Curto's Appliances – Westchester County NY: 1-800-966-2878

I keep getting peppered with this question as people try to decide between the Electrolux EI23BC55I ($3199) and the EW23BC70IS ($3699) . Basically these refrigerators are identical save for the following:

EI23BC55IS – IQ Touch Controls

EW23BC70iS – WaveTouch Controls – Wine Bottle Holder – 3 drawers in freezer

Electrolux EW23BC70is French Door refrigerator - Curtos.com

Here is a quick rundown on Sub-Zero’s flush inset application on their new-ish Built-in Series of refrigeration:

- Classic stainless steel, framed and overlay units are designed for a 24″ cabinet.

- The new flush inset application is designed to sit flush with surrounding cabinetry at 26 3/16“

- The flush inset cabinet width opening is 2.5″ wider than a unit that is sitting on top of the cabinetry.

How to Order a Sub-Zero Flush Inset Refrigerator

- When specifying a flush inset application you must order an overlay unit.

- The cabinet panel sizes on a flush inset application are wider than overlay cabinet panels.

- When specifying a flush inset application with a stainless finish on the unit you must order the overlay refrigerator and the Sub-Zero accessory panels in classic, platinum or carbon  stainless steel. The Sub-Zero accessory panels can be order with the following handles – tubular, pro (thicker) or curved.

SubZero Bi-36 Refrigerator in Flush Inset Application With Curved Handles - Curto's Appliances

The recently introduced GE WHRE5550KW washer is unique as it is a top loader washer WITHOUT an agitator.

Since it uses a HydroWave Infusor instead, it is gentler on your clothes and creates tremendous savings for consumers. When compared to non Energy Star qualified GE topload washers the WHRE5550KWW:

Saves up to 54% in energy consumption

Saves up to 46% in water usage

Another benefit is that by removing the agitator, they have increased the capacity to 4.1 cu ft so that can handle king-size and family-size loads (hint…comforters).

Since these are priced in the upper $400’s, it is a tremendous bargain. You’re getting “frontloader functionality” at a toploader price point. Gotta Love it!

WHRE5550KWW Topload washer - Curtos.com

GE WHRE5550KWW washer infusor at work - Curtos.com

Update: 8/05/09
In the effort to always provide honest, forthright info direct to consumers, I am forced to edit this post as I just found out that Bosch USA is going to retract the brochure which stated in not so many terms that the new 800 Series roundly kicked Miele’s La Perla offering in the tushy (the same brochure that I used to produce this post). From what I’ve learned there are numerous “falsehoods” and over-exaggerations in Bosch’s literature which are prompting the brochure recall. For instance,Bosch touts 15 place settings in the 800 series, whereas the product manual states that it only has 14 settings. Another discrepancy is that the promotional literature states that the 800 series offers a child-lock, when in fact it doesn’t. There are numerous other ones as well.
There are a laundry list (no pun) of issues that Miele has pointed out, so I think that someone in Bosch’s marketing dept who greenlighted this material is up the proverbial creek. What this means to you, the consumer, is don’t discount Miele’s La Perla offering.

End of update

We are always being asked “What’s better, a Bosch dishwasher or a Miele diswasher.”

Well we have recently released info that shows that the Bosch 800 Series does a kick-butt job in comparison to Miele’s upper tier (and more expensive) dishwashers in the La Perla and Optima Series. Of course this isn’t to say that Miele is an inferior product. Miele’s engineering acumen is SECOND TO NONE. However, when you compare features and price, it’s hard not to feel good about Bosch. Check this out….

What’s a More Energy Efficient Dishwasher?

Bosch SHX68E15UC: 180kw per year

Miele G2872scvi : 298 kw per year

What Dishwasher is Better With Water Consumption?

Bosch 2 gallons

Miele 4.97 gallons

Number of Cycles and Programs:

Even at 6

What Dishwasher Ha s More Place Settings:

Bosch 15

Miele 14

What About a Silverware Basket?

Bosch: Yes

Miele: No

As you can  see, the Bosch 800 Series model dishwasher brings ALOT to the table, especially if noise is an issue:

Quietness

• Virtually Silent: 40 dBA
• Quietest Dishwasher in the U.S.
• InfoLight® Beams on the Floor to Indicate Dishwasher is Running
• Two Pump Motor System Minimizes Noise and Vibration
• Solid Molded Base Contains Sound and Prevents Leaks

Electrolux has started a new promotion “Get Cool for a Cause” whereby if you open a virtual lemonade stand and be entered for a chance to win a new French Door Refrigerator from Electrolux (hottest..err..coolest fridges for 2009).
Here’s how to enter.

Kelly Ripa and an Electrolux French Door Refrigerator

In the world of kitchen appliances, one of the best stories of 2009 has been the introduction and stellar sales performance of the Electrolux refrigerator line. Curto’s has sold a ton of these refrigerators and so far there hasn’t been any complaints, problems or bad reviews for any of the Electrolux refrigerators. In particular, the counter depth french door style, introduced a few months ago has been one of the top sellers on Curto’s appliance showroom floor. It seems that consumers are backing away from spending $5000-$9000 on a built-in refrigerator, and instead are opting for the counter depth Electrolux fridge which looks right at home in kitchens boasting other high end appliances. The recent top-seller has been the EW23BC70IS which has a UMRP price os $3699.

Take a ride through one of these Electrolux french door refrigerator models below!

Bosch has raised the bar on dishwashers again with the introduction of the 800 Series Plus + line.

They are available in both Integra (no visible controls) and the Evolution (visible controls) lines.

These new dishwashers are squarely aimed at competing against Miele’s La Perla and Optima series dishwashers.

Check out this video of the 800 series Bosch dishwashers.

Since the economy crashed last fall, it’s been amazing to watch how consumers appliance preferences have changed.  The high-end lines have been displaced by the upper-middle tier. Bad news for Viking et al, good news for KitchenAid, JennAir and especially the new line of Electrolux appliances and the GE Cafe line.

At Curto’s we’ve extensively trained our sales force on both lines,  placed the GE Cafe and Electrolux displays back to back in a premium spot in the showroom and maintained the notion ‘let the best line win”.

We just had the GE cafe and Electrolux french door refrigerators added to the displays and it’s been interesting getting customer’s feedback. Here’s what I’ve heard from consumers:

Electrolux French Door Pros

- gorgeous design, interior lighting is “amazing”

- box seems well built

Electrolux French Door Cons

- price tag is a joke ($2899-$3699, set by Electrolux via UMRP policy)

- ice machine takes away valuable space in fridge (good point – why is the ice machine located in the refrigerator?)

GE Cafe French Door Pros

- Nice price! (over $800-1000 less than comparable stainless in Electrolux)

GE Cafe French Door Cons

- Feels “cheaper” in comparison to Electrolux when opening doors and drawers

GE Cafe French Door Refrigerator - Curtos.com

Electrolux Ew23bc70is French Door Refrigerator at Curtos.com