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suseyb

Need Kitchen Appliance Help

8 years ago

We are purchasing a new home. It's a 2006 tract home that is filled with builder grade appliances. I plan to install new flooring, paint the cabinets, get new appliances, new sink, new countertops, etc.

Currently, I have a slide-in Electrolux induction range. It's the one that has the double "oven" with the top oven being larger than the bottom. The bottom oven is really a glorified warmer. I've used this for 7 years. It was one of the first of these types of ovens out, and we had issues with it in the beginning, but those issues seem to be resolved. We will not be able to bring it with us. There is a coil range in this home right now, and I think I need to update the range first.


Budget is a huge priority this time, whereas it was not when I purchased the Electrolux. I cook a ton, as I have 7 children, 6, of whom are home most of the time. I cook in huge quantities and cook daily. I've looked at the bottom of the line Frigidaire induction range, but I don't know if that is going to be my best option. I had considered getting it, and then getting an Advantium OTR microwave/speed oven.


OTOH, there is a Dacor Renaissance range at my local Nebraska Furniture Mart for $1600. It's quite a bit more than the Frigidaire, but I'm concerned I will hate the Frigidaire, after using the Electrolux for so long. Gas is an option, but I would have to plumb the kitchen for gas first. It seems like after the Frigidaire, the next price point for induction ranges is $1900. So - Frigidaire/cheap Dacor/something else?


I'm sure I will have more questions as time goes on. Flooring will come next. Pic of the awful kitchen...

Comments (15)

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Electrolux owns Frigidaire. You could investigate the slide-in range. It should be similar enough and save you money. The cooktop has half increment control steps. It has a single large convection oven. Download the Owners Manual

    suseyb thanked dan1888
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I have a serious budget, yes. However, we plan to be in this house only until we get a few more kids out of the nest, and will then downsize. So most of this is done with resale in mind rather than my preferences.

    I will need a better range regardless, and 95% of the homes in this area have no sheet Lino like this. I want to stay with a freestanding range to save the few hundred. I know I want to do a lot with a little, but I have time to shop around for most things, and we can do some of the work ourselves. My husband stained my current cabinets , and they look awesome.

  • 8 years ago

    Frigidaire gets good reviews so I would go with them

  • 8 years ago

    If you're switching to induction, you might have to budget for an electrical service upgrade.

    Ya know, this kitchen may not be so bad! You could probably move a few cabinets if you had to before painting and reflooring to make it just right. (That island looks like something that should be moved to the garage, although real estate photos are always distorted.) I'd try pulling the fridge cabinet out to fridge depth, for example, and maybe pulling a panel on the sides to enclose it.

    Anyway, yes, get your appliances (no recommendations, sorry). But maybe wait just a bit before painting and doing the floor and counters, just to be sure everything is where you want it.

    suseyb thanked Fori
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I have read a lot of articles and even a few books about upgrading a “builder grade” kitchen for re-sale. The bottom line in all of them is don’t. It’s a bad business decision, especially if other homes in your area have the same finishes. If your priority is to make the kitchen work better for YOU for the next five years, forgo the cosmetic changes and buy a really good range, and an equally good range hood.

    suseyb thanked eam44
  • 8 years ago

    We looked at the electric service before purchasing. It seems fine so far. Will see once we really get in there.


    I really like the space in the kitchen. Not sure what to do with the island. There is too much space in between *not* to have one, but it's stupid. I hadn't thought about enclosing the fridge. That should be easy to do.


    I've read all the stuff about not updating for resale, but we paid less for this house due to the lack of upgrades. Other homes in the area almost all have granite and better flooring, and none have coil ranges. Hopefully, we'll be smart about how to update this so it fits our family, and so that we don't lose any money at the end of the road. Our area is still seeing increases in home values at a pretty rapid rate, though I know that could change at any moment.


  • 8 years ago

    I'm also seeing that the Kenmore induction ranges are more of a budget friendly option. I could probably do that before I did the Frigidaire slide-in.


  • 8 years ago

    I almost think a movable island would make sense, but again, you gotta get in there with a tape measure. If it could be a little bit longer it wouldn't look silly and would be pretty handy. It looks like a huge amount of space and once you get all those kids working, you'll need it.

    The appliance forum might have reviews on some of the ranges--or at least tell you if they come from the same factory and are the same things with different looks.

  • 8 years ago

    What about replacing your mini-island with a larger free-standing island? Ikea and West Elm both make nice looking ones. You could probably afford that in addition to the Frigidaire range for what you'd spend on the Dacor.

  • 8 years ago

    Fori, great advice. And glad you are not extremely displeased anymore. :*) I’m displeased because I get the Houzz version still on my iMac but my iPad is good. Ugh! Sorry for the highjack suseyb. I’d do the upgrade of appliances first, not the OTR microhood, then paint cabs, then counters if cabs are staying, then floors, then counters, then backsplash.

  • 8 years ago

    I was always told to do floors first. Hmmm. The de is staying until it dies.


    Love the the idea of a longer island. I saw some at IKEA that look good.



  • 8 years ago

    If the appliances in your existing home are not named by model number, and the buyer is clueless about induction, just buy a $100 craigslist electric range for that house and bring the existing range with you. Buyers usually only care that they have functional appliances, not the specifics of the appliances. Unless they are TKO like you. If the appliances are specifically named, or the buyer is excited about induction, that wouldn’t be kosher.

  • 8 years ago

    I wouldn't swap ranges in the home you are selling, unless the range is specifically excluded from the sales contract. Real estate law varies by state but I know we needed to specify if we were taking any appliances or fixtures with us in our contract. (I specified that one light fixture would not convey because it is a vintage piece I particularly loved--would have actually swapped it out before putting the house on the market except that a neighbor bought our house without us ever listing it.) . You can always consult your real estate agent


    We had a frigidaire freestanding induction range in our last house and I loved it. I researched ranges in the appliances forum to make my choice. I would suggest going there too for help choosing a range.

  • 8 years ago

    The city is purchasing our home as part of a FMA Grant, and the appliances must stay as us since we have had the final inspection. They were pretty clear about that. They also wanted the hvac system. Apparently, there have been cases where people have stripped houses prior to selling, and we get to suffer the consequences.