Common Refrigerator Care/Maintenance Questions

My wife texted me the other day while I was busy working to let me know she had pulled our refrigerator apart, and had given the shelves, door bins, etc., a thorough cleaning.  I of course thanked her, not only for taking care of our fridge, but also for giving me a Blog idea.

So, let me ask and answer some common questions we get here in the store:

What do the humidity controls in my crispers do?  How do I best use this feature?

Essentially, the humidity controls are simple low-tech glides.  When set for high humidity, the glide seals the crisper, trapping the moisture found in leafy vegetables, preventing them from drying out and prolonging their shelf life.  On the low-humidity setting, the glide opens up, releasing the moisture of, say, skinned fruits so that the drawer has the same (low) humidity as the rest of the refrigerator.

For a more technical explanation, I give you this from Kridovia.com (full link follows):

• Adjust the Humidity Sliders  As mentioned, the major role of humidity or crisper drawers is to extend the life of the fruits and vegetables by contolling the airflow with the help of the vents. Most of the crisper drawers have adjustable humidity vents which allow closing the airflow which crates more humidity or opening it up which creates low-humidity environments. As per the top kitchen appliances provider in Kolkata, to get the best out of the humidity drawer is by creating one high-humidity and one low-humidity drawer (note: your fridge may already be set up for this!) 
• Trap Ethylene Gas.  Do you know the primary reason why your food goes bad so quickly? It’s because of the ethylene gas which is emitted by the fruits like bananas, kiwis, and pears as they ripen. The refrigerator's humidity drawer can help you with that. When you pause the airflow access and create a high-humidity crisper drawer, all the ethylene gas is trapped inside and unable to prematurely soften or discolor the produce.
• Use the Humidity Zones Wisely. According to the top online refrigerator provider, the low-humidity drawer is perfect for things that rot easily such as apples, pears, avocados, melons, etc. The high-humidity drawer is perfect for anything that wilts like thick-skinned vegetables or leafy-green vegetables. The high-humidity drawer is also perfect for ethylene gas-sensitive items. Since all the gas-producing items are in another drawer, the food is safe here.
• Don’t Overfill or Underfill the Drawer.  The humidity drawer is designed to work perfectly and efficiently when it is full by two-thirds. But people often neglect it and end up overfilling the drawer or underfilling it. Be careful not to pack the drawer too tightly as the food won’t be able to breathe and the weight of heavy items can destroy the delicate items

https://kridovia.com/blog/know-more-about-refrigerators-humidity-drawer-with

My icemaker is jammed and I don't want to have to pay for a service call; what can I do?

People do love the convenience of an icemaker, but they can be temperamental.  Jams can happen, and tend to happen more frequently when the ice is not used for a few days.  

Today's freezers are almost 100% self-defrosting,  When these freezers go into defrost mode, the outer edge of your frozen foods  slightly thaws.  When the defrost cycle ends and the compressor kicks back on, ice cubes can meld together as the outer surfaces refreeze.  There's nothing one can do about this - it's a simple law of Physics!  Often however, your icemaker can be unjammed easily! 

This explanation from Universal Appliance Repair spells out the procedure (full link follows):

When the ice storage bin isn’t used frequently or has become too full, melting and refreezing can allow the ice cubes to start clumping together. This makes it impossible for the ice maker to dispense them. Fortunately, this is a relatively easy problem to resolve. Remove the storage bin and use your hands to break up any clumped up ice. If there are clumps that are frozen solid, you’ll need to dump them out into the sink. Once you replace the ice storage bin, it should resume function, but remember that to avoid this problem in the future, try to use your ice maker on a more frequent basis.

https://universalappliancerepair.com/how-to-safely-fix-a-stuck-ice-maker/

What's the best way to clean the inside of my fridge?

Yes ... back to the original question! 

Good Housekeeping recommends the following procedure for your liner and shelves:

• Take out the salad crisper drawers from the bottom of the fridge if you can and all the removable shelves. If it's not obvious how to get them out, check the user manual before you start so you know exactly how to do it without damaging anything – it will also help you to get them back in! If you can't find the user guide, check the manufacturer’s website 
• Next, wash shelves and salad crisper drawers you've been able to remove thoroughly with washing-up liquid and hot water. If the shelves (or any other removable parts) are made of glass, it’s best to let them reach room temperature first to reduce the risk of them shattering in very hot water.
• Use a toothpick to remove food residue that has collected in the join between the surface of the shelf and the shelf surround. Rinse the shelves and salad crispers with clean water, then allow them to dry naturally on the drainer or dry with a clean tea towel and put them to one side if your drainer isn’t big enough.
• For any shelves or drawers you can't remove, wipe them down with a clean cloth soaked in a cool solution of wsahing-up (note: "dish detergent" to we Americans!) and water and thoroughly wrung out.

Well said!  

For a more thorough and comprehensive guide to maintaining your  refrigerator, please refer to the link below:

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/household-advice/a684998/how-clean-is-your-fridge/

If you have any other questions regarding appliance care and maintenance, you can reach out to any of our ten stores, or email me through the link provided, or my email (dlunden@hotmail.com.)

What kind of washer should I buy?

I was driving home from work one night last week,  listening to The National on my Prius's stereo system, when I received a text from my wife.  A friend of hers was in dire need of a new washer, and she wanted buying advice.

Now, that really is a difficult question to answer without more information, such as budget, family size, space limitations, turnaround time, etc.  I relayed this concern to my wife, who then had her friend call me to help decide what to get.

This exchange got me to thinking about two questions:  Just what are the pros and cons of the different types of washers?  And which style is the most popular with consumers?  I decided these questions would make for an interesting blog subject (and I hope you, the readers, agree!)

Basically, there are three types of clothes washers:

 Front loading  (below is the Maytag MHW6630HW)

Then, we have two types of top-loading washers:

1. Top Loaders with traditional agitators 
2. Top Loaders with an impeller type wash plate.

(

(Shown above are the agitator driven Speed Queen TC5003N, and the impeller driven GE PTW600BSNRS)

(Actually, before I get into the differences, let me point out what's changed in the last fifteen or so years - if you haven't bought a washer since the 2000's or earlier there have been significant changes to today's washer, regardless of style. )

The four major changes are:

1. Capacity has increased.  For example, in 2000 a "super capacity" washer was 3.0 to 3.2 cubic feet.  Today machines can be as large as 5.5 cubic feet in capacity!  In fact, the smallest capacity on a normal, 27" full sized washer is 3.9 cubic feet.  In short, all washers have larger tubs!
2. Water consumption has greatly decreased.   Today's machines use approximately 12 gallons of water per load on front loading machines, and about 20 gallons on top loaders.  By contrast, washers a generation ago could use over 40 gallons per load!
3. (and here we mention the negatives!)  Cycle times are longer.  The tradeoff for using less water and having a larger capacity is that it becomes necessary to have a longer cycle time to properly clean a load of laundry.
4. All washers have electronic controls, vs. mechanical.  All machines employ a water level sensor to measure and limit the amount of water used per load.  The days of turning a dial, then pulling the dial out to start the machine are gone.  Having dealt with many hundred customers over the years selling washers, I can attest that many people miss the old mechanical washers!)

Now, back to the differences between the three washer styles. ** Note that I'm talking about the typical full size machines here.  There are specialty machines (including an all-in-one I wrote about in an earlier blog - see below -  and smaller 24" wide machines on the market, but these make up a very small percentage of washer sales.** 

 www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5695512488839797470/5337393826347161297?hl=en 

This article below from Energystar.gov does a nice job explaining the difference between front and top loading machines.   Granted their perspective is heavily biased toward the more efficient front load styles, but I still found it to be a balanced look at the pros and cons of front vs. top loading washers:

https://www.energystar.gov/products/ask-the-experts/which-clothes-washer-should-i-choose-front-load-or-top-load

Likewise, this article from The Spruce does a great job explaining the pros and cons of the two different types of top loading washers:

https://www.thespruce.com/impeller-vs-agitator-8387026

I hope all this helps you understand the difference between the three washer types, and can help you make a decision that is "right" for your home and needs.

Now, to the second question:  Which washer type is the most popular?   

The most recent information I was able to find comes from House Digest (the link to the entire article follows):

While traditional top-loading washing machines generally have pretty basic options in terms of wash cycle customization, they are the biggest sellers in the market. In 2022, Consumer Reports noted that these workhorse machines have remained the most popular in terms of sales even as more advanced models have arrived on the scene. "Top-load agitator washing machines aren't the most technologically innovative, but they continue to outsell front-loaders and even HE top-loaders, the kind without a center-post agitator," the nonprofit consumer organization stated. "According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, 44 percent of all washer shipments in 2020 were top-load agitators."

Though front-loaders will keep your clothes and other washable pieces looking newer longer, they still represent a relatively smaller portion of the washing machine market. Consumer Reports (CR) also pointed out in 2022 that front-load washing machines accounted for only about 28 percent of all washing machines sent to retail stores in 2020. They got their data from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and shared that the percentage was "a marked drop from the 38 percent shipped in 2009. By comparison, 44 percent of shipped washers were top-load agitators and 28 percent were high-efficiency top loaders."

https://www.housedigest.com/1044580/front-load-vs-top-load-washers-which-is-right-for-your-home

I could easily go on about other facets of today's washers (maintenance and care, potential smells, longevity, noise, and so on), but I'll save that for another article!

It's holiday time! 

    

And - like every Thanksgiving/Christmas season - we have an increase in customers looking to replace or upgrade their stove.   I thought you, the customer,would appreciate a guide as to what to expect from today's newer, higher performing ranges, and also what kind of questions your salesperson might be asking.

For the sake of this blog, let's assume you are replacing or looking at the traditional sized 30" wide range.  There are smaller width sizes, 20" and 24" wide ovens available (normally for smaller kitchens or apartments), and larger "professional" ranges in the 36" and 48" size.)  If you are looking for a standard 30" wide range, take heart:  ranges are much more standardized size-wise then refrigerators.  For example, there never have been 29" or 32" ranges!

Let's start with some easy questions:  

Are you looking for an electric or gas range?    (And if the range is gas, hopefully we're asking whether you have natural or LP gas?)

Are you looking for a "free-standing" range (a traditional style range with a back), or a "slide-in:"range.  These backless ranges have become more popular in recent years as people remodel and upgrade their kitchens.   The picture below should help (free standing range is on left, slide-in on right):

          

What color would you like?  If you have a white or traditional black kitchen, you willfind your replacement choices are beginning to become more limited.  Stainless steel, usually but not always with a coating to help resist fingerprints, has been the most popular appliance finish for at least a decade and probably longer.

Two nice improvements worth mentioning:! Oven cavities have become progressively larger over the years (while the stove itself still fits into a 30" opening).  Also, cooktops have become more powerful.  It is not uncommon for an eletric range to have a burner that exceeds 3000 watts (vs. 2100-2500w max a generation ago.)  Gas ranges boil water much faster!  Back in the late 90's for example, a 12,500 BTU burner was a big deal, and marketed as a "High Output" burner.   Today, stoves can have anywhere from 15K to as much as 21K BTU on one burner, (and usually have a lower BTU on the low end for better simmering as well!)

                                                                       ***

Once these questions are asked and answered, it will become easier to hone in on models that match your wants and needs.

Some of the features on today's stoves, roughly in order of most basic to most expensive, include:

Self cleaning ovens.   Often, these stoves also include a steam clean feature, which is faster and more eco-friendly then the traditional high-heat self clean cycle.  What is steam clean?   Here's an explanation, courtesy of Frigidaire:

https://support.frigidaire.com/Owner-Center/FAQs/Cooking/RangesStoves-WallOvens-Cooktops/electric-and-induction/When-and-how-do-i-use-steam-clean/

Five burners vs. four.  The majority of electric smooth-top ranges include a fifth burner at the center rear of the cooking surface.  This burner serves as a "warming" burner, to help maintain temperature and simmer on a recipe item that has completed the cooking process.

(Note - in gas ranges, not only do many stoves include the fifth burner, but a griddle plate is often included, or at least available as an option.)

Convection and Air-Fry.  Do you have a table top air fryer at home?  If so, then you essentially have a mini convection oven.  The convection feature (forced hot air circulation, allowing more even and faster cooking) becomes available as an option usually about halfway into a manufacturers lineup.  In addition, recently many stoves include an air-fry button to the oven controls, using the convection fan and heating elements together.

Double oven.  Most manufacturers offer a couple of models with two ovens, one above the other.  This offers two advantages:  1) the ability to cook two different foods at separate temperatures, or 2) the ability to cook a small meal iusing the smaller, faster heating and more efficient, oven cavity.

This should give you an idea of what's available on a modern range.   Which range is the "right" range for you?  That depends of course.  Two of the most common factors are usually 1) budget), and 2) how much you see yourself using some of these nicer features (such as the speed and flavor retention of a convection oven.)

And, please -- enjoy the shopping process!  In case you're wondering, availability is just about back to pre-Covid 19 levels, so in most cases Manny's can deliver you a new range (and remove your old if desired) within just a few days.   

If you have any questions, you can reach out and speak to any of our professional staff in any of our ten locations.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

The Care and Maintenance of Your Appliance

One of my customers came into the store two weeks ago asking for my assistance on an unfortunate situation.  They had accidentally left a plastic lid on their electric smoothtop range.  The plastic melted, and adhered to the cooking surface.  I was asked what they should do, to which I had to reply, "I have no idea."  Frankly, I was stumped.  

At this point we referred to Google (what did we do before Google and YouTube?), and were able to find a possible solution.  I never heard back from this customer, so I'm guessing the solution below worked.   

What was that solution, you ask?  Well, this is the solution we found, courtesy of  "Maids.com"

 https://www.maids.com/blog/how-to-get-melted-plastic-off-your-oven-and-stovetop/

"Mix baking soda with a small amount of water to form a thick paste. Apply the paste directly to the melted plastic and let it sit for a few minutes. The baking soda paste will help loosen the plastic residue. Use a damp cloth or sponge to gently scrub the area until the plastic is fully removed."

So this got me thinking: what cleaning and care questions are we asked most often?  Below, I've listed a number of these questions and answers, with a focus on features that are relatively new to today's appliances.

"My refrigerator has the new, fingerprint-resistant stainless steel front.  What's the best way to clean the door?"

Per GE, the best way is:

1. Use a solution of mild soap and warm water with a clean, soft cloth or microfiber cloth.
2. Wipe dry with a clean, soft cloth or microfiber towel to avoid streaking or water spotting.

Incidentally, GE also has a solution for removing scratches from stainless doors:

Apply the toothpaste to the toothbrush and work the solution back and forth over the scratch following the grain. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away the toothpaste and see if the scratch is gone. Repeat the process until satisfied and apply a light coat of stainless-steel polish or olive oil.

(If someone should decide to give this a try, I'd love to know your result!)

"My new dishwasher has a trap on the bottom.  What's the best way to clean this? How often do I have to clean this?"

The answer to the first part is easy:  

Twist the Ultra-Fine Filter assembly counterclockwise and lift to remove for cleaning. Rinse filter with warm soapy water and use a sponge to carefully remove any stubborn particles. 

As to the question "how often?", once every two months is reccommended.  If the dishes start to feel gritty after washing, you may want to check and clean the filter sooner.  Personally, we clean ours at least once a month.

"There's a 'steam clean' button on my new range.  What is that?  How does it work?  How does that differ from self clean?"

The answer to the "what, and how":

What is a steam clean oven? Some ovens feature a steam clean option that uses water to loosen soils to make wiping away easier. This option, which can last anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hours, uses heat and water to soften grime and food residue from the interior of the oven.

The link below from "This Old House" elaborates further:

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/cleaning/22665048/steam-clean-oven

As to the difference between self and steam clean:  This explanation is from Kitchenaid (the full link is below):

Steam-cleaning ovens work to soften messes and debris inside your oven. Water added to the bottom of the oven creates steam that loosens soils so you can easily wipe them away. Self-cleaning ovens work by heating up to a very high temperature and burning off food residue. You can then wipe away the resulting ash once the oven cools.

https://www.kitchenaid.com/pinch-of-help/major-appliances/self-vs-steam-cleaning-oven.html

Finally, one more question:  

"I've been told I should clean my dryer vent and lint filter.  How should I go about that?"

Here's the simple answer, courtesy of BobVila.com:

1. Unplug the dryer.
2. Detach the dryer vent hose from the wall.
3. Remove and clean the hose and vent cover.
4. Reattach the hose and clean the exterior vent.

Sounds simple, and pretty obvious, doesn't it?    For more elaborate instructions, I'm including this link:

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-dryer-vent/

One final thought regarding your dryer screen:  Do you use dryer sheets?  If so, they can leave a film which over time can restrict air flow.  Washing your filter monthly with mild soap is an excellent preventive measure!

If you have questions about any other care and maintenance issues, check the "Use and Care" book that most manufacturers supply with a new purchase.  If that doesn't work (or you threw away your manual), then feel free to take advantage of the many resources the World Wide Web supplies, or just shoot me an email.

It's Black November -- time to go shopping!!

 

It wasn't that many years ago when Black Friday specials would create frenzied crowds like you see in the photo above!  People would wait in line for hours in the freezing cold, waiting for their favorite store to open (and often retailers would open at 1AM or earlier - once I believe Wal-Mart opened at 5:00 PM Thanksgiving Day!), all to beat the crowd on an extremely limited supply of fantastic markdowns on a few specific models.   

Fortunately, and for a lot of reasons (customer safety and staffing issues being the top two) the retail industry has gotten away from this.

Now, historically the appliance industry shied away from "Black Friday" specials, until the mid-2010s.  Today, the appliance manufacturers are just as aggressive as others when it comes to crazy specials.   The nice thing is, you don't have to stand in line in the cold for appliance specials.  Our specials have already begun, and run until the end of November.  Think of this as "Black November" instead of  "Black Friday"!

I'm going to run through an example of the savings you can achieve if you decide to take advantage of these discounts. For purposes of this demonstration, we're going to put together a typical four piece,  mid to upper-level set of appliances.

Refrigeration.  Let's start with the refrigerator, as this is the appliance that gives you as a consumer the most style and size choices.  It's also the category that can have the most pitfalls, and requires your salesperson to ask you the most questions in order to ensure that the model you choose fits your needs, and also actually fits inside your home!

Some of the questions your salesperson should be asking you include:

1. What style would you like? (French door, single door bottom freezer, side-by-side, or top freezer.)
2. How much width and height do you have to work with? (usually 33" or 36" wide, and anywhere from 66' to 72" in height.
3. What color would you like? (Stainless steel is still by far the most popular.)
4. Full depth or counter depth? (Provided you have the space for a full size, contemporary style refrigerator, you might also have the option of a shallower fridge so that it doesn't stick out into the kitchen as far.)
5. Will the fridge fit through the front door? (Don't laugh - today's full-sized fridges are, in the words of one of my customers "Behemoths."

For the sake of this exercise, let's say you have plenty of room, and would like a stainless steel front, French Door refrigerator, with ice and water through the door.  After thinking about it for a bit, you decide you would rather have the full depth model because you do not want to lose the storage space  counter-depth units take away.

Your salesperson shows you the GE GFE28GYNFS.   You take a look at the inside of the unit, note the fingerprint resistant finish, like the layout and finish, and decide this is a good choice for you.

Cooking

Excellent!  Moving on to the range.  We'll have two big questions to narrow down the field:

1. Gas or electric?
2. Free standing or slide-in? (Slide-in ranges have a backless, more upscale looking style., They are also generally $300-$700 pricier.)

You decide you like the sleek look of a slide-in range.  You like to cook, but you don't consider yourself  a cooking "connoisseur" who needs all the "bells and whistles".   You choose the GE slide-in JS760SPSS. Your salesperson mentions that this is one of our more popular models, and has the same finish as the fridge

Now, I have found that once the fridge and/or the stove is picked out, the remaining pieces usually fall into place quickly.   

Venthoods.  Since we're discussing cooking, we'll look next at the choices for matching over-the-range microwaves, which give you a microwave and vent hood built into one appliance.  

It seems almost everybody chooses a microvent that matches the rest of their kitchen appliances, especially the range.  Your salesperson shows you a couple of different GE models, and after deciding you don't need one of the pricier models that includes a convection oven for normal cooking, you choose the JVM7195SKSS, as you like its oversized turntable and more-powerful-than-average 400 CFM exhaust fan.

And last but not least...the dishwasher:  You mention to your salesperson that you don't need a lot of extra features on the dishwasher (you just want it to clean the dishes!).  When asked, you decide that you do prefer a stainless interior instead of plastic, and that you like the third rack a lot of models now provide.  After looking at a couple of models, you decide on one of our mid-level models, the GE GDT650SYVFS.

You might be wondering at this point: Do all the appliances have to be the same brand?  The simple answer is "No, they don't!"  And while that is true, I have noticed over the years that most kitchens we sell do tend to be "branded."  There are two strong benefits to this:

1. The finishes, handles, and fonts will all match.
2. REBATE MONEY COMES INTO PLAY - see below!

So now let me show you the price on this suite with the Black November discounts.  Below is the Black November price for each product, with regular prices alongside for comparison purposes:

1. Fridge          GFE28GYMFS     Regular $3299  - November $1899
2. Range           JS760SPSS           Regular $1949  - November $999
3. Microwave   JVM7195SKSS    Regular $529    - November $279
4. Dishwasher  GDT650SYVFS   Regular $899    - November $529

Total price:  $3726 (a savings of  $2970!!)

There may be additional delivery and installation charges, depending on your situation.  Also, electric ranges require the purchase of a power cord for $25 (which we will install).  (And yes, these product do go on sale at other times during the year, but not to the extent that they are discounted in November.)

All this sounds good, I'm sure.  But -- Wait!! There's more!!  We have "package" rebates available as a bonus!!

On this particular four-piece kitchen, Manny's offers a $500 rebate in addition to the sale price!!  Various rebate programs will also apply to most purchases of two or more pieces in many different brands- (please note that the appliances have to be the same brand for these "suite"rebates to kick in).  

I feel obligated to point out that this four-piece suite rebate is NOT available at the so-called Big Box stores!  I often call this the "Thank you for buying local" rebate when working with my customers.

And no -- the savings I've illustrated above is by no means unrealistic!  Similar savings can be found on many different products, and from many of our manufacturers.   

Manny's professional sales staff can help put together a kitchen package with you, and will inform you of any rebates that apply to your purchases.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions if you'd like.  You can also speak with a salesperson at any of our ten locations, or - even better!- stop in and visit one of our showrooms.  

Finally, two thoughts: Inventory levels are almost back to pre-covid levels, and these November discounts are the most aggressive we've seen in years!

Happy shopping!

A Top Ten Appliance Model List

 

One rainy Wednesday afternoon last week my coworkers and I got into a discussion speculating as to which models were actually the most popular.  I decided to do some research, and was able to come up with a "Top Ten" list, which you can see below.

A couple of thoughts here:  First, I am in no way, shape, or form suggesting that these models are the "best" in the industry, or that these are the specific models you should buy.  This is simply a list based on the best selling SKUs year to date in our buying group, a distributor which feeds almost every independent retailer in the northeast.

So, without further ado, here we go!

#1  GTW465ASNWW  (Current sale price $559)

This mid-level GE top-loading washer is the best selling "SKU" in our buying group.  It features a huge 4.5 cubic foot stainless steel tub with the traditional auger-style agitator.  It also is one of the last washers that offers a direct water level control dial.

#2  MVW4505MW (Current sale price $579)

No surprise here.  This Maytag top-loading washer also offers a 4.5 cubic foot capacity stainless steel tub with an auger agitator.  As with all Maytag branded products, this machine also offers a 10 year warranty (parts only, not labor!!) on the motor and basket.

#3  JVM3160RFSS (Current sale price $239)

Our best selling over-the-range microwave.  While this is a relatively basic model feature-wise, it still comes with all the essential features and buttons (such as a "popcorn" button!.  This model has a stainless steel exterior (easily still the most popular kitchen color!) and a two-speed exhaust fan that can be either ducted out or converted to recirculate through a charcoal filter.

#4  TC5003WN (Current sale price $1329)

Now, this was a very pleasant surprise!  I did not expect to see this washer on the top ten list, only because of the price.  If this machine can fit your budget however, I think it is well worth the money (my wife also will attest - I have one in my home.).  This machine comes with a five year warranty on both parts and labor, fast cycle times, and - sound the cornets please! - no lid lock!  In short, a workhorse... a machine almost universally reccommended by service technicians.

#5 GTD42EASJWW  (Current price $549)

This is the "companion" electric dryer to the #1 GTW465 discussed above.  Super capacity,

multiple temperatures, a defeatable end-of-cycle signal ... in other words, all the essesntial features customers expect on a dryer without getting into the world of "smart appliances."

#6  JB735SPSS  (Current sale price $849)

Our best selling electric range.  True European style convection, a huge oven, multiple burner sizes on the cooktop, and both self-cleaning and steam-cleaning options for the oven.  You'll have to step up to the GE Profile series if you want your range to be "smart", but other than that you'll find this is a full-featured, tried-and-true range.

#7 MDB4949SKZ  (Current sale price $599)

Our best selling dishwasher, this is an energy-star rated machine with a stainless steel tub and a fingerprint resistant stainless finish.  Not the fanciest as far as features go (no third rack or adjustable upper rack for example, and reasonably quiet but not what I would consider silent), but a strong mid-level machine, US made, and from a US owned appliance company (Whirlpool).

#8 GFW550SSNWW  (Current sale price $779)

This huge 4.8 cubic foot machine is easily our most popular front-loading washer.  Some recent innovations from GE on this washer series include a reversible washer door (one of only two companies, Electrolux being the other, to offer this feature), and vents in the door that allow you to keep the washer door closed when not using (while still allowing the washer to "air out" to prevent the beginning of mold buildup.)

#9 JB256DMWW  (Current sale price $549)

Who knew??  A coil-top range makes the top ten?!  This self-cleaning, white (also available in black and stainless) range dominates the coil range category. This model is always a favorite among landlords, or for people who for some reason do not want the more modern smoothtop ranges.

#10 MED4500MW (Current sale $579)

The companion to #2 above.  Super capacity, multiple temperatures, and a reversible door in case you have your dryer on the left side of the washer.

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I also decided to dig a little further, and have come up with a list of the best selling models in some of the more popular product categories:

Top Load Washer:   GTW465ASNWW (see #1 above)

Front Load Washer:   GFW550SSNWW (see #8 above)

Dryer: GTD42EASJWW (see #5 above)

Electric Range:  JB735SPSS (see #6 above)

Gas Range:  GE JGB735SPSS ($749 - essentially the gas version of the JB735SPSS above)

Refrigerators -- Here I'm breaking the category into the various styles:

Top freezer: FFTR1835VW $849  A mid-priced, white top-freezer that fits into a 30" space.

Bottom freezer: WRB322DMBM $1399  The single door bottom freezer category suffered terribly from stock issues during the pandemic, and these fridges are only recently becoming available again.  Having said that, this Whirlpool model ships with an icemaker, is energy-star rated, and fits nicely into a 33" space.

Side by Side*  WRS321SDHZ $1299  (A quick note here:  This unit is built for a 33" wide kitchen opening, a size that offers relatively few model choices.  Most modern kitchens allow 36" to accommodate larger units.)

For full sized side-by-sides, our #1 seller is the Frigidaire Gallery GRSS2653AF ($1249), which has a fingerprint resistant front, plenty of adjustable shelf storage, and an exterior ice and water dispenser.  It also features the widest interior freezer in the side-by-side category.

French Door:  GNE27JYMFS  $1599 This huge 27 cubic foot, full sized, full depth - be sure to measure your doorway!! - Energy-star rated unit comes with an icemaker, a water dispenser inside the fridge, and a fingerprint resistant stainless front door. Note the cavernous interior below!

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Now once again, this is simply a popularity list.  Feel free to consult with any of our experienced sales professionals to help determine the "right" unit for you and your needs!!

"So, what's new and different with dishwashers today?"

I can only think of two occasions where the above question usually gets asked:  1) When your dishwasher breaks, or 2) when you are renovating, and have decided to replace your dishwasher because you're upgrading all the appliances.  Even then, the dishwasher tends to be a "tag-along" piece -- it's usually the refrigerator or stove that drives the decision where appliance brands and style are concerned.

Still, almost every modern kitchen leaves a space for a dishwasher.  So just "what is new, you ask?  Well actually (since you asked), quite a bit!  

Size

With the exception of a couple of sizes used for ADA kitchens, dishwashers are all the same size externally:  24"wide, 34" high (with a little flexibility for installation purposes), and 24" deep (same as a typical kitchen cabinet).  Internally, however, manufacturers keep finding ways to create more space, which is especially handy for platters and other oversized plates!

Style

Today's dishwashers tend to be sleeker looking.  Controls are often located at the top of the dishwasher instead of the front.  This gives the appliance a more "minimalist" look, keeping with general kitchen design trends in recent years.  Depending on the model, you can purchase a model with a towel bar handle (nice if you are "branding" a new kitchen, where all appliances have the same look and detail), or a unit with a "pocket" handle.  As an example, take a look at the pictures and links below of Frigidaire Gallery dishwashers displaying both handle and pocket models.

https://www.mannystv.com/products/Frigidaire/frig/fgid2476sf.html

https://www.mannystv.com/products/Frigidaire/frig/fgip2468ud.html

Noise

Sometime around twenty years ago, companies began to pay more attention to noise when designing and promoting their dishwashers.  I remember back in the late 90's selling Bosch dishwashers.  These models would sell for about $100 - $200 more than average (which meant around $499 - $699 back then!), and were promoted as not only a superior built product, but also noticeably quieter!!  Through the '00s and 10's, most companies began to brag about their machines' quiet operation.  Decibel (dba) ratings became part of the product spec sheets.  Now, generally speaking, you pay for "quiet" today.  As you progress through fancier and more expensive models in a brand's lineup, the decibel ratings reduce as th dishwashers get quieter.  

Safe to say however, as long as you aren't buying an extremely "entry-level" model, you will be getting a dishwasher whose noise level will at the least not offend you, and (for pricier models) is virtually silent!

Loading

As I mentioned above, today's dishwashers have more room on the inside.  The tubs tend to extend closer to the ground, adding about 2" vertically to the interior space.  As you progress in price, you will find bowl tines that can be flipped down to make loading odd shaped items easier.  Dishwashers have also become easier to load.  Many models employ adjustable upper racks that can be moved up or down about an inch and a half, creating more space for large plates or glasses.  I think the biggest innovation in the last decade plus is the addition of a third rack at the top of the tub.  This can be used to lay tongs, serving ladels, lids, etc., across the rack, freeing up more space on the other racks for your other dishes.  No more squeezing the grill tongs between the glasses on the upper rack, for example!!   

These racks tend to be flat, in order to minimize the loss of height on the traditional upper rack.  In the case of Kitchenaid shown below however,  the third rack adds more depth, making this rack even more useful!

https://www.mannystv.com/products/KitchenAid/kta/kdfm404kps.html

Efficiency

The D.O.E. has mandated substantial reductions in energy usage and water consumption on all household appliances, and dishwasher energy consumption has been substantially reduced as a result!  Almost all dishwashers that we sell qualify for "Energy Star" status, which might - depending on your town - qualify you for a small rebate from your utility company.  Even if you aren't rebate eligible, you will still enjoy significant savings in both electric and water usage.  

Even if you don't have a full load, go ahead and run your dishwasher anyway!  On average, you will use more water handwashing dishes in two minutes than your dishwasher uses throughout the entire cycle!  

Segueing from efficiency, I would like to address the (by far) most common complaint about today's dishwashers:

Cycle times are - greatly - increased!!

Yes, your new dishwasher will take longer to perform its duty.  The "normal" cycle on your unit will be slightly over two hours - and no, there is nothing you can do about this - other than use the "short" cycle (48-60 minutes), or the "1 hour" wash cycle many models provide in response to consumer complaints regarding, well, long cycle times!  At least you can hopefully take solace in the fact that you are saving both water and electricity (this is true, even though the unit runs longer).  Also, today's dishwashers generally run much quieter than models in the past.  You won't find yourself raising your voice or turning up the TV to compensate for dishwasher noise anymore!

There's one last feature in today's dishwashers, probably the most important:

Dishwashers clean better!!

The modern dishwasher is meant to live up to its name.  Manufacturers have added internal water heaters to raise water temperature to 140 or even 160 degress to help dissolve grease better.  Improved filtering systems do a better job capturing food particles, preventing these from being redeposited on your plates and glasses.  Racks are designed to work better in conjuction with the wash arms.  

Hopefully this helps.  Your salesperson can help you find the combination of features, color, and price that matches your needs.

Two final thoughts:

1) Installation.  Dishwashers are considered a "built-in" appliance, as opposed to say a refrigerator or clothes washer.  Professional installation is often needed.  Manny's does offer replacement installation for a reasonable fee (see your local store for specifics).

2)  This is my favorite "helpful hint", one that I share at the end of any dishwasher sale!  Unless you have "instant hot" water in your kitchen, prime your hot water before running the cycle!  As mentioned before, today's dishwashers employ internal water heaters to help improve performance.  All dishwashers, including premium brands such as Kitchenaid and Bosch, still benefit from starting with hot water.  Simply turn the sink's hot water on until it begins to feel hot to the touch, then run the dishwasher.  Your dishes will appreciate the boost!