My 1956 GE has never given me a problem Edna! I'm sorry yours has been an issue. I don't know anything about modern appliances. I bought an Asko dishwasher and it was expensive and not all it's cracked up to be.

We have a Maytag and we keep the repair man busy. We've had it less than 5 years and already had MAJOR repairs - one was covered by warranty - one wasn't.
I do like the french doors with the freezer on the bottom. But that eliminates the option of an ice dispenser on the door. We have filtered water on the inside.
Another option I like is a door open alarm and temperature alarm.

Whirlpool seems to have high ratings with a lot of things.
Good Luck!!!

1956! WOW! I was just telling DH how old appliances were built to last forever.

Anything made before 1970 was made well. GE was exceptional at that time. Not now - I mean service and refrigerators.

I bought a Whirlpool at the Sears outlet. It was a display model that has a little dent. 1/2 price.

My 1966 Maytag washer and dryer are a joy. They have few parts and I can completely fix them myself. Even the motors are simple and I can take them apart and fix them when needed!!

When it comes to appliances, old is always best! Now I always buy the service contract..........trust me, you will need it.

I still would lean toward Whirlpool appliances. I do love the sytle of my Kenmore (Whirlpool) Trio refrigerator but have had service on it a couple of times. It is 5 years old. I just renewed the service contract on all three kitchen appliances. I learned my lesson with new things.

Good luck with your decision.......I hate buying new things.

We bought a Maytag refrigerator more than 10 years ago. No bells nor whistles, just a top freezer with ice maker. The criteria for our purchase was, it had to fit the space! When MIL had the kitchen remodeled in 1970 and new cabinets put in, they didn't make fridges as tall and wide as today's models.

When we inquired about new cabinets in the 90s the cabinet man said, "You don't want new cabinets; these have shelves of REAL wood. So the cabinets stayed, with paint and new hardware and the hole for the refrigerator is what it is.

This Maytag has been a good appliance. The ice maker has a filter that needs occasional replacing (do it yourself) and that is the only maintenance besides blowing the dust from the coils (also self work).

Nell

I have to agree with you on GE appliances, I always bought GE back then, in 65 I bought a GE range which I had and loved for 21 years so when it finally gave up the ghost I bought another GE range, paid big bucks for it too.
What a piece of crap it was, I can't tell you the amount of things that went wrong with it in the 10 years we had it before it bit the dust while cooking dinner one night.

We bought a Whirlpool, ceramic top, selfclean oven for around $1000 which I was quite happy with until I cleaned the oven the first time, the enamel finish started cracking and chipping off around the ceramic top and I'm sure 1 minute, 1 second after the 1 year guarantee was up the electronics in the control panel went on the fritz, for the last 10 years I've have to belt it to get it working, that's a whole other story. I refuse to put any more money into this %$#@ing stove.
I'm in the market for a new stove, I want stainless steel, ceramic top, selfclean oven in the $1000-$2000 range. I understand from the salesman I've talked to the stoves you buy today in this price range you're lucky if they last 5 years.

Shopping for appliances is not a fun thing anymore, 9 times out of 10 you get a lemon :o(.

Annette

Annette, I have a Decor oven and I love it. I've had it for over 7 years and no problems what so ever. It makes the best cupcakes (so my 3 year old nephew says)

Annette, don't get me started on ranges! When we redid the kitchen in 2004, we picked a stainless steel Jenn-Air for around $1300, the most I have ever paid for a range. The door hinges have been replaced twice, the knobs, 3 times.
How much do you have to pay for a serviceable one?

I hate SS! I have threatened to reinstall the old cheapy white one I had installed in the milk parlor. I like the looks of SS, but don't like the maintenance to keep it looking good.

I asked the serviceman what he recommends.....he has all Whirlpool. Another told me Kenmore which 9 times out of 10 is a Whirlpool.

I have heard people with those $5,000 plus ones have grief too.

Glenda, so Jenn-Air ranges are crappy too, Sigh!!! We have a Jenn-Air grill beside our stove. We bought it back in the 80's, over the years we've replaced the filter twice and the element once but it's still going strong, I love it, in fact if or when it goes belly up, DH has been warned I don't cook another morsel until it's replaced LOL.

If they could guarantee the enamel wouldn't crack and chip off when the oven is being cleaned I'd buy another but.... I guess I just have to go with what's available around here. One thing I insist on it has to be a smooth top, it doesn't matter how much gets spilled on it, it cleans up in just a couple of minutes, absolutely love this feature.

Annette

You know, we bought a $200 Frigidaire range for the guest house and it is semi-vintage looking and works GREAT. I would actually recommend it!

Fridgidaire is a good brand.

Don't laugh, okay ...... there was nothing wrong with our frig. We now think the door was slightly open and the bulb heated up the inside to a crispy 108 degrees. Imagine how stupid I felt explaing it to Sears and requesting a refund on the new one we bought. Thank goodness we hadn't had delivered yet. Sears was very accomidating.

After the fact, I heard that "friends don't let friends buy GE" ..... too late. I went w/the builder provided dishwasher (GE) and it works okay, but leaks in so subtle a way that the only way to cope w/it is to put a pan down when I run it (if pan is down, no leak - if I forget pan, it leaks and w/kitchen carpet, I tend to remember!).

Bought my own gas stove and side by side refrig - both GE (where WERE my friends then?). The stove is fine, for as much cooking as I do, but the self-clean oven function plays havoc w/my smoke detectors.

As for the refrig - well, aside from the hyperactive ice maker, it's serving its purpose. The ice maker (the second one, replaced under warranty, but still cost me, I might add) does not know when to stop, so weekly I have to dump the bin or deal w/a total freeze up. Such a waste and the cube maker turn off is badly positioned. I've only turned if off once, when I knew I'd be gone for a time, and it took three of us to locate the switch.

These are mid-grade appliances - not cheap, not pricey or 'in style', but expected to be servicable. I am so disillusioned.

I have the same problem with the icemaker. You say there's an off switch? Where? The water and ice dispenser pooped out years ago but I never used it anyway.

I think the less bells and whistles the better off one is no matter the brand.

Edna, I suspect you've dumped that refrig by now (if not, you should!). Just in case .... the ice maker off switch is deviously hidden behind the bin, thru a little opening in the back metal plate. Not apparent, one has to 'fish' for it. If that's not clear and you need more info, just holler out!