We had to pick our appliances before the carpenter could build the cabinets, so off to Texas Appliances we went one Saturday post ice skating lesson. We ordered all our appliances with them when we remodeled our last kitchen.
We had a very meager appliance budget, so we knew going in that we would go over budget. Knowing this, our game plan was to 1) pay for the overages out of pocket and 2) not compromise because the kitchen is the most important room in the house. (We aren’t so much into compromise.) We decided we would keep our old fridge since it’s fairly new. Originally it was going to be for the laundry, but keeping things relatively under budget was more important. We felt like we could save up for a fridge later.
Full disclosure we could have stayed in budget if we bought lower end appliances, but we have said from the very beginning that it’s about spending on things that can’t wait. Upgrading appliances later would be a waste. Do it right the first time because either way you’re talking thousands of dollars. Make them count!
I’ve always had a thing for Viking ranges, so that’s where we started. Unfortunately the sales lady asked what floors we had in our kitchen. “Wood!” we exclaimed with gusto. Apparently the feet on Vikings scratch up floors like crazy. They are difficult to get in place without wreaking havoc on your floors. Plus if you get them in place without scratches just hope they don’t need any service ever.
Sad trombone. It’s really a blessing the sales lady was knowledgable and warned us. Ain’t nobody got time {or money} to deal with scratched floors from your splurge of an appliance.
So onward to other brands. Since we are dealing with builder prices, we figured it was better to just show you how much each option was over the building budget.
Option 1: Thermador (Most Expensive)
We felt like Thermador was comparable to Viking. Technically we didn’t need the microwave + convection oven with this combination since the range has 2 ovens. I don’t know maybe we need 3 ovens. Okay so we don’t. It’s just what the quote had, and I didn’t catch it until right now. You might be able to knock off $500 to $1,000 from this quote with a normal microwave.
Option 2: KitchenAid with Smaller Range (Least Expensive)
Our fridge is KitchenAid and so were all our appliances at the old house. We really liked them, so it made sense to look at KitchenAid again. We priced out the smaller range with a griddle. Since the smaller range only has 1 oven, we would have to purchase the microwave + convection oven to have a double oven set up which is more expensive than a typical built in microwave.
Option 2: KitchenAid with Larger Range
This option gave us the larger range that was similar to Thermador. It has a double oven built in, so we could go with the cheaper microwave. So what did we pick?
We went with option 3. The 48″ KitchenAid range and vent hood combination was perfect for our kitchen. We needed a stand alone vent hood that was substantial. This vent hood is definitely that. Also that range offers all kinds simultaneous cooking opportunities.
This option was $534 more than the other KitchenAid option. It seems totally worth it. This range is more of a statement and will fit along the large kitchen wall perfectly (see plan if you forgot). Plus we have saved on lighting and plumbing, so there is some give and take there.
What do you think? Want to join us for Thanksgiving? Oh wait no not this year, maybe Christmas then?
It looks fantastic!
It’s a pretty sweet set up. Now only if the house was ready to put the bad boy in.
Uhhh….is it wrong to have mushy feelings for appliances?
…because if it is, I don’t want to be right.
Not wrong at all. I plan on having a full on make out session with my range once I see it. Okay maybe that’s wrong. I’ll have to run it by Nick to see if it would be considered cheating. You never know with these things.
any of these are amazing!!!!!!!!!!
They all were, but the KitchenAid with the 48″ range seemed like the best deal and most reasonable to cover out of pocket. We are planning on cooking for a month straight once we move in.
Does this beast have a self-cleaning feature? The Wolf range does not (sad trombone playing). Oh yeah and i am def. liking the look and price point of the kitchen aid range –altho it is still expensive:) Congratulations on your “newest baby”. It weighs a ton…heheheh.
Well the price is just what’s over budget, so there’s that. It’s definitely the most reasonable for the quality and features. The griddle is supposedly the easiest built in griddle to clean, so I see lots of pancakes in our future. I didn’t even check to see if it had a self-cleaning feature. I did just google it and yes it does!
Good choice. Budgets are such a buzz kill.
And bummer on the Viking. It’s so pretty.
They totally are. I probably couldn’t have justified the Viking in the end anyway. I don’t know I probably could have. I’m real good at justifying things I want.
That last range is so juicy! I’m in total agreement that you should spend a little more upfront rather than have the mindset of ‘upgrading later.’ It costs more money that way. I’m bouncing off the walls to see your new kitchen! It’s going to be sooo gourmet.
I’m pretty stoked too. I don’t even cook, but I just may once I get these guys in. Nick is the chef around here, so he just walks around the unfinished kitchen for about an hour on our daily trips. It’s pathetically sweet. 😉
So we’re all invited over for dinner when you move in, right? 😉
Of course! I’ll shoot you the evite!
oh, those are so lovely! I am not so secretly wishing for our cruddy old appliances to start dying so that I’ll HAVE to replace them. They’re all functioning perfectly in all their mismatched glory, though.
Well as long as they are functioning who cares! The last house only had a functioning dishwasher when we moved in which I guess if I had to pick 1 appliance to work it’d be that. It was almost a year before we got new appliances. Longest year of my life.
Bummer about the Viking.. I was hoping we’d pop for one in a few years when we renovate our kitchen, but the scratching wood floors is a no-no here too. I love the KitchenAid model you picked. It’s HUGE! Man. That thing is awesome!
It was a total bummer, but I think budget wise it was probably better…well less tempting anyway. The KitchenAid looks incredible with that hood too, so it really was all round the best choice. Now we just can’t wait to see it in the kitchen. Oh yeah use it.
That range looks awesome. I want that range
I was drooling over Viking when we had to pick ours as well. So expensive. What can you do. We went with all Kitchen Aid too.
You can save money!!! 😉 I have no complaints about KitchenAid, so it really makes the most sense. Plus the sales people have always spoken highly of the brand. It doesn’t hurt that they have the best discount for builders.
Any of these option would be a dream come true for me!
Me too! It would be an even better dream if they were in budget or better yet free!!