I too find that my opinions dramatically differ from those of Consumer's in my industry and have given up on them altogether. I will echo Deborah's suggestions as well, a budget would certainly help.

I'm a big fan of the entire KitchenAid line. In my opinion they make one of the best dishwashers in the industry hands down. Yes, you can spend more money but I don't think you will will find a better wash. Their entire line is fairly well done and is a U.S. product as well!

I tend towards Whirlpool, Maytag and Speed Queen on laundry but it really depends on the type of washer you are looking for.

When it comes to built in refrigeration Sub Zero has always been the king, and still is. Wolf and Viking both make excellent high end ranges, cooktops and wall ovens. If you are looking for an open burner range Blue Star is very good as well.

I tend to caution people against the LG's and Samsung's of the world and at this point that includes quite a bit of the Kenmore line up (used to be Whirlpool, now, lowest bidder). LG and Samsung are manufactured in Korea and lack a U.S. parts depot. That means when something breaks you will have a 2 to 3 week wait for a part (maybe less in CA but out here in the middle....)

Hope this helps!

I would really do research on front loading machines. I just purchased top loading HE ones ( no rubber seal & stinky clothes )

Tanya...the stinky is from the Tide HE detergent! I had the same problem with my front loaders until I switched to one of the "natural" HE detergents.

Really I thought the stinky was from the rubber seal not draining properly on the first generation front loaders. I always had to wipe black gunk out of it.

And I loved the slide in gas range with low burner, low enough fo melt butter or chocolate with no double boiler and high 15K btu burner and nice convection oven all for less than the kitchen aid. My appliance dealer talked me out of the Kitchen Aid as he said a part on the side was always breaking off and I had that Fridgedaire from 2005 till 2011 and left it in a house I sold and wish I still had it. Awesome range in the lower price points.Freestanding range comes in way under $800. but gets spendier in the slide in.

Baking and roasting were a dream in that oven.

I don't get the black gunk since I stopped using Tide.

Service is king in my book, so I would suggest purchasing your appliances from a local vendor that will also repair them. I will not use Sears any longer because they utilize an offshore call center for customer service. I selected Kitchen Aid wall ovens, dishwasher and cabinet depth refrigerator for my kitchen when they offered a rebate for multiple purchases, but I splurged on a Wolf cooktop.

THANKS everyone this helped so much! I am cancelling my subscription to Consumer Reports today. I can't believe how far off they seem to be with the "real world".

I had the same issue with CR when I was appliance researching. It was good, in the sense that I got an idea of what was out there, but I could never find the models locally they recommend anyhow. I just ended up confused and frustrated.

As for the stinky -- it's never been a problem with my Samsung front loader, even with Tide HE, but I wonder if that's because I barely use more than a tablespoon for a load (I have a water softener) and have always kept the door and dispenser drawer open to dry out when I'm done.

right...so keeping the doors open is the solution? i think not! I'm about to build a tiny laundry room, stacking the unitis. If the door and drawer are open, I wont be able to go into the garage.

*shrugs* I don't know it's the solution. I just figured it couldn't hurt and I got in the habit of it.

I keep the door of mine open as well. I had heard that it was the only way to keep it clean and odor free. It is a pain and it makes the room look awful with the doors open all the time. I will go back to a top load when this one gives out.

I've heard that one source of the front loader problem was using fabric softener in the washer. I didn't even know the problem existed until I researched it following buying a property where the machine had that problem.

I've owned a front loader for almost 15 years and I never had that problem with a Frigidaire or a Whirlpool, but have a Maytag Neptune at one of the houses which has the ugly seal and smell. My mom has the same model Maytag with no issues but she's never used fabric softener.

There seem to be a lot of theories about the stinky. I'm starting to think nobody really knows the reason. I'm glad it's not been an issue for me, but on thinking of it, it's probably because I only do maybe three loads a week. One person doesn't generate a lot of laundry and the dog doesn't wear clothes.

I have a stinky once in a while, too. Try this. Put powdered DISHWASHER detergent and run the machine empty on the hottest water cycle.

There is a product called "Washer Magic" that is recommended for use in washing machines to clean them up. Run one packet of the powder through a hot water cycle. I have used it, and it leaves a nice scent afterward. My washing machine filter is hidden inside the machine, so I do not know if the product really cleans all that stuff off. (The package says to use it once a month.)

Is anyone still tracking this? Our little front-load Maytag washer gets stinky, too, and I've narrowed it down to washing stinky stuff, where the residue lies in the folds and creases in the rubber washer at the front, long after the wash is done. It's not so bad if I let it live (when not running) the door open. Anyway, I got in those creases one day with a hot damp washcloth in my rubber gloves, and the gunk that I scooped out was disGUSting, ugh. So now I just keep it clean.

I think we'll be replacing it with one of the modern top-load washers, the ones without agitators.

Taking care of one's belongings is important.

When introducing customers to front loading washing machines I tackle the stinky washer question right away. First and foremost this is an issue that is best handled BEFORE there is an odor. Once there is a mold/mildew/funk problem it is a constant battle to keep it from overwhelming your laundry. Most of this information is located in your owner's manual for the washer.

All front load washer doors should be left open when not in use. Front loaders have lovely seals on the front door designed to be water tight. The problem with this is if you leave the door closed there is leftover moisture, bacteria, and detergent in a closed system. This acts like a petri dish. Odors build up fast. Most washers can be left cracked open so the the door seal is not engaged but the door isn't wide open. The only brand that I know of that swings completely open is Electrolux. So if you know you don't want to look at the gaping hole, don't buy that brand.

All high efficiency (HE from here on out) washers require maintenance, this includes top load HE models. They simply do not use enough water to clean out the excess detergent out of the systems. Most HE models have a "Clean Washer" cycle which is a shortened hot water wash cycle that is designed to clean excess detergent out of the system. Manufacturers suggest using clean washer tablets and this hot wash cycle every 6 to 8 weeks.

The next part of the problem is user error. American consumers are notorious for "some is good, more is better" thinking. We add far much detergent to begin with. That excess detergent sticks to the inside of the system acting as a breeding ground for funk. I strongly encourage my clients to follow the directions on their HE detergent, you will be shocked at how little detergent you actually use. I also advocate for the use of "natural" detergents and fabric softeners because we've noticed that people using them have less trouble.

The door seals should be wiped dry after you are done using them for the day.

The manufacturer's have done their part in redesigning these machines over the last 15 years.. They now have antimicrobial agents in the seals themselves and have come out with cleaning products. They have detailed the maintenance schedules for their machines in the owner's manuals.

I, personally, have owned the same front load washer for 8 years without any odor problems. But I know all the tricks!

I have a top loading HE washer, and while I don't have any odor problems, I don't think they wash as efficiently as regular washers. When this one goes (hopefully soon) I will look forever until I find the good ole old fashioned kind.