The Home Appliances Thread

[sud98]

Asit, my take on the various appliances and the things you need to be wary of

1. Chimney and hob - Faber is a good choice (I have one), they are expensive to maintain, need regular cleaning. Do note that if you have never used these types of hobs, you will realise the efficiency is lower than the traditional hobs as there is a fair amount of gap between the vessel and the flame. Also, the chimney should cover atleast 15cm on both side of the hob, to make sure sure that all fumes are sucked. So for a 60cm hob, buy a 90cm chimney.
Also, preferrably buy a three flame one than a four flame, as its almost impossible to cook four at a time.

2. Water heaters - If you are going to stay in a high rise, then buy a model that its meant to handle high pressure. I learnt that such a model exist only when my std. one burst, and I had to buy the racold model that can handle high pressure.

3. I use washing m/c from LG and Samsung microwave, but seriously dont know one versus the other. The front loading in washing m/c is definitely better in terms of cleaning and water usage, but terrible if you have electricity cuts or water cuts as you cannot remove the clothes.

My two cents.

 

[Asit]

George and sgmane,

Thanks for your replies and recommendations. I am trying to locate stores which sell Siemens/Bosch washing machines here in Kolkata. Since I have happily owned a Bosch for such a long time (17 years), it would be good if I can find machines of similar reliability and functionality. The old machine still washes very well. Just that the body is now slowly giving up and I do not think it will survive the move.

Regards

 

[omishra]

My response are here -

WM - Siemens (My exp 3 years)

Chimney - Faber (My exp 5 years) or ELECTRA (my friend has 5 years exp. and happy)

 

[npalesha]

Has anybody used the new Godrej Tilt Open Drum washing machine with direct drive motor. They claim it has advantages of front and top loading machines (Best of both).

 

[haisaikat]

Asit da, In kolkata I hear a lot of collegue buy Kutchina electric chimney although never researched in this area but did you evaluate their product before buying? My wife plans to buy one for her parental home so wanted to get feedback.

 

[Asit]

... the chimney should cover atleast 15cm on both side of the hob, to make sure sure that all fumes are sucked. So for a 60cm hob, buy a 90cm chimney.
Also, preferrably buy a three flame one than a four flame, as its almost impossible to cook four at a time.

Spot on. The hob we have chosen is 60 cm wide, and our chimney would be 90 cm. Also, we have chosen a 3-burner hob. Today, somebody came from Faber and inspected the installation area of the kitchen.

Water heaters - If you are going to stay in a high rise, then buy a model that its meant to handle high pressure. I learnt that such a model exist only when my std. one burst, and I had to buy the racold model that can handle high pressure.

Really. I should have thought about this. Well, we have not yet bought the water heaters, so we will keep this in mind. Right now we live on the top floor, in the new apartment complex we will be on the 12th floor while my building will be of 19 floors, and hence there will be appreciable water pressure. This will, on the other hand help the RO water machine, because the RO membrane needs high pressure. The RO machine in our present place struggles a bit because of lowish water pressure according to the maintenance people.

The front loading in washing m/c is definitely better in terms of cleaning and water usage, but terrible if you have electricity cuts or water cuts as you cannot remove the clothes.

This is true, but the front-loading machines really wash better. Will have to take a chance on this. Actually we have planned to put the washing machine in the bigger bathroom, and although I hate water on the bathroom floor (we are going have shower enclosures), in case of a very long power cut, we may like to open the lid to take wet clothes out. However, I am not sure whether the machine will allow opening the lid before the cycle is over. We never had to do this.

Omishra,
Yes, I am seriously looking for a Siemens/Bosch washing machine.

Npalesha,
Although we are not planning to get a Godrej for a washing machine, I will find out about the machine you are talking about.

Saikat,
Yes, the Kutchina is a very big brand locally. I probably could get a good discount if we decided in favor of this brand. However, I was never impressed by Kutchina. I do not think it can equal the fit, finish and performance of a brand like Faber. However, I may be very wrong. Anyway, it's out of our hands now. We already ordered the chimney.

Regards.

 

[GeorgeO]

Asit

Yes, in general Deutscheland uber alles. Exceptions are there like the Korean refrigerators for example.

 

[Moviela]

I have seen no discussion of the most modern of home electrical products. At last Toto has opened a showroom in Bangalore and brought the washlet to India.

Never heard of a washlet? It is heaven down under. It replaces the standard seat on your toilet. It is so advanced it comes with a remote control to address all the features. The first item of comfort is the heated seat. You can set the desired amount heat, and on cold nights it keeps one more than comfortable.

The next is the wash wand. Upon command this little pipe extends under you, and, like a magic wand, sprays a steam of warm water where you can imagine it is needed. I am not sure what the technology is, but it hits the bullseye every time.

There are buttons for rear cleansing, as well as feminine front cleansing.

What follows is a stream of air as warm as the desert winds. While you are being pampered in a manner unknown to even a Maharajah, the family receives benefit from the electric deodorizer. This works very well, and starts automatically as you approach.

There is a damper to softly lower the lid. No more slapping and banging by the womenfolk having discovered you left the seat up again. (It has never occurred to a woman to put the seat up when she is done.)

The increase in personal cleanliness is worth the price of admission alone.

Products??|??TOTO Asia Oceania

 

[haisaikat]

how much does a washlet cost really on an average?

 

[Asit]

Moviela,

These Toto washlets are very popular throughout Japan these days.

Regards.

 

[Moviela]

how much does a washlet cost really on an average?

They are a bit expensive, but so is any indulgence.

I visited the Google Campus and discovered they had them in the restrooms there. Very refreshing.

In the US and Japan they use 110 volts, so use in India requires a 220 volt version. Voltage converters are impractical because of the rather high current heater for the water.

Here is an Amazon link for a US model. At less than $600. it is quite a good price.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011YLJL8/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=hi&psc=1

 

[vinay]

Asit Sir,

A great thread, this will rock in coming times.

There are many a times we are not able to buy the things quickly due to lot of research and planning, if this plan is not followed well then the end result is often not up to the mark.

Congratulations for the new apartment.

V.

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.

 

[vinay]

Tap

There are dual sinks available too which are also very good.

The kitchen sink tap if it is movable in all directions then it is offers a lot of flexibility in terms of cleaning vegetables etc.

V.

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.

 

[Asit]

Vinay,

Thanks a lot. Actually this 3 BHK apartment is a pretty modest one, judging by the standards these days (but has very nice extended view from the balcony and from windows. It's on 12th floor and has open South and East - the wind blows from the South in these parts of the World). Of late the real estate pricing has skyrocketed in Kolkata, and I cannot afford anything better. In any case, within my means, my wife and I like to make it as livable as we can. Sometimes our son also joins in, and it is a lot of fun discussing about all the planning etc. The only bad part is the expenditure - everything has gone up a few notches. Very high labor costs too - but I think it is fully justified, because those guys also have to live a decent enough life.

Thanks also for the tip on the kitchen sink faucet.

Regards.

 

[vinay]

Ifb

I am using IFB Dish Washer, it is too good a product but when there is a problem with their machine they do take time to repair in spite of being under AMC.

But in recent times i have found a middle ground where the repairs are done much quicker and fortunately such a repair situation arises not over once a year.

Indeed i too will not recommend a buy for "IFB" brand.

V.

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.

 

[vinay]

Washing Machine

Asit Sir,

Please advice how does this sink disposer work and it's benefit?

I am using a fully automatic washing machine with a whopping capacity of 11 KG and it dries the clothes 100%, so clothes are ready to iron etc. The whole cycle is through under 2 hours.

Further in rainy season clothes do not dry for at least 2 days, with this kind of a wonder machine one can imagine the kind of relief rally which one can have especially when rain in Mumbai, lasts for longer period.

A washing machine on these lines is bound to bring considerable joy.

V.

Thanks Srini, Denom and Venkat for more suggestions.

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.

Yes, we need a washing machine in the new apartment

 

[Asit]

Vinay,

Let me explain the kitchen sink disposer. Basically this is a small unit placed under the kitchen sink and connected to the sink outlet. It needs electric power to run. The disposer is activated by pressing a switch for a short time. It makes a very annoying sound and I think it creates a powerful vacuum, drawing any stuff (vegetable cuts and similar soft matter) with a huge force from the sink into the outlet pipes. Usually these sort of things get stuck in the trap under the sink.

I do not know how the Franke disposer works here in India. Whatever I have described above is how it worked abroad. This is a very common fitment to a kitchen sink in the US.

BTW, what is this excellent washing machine that you have? You have not mentioned the brand. The Bosch machine we have gets rid of about 50% of the water after the spin cycle.

Regards.

 

[vinay]

Sink

+1 for buying the sink with drain board.

V.

Today we received the Franke kitchen sink with the drainboard.

 

[vinay]

New House

Asit Sir,

A 3BHK is quite a good space and icing is the whooping 12th floor.

With the house at virgin level many a things must be on your mind that can be done toward the ideas which we accumulate during the years, some of them which come to my mind are:-

• Concealed wiring through out the house.
• Acoustic windows if sleep gets easily disturbed with outside noise.
• Double main door + pigeon hole with basic camera.
• In bathroom non slippery tiles+ big rod length wise on left wall.
• A film on some of the main windows + partly mosquito nets.
• A lot of storage on ceilings in the house to keep the non-regular things.
• The provision for dish washer in kitchen.
• A lot of electrical points through out so there will be no need for extension boards.
• Etc.

It is true property rates are on a rise, last year in Jan i saw a property in Shimla, which was a 1BHK offered @ 25 Lacs, and now the same is quoted at 33 Lac, with as good as no availability.

V.

Vinay,
Actually this 3 BHK apartment. It's on 12th floor. Of late the real estate pricing has skyrocketed in Kolkata. it is a lot of fun discussing about all the planning etc.

 

[just4kix]

Chimney and Hob: Faber is a good company. Others may be as good also. BUt as Faber has been in the markey for quite some time, their service network is well established. I get a call every six months for maintenance and cleaning from Faber. When choosing a chimney, please choose one which has a real exhaust (going out of the kitchen) and has steel baffle trays. Steel baffle tarys can be removed and self-cleaned every month - just soak them in medium hot detergent water for 30 mins, rinse and then soak dry.

AC: I find that O-general and Hitachi make excellent AC's. They are costly but their performance is way better. I have both and Samsung as well. The Samsung's are OK but O-General is 5 times better.

Fridge: Samsung, LG, Godrej, Haier - you can take your pick. I prefer the tall models to the wide ones.

Washing Machine: I prefer front-loaders even though 90% of India favours the top-loaders. I have had an IFB and currently a Samsung. No complaints with either.

Microwave: I have Panasonic. But most top models are more or less same in features, price and performance. Only the service will make a difference.

Water Heaters: I have removed all the electric water heaters from my home and installed gas-fired ones. My electricity bill dropped by a whopping 65%. Just make sure that bathroom is well ventilated and run the exhaust fan when water-heater is in use. The only disadvantage with the gas-fired water heater is that you cannot use it with a bathtub or jaccuzzi. As I don't have either, it does not bother me.