When looking for an appliance today, there are a multitude of options. This can be a great thing if you like choices, but for someone who maybe has not had to look at buying an appliance for a while or maybe this is your first appliance purchase ever, there are a lot of questions for which you need answers. These are a few on the most commonly asked questions that we get here at Don’s Appliances …
Do all my appliances have to match? This question is asked quite a bit, because someone may really like the look and function of the Jennair appliances, but currently has a Bosch dishwasher or was told to get a Bosch dishwasher by someone that they trusted. Sometimes there are rebates or appliance brand deals that push towards an entire suite, but this is your kitchen and it should be set up the way that works for you. You can get a dishwasher from Bosch that does not have a handle so it can be sold with any brand and not look out of place.
What is the best appliance brand on the market? The answer to this question depends on many things. At Don’s we tried to find what the best appliance on the market for you. Some brands allow you to simmer on all of their burners, but if you rarely use a simmer burner than we could look at another brand. If you want the highest output burner available for canning, then we would look at ranges that have burners with BTU’s in the upwards of 18,000 – 21,000. If you like to cook multiple trays of cookies at one time than we would look for units with a great convection system.
How long will my appliance last? This is always on a customer’s mind even if they do not actually ask the question. Gone, for the most part, are the days of the 25 year old washing machine. There are units like the Speed Queen top load laundry set that is built like a tank and per Speed Queen , “Built to last for 20 years,” but the average life of the appliance today is 6 ½ to 10 years. This is the average of course so you could see 15 years or you could see six. Like everything else, an investment in quality will help. Don’s Appliances is a self-servicing dealer so we are here to help make sure that any issues that come up are taken care of and help in prolonging the life of the appliance.
How soon can I get my appliance? So you wake up to a dead refrigerator and choose a new one now you wonder when you can get it delivered. Don’s Appliances has a “Same Day Next Day Delivery” for the very reason. In cases of emergency, or desperation, you just get back from a two week vacation and your washing machine no longer works, we will get you a new unit ASAP. There are some restrictions, but we wanted to help ease the stress of our customers.
What is the Warranty? Typical warranty is one year full parts and labor. Some companies like Wolf have two years full parts and labor and Jennair that will give you two years and add another year when you register your appliance. Here at Don’s Appliances, we have our own service department. We know the value of the warranty. We offer Extended Service Plans on all appliances as well. You can extended the warranty up to 5 years.
What happens if I get it home and don’t know how to use my appliance? It can be overwhelming when you buy a whole new suite of appliances and now have to learn how to use them. Here at Don’s Appliances, we have a Corporate Chef to help with those questions and concerns. Chef Anthony will go to a customer’s home and show them how to use the appliance to make sure that they are getting the full benefit of all the great features. This is a service that is free to the customer.
What is Convection and will I ever really use it? Convection cooking is when there is a fan in the back of the range or wall oven that is circulating the air in the oven cavity so that the front right corner is the same as the back left corner. This will ensure even temperatures and allow you to cook multiple items at one time. You will also see the term “True Convection” or “European Convection.” The difference being that the True/Euro convection actually has an element around the fan in the back sending heated air into the cavity as opposed to just moving the heated air around. Both applications, will allow you to cook multiple trays of cookies or hors devours and when roasting, will help to sear the outside and slow roast on the inside. Convection is always just an option. Your oven will have both the regular, thermal and Convection capabilities.
Is the Stainless Steel Appliance Finish Phasing Out? Stainless Steel will continue to be the most popular finish in appliances, but there are some new finishes coming out that are giving customers more options. Probably the most popular of the new finishes is Black Stainless. It gives a softer, brushed look to regular black and is smudge proof. Ge has more of a matte finish in their Black Slate. Whirlpool just launched their Sunset Bronze finish, which is a trendy rose gold color. Probably the thing that makes these finishes so popular is that they are fingerprintless finishes. One detriment to the stainless steel is the perception that you will constantly be wiping fingerprints. Many companies, like Maytag, Whirlpool, and Kitchenaid , have heard you and have come out with Fingerprintless Stainless Steel. Now you can get the look of stainless and not have to worry about spending all day wiping it down.