Appliances to Avoid and the Buying Traps That Waste Your Money

Every year, manufacturers introduce hundreds of new appliances at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). Some are impressive.

Some are just marketing hype. And some should have never made it past the design phase.

After seeing this year’s lineup, I couldn’t shake the sinking feeling that many homeowners will regret their purchases.

This article isn’t about what to buy. It’s about what to avoid.

With over 33,000 repair calls a year, we know which appliances break down, which have serious design flaws, and which marketing gimmicks just don’t hold up in a real kitchen.

So, let’s get started.

Appliances to Avoid and the Buying Traps That Waste Your Money

Appliances That Seem Great but Aren’t Right for Everyone

Some appliances seem like a great idea until you actually use them.

They aren’t complete failures, but depending on your lifestyle, they might cause more stress than they’re worth.

I’ll walk you through the ones that look good on paper but come with trade-offs you should know about before buying.

1. Thermador and SKS 42- and 48-inch Refrigerators

Both Thermador and SKS recently introduced 42- and 48-inch refrigerators to compete with Sub-Zero.

These are large, high-end models designed for spacious kitchens.

They have the same interesting features:

• Two ice makers - one regular, one craft ice
• A convertible refrigerator/freezer drawer
• Stainless steel interiors
• An integrated design to blend seamlessly with your cabinets

Funny thing about putting the compressor below instead of above, like a Sub-Zero - it might work great for some of you, but not so much for others.

It’s a decent setup for taller individuals, but it can be inconvenient for shorter people.

2. Combo Washers and Dryers

A combo washer and dryer is a single unit that washes and dries your clothes in the same drum - no need to transfer laundry between machines.

GE, LG, and Samsung all offer a version of this appliance.

It's great if:

• You only have 110 volts
• You can’t vent outside (or don’t want to)
• You want to start a load before work or before bed and have it finished when you’re done

However, if you have a large family, keep in mind:

• It takes twice as long to complete a cycle
• You have to be religious about cleaning the lint (or at least very diligent).

3. Dual Fuel Ranges

A dual fuel range features a gas cooktop and an electric oven, combining both fuel types in one appliance.

But what if you prefer roasting or broiling? Gas is better for both.

If you live in an older home, you’ll likely need to upgrade your electrical panel to at least 30 amps to accomodate a dual fuel range.

And if speed is your priority, an induction stovetop is even faster (and it simmers better, too).

4. Induction Ranges

I love induction cooking. It’s fast, offers better simmer control, is easier to clean and vent, and is the safest option for homes with children.

But what if you like to grill? You can do that on a dual fuel range, but not with induction.

Also, at 50 amps, induction is susceptible to voltage spikes.

If you don’t have reliable repair services nearby, you may want to think twice before buying an induction range.

5. Extra Quiet Dishwashers

I once wrote a post about Bosch dishwashers. The Bosch 800 Series runs at 42 decibels and has nearly all the same features as the Benchmark Series - for $400 less.

Someone commented that the Benchmark is quieter at 38 dB.

My response? What’s quieter than something you can’t hear?

You can’t hear a dishwasher at 44 dB, so spending $400 to $1,000 more just to shave off a few decibels is a waste of money.

If a dishwasher is under 44 dB, it’s already silent. Don’t overpay for marketing hype.

🔎Read More: How to Buy a Dishwasher

Appliances to Avoid at All Costs

Before we get into the worst appliances, let’s talk about something that gets overlooked in most kitchens: ventilation.

If you cook regularly, you may not think about it much, but it has a huge impact on your kitchen’s functionality.

Think about your stovetop. What burner do you use the most?

I'm willing to wager, it’s the front right burner. That burner is the hottest on standard ranges.

How hot?

On a typical stove, the front burners average 16,000 to 21,000 BTU. This is a huge jump from the 8,000 BTU burners I saw when I first started in the industry.

That burner sits about 22 to 23 inches from the back, which brings us to the real issue: ventilation.

In commercial kitchens, you’ll see large range hoods positioned correctly to handle all that heat, smoke, and grease.

Many homeowners, however, end up with appliances that completely fail at ventilation - leading to smoke, lingering odors, and poor air quality.

Here are the worst offenders:

6. Downdrafts

Allow me to introduce one of the most innovative appliances you’ll see in a long time: LG’s new downdraft showcased at KBIS:

It doubles as a spice rack and even has refrigerator units on either side to keep ingredients cold while you cook. Sounds impressive, right?

Here’s the problem: Downdrafts are at the top of my list of appliances to avoid, especially in new construction.

Let’s talk about ventilation. CFM (Cubic Feet Per Minute) measures how much air is exhausted from your kitchen per minute. A proper ventilation system needs:

• A large hood to capture smoke and grease before your blower removes them.
• A short, direct duct run - ideally straight up or straight back - to efficiently vent emissions.

Now, think about a downdraft.

It has zero capture area and a long duct run, often positioned behind the burners you actually use. How can that possibly work?

It doesn’t. Avoid downdrafts at all costs.

(By the way, there are induction burners hidden under the counter beneath LG's downdraft. It’s pretty cool.)

🔎Read More: The 3 Most Powerful Downdrafts & Why Downdrafts are a Bad Idea

7. Over-the-Range Microwaves

I loved these when I first saw them in the late ‘80s.

But they haven’t evolved, and today’s stoves are much more powerful.

The problem is that over-the-range microwaves do not provide enough ventilation.

• They are only 16 inches deep, which means the front burners, where most people cook, are left exposed.
• Their built-in exhaust systems average just 350 CFM, which is not strong enough to handle modern high-BTU burners.

As a result, smoke, grease, and heat linger in your kitchen instead of being properly vented.

If you cook often, a dedicated range hood is the better choice.

8. Shallow Hoods

Many hoods are only 19-21 inches or less and do not cover the burners. The minimum should be 23 inches.

Check depth before you buy.

Pro Tip: You can avoid many vent issues by placing the vent on the wall or above your the kitchen island.

Common Buying Mistakes That Cost You More Than the Appliance

Buying the wrong appliance is one thing. Buying it the wrong way? That’s even worse.

Service, reliability, and support matter just as much as performance. But most people don’t think about them until something goes wrong.

Before you spend thousands, make sure you aren’t making one of these costly shopping mistakes.

The Myth of the “Best Brand”

You’re probably considering one of these brands for a good reason:

• BlueStar
• La Cornue
• Miele
• Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove
• Thermador 

They all excel.

You should check the features, but there’s one more important factor people often overlook - until it’s too late.

And by too late, I mean Thanksgiving without a working stove.

Take a close look at this next graphic:

It’s just from the Boston area, only Yale customers, and mostly within warranty.

The other factor you need to consider before purchasing any appliance is whether you have available repair services in your area. 

Always check service availability before you buy.

Relabeled Premium Appliances

Here’s something brands don’t tell you: Many “premium” appliances are just relabeled versions of lower-end models with a higher price tag.

Take these ranges, for example:

• KitchenAid: Two power burners + warming drawer (nice touch) 
• Whirlpool: Convection oven, but only one power burner 
• JennAir: Slightly stronger cooktop + baking drawer

It’s the same basic range with different branding and a higher price tag.

And it’s not just ranges. This happens with GE, GE Profile, and Café or LG and LG Studio.

Before paying more, check the specs. Make sure the extra cost actually gets you better performance, and not just a fancier badge.

Just make sure the upgrades are worth the cost.

Pro-Style and Unknown Ranges

At KBIS, there were over 50 appliance exhibitors.

I came across 30 brands I had never even heard of – and this is what I do for a living.

That’s the problem with pro-style and lesser-known brands. They may look impressive, but without a strong service network, they’re a gamble.

Before buying an unfamiliar brand, check for service availability in your area. Many of these manufacturers lack the support needed for long-term reliability.

I know I keep repeating this, but it’s important.

Call me a pessimist, but if you can’t get it fixed, it’s not worth buying.

Making Assumptions About Size & Specs

Think you know which appliance is bigger?

Look at these two ovens. Which one has more capacity?

Hint: It’s a trick question.

Many pro-style and Italian ranges look big on the outside but have smaller interior capacities and lower heat output than you’d expect.

For example, Bosch’s pro-style range is made by SMEG, and some of these Italian models have significantly smaller ovens than American brands.

Don’t assume a bigger appliance means more space inside. Always check the actual cubic feet and power output before buying.

Buying Appliances Online (or Anywhere)

If you buy from Yale, you’ll get a detailed video covering everything you need to check before delivery.

We also send a delivery supervisor to ensure your new appliance actually fits.

Our delivery teams know what they’re doing. Three guys on a truck, decades of experience, and an understanding of the city that only comes with time.

I’m not bragging. We’ve been doing this for 102 years.

Even with all that, we still see returns because appliances don’t fit.

So how can any retailer deliver nationwide without running into major issues?

They can’t.

Just look at what happened:

• The largest online appliance retailer went bankrupt in 2023.
• In Boston, Boston Appliance filed for Chapter 7.
• In the Southeast, Conn’s HomePlus, one of the biggest publicly traded appliance retailers, shut down in 2024.

Moral of the story? Watch where you put your money.

The Extended Warranty Trap

Appliances break more than ever. But I still wouldn’t buy an extended warranty.

Why?

You need service when you have an issue.

Jake from State Farm may have a great job in commercials talking to athletes.

I wish I had that job.

But at least in the appliance warranty business, State Farm is better off hiring service technicians rather than pro athletes.

Appliance Finishes That Don’t Hold Up Over Time

Black Stainless Steel

Black stainless steel was a huge trend until it wasn’t.

At its peak, 30 to 35 percent of all appliance packages featured black stainless. Its warmer tones and industrial edge seemed like a fresh alternative to traditional stainless.

But there’s a problem. It scratches easily.

Before selling it, we tested it ourselves.

It failed.

Black stainless is just an oxide coating over regular stainless steel. That means one bad scrape, and you are left with a permanent, bright stainless streak.

And here’s the worst part: You can’t fix it.

Instead of a sleek, modern finish, you end up with a scratched-up mess.

The Reality of Black Stainless Steel:

• Scratch it once, and it stays scratched.
• Repairs are not an option.
• Sales have dropped from 35 percent to under 3 percent, yet brands still push it.

Does it look good? Yes.

But unless you are planning never to touch your appliances, it is a risky choice.

🔎Read More: Black Stainless Steel Appliances: Should You Still Buy Them?

Brown

Every generation tries to make brown appliances a thing.

It never works.

My grandfather sold Coppertone. JennAir introduced oil-rubbed bronze. My dad loved it. We even had a full brown appliance display in the middle of the store.

And yet, brown never sticks around.

So why did I put Miele’s Truffle Brown on the floor a few years ago?

No idea.

The problem is that brown appliances are supposed to match brown cabinets.

But there are endless shades of brown, and they rarely complement each other. Instead of blending seamlessly, they usually clash.

The Reality of Brown Appliances:

• Trendy for a moment, outdated in a few years.
• Matching cabinets sounds good, but rarely works.
• Most brands drop these finishes fast.

The Best Alternatives to Stainless Steel

• White: Making a comeback, just like in 1988.
• Black: Real black appliances, not black stainless.
• Custom colors: More brands offer unique color options.
  • KitchenAid has finally joined in.
  • Café has a few options.
  • Viking offers 17 colors.
  • La Cornue and CornuFé offer 50.
  • True has 15.
  • BlueStar offers over 1,000.

If you are tired of stainless, a pop of color on your range or refrigerator is a better way to stand out.

🔎Read More: Best Stainless Steel Alternatives for Kitchen Appliances

Final Takeaways

Before you even think about brands, start with your kitchen layout. The wrong appliance in the wrong space will cause more headaches than the brand name on the front.

Ventilation is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make. A stylish kitchen means nothing if smoke, grease, and heat linger because of a weak hood or a poorly placed downdraft.

Beyond that, poor service - not just bad brands - is the real problem. A highly rated appliance won’t mean much if you can’t get it repaired when something goes wrong.

That’s why the most important thing you can do is research before you buy.

• Check service availability before purchasing: Appliance failures are common, but good service is rare.
• Look beyond price and marketing gimmicks: A "premium" appliance isn't always better.
• Know the specs before committing: What looks like a deal may not be the right fit for your space or needs.

A little preparation now will save you time, money, and frustration later.

Additional Resources

Want more information on the worst renovation mistakes to avoid? Get The Book of Bad Renovations to learn how to avoid a renovation failure. Well over 1 million people have read and trusted a Yale Guide.

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• How to Design Your Dream Kitchen With Luxury Appliances
• How to Plan Your Kitchen Appliance Project
• 11 Kitchen Renovation Mistakes to Avoid
• 6 Appliance Trends to Avoid