We replaced a 20+ year old Jenn Air downdraft. That thing was a tank. We actually replaced 20+ year old Jenn Air wall ovens too. I am not sure if Jenn Air is the quality now that it was but those things were tanks. We looked into Jenn Air...they were very nice...just a tad more modern than we were going for.

What's your budget and what sizes are you looking for?

If you're looking for a 36" range, for example, that's going to eliminate most the common box store brands.

What's the timeline you need them by?

We have a $13k allowance in the current building specs but as stated above, wife and I both spend a lot of time in the kitchen, have two young sons, and frequently have immediate family members over. We're willing to spend a little more on this area knowing that the main items (range, stove, microwave, & dishwasher) will get A LOT of use.

As noted above, we did consider a second dishwasher but think we can put that off for now.

100% onboard with a non built-in microwave. We hate the drawer options and want one that can sit in a shelf/cubby and easily be replaced when the time comes.

We recently did a remodel and added a larger shelf in the pantry, using our countertops and the microwave, coffee maker, etc. are in there. We love it, and don't regret it at all. We don't use the microwave very much, though....

I've never built a house and bought all appliances at once but wouldn't think $13k would put you in the luxury appliance range, would it?

Here is what we have and like:

Blue Star Range
Dacor Hood
KitchenAid built-in refrigerator (we like it)
GE Chest Freezer

What I recommend against:
Maytag - We have the commercial washer and it is junk. The dryer works, but the washer stinks.
Maytag - Extra Refrigerator is okay.

Maytag is owned by Whirlpool, but I am not impressed with the items we have purchased recently. It is weird because we really like our KitchenAid refrigerator.

Also to add, if you look at what brands are owned by whirlpool you will be shocked. They own KitchenAid, Jennair, Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, etc.

Basically, at the box store, they own everything except LG, Samsung, and GE.

We have all Thermador in the kitchen and Speed Queen in the laundry room.

Like someone who mentioned not being impressed with their Wolf fridge, the Thermador fridge doesn't really blow me away. Not for $10k, but we still got it. It being built in certainly helps with space saving. Our kitchen is pretty small.

Not a recommendation on brands because we went GE Monogram, and most on here hate GE. For the most part they have been ok. They are easy to work on and get parts.

As far as design, three things we did that I wasn't sure of at first, but would absolutely have again:

1. Warming drawer. One of the handiest appliances we own.
2. Convection microwave. As stated above, it will function as a regular microwave or convection oven. We did this in place of the upper oven. Unless you bake a ton, the second oven doesn't see much use and the microwave in that slot keeps it off the counter.
3. Second sink. Absolute marriage saver if you are both in the kitchen at the same time.

Wolf Steam Oven is a must! Can be used as a convection oven as well. The re-heat functionality alone is worth it. Left over food tastes almost as good as the day it was made. Never fails!

Also, SZ is launching updated Built In and Integrated product with all new interiors, and even more temperature and humidity control to help your food last longer.

Good luck!

As someone who does kitchens for a living, more than half of the projects I do get SubZero fridges of some sort. The lifespan should easily be 20+ years. You may have to replace a gasket in that time, but they are made to last. Their repair rate is extremely low. Compared to current $3500-4000 fridges, whose life expectancy is 5-7 years, SubZero's are worth it to some people.

That is good to hear and that ultimately is what we wanted…a "forever fridge" with minimal hassle. Hopefully we sell this house with that fridge in tact.

Just feel like the drawers are $1K fridge quality but that is not why you buy subzero…just would like better.

The center console of my Toyota is a refrigerator, and it also makes ice. Been running flawlessly for almost 33 years.

Maybe you can get Toyota to make you a home refrigerator.