Yes, the 2013 model has been redesinged, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it is improved. From what I understand, the design changes were implemented to reduce production costs. There are some changes that may or may not make a difference in your decision. The new model range has an electronic spark ignitor for the oven, while the older, now discontinued model has a glow bar ignitor. With the new model, you will hear the oven make a tick, tick, tick noise whenever it re-lights itself to maintain the temperature. I had a Viking range that did the same thing and it drove me batty. The older Wolf model oven is silent, except for the slight "whoosh" when the gas ignites. The range tops are different as well. The new model has a one piece top that cannot be moved or lifted up for cleaning, and the grates are continuous. The older model has a top that can be completely removed, as well as a pull-out drip pan, and it has separate burner grates. To me, that means easier to move and clean. The available risers are different, too. The newer model has risers that vent directly out the top, while the older model risers vent towards the front. The five-inch riser on the older model has a different style than their larger risers. Wolf's website states that they keep parts available for discontinued models for at least 20 years, and most for much longer, so if you are concerned about parts that shouldn't be an issue. If you prefer the look of the 2012, you'd better grab it while you can. IMHO, the new range does not have any "better" features. This post was edited by jellytoast on Fri, Mar 22, 13 at 19:11

On the endorsement of pheasantfarmer (thank you) and some additional positive reviews on amazon.com posted even since I started this thread, we pulled the trigger and ordered the Panasonic NI-W810CS. The price differential for the '810 over its little sister '750 apparently is based solely (unintentional pun) on the ceramic coating -- vs. a titanium coating on the '750 -- of the soleplate on the more expensive '810. The size of the differential is surprising, because the T-Fal FV4476 has what appears to be a similar ceramic coating on its soleplate, and the FV4476's total price is only double the price difference between the two Panasonic models. The big issue with all consumer grade irons seems to be durability, and we'll need some time -- we hope, years -- to determine whether our choice was the right one; in the meantime, some laundered but wrinkled dress cotton shirts here will welcome any replacement to our deceased former T-Fal. Thanks to all for your comments.

I think the machine that I just rescued is a "New Ideal" model from the New Home Machine Co. I found a serial number on it. It is electric with a foot pedal but it is on an iron base and wooden table and it folds down into the table. The table has four drawers on each side and small fold down tray in front of the machine. All the golden embellishments have worn off but I can still barely make out the "New Ideal" words on it. Any information anyone has on this model would be greatly appreciated. I can't figure out why it is on a treadle type of table but it is electric. Thanks, Jamie Image link:

This actually helps your FICO Score, because.. In my case, I’ve got all of these huge credit card limits, and it looks as if I’m spending actually nothing. So.. My “credit utilization” is near Zero.. which is 30% of your Credit Score. Not to mention, my payment history is completely perfect, from never putting off a payment. I use my credit cards like a Check Book, or Debit Card. I never spend more than I can actually afford. I just can’t make myself do it. That.. And I pretty much try to cut my expenses down to nothing. I’ve threatened Time Warner with Cancelation countless times, lowering my $80 Internet Bill to a much better $36. And I clip coupons, making stuff like Paper Towels or Health & Beauty stuff next to zero. If you really try, you can work out ways to get almost anything for free if you try. And with that.. I’ve been able to setup a pretty decent savings account, and a emergency fund. That’s the most important thing. I can afford to buy stuff I want, because I’ve saved the money to do so. Not because I have the power to buy it today, and pay on it later. That just truly scares me. Of course, I’ve also used Credit Card bonuses to actually pay for things.. just for the whole sake of saving money. I also want to make a point in saying this. Many of those Interest-Free periods offered by Store Cards, and even some Credit Card companies carry a crappy “gotcha”. If you don’t manage to pay off the full principle within the offer or introductory period.. they will actually take the interest charges that would have been accessed to your account and add them on.. like the offer never existed. So you’ll end up paying 24% or 29.99% on something and end up paying much more than you ever would have with a Major Bank Issued Card. And that’s what they count on. They offer very easy, and instant credit.. And hope the borrowers will put it off, and only make minimum payments. The borrower will probably end up paying double or even triple of what the original principle would have been. For me.. This isn’t a game I want ANY sort of involvement in. Zero. Zilch. And.. it’s actually worth noting that many Auto Insurance companies actually penalize you for having store cards on your credit report. Those same store cards, are often issued with Low Credit Limits anyway.. and may affect further approvals, and interest rates for new accounts. The only store card I have, is a Target Card. And it’s a MasterCard and reports as a non-store card. Beyond that, I don’t think I’ll ever consider opening another.. even for a 15% or 20% discount on clothes. It’s just not worth it, in the long run. Besides, you can get $400-$600 with a “real” Credit Card Bonus.. if your clever. My advice to you… if I was a homeowner, and desperately needed to purchase a new Garage Door, or Replace something I couldn’t afford, I’d consider a Home Equity Line of Credit. My parents had one… with Washington Mutual, at 1.99% (adjustable) and it remained very low until they sold the home. In their case, it was a way to finance Big Business Purchases for 2-3 Months.. and it allowed for very low payments (Interest-Only) until they could pay it back. Be careful. That’s all I can say. Be careful. I really don’t like the idea of anyone carrying any balance, and I truly believe finding ways to save is the way to go.