We bought a new premium brand double wall oven and have had major problems. Three repair calls and it still doesn't work. We researched Consumer Reports and online reviews, and still purchased an expensive lemon. The quality is apparently hit and miss.

regarding references to using Consumer Reports as a source of info re quality and reliability. I find their reviews about most things riddled with logical inconsistencies (in terms of narrative review comments versus summary findings and recommendations) , and the results of my reliance on their recommendations have been spotty at best.

I will agree with Eugene - the CR reviews are kind of useless. Most of the information is related to functionality - which, while helpful, one can discern with research online.

Reliability, however, is much harder for a consumer to determine, and the CR reports simply rank by manufacturer without discerning the nature of the problem (does the problem prevent the item from being used, or does a particular function not work as well as advertised). Some things you can live with, others, require complete replacement.

For example, when you read reviews on Lowes or Home Depot on electric wall ovens (that is what I"m presently shopping for) there are a significant number of reviews (say, 5%) that have major failures (doors looked closed, system shorts out, main control panel fails) within the first month to three months of use. I think a parallel would be if you buy a new car, and two weeks into ownership, the four tires go flat and the engine seizes up. Considering the number of years these items have been manufactured, the relative simplicity of these appliances, I'm shocked that major failures is not less than 1% after 5 years of ownership......but I guess my expectations are too high!

Avoid Electrolux ovens. Serious design flaws make them " permanently stained" anytime you wipe them down. These stains are impossible to clean without removing the doors, disassembling them, reassembling and reinstalling the doors. Highly impractical. Electrolux also has horrid customer support. Just take a look at their own Facebook page. It is filled with a multitude of poor customer experiences. Not one post shares support by Electrolux, just dismal failures again and again. Avoid Electrolux and you will avoid aggravation.

The negative reviews for every single brand out there can make your head spin. Instead of brand, shop for features you like. Also, just know that the quality today is not what it once was. That Maytag repairman is a busy guy these days.