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Great Value: Electrolux Steam Washer Dryer EIFLS60J

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Electrolux dropped prices on some of their top washers and dryers on January 1 (yes these include steam models) and I feel like it’s time to pounce on one particular model which is screaming VALUE + PERFORMANCE!!!!
The “60″ models bring alot to the table, actually they almost completely replicate what the top of the line 70 series bring forth. Check out the vid…

PS – One thing I did not mention in the video, as far as differences are concerned, is that the “60″ models use IQ Touch and the “70″ series uses Wave Touch. Not a big deal, video to come re: those differences as well.

Video: More Info on Asko Dishwashers

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The good folks at Asko must have read my mind. Or maybe I have it reversed. In any case, fresh on the heels of my vid touting the Asko D5424 dishwasher,
I found a vid where Asko takes us on a trip through it’s control panel. Hot pants!

Written by Jonathan

January 28, 2012 at 3:15 am

Curtos.com: Dishwasher Basics…Loving The Asko D5424 Dishwasher

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Check this…if you’re on a budget a $499-$599 dishwasher is fine, but don’t expect the uber-cleaning performance you’ve seen or heard of in the past…watch this….

Written by Jonathan

January 26, 2012 at 3:51 pm

NYC Appliances: Venting Options for a 30″ Pro Range in Your NYC Apartment

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Written by Jonathan

January 19, 2012 at 1:34 pm

Dishwasher Review: GE Profile: PDWT180VSS

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Usually if a customer wants a domestic dishwasher in the $700-$800
range I look at KitchenAid. I just feel comfortable with their long history with dishwashers.
However, I have developed an affinity for this entry piece in the GE Profile line – GE PDWT180VSS. This is a nice piece.
It’s stainless with the Profile wide arched handle, is relatively quiet at 52 decibels (not whisper quiet, but certainly in a comfortable range)
It’s Energy Star and offers a stainless tub with 5 wash options. It also offers the hard food disposer which more and more shoppers have been asking about.
Is it a Ferrari, a Porsche, a Mercedes-Benz?
No.
However it is a durable, value-packed piece which is extremely stylish looking and brings to the table many features that you’ll find in the Bosch 500-series
save the energy efficiency and quietness. For a tick above $700 it’s definitely worth checking out. We’ve sold a number of them this year and I haven’t had a complaint yet.
I’ve been riffing on GE Profile lately…I think it’s a gem line that needs to be re-discovered…great products in there that are being overlooked by GE Cafe’s long shadow.

GE Profile PDWT180VSS Dishwasher

GE Profile Dishwasher PDWT180VSS - Curtos.com

Written by Jonathan

January 11, 2012 at 3:19 am

Appliance Deals: Electrolux Lowers the Price on Front Load Washers and Dryers

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Bang!

2012 rolls in and Electrolux decides to get all funky with their laundry prices.
Prices have been cut about $200 on every model.
This is huge.

Electrolux had always priced themselves above the competition, and in some cases WAY above them.
First they had that UMRP thing (the policy which mandates that dealers can’t sell below a certain Electrolux-set price) which inflated prices to begin with. Then you had Elx’s mindset that since they were bringing more to the table – larger capacity, steam in the washer and the dryer, more cycles including the 14 min wash/15 min dry and the 2nd floor guarantee, why the hell not price yourselves at a premium?

Here is the Electrolux Washer/Dryer Pair That We Own. Sexy, huh?

When Electrolux ran a rebate, my sales would spike. When the rebates expired, sales would plummet. I think alot of people just couldn’t justify spending $400-$500 more apiece on a washer and dryer when they could just rock a Whirlpool Duet or Maytag and know they were going to get a quality machine for much less.

Electrolux got smart, the prices have been chopped and I expect the laundry line to start rocking now. It’s closer to the comps and is still bringing more to the table from a feature-set. And who knows, they may even tag them with a rebate which would then make these absolutely NO-BRAINERS.

BOTTOM LINE – You can diss ELX for their refrigerators all you want but they have ALWAYS gotten laundry right. Hell, I own a pair so I should know!!!

Written by Jonathan

January 6, 2012 at 2:57 am

Sub-Zero Flush Inset vs. Overlay Refrigerators

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Remember, whether you want a flush inset look or a panel-ready look that will jut out from the cabinet, you must buy an “overlay” Sub-Zero model.
Then, you need to let your cabinet people go to work. Flush inset style requires the cabinets to be a 2 3/16″ deeper.

So, it’s the same fridge, just different measurements for the cabinets.

Let the pictures tell the story.

Sub-Zero flush_inset refrigerator

Sub-Zero Refrigerator With Flush Inset Application

Sub-Zero Overlay Refrigerator With Custom Panels - Notice How the Sides Jut Out Compared to the Flush Inset Model.

Written by Jonathan

January 4, 2012 at 2:59 am

GE Profile vs. GE Cafe: Double Wall Ovens

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One of the more popular questions we are asked in the showroom is the difference between the Profile and Cafe lines. We’ll break this down by way of the product category.

Wall Ovens:
GE electric wall ovens come in either 27″ or 30″ flavors.

27″ Wall Ovens
GE Profile
There is one GE Profile double electric ovens coming in at 27″ in width.
- The double oven PT956SRSS offers convection cooking in the top oven and traditional heating in the bottom oven.
- The double oven offers 1 extensible ball-bearing rack.

GE Cafe does not offer a 27″ Wall Oven

30″ Wall Ovens
GE Profile
There are three GE Profile 30″ double wall ovens
- The top of the line PT960SRSS offers convection in both ovens as well as a glass-touch LCD control panel.
- The next two models (PT958SRSS and PT956SRSS) differ in that the PT965 only offers convection in the top oven. Aside from that point, they are virtually identical.

GE Cafe
GE cafe offers one 30″ double oven – CT959STSS .
This model features glass touch controls and convection in BOTH ovens. Also, each oven
offers one fully-extensible rack. Aside from these points the top of the line Profile and Cafe ovens are exactly the same in regards to power output, size (4.4 cu ft) and the broiler system.

GE MSRP PRICES
PT960SRSS – $3399
PT958sRSS – $3099
PT956sRSS – $2799

GE doesn’t publish pricing on the Cafe series but figure it should cost around $2500, which is about
what you’ll spend on the top of the line Profile PT960SRSS.

GE Cafe Double Oven - CT959STSS

PT960srss - GE Profile Double Oven

A Guide to SubZero Flush Inset Refrigerators

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When Sub-Zero relaunched their built-in refrigeration line 3 years ago one of the big additions was the new ability to
buy a built-in 30″, 36″ 42″ or 48″ fridge, put a panel on it and have the panel be completely flush with kitchen cabinetry.
This is a look that Sub-Zero had offered for years in the 700-series, but for one reason or another was not available with
the larger fridges.

Sub-Zero has dubbed this look “flush inset” and the majority of my customers who are paneling their new Sub-Zero’s are going with this
style. I can see why…it’s cleaner and sharper looking.

Most customers think that you have to purchase a unique fridge in order to attain this look. Wrong.
You still purchase a Sub-Zero overlay refrigerator (which comes without a front or handles) and then
you would have your cabinet maker/carpenter play with the cabinet sizes in order to attain the flush inset look.
Basically what they need to do is the following:

- make the depth of the cabinet space 2 3/16″ deeper than the standard depth of 24″. So you would instead be using 26 3/16″ in depth.
- the flush inset width is 2.5″ wider than a standard opening
- the flush inset height is .25″ higher than the standard opening
- you must allow 1/2″ reveal (opening) around the perimeter of the fridge in order to promote airflow and allow for the proper door swing.

Also note: the inside edges of the A)the rough opening B)the sides and a portion of the back of the decorative panel will need to be finished as they are exposed when the doors are open.

Most people use custom panels that are 3/4″ thick. If you go with something larger than this you may be required to purchase a 90 degree door stop in order to prevent interference with adjacent cabinets.

Let the pics tell the story

The Only Complaint I’ve Had on a Liebherr Refrigerator…

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was regarding the ice production (or lack thereof). Take a look at the picture of the actual
ice bucket in a CS-2062 or a CS-2060. The ice will fill up about 30-40% of the way.
Liebherr figures this is plenty of ice for normal consumption + it actually makes the refrigerator
incredibly “green” or energy efficient. If you’ve been to Europe you probably know that ice cubes aren’t filled to the brim
in glasses (if you can get them at all). Ice cube production is extremely taxing from an energy standpoint and being a
German company, Liebherr just doesn’t prioritize it. And the truth is, you will probably see more American refrigeration
manufacturers following suit as tamping down on the ice production will allow for better energy ratings on the fridges.
As I told my customer who complained about the ice production, if you entertain frequently, don’t rely on the fridge for
your ice. Buy a dedicated icemaker, or invest in a couple of $1 bags of ice!

Ice Bucket on Liebherr CS2060 and CS2062

Written by Jonathan

December 23, 2011 at 4:05 am