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Purchasing appliances is a daunting experience for many consumers. There are so many choices in terms of brands and styles. Then you shop around looking for the best deal and face a gauntlet of sales people many of whom are more concerned about the commission they will make than the appliances that will best fit your needs, tastes, and pocketbook.
I have been in the appliance industry for several years and have been both a sales consultant in a variety of outlets as well as store manager of a 38,000 square foot appliance store in Western Canada. I have experienced the wary demeanor of customers who feel they are about to have a root canal. As I have left the appliance industry to pursue other ventures I felt I could give an unbiased information that will help you choose what appliances best suit your lifestyle and tastes. One of the concerns today is both energy and water conservation. Appliance choices play a large part in the amount of water and energy your appliances will consume.
With the kitchen being the main focal point of many homes appliances serve much more than just function they are part of the decor and atmosphere in the room. Fridges, stoves (ranges), dishwashers, microwaves, and hood fans all come ion a variety of styles, colors, price points and brands. While many are domestic more items are being imported from both overseas and Asia.
Even within each category you will find sub-categories. Fridges come as all fridge, all freezer, undercounter, side by side, bottom freezer, top freezer & wine cooler. They can be stand alone or built in.
Stoves (ranges) can be free standing, slide in, separate cooktop and wall oven units. They are available in gas and electric units.
Dishwashers are available as both standard pull down door as well as single or double drawer models.
Hoods can be over the range or pop up downdraft units as well as part of a microwave hood unit.
Microwaves can be on the counter, on a shelf, built in to the wall and over the range type with built in hood fan.
Washers and dryers while once relegated to the basement are now on the main floor and in some cases in the kitchen. They are available in traditional side by side units and stacking units. Washers come as top load, with and with out agitators, and front load. Dryers come as both gas and electric.
I will get into the specifics on other pages dedicated to each category.
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