Big box brands are trash. I had an LG dishwasher that was trash, and before that was a whirlpool that was also trash. Everything is plastic, and everything lasts 3-4 years. After finally getting fed up enough with washing dishes twice, this beast showed up.
The power button was missing/broken, but a 3d printer fixes everything so that was an easy fix. I've used it for around 3 months now, and every time I'm impressed with how clean everything is. Last weekend it gave me an error code for a line clogged. I took that as an opportunity to take it apart to clean, which made me even more impressed with it. Its like the engineers ignored the purchasing departments request for cost cutting. Everything was well built, and easy to put back together. All the motors looked new, even though its a 12 year old dishwasher at this point.
To show you just how massive this thing really is, here's a kitchenaid motor, and below it is the Viking. When my LG fridge goes out, I assure you its not getting replaced with another LG.
wae
PowerDork
8/8/22 3:19 p.m.
That's pretty genius! Now I guess I've got something else to search CL and FB for...
Watch out for the electronics, though. My mom & dad have a microwave and a range from one of those snooty designer "commercial" kitchen appliance manufacturers. Daycor, I think it is. The display on the microwave went out within maybe two years and the oven portion of the range doesn't work because the control board is all fubared. And those parts are epically expensive if you can even find them.
I always wonder what is considered "trash." The cheap GE dishwasher that was in the house, new, when I bought it 5 years ago.....it's not the best, but it's not trash. The GE microwave and range aren't the best, but not trash.
The Samsung HE Top loader washer and the dryer, aren't the best, but haven't been trash.
Interesting. I searched my area and up comes a $700 Viking Fridge (ice maker not working.) Original MSRP $12,000
I just buy vintage.
This is the 1948 GE refrigerator on the day we brought it home for $150 10 years ago almost to the day.
And here it is today. Still chillin'.
The owners of the estate we bought it from bought a new fridge in the mid '50s and moved this one to the basement. Every 5-12 years when the "new" fridge would invariably break, they would move everything into this GE in the basement, and then buy a new refrigerator. I have had zero issues with it since I bought it aside from nearly herniating myself dragging it up the stairs.
Mr_Asa
UltimaDork
8/8/22 4:14 p.m.
The other end is useful as well, at times. I have a Whirlpool clothes washer and drier, bottom of the line. Paid $75 for them 14 years ago.
I literally am starting to have to think about rust repair around the dedicated place where you pour bleach into it.
They have nothing on them to go wrong, so they dont.
John Welsh said:
Interesting. I searched my area and up comes a $700 Viking Fridge (ice maker not working.) Original MSRP $12,000
The nice part is whatever is broken on the ice maker will be available from Viking. They make replacement parts forever.
I guess you need to have some knowledge about brands and reputations for quality.
This is listed on FB for $1500, looks pretty plain and I've never heard of it. That's a lot of money for a used refrigerator, isn't it?
Last month, my garage fridge died after a mere 26 years (in-laws old fridge.) Not wanting to re-invest, I spend $125 on a relatively new, apt sized Fridgedaire and a 25 minute drive. So good so far! $950-ish new.
wae
PowerDork
8/8/22 4:33 p.m.
Mr_Asa said:
The other end is useful as well, at times. I have a Whirlpool clothes washer and drier, bottom of the line. Paid $75 for them 14 years ago.
I literally am starting to have to think about rust repair around the dedicated place where you pour bleach into it.
They have nothing on them to go wrong, so they dont.
We had a washer dryer set like that as well: Basically the bottom of line, no electronic fancinators on it or anything like that. I only replaced the washer when we stupidly overloaded it, broke a spring, and continued to run it until it broke the wash tub in such a way that a fix was going to be rather extensive. The dryer's still going strong. I've replaced the thermo-overload-breaker thing on it a couple times, but its only problem is that it is considerably smaller than the new washer so we occasionally overreach a bit with a load of laundry and have to split it into two or three dryer runs.
wae
PowerDork
8/8/22 4:55 p.m.
Robbie (Forum Supporter) said:
betcha can get this for nearly free. Then you have to figure out how to fix it.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1004381070257812/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A0b5d0707-f4ea-4460-8e56-80d12d2dcf2f
And it also probably requires a larger-than-typical gas line to be run to it as well!
Whats a good list of brands to keep an eye out for?
In reply to tremm :
I had a customer who does remodels in higher income areas. When they replace appliances he takes the old ones and sells them on FB MP.
johndej said:
Whats a good list of brands to keep an eye out for?
Wolf, Viking, Sub Zero, Cove, Miele.
Sub Zero has a better reputation than deserved, but if you want a commercial style refrigerator at home, they're one of the few that make them.
tremm said:
Who are the people selling high-end appliances in lightly-used condition? People who are moving?
Seems strange to me too, most people buy the high end and keep them forever. I could see older ones coming up for sale if people are renovating or the 3rd owner doesn't want to pay for a repair, but almost new ones for sale is odd.
Sonic
UberDork
8/8/22 10:27 p.m.
We totally love our Subzero fridge bought the same way. Fancy house was remodeling so got the not that old 42" counter depth fridge for $1500. It is a wonderful machine with lots of excellent details, and it weighs 700lbs, seriously.
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:
I guess you need to have some knowledge about brands and reputations for quality.
This is listed on FB for $1500, looks pretty plain and I've never heard of it. That's a lot of money for a used refrigerator, isn't it?
I looked at some reviews. These are really expensive, built for a retro appearance but performance sucks.
ProductReview.com, users complain of the fridge’s flimsy plastic parts, poor temperature regulation, and high repair costs. “It never kept a consistent temperature, it leaks frost onto the top of the lower door seal so you see black mould whenever you open the fridge—it’s ordinary all round,” writes own owner
I redid the kitchen in our last house with all used appliances. 6 top Thermador range for $600 off of Craigslist. The control board plug had some spade connectors that has detached. Worked amazingly. 42" kitchen aid elite cabinet depth fridge from habitat restore for 350 that worked great- and the front was a white board once you removed the cabinet pieces. Bosch dishwasher was nearly brand new and 250. It was the highest model they make and was really excellent.
I suggest habitat restore for this type of thing- for most of us on here the repairs that may be needed could be fairly simple.
Been doing this for 25 years man. It's called being grassroots LOL.
Sonic said:
We totally love our Subzero fridge bought the same way. Fancy house was remodeling so got the not that old 42" counter depth fridge for $1500. It is a wonderful machine with lots of excellent details, and it weighs 700lbs, seriously.
What excellent details? Very curious about this.
In reply to Russian Warship, Go Berkeley Yourself :
My nephew and BIL grabbed the Kelvinator 1961 model out of my parents basement (they bought right after they got married) for its new life as a shop fridge. It started out white, at some point got sprayed harvest gold to stay fashionable and still works great 61 years later. My BIL had a similar sentiment to yours in getting it up the stairs in the bulkhead.
wae said:
Mr_Asa said:
The other end is useful as well, at times. I have a Whirlpool clothes washer and drier, bottom of the line. Paid $75 for them 14 years ago.
I literally am starting to have to think about rust repair around the dedicated place where you pour bleach into it.
They have nothing on them to go wrong, so they dont.
We had a washer dryer set like that as well: Basically the bottom of line, no electronic fancinators on it or anything like that. I only replaced the washer when we stupidly overloaded it, broke a spring, and continued to run it until it broke the wash tub in such a way that a fix was going to be rather extensive. The dryer's still going strong. I've replaced the thermo-overload-breaker thing on it a couple times, but its only problem is that it is considerably smaller than the new washer so we occasionally overreach a bit with a load of laundry and have to split it into two or three dryer runs.
Wife and I bought a fancy LG washer and dryer when we moved into the house. The dryer is still going, but the washer gave up about 6 years in (after several repairs). Replaced it with a cheap GE that had knobs instead of buttons. 15 years later, it still runs. Had to replace the inlet valve a couple of weeks ago and was amazed at how dead simple they are to fix. We were talking about buying something newer, but after fixing this one, I'm thinking I'll keep it for a while.
Like my dad use to say about cars. All the fancy electronics and stuff are great, until they break......
-Rob
Sonic
UberDork
8/9/22 10:43 a.m.
In reply to DrBoost :
Things like the completely separate cooling units for the fridge and freezer, the solid metal full height handles, multi piece door hinges for a proper seal, and that it was designed with service in mind so much so that when you get deep enough into it that it has full wiring diagrams and troubleshooting guides folded up waiting. Opening and closing the doors is like on an S class compared to the hyundai feel of every other fridge. Also, it is ALWAYS cold, even holidays when everyone is in and out all the time, it keeps cold and doesn't ice things up, etc.
In reply to Sonic :
I have NO experience with these, but that's the kind of stuff I was hoping to hear. That's very cool. Especially the serviceability.
It's funny but the separate cooling units just makes sense, but I totally see why few do that.
