Comparing Import Ranges

5 years ago

At a glance many of the imported ranges appear to be much the same.. I am attempting to sort them out. I am referring to from Thor, NXR, Forno, Zline, etc, which are made in China to merchandiser's specs with different components.. Is there anybody who might be able to offer a qualitative comparison?

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Don Franklin
Original Author

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

FWIW, I sent an inquiry to Forno regarding their burner specs and btu ratings and got a phone call within 30 mins from a knowledgeable product manager at the company.. He answered my questions and also assured me that they have a solid two year warranty administered by a major U.S. based warranty service provider... That might not answer all questions, but on the surface it appears better than some of the poor customer service stories I have heard about import range brands.

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Comments (6)

delray33483
5 years ago
where do you live? Then see who can service them in your immediate area. Then do the comparison with who is left
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The best cheap range is very like the best cheap TV. That Hisense might last you a year before you throw it in the trash. If you get lucky and it lasts a couple of years, it’s still never a Sharp.
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wdccruise
5 years ago
"The best cheap range is very like the best cheap TV. That Hisense might last you a year before you throw it in the trash."

Provide data that (a) a Hisense TV will last only a year; (b) that "if you get lucky...it lasts a couple of years"

I expect data, not speculation, guessing, anecdotes, or just bad-mouthing of the products.
Don Franklin
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Yes, stereotypes about these lower priced ranges are already here... The poster who mentioned HiSense TV as a negative comparative to import ranges must not read Consumer Reports, which called HiSense one of the best performers in affordable large screen TVs this month. Meanwhile, still curious if there are differences in components and qualities of these import ranges. Thanks
jwvideo
5 years ago
Without wading into into the "made in china = crap products" argument, I will point out that the Thor and NXR ranges you mentioned both come out of the same factory in PRC China. FWIW, I've had an NXR for going on 9 years But --- actually, BUT for emphasis --- I only recommend them to anyone who is a competent DIYer who also is comfortable sourcing generic parts for consumables. My frame of reference is having used an old residential Garland and a 1980s-vintage Wolf residential range in years past and now having a 30" NXR with a commercial induction cooktop alongside. The NXR is pretty much a knock-off of a 1980s vintage Wolf and DCS residential range. That is to say, comparable except when it comes to post-sale product support for finding the inevitable parts that wear and need periodic replacing. As with vintage cars, they all require attention from time to time and some parts are consumables. If you are considering an NXR/Thor/Kucht range, you might want to check out the ongoing thread "if-susan-fixed-her-nxr-oven-ignitor-u-can-2."