Well, I have a KA fridge, DW, and compactor and I'm pleased with those. I'm not sure of their ranges though - I've read about problems with the ovens in particular on this forum. How good a deal are you getting from your KD - do you have to buy your appliances from her? You can often do better buying appliances on your own.

My GC offered me a similar package at his "contractor discount". I declined, first because I wanted different brands for different appliances, and second because, with a quick search on the 'net, I found better prices than the "contractor discount".

Also, KA has several "levels" of appliances--does your KD's package allow you to pick specifically which KA appliances you want?

Also, many stores offer as incentive free delivery and installation. Sometimes you have to ask the store salesperson (say something like, "I'll buy it from you only if you give me free delivery", but say it nicely). Is the KD offering free installation and delivery, or is that extra?

My advice is to ask the KD for a price breakdown by appliance, and compare those prices online or with your local appliance store. Or don't bother (you likely already have enough to do!), and just get the appliances YOU want, not the ones the KD wants to sell you.

I think KA quality varies hugely by appliance. I agree that KA makes good fridges and TOP-NOTCH dishwashers, but their ranges and ovens have been problematic. KA microwaves are particularly bad, and overpriced; you'll do better with a microwave from Sharp, Panasonic or Samsung.

Not a regular poster but am logged in and have a KA cooktop and duel oven, so here are a couple of thoughts. I went through a contractor discount but realized I could have gotten similar prices elsewhere. I think it might have been useful to have a local supplier who might have done installation and looked after later problems.

I had assumed that KA was a step up from GE and sears/whirlpool (yes I know they are together now) but now I doubt it. My oven has been ok but I never liked my gas (propane) glass cooktop. It appeared to me that my cooktop must have been installed and returned (Sears and KA deny such a thing is possible) because 1: the gas inlet pipe was rough or damaged so my installer had problems connecting it until I helped him out with my own file to reshape the threads 2: the rubber feet protecting 2 of the three grates were damaged so the grates rocked (KA rushed 2 new grates, not just the feet) and 3: I found bits of grey rubbery foam on the corners of the bottom flange where the long grey rubbery strips of foam that were not listed in the list of installation items were supposed to go to seal the edge preventing crud running under the cooktop. The installation instructions didn't mention the foam strips in the appropriate section either.

I was pleased that it was easy to get KA help on the phone (many times) but unhappy with their advise or later responses to my problems. My initial problem was about the supplied propane conversion kit that didn't give appropriate looking flames to match their own clear specifications, and I couldn't understand how I was to set the cooktop in the granite because of the lack of clear explanation about the above mentioned foam strips. I talked with 2 or 3 people about this and got no information until I spoke to a repair person that they allowed me to reach who told me what they looked like and how to install them. At that point I realized that this foam was what I had found as little uneven lumps under the corners of the flange. This was the final nail in the coffin about preinstallation of this unit. KA refused to admit that this was the case!

KA did send me some additional orifices to help with poor yellow flames but they were no improvement. They also allowed a repair but the repairman said they couldn't do anything and stated that I could just try and find a special orifice on my own. I continued to complain about poor flame on one burner and KA had me talk with a safety person who though initially interested was unable to help.

Finally, I didn't appreciate the enginering of the gas valves, but perhaps there are similar problems with other burner controls?? I have 3 or 4 burner heat levels for this 5 burner unit but the valves must all be similar because while there are low medium and high marks on the cooktop, the low burners max out in the first third of the adjustment range while the medium ones go further, but not to high and only the high burner adjusts throughout its range. I complaned about this but heard that thats just the way it is. I pointed out that they could at least marke the low, medium and high to correspond to the bad design but got no response.

So, all in all, not particularly pleased with the cooktop design or service.

I have a new KA top of the line DW that is superb! (imo). It has 3 racks, the top one being for cutlery and silverware. Cleans great and is super quiet (46 dB).
I have a KA Architect electric slide in range. The first one in the new kitchen did give me some problems but KA quickly replaced (the whole thing) and the new one, as of 2004, as been fine. My mother's trash compactor is KA. She's had no problems with it. I don't know about the refrigerators but KA is on my list to consider when I buy a new one. I would look at Sharp or Panasonic for your microwave.
Monica

I agree with the other posters that you should not get the package offered by your KD. Typically, you're not getting much of a price break, and the little you may get isn't worth the sacrifice of getting an appliance that isn't very good, nor what you wanted. Also, I agree watch out for the sneaky delivery costs. Your KD may be offering you a good price on the appliances, but then charge you, say, $500 to deliver them, wiping out any savings. I know that Best Buy offers now and then free delivery. Sometimes they offer it and sometimes they don't. You have to ask them.

I have a KA fridge for 4 years and it has been a stellar performer. Not one problem, and the temps of the freezer and fridge are always spot-on. High quality glass shelving, sturdy drawers, good solid feel to the doors. I do not have a built-in fridge, but I have heard that the KA built-in fridges (vs. freestanding) are made quite differently, maybe in a different factory, and have a higher rate of repairs.

My sister has a KA dishwasher, the 2nd from their top of the line, and she loves it. She has mentioned to me, with relish, how it costs about $900 less than my Miele DW, and is just as good. Although I have heard that the lower-level KA dishwashers are not as good.

I can only report on the KA ovens and ranges what I have read here, which isn't very positive. You can do better with other brands for an oven or range.

Agree with other posters about not getting the KA microwave. Also, no one mentioned the disposal--KA disposals are made by Insinkerator, and then KA charges more just for the KA name. You should just get an Insinkerator brand disposal and save some money. The Insinkerator/KA disposals are very good, as long as you get a disposal that is at least 3/4 hp.

For what it's worth, I have a new Samsung FD (but not CD) fridge and LOVE it.

Thanks everyone...I agree, also, that I shouldnt go with all KA appliances.
Bevbran: Im going with the Samsung CD FD, too, and Im glad you love it. Ive heard many good things about it.
Chaos045:UGH, what a runaround. I have heard bad things about KA ranges, too. Did you purchase your KA at the Sears Outlet?
I have a GE Profile range, DW and microwave now, that Im going to replace but have never had an issue with any of them. The range and the mw are only 8 years old, but still...no service calls. The DW is 13 years old and I think we had to make one service call on it. Since then, its been fine. So Im tempted to go with GE on those items....I love the look of the GE Cafe Range and the double-oven factor.
Thanks again, everyone!

I purchased a beautiful KA 22 cu ft. fridge (bottom freezer) about 6 months ago. DH and I LOVE it! It's a real beauty. Roomy, well lit, well laid out. Sometimes we just look inside for the heck of it!!! We bought the house with an older Sears side-by-side and lived with it for 2 years - no wonder we're so smitten with this KA!

I also purchased a KA DW and Induction Cooktop but not installed yet. I wanted the wall oven too but really poor ratings and I saw the heating element was not as powerful as the Electrolux so didn't go with it.

I too agree to not go with one line of appliances.

Good luck.

Thanks for the sympathy, Cawfeegirl. I never got any good resolutions. I bought the units through the sears industrial department which was a separate office just off the appliance department in a sears store. They also messed me up further. I prepaid for these items and then luckily after I gave final measurements to my contractor (for 2 separate ovens) but before he began cutting, sears called and said the ordered ovens which included a oven/microwave more like an Advantium with speed cooking (micro and heat together) were no longer available and I would have to get the Archatect duel model instead of the ordered units. It wasn't until long after installation that I realized that the Archatect series didn't have speed cooking! So not happy with Sears or KA about this whole deal.

We have a KA SXS refrigerator and a KA DW. We've been using both a year now and have had no problems at all. Both are great. Both are very quiet.

Don't purchase a KA oven. In 2004 we purchased the Kitchen Aid Dual Fuel Convection range and have regretted the high priced purchase ($2800) ever since. Experienced nothing but problems, repairs have been numerous, the door is still lopsided after repair broke two, and now the oven is once again inoperable. The same problems continue to plague the machine, and as of tonight we've decided to dump the stove. Dinner was burned while the temperature was set to 350 and the broiler engaged. Even with the control knobs turned off the broiler continued and the door locked, which resulted in the food or pot knobs/handles catching fire and necessitating disconnection of power. After waiting until the oven finally cooled, we turned power on again and the safety lock finally disengaged, but even with the controls turned off the broiler once again turned on. This is not the first time, and without my going through the paperwork I'd guess it to be quite possibly the twentieth time this has happened. We've learned that sooner or later the broiler won't go on, and all will be normal for months at a time. All KA suggests is flipping the breaker and calling repair as it is a fire hazard. No kidding. Been there done that, but after numerous repairs KA still refuses to accept that the unit is a lemon or that they're selling faulty equipment. Now we're out of warranty. Figure that during the first year of ownership KA paid more for warrantied repairs than we originally paid for the unit, and due to repairs we were without an oven for approximately one-eighth of the short life of the unit. Sad part is Kitchen Aid won't step to the plate and admit they have a problem, and to think they could have created a stronger customer base had they dealt with such issues.

I have KA convection range but had a BIG problem with the first one in 2002. It was possessed :o While I was cooking a pie, it started to make a growling noise. Turning it OFF did nothing. It continued to cook and growl! We had to flip the breaker. I don't recall if it was within the manufacture's warranty or the extended warranty (I NEVER buy appliances anymore without an extended warranty), but it was promptly replaced. They didn't even try to fix it. I told them that I wouldn't accept a "fix" for something like this. That model wasn't convection. I upgraded to convection with the replacement. It's had a couple issues that were fixed. I'm happy with it but probably will think twice before buying another KA range...course by that time it might be "the" range to buy. Who knows!?
Monica

Monicakm,
Sounds similar to our recurring problem KA dual fuel range issue. Reconnected the power and listened for a growl and all we could hear a faint rumble, but nothing that would have alarmed us to the fact that it had a mind of its own. Even today when the power is connected and all the controls turned off the broiler continues to work. Wish they'd replaced it on the first repair. Our optimistic 13 year old tells us that lighting the stove with a match is now like camping, and that we could have had it worse than we do already. Suppose he's right, just wish it hadn't of cost us nearly $3000 for the experience.

I guess I'll chime in here, honestly I think you will find the most outspoken people are always those that have issues with the product they own. I have read lots of posts here with people bashing KA and frankly I just don't get it. I'm not claiming that all KA products are without issue but I think they are getting the short end here. Seems like many of the issues are with the repair folks, not the appliance.

We have owned and used for 13 years, a KA double wall oven, convection upper and thermal lower. KA Superba dishwasher, KA top freezer refrigerator. Problems with any of them? No. No thermal fuse problems and we use the self clean all the time. No refrigerator problems, it's as quiet and keeps accurate temperature as good as the day it was installed. The dishwasher still cleans perfect, not the quietest thing but that's different. We also installed a GE profile gas cooktop at the same time and it's the only appliance that needed repair, the igniter broke. Should I start bashing GE because a $170 igniter stopped working after 13 years? Not likely. We paid a lot for them when they were new and I know lots of people that have replaced their appliances TWICE in the time we have owned these. Would I buy KA again? Absolutely, and we did.

Boxerhead,
Wish we could say we'd experienced the same good fortune with KA. We also purchased a KA dishwasher and have dealt with numerous issues on it as well. Maybe you're right that repair has their problems, they're far from perfect, but with so many KA owners experiencing the same issues with appliances that require those service techs, maybe it's the newer manufacturing process and/or design. One of the many repair staff from A&E who visited our range, whether they repaired it properly or not, suggested that the lowest number of repairs were for the older models. Wish we were in your shoes with older models and no worries about whether our family and home were in jeopardy due to numerous documented malfunctions. Due to the fact that we also own other products made by Whirlpool and/or KA, some good, others with questionable track records, next time we'll still be researching prior to our purchase and more than likely, since we've been burned, avoiding KA.
Best regards.

Consumer reports says Kitchenaid has reliable dishwashers.

Foodiemama:

There is no doubt in my mind that as companies look to cut costs in order to offer consumers products at lower (competitive) prices that sometimes they cut too far. Every company has their share of lemons, look at the automakers. Can you say Pinto? Does that infer that all Ford cars are lemons? Not exactly. We replaced all of our appliances for our remodel and we looked at all brands, and I mean all of them. I wont say what my background is but letÂs just say that itÂs clear what manufacturer is making which branded appliance these days hereÂs an example, Vikings CD FD fridge is a KA with a big Viking badge on the front. In the same showroom there are Jenn AirÂs.. same fridge, different badge. One has to be really careful about saying brand X is better than brand Y because in many cases, Brand Y is Brand X. ItÂs hard to say they you will never buy KA again because they make so many of the appliances out there, the list of brands that Whirlpool manufactures under is huge. That being said, when it came to choosing a new dishwasher to replace our beloved 13 year-old KA, neither myself or my wife could bring ourselves to plunk down the money on a new KA dishwasher. They have cheapened them so much from our old one we could not justify the cost. Do they get good ratings and do they clean well? Seems like people like the new ones, but it would pain us everytime we dragged the racks out only to remind us how they have cut costs and how much we miss the old one. We ultimately chose a Bosch. Will we regret it? Only time will tell but for the time we have used it we are pleased. If it pukes in a couple of years weÂll move onto something else and IÂm sure that there will be some new fancy gotta have thing that will be all the rage by then.

Manufacturers would do us all a favor by once again creating reliable solid products that might actually last a lifetime. As an example, twenty years ago we purchased an older home that still had an operational 1940's, or over 40 year old, refrigerator made by Frigidaire. Owner claimed it had never been serviced. While power use wise it may not have been the most efficient appliance, it still worked. The old range was the same - original and still operable. When we purchased our present home the 1954 Hotpoint dishwasher still worked, although with a leak. Not many bells or whistles on any of these products, but they were built to last. In our high tech world it's difficult to understand why integrity doesn't rank higher on the list than corporate profits. Then again even the feds figure the life of an appliance as seven years. Suppose that's how we're supporting big business and the economy, rather than big business providing us with quality long-lasting products.

KA - We have three KA appliances - a dishwasher, about 7 years old when it broke - primary motor failure - a few weeks ago; a KA side-by-side refrigerator, about 6 years old - icemaker broke last week - needs repair/service call; a range hood only about 4 years old, works great. The dishwasher was a surprise, since we have had KA DW's before that worked great and were much older. In the past, DW's could be expected to last 10 to 15 years and I expect that most are replaced due to design and technology rather than failure- same goes for refrigerators, only more so. We haven't replaced the DW yet - doing a lot of dishes the old way (by hand) - but we are planning to spend about the amount of the repair estimate (around $500) for a new one - not counting installation. Since KA is now totally high-end (ours was around $1000 6/7 years ago), we will probably go with something else - right now, I am favoring the Frigidaire Gallery SS model that seems to be available for around $530 to $600 (BGHD2433KF) and is close to our other SS appliances in appearance. I don't think one can compare old appliances with new ones on the basis of longevity - they just don't, in fact, make them like they used to.

we recently purchased a KA DW and it seems to work quite well so far. We are very happy with our Samsung FD Refrigerator as well.