When It Comes To Refrigeration Is It Subzero Vs Everything Else

[Steve Williams]

BTW, I understand that Google houses their some 5 million servers in Washington state because electric rates are so inexpensive there

[es347]

I have an acquaintence who owns a retail appliance store and sells all the high end stuff. He is not a fan of SubZero due to their poor maintenance record. There are a lot of SS boxes out there that keep your beer cold for a fraction of what you'll spend on the SubZero fridges. What ever you end up with Steve, be sure it has a detachable IEC power cord.

[Steve Williams]

I already have an extra Valhalla PC to use

[RogerD]

Just found this thread. I have a SZ 36" that I puchased in '07. It was my first SZ and I was concerned about reliability and noise because of comments that I read on other forums. But my experience has been more than good. Very quiet and reliable so far. I clean the condensor about once a year.

The largest difference between SZ and others is that the SZ keeps food longer without spoiling. I suspect it is because the tempeture is always constant.

I also have a wood panel on the front and I like it much better than SS.

Other appliances I purchased when remodeling were a Miele double oven, Miele dishwasher, and a Viking Induction 36" cooktop. I highly reccomend the Miele appliances,although I have found the rotisserie option in the oven not to my liking as the tempeture is set at 400 degrees,too high.

The Viking was the original design and had to be upgraded earlier this year at no charge because of warranty problems. The new unit is fabulous and I do not miss gas ranges one bit.

Roger

[amirm]

I highly reccomend the Miele appliances,although I have found the rotisserie option in the oven not to my liking as the tempeture is set at 400 degrees,too high.

We agonized over Miele vers Gaggenau and eventually went with Gaggenau due much sturdier rotisserie mechanism. Ours is completely programmable from temperature to all the various cooking modes in the oven (convection, bake, etc). Your comments makes me very happy since we use our rotisserie very often as it is a quick way to make a tasty meal.

[rblnr]

We did a complete renovation about two years ago. My conclusion, supported by consumer reports, is that the high-end brands are no better than anything else -- they're bought for looks. Not knocking this, but there is no performance justification for their price. But, they often look better.

Everybody does stainless now and most many have an option for paneling, so that's not exclusive territory of the Sub Zeroes, Vikings and so forth. We wound up with mostly Kitchen Aid (Whirlpool) stuff, w/a DCS stove and hood. Our cabinet builder built around the refrigerator in a way that it looks built in. Bottom line is that refrigeration, dishwashing, gas/electric cooking are all pretty mature techs w/gains mostly to be had in efficiency. Would love to post a pic of my kitchen -- IMO we saved money and lost nothing.

Must say I'm mildly horrified by myself subscribing to a thread about major appliances!

[Steve Williams]

I'd like to see a picture of your remodel Bob

[rblnr]

don't know why, but didn't think you could post pics directly -- here:




180 degrees away -- small bar sink, coffee maker etc. that you can't see

[Steve Williams]

nicely done Bob.

I am still working on our plans for the remodel..

I must admit that all of you are causing me to shy away from SubZero although I am still inclined to go with a Wolf oven, stove and microwave

[amirm]

We did a complete renovation about two years ago. My conclusion, supported by consumer reports, is that the high-end brands are no better than anything else -- they're bought for looks. Not knocking this, but there is no performance justification for their price. But, they often look better.

Something tells me if they reviewed high-end audio gear they would say the same thing .

Seriously, I am an avid consumer reports reader and subscriber for multiple decades. Their review of appliances always has very good data but usually includes limited number of high-end units. So the data is directionally correct but not absolute. For example, we have a Viking cooktop in our current house and got the Wolf in the new house. Even though their specs and even some of the parts look the same, the two perform and act very different. The inner ring in the wolf for example, provides center heat that Viking does not. But then again, it takes longer to start than the Viking, etc. I don't look to CR to provide such subtle data.

BTW, the best thing in our new kitchen is something people don't talk about: a wood burning Pizza oven! I will write something on it but it has overshadowed all the other expensive appliances in our home in our eyes and that of everyone who visits!

The second thing is our counter-top hot water heater of all things. I will write something on that too one of these days .