Curto's Appliances – Westchester County, NYC

When I first mentioned this past summer that Frigidaire was revising its brand and introducing a “professional series” , a few people wrote to me and scoffed at the idea. Well a few months after launch, Frigidaire has a wide smile on their face. The Frigidaire Professional range and Frigidaire Professional refrigerators have proven to be the best sellers at this point…so good that availability is getting a little sketchy.

The hottest sellers in the Frigidaire Professional Series are the following two gas ranges:

FPGS3085KF – slide in, 30″, pro select controls, self cleaning, low simmer burner and warming drawer

FPGS3085KF - Curtos.com - Frigidaire Professional Gas Range

FPGF3081KF – freestanding gas range 30″, continous cast-iron grates, warming drawer, self clean

FPGF3081KF - Curtos.com - Frigidaire gas range

Frigidaire has upped the ante style and feature-wise, and so far we haven’t heard of any problems with the series. Of course since this is a new series, we’ll remained tuned in to that point and see if any problems develop. The new Professional Series has Frigidaire aiming squarely at GE Cafe and Bosch’s revised major appliance line. We’ll see what comes of this in the pitched battle for consumer dollars.

UPDATE: 1/13/10

So the Frigidaire ranges have been available for a few months now and I’m happy to say that the only issue that has cropped up is that there were some availability issues in the late Fall, but that’s been resolved now. One interesting trend that I have seen develop is that sales of the Electrolux gas ranges have dropped slightly since the introduction of the new Frigidaire Professional series ranges. We have them displayed near one another in the Curto’s showroom and consumers are saying “hey, they look pretty much the same, have similar features, yet the Electrolux range is over $1000 more expensive.”

Compare the Electrolux EW30GS65GS, 30″ slide-in range to the Frigidaire Pro FPGS3085KF. Here are the similarities:

- self clean ovens
- convection ovens
- 4 sealed burners
- 4.2 cu feet of capacity

However, the Frigidaire FPGS3085KF sells for around $1599 at Curto’s, while the Electrolux has a UMRP price of $2499. That’s quite a spread!

Wolf Dual Fuel Range at Curto's

Many of my Wolf appliance customers in Westchester County and beyond ask what are the best methods to clean Wolf kitchen appliances such as the cooktops, wall ovens and ranges. Curto’s Appliances has compiled a tip list to help you clean and protect these significant kitchen investments. Let it roll….

General Rule: When cleaning stainless steel, always wipe or clean in the direction of the grain.

Burner Rings:
- Soap & Water, Towel dry, make sure to blow out the holes.
- Do not use abrasives as they may remove paint

Porcelain coated grates, pressed steel tops, gas oven interiors and oven racks:
- Use soap & water and towel dry to avoid streaking
- Fume Free Easy Off – use for difficult cooked on food products which is great for ovens and can be used on any of the above in “worst case scenarios”.
- Also use mild abrasive cleaners like Soft Scrub Orange, Bon Ami, or Bar Keepers

Griddle Surfaces:
- While surface is warm, poor water on so that it bubbles, akin to a deglazing pan. Use a spatula to scrape off burnt-on food that now bubbles up.
- For stubborn stains you can use a Green Scotchbride pad with a cleanser like Barkeepers Friend or Bon Ami. AVOID PRODUCTS WITH BLEACH.
- Once the Wolf appliance product is clean spray or wipe on oil to protect surface from oxidation. If you get an orange color, this is rust and should be wiped/scrubbed off with a fine grade steel wool.
- Vinegar can be helpful for the removal of stains and discoloring of the griddle surface.

TOMORROW…Part 2 – How to Clean Wolf Appliance Stainless Surfaces and Wall Oven Interiors

I found this video from an HGTV program that highlighted the Thermador Pro Grand range. The designers take the clients to the Purcell Murray showroom and wax on about the beauty of this piece.

Thermador’s Pro ranges are among my favorites. I’ll discuss further in another post. For now, enjoy the video.

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!