Appliances

Update: 3/10/15: I ran my "findings" past Chad Miller at Seattle Home Appliance. I asked if an induction range would be more impressive than a gas one. In some situations, he said--a lot of customers come in wanting induction--but, in general, no. Serious chefs want gas. (By the way, the NXR DRGB3601 has a blue porcelain finish inside the oven and all six burners are 1500 BTU.)

As for refrigerators, french doors are the trend. I noticed that there are many more french door models at Lowe's and Home Depot than side-by-sides. Through the door icemakers in some models take a large amount of shelf space, an even bigger problem in side-by-sides. In French door designs, Samsung has an icemaker that only impacts the top shelf. LG hangs the whole thing on the door. GE brings up the rear in this regard.

So, a French door model is back on the table. The Samsung RF323TEDBSR is at the high price end ($3400), or the LG LFX25973ST ($2350). I really like the flex drawer and door-in-door models, such as the $4000 LG LMXS30776S, which has it all. It's 36" x 37.75" x 70 1/4".

Tentative appliance choices.

Dishwasher
KitchenAid Architect Series II, KDTM354DSS. I want the third, upper shelf. Ultra-fine filter.

Update: They have a million models. The one we want has the "third-level utensil rack" KDTE204DSS. By the way, for a couple hundred more, the KDTM384ESS has a view window and lighted interior (but no third level).

Range

NXR 36" gas range

NXR makes Wolf-like ranges for less than half the Wolf price. Viking is also good. A 36" range looks more impressive than a 30".

NXR DRGB3601 is about $3000. (Wolf GR366 is $6,345.)

Refrigerator

These side-by-side models meet the specs:

• GE Profile PSE25KSESS - Energy Star and ADA compliant, but clunky display and no digital temp control.
• LG LSC263??6S - Door-in-door. (??=36, 38, 46) Not ADA. $1800, $1900, $2100.
• Maytag MSC21C6MDM - No digital temp control. Not ADA. $1615
• Samsung RH22H9010SR - Only 21.5 cu ft. Not ADA. $3000
• Samsung RH25H5111 - 24.5 cu ft. Not ADA $1700
• Samsung RH29H8000SR - 28.5 cu ft. No Gallon door storage. Not ADA $2500
• Whirlpool WRS950SIA - 29.7 cu ft. Not ADA. $1700.

The LG model is sexy. 36 x 36 x 70 1/4". Glass shelves, 1 slide-out; wire freezer shelves; 3 door bins; 2 crispers. "LoDecibel" quiet operation. Hidden hinges. LED lights in refrigerator and freezer.

LG LSXS26386S $1900

Features
Side by side or French door over freezer? Side-by-side makes sense because it puts the through-the-door ice dispenser in the freezer.

24-30" deep (counter-depth) or 33-36" deep? I don't think counter-depth is good, because you lose either capacity or insulation. 36" wide.

I'd like an external temperature display, ice and water dispenser. Digital temperature control.

22-26 cu. ft.

Energy Star rated, ADA compliant.

"Gallon Door Storage" or similar double-door feature is nice.

LED lighting, spill-safe shelves, filtered water nice.

Kitchen Sink
Single bowl stainless steel sink, such as Elkay Crosstown ECTRU30179RDBG ($728). 31.5" W x 18.5" D x 9" H. Sound dampening sides and bottom.

Might want to consider "apron front" stainless steel as well.