One member of the forum got some of the new Electrolux ovens into their showroom and observed that build quality decreased significantly from the previous generation. Of course at this point nobody can tell how they will stack up performance and reliability wise. My guess is that they'll be pretty unchanged in those areas. The previous generation was well reviewed on both fronts.

Sharp microwave drawer: Like any product some people have had issues but they seem to be well liked overall.

Electrolux had serious issues with their french door fridges a few years back, most of which pertained to the ice maker and dispenser. Supposedly they are now fixed. I think it would be a safe bet at this point. I hear you on the reviews for all of them being bad.

Electrolux dishwasher: Professional reviews have liked this model overall, but there is no user feedback or reliability data yet. The previous generation Electrolux dishwashers were indeed a disaster. I saw this model in a showroom and the interior just felt cheap to me compared to Bosch. You're well within the price range for Bosch and I don't see why you're getting such a fancy dishwasher if you rarely use one. The prices I'm finding online for the Bosch you mention are actually about $100 less than that Electrolux, but if you can't get that deal in your area I would take Bosch 300 over the Elux.

Electrolux oven took a huge dive with this new redesign. Their newer frigs don't share the same absolutely horrible problems with icemakers any more. Their dishwashers went from down hill with the build layout. I can't imagine their reliability got any worse. IMHO they took a hard turn for the worse. Too bad I own their range and frig I hate to compare what that had before to what they have now.

Thanks all! So it sounds like the only concerns should be the Oven/Frig/Dishwasher... which all happen to be Electrolux oddly.

Starting to feel less confident about the double oven. Maybe I should revisit the Bosch or maybe take another look at the GE Profile double oven. I see people generally pick the Electrolux over a Kitchen Aid... but may consider a GE or a Bosch. I guess i was reading the wrong reviews on the Elextrolux on the forum?

I think I will stick with the Electrolux frig for now... unless I there is a major incentive for another brand coming up. We will see.

I am strongly thinking about switching to the Bosch 500 series for the dishwasher. The idea was to maybe invest in a quality DW and start to cook in more since we are going for broke on the renovation? Hehe..

This post was edited by nyli2014 on Fri, Dec 26, 14 at 2:39

The Electrolux oven redesign literally just happened, so the reviews you were reading were for the ovens they've been selling for the past 6 years or so. Very good, proven, high performing, relatively reliable ovens. Unfortunately you missed them by just a month or so. You might still be able to get one from leftover stock or a floor model. Despite being cheaper built, there has been nothing to indicate that the new generation will not also have that reliability and performance. So I think they are definitely worthy of your consideration still.

Have you seen/felt/touched all these ovens in a showroom? That is the bare minimum that I would have to do before i bought an appliance, ideally I would get a chance to cook in it too. If there was no way I could see an appliance in person, I would cross it off my list no matter how good it reportedly was.

After narrowing down your list based on research online and in person, if you still can't decide on a particular model, DON'T get into analysis paralysis. Throw a dart if that's what it needs to come down to. There are much more important things to worry about in life and it is pretty much a crapshoot these days no matter which one you go with.

If you cook, re-evaluate the Berta. You're going for the looks of a rangetop rather than performance of the burners if you go Berta. Look at Bluestar's cooktop.

Thanks all again!

Fortunately... in the heart of Long Island suburbia and a hop away from NYC where I work, I was able to touch and feel literally every appliance possible. Just no gas/water.

I double checked the Eletrolux double ovens (old vs new).... To be honest, I couldn't really tell much of a difference in regards to better made or not. Did look different, but nothing I could point to specifically. The rails did seem to be less smooth on the newer ones, but maybe it was due to the install. In some ways, I thought the Kitchen Aid and Bosch seemed more sturdy on the inside. Maybe it's just me. Wife thought the Electrolux was hands down the best (looking). It was still cheaper to buy the Electrolux with a 5yr extended warranty... so I am hedging my bet on this one.

I switched to the Bosch 500 DLX dishwasher. Just felt that it was a better product. Haggled the price down a little more to justify the switch.

Switched to the Faber Tender chimney hood for a little more. Wife thought it looked better.

As for Berta... I checked the Bluestar, Capital, Viking, Miele, Dacor, Thermador, FiveStar, American, DCS ( just to see what I was missing on the high end)... The ones I just mentioned are basically in their own price point (and to some extend better). Berta being 25%-50% less expensive... is in the price point of a Kenmore Pro range top and cheaper than a Kitchen Aid. So the Berta was technically an upgrade for me. Those smaller Bertas are popular NYC apartments fixtures that can't afford pumping out a Viking.

I've pretty much made my purchase today. (Sink will have to be purchased elsewhere.) I was told I have the option of switching some of my appliances before delivery. I was able to get pricing barely down below AJMadison... and secured cheaper white glove shipping. All for the sake of keeping below the $10k budget.

Thanks all for your help!

Will definitely provide an update on the status of the appliances.

This post was edited by nyli2014 on Sun, Dec 28, 14 at 1:53

NYLI, have you gotten your Berta?

I just bought a 2014 model Electrolux double oven. It is beautiful, very quiet, and bakes/cooks well with no issues yet. Its only been 2 weeks, but so far I'm very pleased. Got the floor model for a great price!

NYLI, I'm considering the same Electrolux fridge and dishwasher model. I know you finally went with a Bosch, but how's the fridge performing so far, can you share you experience with the dishwasher also? Supposedly the Electrolux EI24ID50QS had the best professional review, but too new to have any user reviews on reliability and such.

Hi there, I'm wondering if you have any follow-up comments on your Bertazzoni rangetop now? Is it in use yet? If so, what do you think of it? I'm looking at a Berta cooktop because I really like the burner arrangement. Thanks!