The Home Appliances Thread

[Asit]

Folks,

I need to buy a lot of stuff quickly for our new apartment. I thought I would start a thread on it. The trouble is: I have absolutely no experience in these sorts of things , and I find it far more difficult than physics or music. And, on top of that I have barely any time for it. Any help containing guidelines or some ideas will be highly appreciated. I assure you that I will never hold anybody else than me responsible for any bad purchase. So, please, keep the help coming. I NEED IT.

Let me start with the kitchen. Please suggest electric chimney and hob together costing up to approx 30k. There are so many horrible experiences of people on the net, I am terrified. My MIL has a Kaff. I shortlisted a Faber: a Mars 90 cm with 1200 cu.m./hour suction power and Faber MDR 603 MTX hob to go with it. Are these very bad choices? Is Faber a bad brand? Cooking at home at times is heavy. We are looking for quality.reliability and good service.

Regards

 

[denom]

Faber is a good company, have used their chimney a decade ago, was good, but you need to remember that its to be cleaned periodically as well(filters & such)
Their products are pricy but well engineered. Never had any service issue during that period of time.

Googled about their customer service & the reports aren't so rosy, so please do check how their ASS(After sales service) set-up is in your city/locality.

 

[srinisundar]

Hi,

I give straightly comment on Faber and it is an good choice, i do own the same from year 2004, till now working perfectly. Don't remember the model, but can raise my hands on support for Faber wholeheartedly

 

[srinisundar]

For bathroom can suggest "Racold" Water heater, same purchased in the year from year 2004 and had issues only one time and till now working perfectly. Their service lead time on complaint is 1 day.

For mirrors can go with Modiguard or Saint Gobain

Fan's I can suggest "Orient" which is an reliable than Khaitan or Bajaj or Crompton.

For Fridge, no nonsense "Samsung".... My 400 Lts which was purchased in year 2004 still goes strong without any issues.Lead time for Service call is 1 day.

For Washing Machine ' "Whirlpool".. Had issues with motor belt one time, other than that nothing serious.

For cost conscious AC's for smaller rooms "Onida" Bigger room "Samsung"... I went with Carrier in my flat for all rooms and not happy. But in office installed "Onida " and "Samsung" and no issues so far.

 

[srinisundar]

Forgot to add about the "Curtains",, don't know "Co-optex handlooms" Govt owned is available in your city. Go with that. Itz nice and cheap and at-last let us help to keep them live and for sure it cannot be privatized

 

[Asit]

Great. Already 2 replies in a very short time. Thanks a lot denom and srini for supporting Faber. I also thought Faber would be good. I visited their showroom and liked the general look of the chimneys, and especially liked the design of their 'baffle' filters. The idea of this filter is quite neat. The only thing I am a bit worried is that on the net I find a few terribly unsatisfied customers, perhaps more than some of the other brands. But since this is a popular brand, and there are many customers, the absolute problem count also rises naturally. On a positive note though: I hear that they are the only chimney brand to have an all India toll-free (1-800) service number.

BTW, while we were at the Faber showroom, we liked a kitchen sink that they carried. It's a brand called Franke. The quality of finish was really good, so we bought it.

Regards.

 

[denom]

Franke Faber India Limited

Part of the hi-tech kitchen set is their Bio Waste Disposer.

Bio Waste Disposer

Did you buy this as well Asit???

 

[venkatcr]

Asit, whatever you do, do NOT even look at an IFB washing machine. Though their technology is good, their service is terrible. Every time the machine breaks down, I have to scream my way right upto the CEO for a technician to visit me. This has happened thrice. They simple don't understand the concept of customer service. Every time I talk to the VP or CEO, they sound very surprised.

I have also had good experience with Faber chimney. There is a small company here who sends a person every month to clean the chimney.

I have had good experiences with Sanyo microwave. I don't even know what water heaters I have. Refrigerators - both LG and Samsung are good. I have had good experience with LG and Sanyo TVs if you are looking for some.

Akai service is excellent. Unfortunately their market share is going down and they have placed themselves in the low price price bracket.

Cheers

Cheers

 

[Asit]

Thanks Srini, Denom and Venkat for more suggestions.

Yes, water heaters are one of the next in our list. Racold and A.O. Smith are the two brands we are looking at.

We have used these kitchen sink disposers in the US (from a different brand in general, I'd think), and I must say they were very useful. Here, we have to call a plumber every now and then to clear the kitchen sink outlet. I will discuss this with my wife and I'd like to go for something like this.

IFB service is 'reputed' to be quite bad these days. Yes, we need a washing machine in the new apartment, because the one we have now is 17 years old. It was a top-end Bosch that I bought right after I came back to India, money well spent there. IFB was marketing Bosch at that time (since then they have fallen apart). Well we never needed any service for this machine, but it is time to move on I suppose, and get a new one. I bought and used Miele washing machines in US and Germany. They are the best, and they are now being marketed in India. But I do not find anybody selling Miele in Kolkata. Probably will go with a LG front-loading this time. What do you guys say?

Regards.

 

[AMITNOIDA]

Chimney: We are using a Glen Chimney and burner since 2005 and the same are working fine. Although my wife maintains and clean the filter almost once in a month. Every 3-4 months we call the servicing crew to clean the internals.

Refrigerator : LG 360 L running since 1997 without a single day trouble. It also withstood two transferes in between. Of course, the fridge was imported from Korea during those days.

Microwave oven : Again LG

AC: Daikin Split - Silent and power efficient. For small room you can go for "Onida' split. I have one running in my son's bedroom since 2005 and no problem. Don't go for LG ACs. They are not so good.

Geyser : Local 'Sahara' brand running marvelously since 2005. You can go for Racold.

Sanitary : Hindware 'Europa' design

Washing Machine: Whirlpool Front loading. Now Bosch is also marketting in India. At least I have seen their advertisement in hoardings at Delhi.

Enjoy shopping..

Regards

 

[sups]

Chimney: Faber

Washing machine: Siemens (its the best in terms of technology), next choice would be LG and no IFB please

Geyser: Racold

Refrigerator: LG

AC: Samsung

All the above are based on my personal experience with the products.

 

[sreenest12]

For the Chimney and the burner, I think you can look into Gilma also.
I have been using it for more than one year and is completely satisfied. I paid under 20k for the combination.

 

[roseboy24]

Hindware Chimney and Hob very good performer , installed at my home
IFB front loading machine perfect and highly recommended , installed at home , working good even we have not done single service from last 5 yrs .
you can consider CATA as well .

 

[nindo]

Well heres my 2 bits:

Chimney and Burner: GILMA (cheaper than Faber, good service and running quite well since 3 years)

Geyser: Racols or Bajaj. Also you might want to look at some Gas (LPG) based geysers which are more economical. Cant comment on the economy part as at my place I have a un-branded (unknown brand) geyser in one bathroom and solar heated water in another.

Microwave: Samsung (Grill+Micro+Convection) being used since 6 years- no problems

Refrigerator: Hitachi 3 door. bought recently. liked the layout and the retailer is a family friend and he suggested.

washing machine: Siemens- i think the best out there in affordable range. Other good one is the new LG with direct drive tech. But i guess "the best" available is Miele- but as of now they have an outlet only in Delhi. Don't know about other places.

AC: Carrier window- by the inventors. O-General is supposed to be the best out there (and i believe so too) followed by Daikin and Hitachi

cheers

 

[denom]

As for washing machine & fridge, my 2 rupees

Washing Machine:
IFB was king when they were selling Bosch - Still have the original Supremo running like a warhorse for more than 11 yrs. Yes it sounds like a helicopter in spin mode, has had its bearings changed only once & thats it!
Subsequently bought another IFB model - Senator in 2005 but that machine was problematic from the very beginning & spent quite a bit on it from time to time. Eventually got fed up & got rid of it after 4 years, then was on the look out for a 'problem free' washing machine & nearly fell for the LG Direct Drive Model. All looked hunky dory, but realised that LG seriously over states the washing capacity (as in load) & hence decided not to buy it as the washing load capacity is 1 serious factor that needs to be kept in mind when buying a washing machine. A family of 4 needs minimum of 5.5kgs wash load capacity in a washing machine. Keep in mind that the machine needs 'Headroom' for it to operate optimally & not be 'overloaded' (similar to amp/speakers synergy :lol Headroom increases the life of the motor/bearings of the washing machine. Sorry for going on & on but have done some serious re-search on the washing machines models available in the market.
Oh yea forgot to tell you that had bought a samsung '6.5 kg' top load washing machine somewhere around 2007 & trust me that was such a WRONG decision! The machine hardly managed a proper washing & i had to listen to 'feedback' from the womenfolk of the house almost on a daily basis for making a bad choice. Also Samsung ASS was equally bad. So off it went - rather it was a give away gift to one of our servants working @ the time, since washing machines have horrible second hand value. Last year after doing some more 'research', decided to go back to the old devil (IFB) as they had launched a new model, which was not made in India but Israel in a factory owned by Siemens & making a rebadged model for IFB. The model is called Digital 7KG. Just checked the IFB wbsite & here is the link
Product: Digital 7Kg Direct Drive
So far so good, running well, its silent & IFB now offers a 4 years Warranty on all models.
So do give this model a serious consideration if you do not find your favoured Miele.

Fridge: Using LG since '97 - Super. Only LG here again over state actual capacity (LG has this problem as mentioned in the washing machine experience )
Other worthy options are Panasonic/Hitachi.

 

[denom]

Hi Asit,

You surely have gotten good response on most of the commonly used appliances by the women folk @ home

Besides what has been discussed here, any other appliances that you are specfically looking for??? Based on your requirement, more of us can help you with our recommendations

With regard to Geysers, other than the Racold/ A.O. Smith ones, do some research on Gas & Solar Heaters, as they are more economical & are the future.

 

[Asit]

Thanks Amit, Sups, Sreenest12, Roseboy24, Nindo, Neeraj0272 and Denom for the excellent and really helpful suggestions, analysis and recommendations.

Sreenest12,
I see that this is your first post in this forum. A hearty welcome to you.

Guys,
I am really overwhelmed by the responses and your really helpful intent. Let me also tell you that I am writing this post on my new laptop - an Apple Macbook Air 13" with i5, 4GB memory and 256 GB SSD storage. I am sorry for this late response. During the day I did not find at all any time and towards the end I received my laptop to replace my 6 year old 15" Macbook Pro. The old one is still working near perfectly except that the specs are 6 years old and hence it has been finding it a bit difficult to cope up with the more demanding applications of the current day.

Today we received the Franke kitchen sink with the drainboard. It has the so-called micro-decor finish and looks really nice. We also had to order the chimney and the hob today because the people who are making the modular kitchen wanted these things as soon as possible.

Since most number of recommendations were made for this brand and also we liked the brand during our relatively short research and look-around, we finally chose Faber for the chimney (Mars Energy 90) and also for the hob (MDR 603 MTX). The hob also has the micro decor finish and it will match well aesthetically with the sink.

Among the other brands recommended, Gilma seems to have no presence in Kolkata. Glen service is very questionable here, according to reports by locals. Hindware chimneys we have not tried at all, but we did not see it in any multi-brand shops we have been to recently. Since the people making the kitchen wanted the specs as soon as possible, we finally settled for Faber which appears to be approved by most people. We were offeredRs 33K for the combo from the Faber showroom (MRP is something like 41K). Finally we got hold of a Faber distributor who offered 27K which is by far the lowest for the combo and we settled for it. Tomorrow a guy from Faber will come to do 'inspection'. I have no idea why this is needed, but if this is their procedure, so be it. I got a call from Faber within 5 minutes of booking the models through phone.

I will soon discuss more about other appliances, although many of you have already made very substantial remarks and recommendations.

Let me say a few things on stuff we have already decided or bought. Apart from Greenply Club (for the kitchen cabinets), Kajaria tiles for the bathroom walls and floor (we are completely remodeling the bathrooms with plumbing fully redone), we bought 2 toilets for 2 bathrooms. We initially liked a particular Kohler, but it was available only in P-trap and we needed S-trap. The Kohler dealer was ready to provide the P-trap to S-trap converter for free, but our plumber guys did not agree to accept one more joint in the plumbing. Parryware supply is currently not good in Kolkata, we did not find any of the models we had interest in. Our plumbers did not like Hindware for whatever reasons. Hence we were left with Cera. This is the brand we least talked about at home. But when we visited their exclusive showroom a week ago, we were really impressed. We decided on 2 of their single-piece models (Clive and Christina). The plumbers were really happy with these.

More later.

Regards.

 

[GeorgeO]

Most answers already given. I have in my house most of the recommended brands, so wont add to it( Whirlpool, Samsung,Faber,Franke etc). Have KAFF dishwasher and built-in oven, both recommended. Grohe built in cisterns, good product, Hindware Europa range is also good.

For anything specific, just ask!

 

[sgmane]

Just to add on the washing machine front.
IFB (before the splitup) were really good (including the after sales service). But now - too many of comments of IFB, that refrained me from buying the same. Now that Siemens and Bosch (very recently) are good. Bosch also has a factory setup near chennai and they are aggresively getting into indian consumer market with their reputed engineering products. One point here to note is- Siemens uses less power consumption (and same applies to Bosch too - i have not checked though). They are good and so the prices are little bit high when compared to other brands.
The decibels are also really low when compared to brands like whirlpool, IFB. Our BPL (fully automatic) served us for more than a decade until recently went kaput!! I had bought Siemens for my parents who are comfortable with the same. LG seems to be leading the market and they even give 10yrs warranty on the motor.
People who had bought IFB before the split up are lucky. Either there were no problems or if problems they were attended immediately by A$$. Iam not marketing any brand, but sharing information on the same. What find's good for you (cosmetic, practicality et al.,), will land in your attic!

 

[GeorgeO]

Neeraj


Our model is the K/D BIN 60 (INTRA). I find that the dishes are clean and glasses come out sparkling! What brand of detergent and how much of it do you use in the d/w? Possibly that may make a difference.

We dont use the d/w on a daily basis-same as you I guess, but after big and late parties or if the household help is absent for a day or two we dont hesitate to use it.