Home Appliance Trends: August 2009

Marketplace for home appliances has heated up considerably in last month. Consumers are looking for everything from replacement refrigerators to full kitchens. The high-end space is even being well represented again, as shoppers are inquiring and purchasing SubZero, Wolf, Thermador and some Viking. A few months ago, they were running from these brands and their hefty price-points and UMRP policies.

Hot Movers: Electrolux appliances (especially French Door refrigerators), GE Cafe line, KitchenAid Architect Series

Ice Cold: Anything from FisherPaykel save for the dishdrawers. Too many rumors, most unsubstantiated, about this company.

Starting to Gain Traction: Wolf, SubZero…still have a ways to go, but people are feeling a little more comfortable reaching deep into pockets for these brands.

Will LG Buy Viking?

Rumors are rampant about this marriage.
The companies are actually pretty similar – great marketers with no semblance of an idea as to what service is!

Viking Refrigerator Recall

More evidence that the tarnish on Viking’s brand continues to grow.
Direct from Viking’s web site:

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Viking Range Corporation is voluntarily recalling certain Viking Built-In 48-Inch wide Side-by-Side Refrigerator/ Freezers manufactured before March 1, 2005 and certain Built-In 36-Inch wide Bottom Mount Freezer Refrigerators manufactured before April 10, 2006. No 42-Inch wide or Freestanding refrigerators are involved in the recall.

The voluntary recall is being implemented as a result of the potential for screws attaching the pivot plate of the top hinge on the door to shear causing the door to detach from the hinge pivot plate creating a risk of impact injury or fall. If you own a Viking Built-In 48-Inch wide Side-by-Side Refrigerator/ Freezer or a Viking Built-In 36-Inch wide Bottom Mount Refrigerator/Freezer and suspect that your unit is affected by this recall or are unsure if your model is affected, please locate the model and serial number on your refrigerator and enter it into the form below. Once you submit your information, you will be prompted as to whether or not your refrigerator/freezer is affected. If you own an affected product, instructions regarding the next steps will be included.

DCS Offers Rebate on Outdoor Grills Barbeques

I don’t know how many people are shopping for high-end outdoor grills but I would imagine the number is pretty low.
In an effort to turn some pieces, DCS is offering a handsome cash-back rebate to consumers.

$300 back on the purchase of a 30″ grill with rotisserie
$100 back on a 30″ cart

Offer runs from June 20-July 31,2009

DCS makes a damn good product, especially for the outdoors.

DCS 30\

New JennAir High End Kitchen Appliance Line

Kudos to JennAir. They are showing cahones of steel by introducing their new kitchen appliance line in this economy.
Or is it stupidity? The market will decide. The appliances (especially the ovens) will be quite different than what we are used to seeing.
Story developing….

Homeclick.com Bites the Dust

Another web-only retailer succumbs to the correction.

Folks, be careful who you buy from. If it’s a web site or 1-800 # without a
tangible address with prices too good to be true, run, don’t walk, in the opposite direction.

Jenn-Air Appliances Looks to Slap Other High End Lines Silly

World, are you ready for the latest entrant in the high-end kitchen appliance space?

Jenn Air is ready and they are coming out swinging at Viking, Thermador and Wolf/SubZero.

No I don’t have pictures yet but I have seen product details. They look sick(as in great).

Here are some bullet points:

– Gas and Dual Fuel ranges come in 30″, 36″ and 48″ sizes

– All ranges include self-cleaning (YES, A GAS SELF-CLEAN FOLKS)

– Refrigerators are true built-in, flush to your cabinets

– Refrigerators include a French Door style

– Wall ovens take things to another level – control panel includes animations and video to assist with cooking settings!

– Wall ovens and ranges heat INSTANTLY to 450 degrees.

– Ovens offer 2 convection fans and guarantee there are NO cold spots in cavity.

– The new line WON’T be available for purchase on the Internet.

– Distribution will be limited so every Tom, Dick and Harry won’t carry the line (there is a MINIMUM display requirement of 15 pieces, so that prevents alot of stores from showing it in the first place).

– The appliances won’t be part of a UMRP pricing policy

Built-in refrigeration has already hit some dealer showrooms. The cooking line will begin to rear its head on dealer floors in August.

Keep reading ApplianceFetish for more details on the new line of Jenn-Air appliances.

Say Goodbye to Electrolux Icon Designer Line?

Icon Designer Handle on Dishwasher

Not saying this is a fact, but alot of signs are pointing to the departure of Icon’s Designer series (the ones with the flatter, curved handle). Sure it’s sleeker and allegedly appeals more to women, but a fact is a fact and the Icon pro series has kicked its &@#^.

To me the designer handle always looked like a piece of laid-out metallic papardelle. Never was a fan.

New Bosch Laundry on the Way

Coming later this summer – frontloading laundry from Bosch, steam, stackable, going after LG and Electrolux’ nut. Let the battle begin! As soon as I have pics and more info, will share.

New Professional Appliance Line from Frigidaire

I know many of you would think that using the word “Professional” to describe Frigidaire cooking appliances would be a misnomer, but I am hear to refute that mindset and show you that Frigidaire appliances offer much more than “landlord specials”.

I’ve been told that on Mother’s Day Frigidaire will introduce their new “Professional” cooking line, complete with a new logo and new SKU’s to round out their appliance line.

I don’t expect those who are shoppng for a Sub-Zero refrigerator or Wolf stove to pay much heed to this, but for those who want to spend significantly less, yet still land that professional loking kitchen, this may be the ticket.

New Frigidaire Professional Logo

New Frigidaire Professional Appliances - ApplianceFetish.com

Frigidaire Professional Appliances - ApplianceFetish.com