Another kitchen renovation question: which whiteware do you recommend?
We’ve had a Fisher and Paykel double dishdrawer for years.
It’s good when there’s just the two of us because it gets full before we run out of dishes but it does take a long time to do a cycle.
It’s had a couple of malfunctions and is at an age where it probably isn’t worth repairing if it breaks down again.
Kitchen renovations which are in the planning stage could be an excuse for a replacement.
The question is, if we go for a new dishwasher do we go for a dishdrawer again or another make and/or model?
The oven is 21 years old, its seal is sagging and both it and the cook top will be replaced.
Everyone tells me to stick to electricity for the oven, but do I go for gas or stick with electricity for the cook top and if it’s the latter is conventional or convection better and which brand?
Homepaddock 
Will never get any F&P appliance again after many troubles with a recent purchase. Have had no problems with our Simpson washer, dryer, double oven, dishwasher and 500L fridge over last 15 years. Within 2 years of purchasing another 420L F&P fridge, It had already cost several hundred in repairs. Same with a couple other products made by them. Buyer beware!
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Double draw F&P died requiring over $600 in repairs. Sorry F&P it might have looked like a good idea but it doesn’t last
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I’m a big fan of electric ovens and gas hobs. However, I’m guessing that you might not have gas reticulation, so you would need to use the big bottles of gas, which could be a right pain. In that case, an electric hob might be better.
One thing I loathe about some electric hobs is the way that the elements cycle on and off. It can be hard to maintain a good rolling boil because at the critical moment, the element will decide all by itself that it would like to take a break now. Aaaagh! I’ve also found that some of our older pans don’t work well on ceramic? / glass? top electric hobs because they have uneven bottoms, and the bumps become the only contact point with the element, so heating is really uneven.
I’m hoping that you will post some pictures of the finished kitchen in due course…
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Like Deborah, I like electric oven, gas hob. My daughter does not have gas reticulation but uses a gas cylinder (as in the BBQ size) and it has lasted for over a year … actually she doesn’t know how long it’s lasted because she bought the house in June last year and hasn’t had to replace it. There is some sort of indicator (I don’t know what) that lets you know when it needs replacing so it doesn’t die mid dinner.
I much prefer dish drawers because I hate having to step back to let the door down …
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I’m willing to bet anything is better than the old Kelvinator in my last student flat at Lincoln that thing only had two settings raw or burnt. How it didn’t cause a fire i will never know. My mothers stovetop has the problem Deborah refers too, unless you have fancy flat bottomed pots and pans beware of the ceramic/glass cooktops. Personally i’m a fan of gas, theres something more homely about cooking over a flame.
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We have had a pretty good run out of Simpson appliances. They are cheap and reliable, and easy to fix if they do go wrong. Would prefer to support F@P but the build quality is just not good enough.
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Dishwasher: Had the double F&P dish washer in another with two children and do not miss it with two of us- like all dish washers you have to rinse before you use it – so pile it up until full.- this is a male solution.
“Range”: As Deborah says-“big fan of electric ovens and gas hobs”. ceramic/glass in our other house means you need to replace your pots and pans and wait for the rest time.
Just came back from Wellington seeing son and family in their new 1930’s house- just moved in. Offered to cook a slow roast lamb. Hob and oven gas- took 5 hours -gas oven -useless
Ele, if you go for a gas hob – do not be taken by the gas companies for the large bottles – they also charge a monthly fee for the bottle/s while you have them : better to go for the option of buying your own bottles – smaller- and filling them yourself
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We have been very happy with Bosch for both the dishwasher and oven (electric). The dishwasher is quiet and the fastest cycle is 32 mins. We have a gas hob, which we love, but I have induction envy every time I visit my parents – although you have the added cost of upgrading pots to ensure flat bottomed magnetic pots. I would recommend having a play on an induction hob – they do have some little quirks in how they draw electricity, and I don’t think you can have all four at full speed, but they are fantastic! Westinghouse for fridge, and no probs after four years.
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Askio Dishwasher, Simpson washing machine, whirlpool fridge freezer (upright double door icemaker), simpson chest freezer, Gas hob five burner 1 small 2 med 1 large and a double ring in center and electric ovens one main and a grill/second smaller.
Notice a pattern here, no F&P , no way no how, over priced, over rated and over there but not here.
Swmbo hankers for an induction hob next investment cycle but will direct her to the pitfalls outlined above then we will compromise, he he he. I do like the immediacy, regularity and eveness of the gas hobs on our almost antique Murray Stainless copper bottom pots and pans.
We have a pair of 45Kg lease cylinders at around $106 ea delivered to run the Hob, a califont for my Bathroom and the guests and a Gas logfire imitation as a supplement to the Daikin console heatpump. I so like not doing firewood and when required a Lions workingbee reminds me why.
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Hmm, Atlas chest freezer 37 years old, Leonard fridge/freezer 32 years old, Frigidaire oven 31 years old. The other fridge/freezer is a Hoover and is modern.. about 20 years old.
Somehow I don’t think my advice is too relevant anymore.
JC
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Thanks for all the feedback. No-one mentioned Miele which an email correspondent recommended.
We’re still in the very early planning stages so any photos will be ages away.
JC – they’re not made to last like that these days though you might find the energy efficiency of modern appliances justifies the cost of replacement.
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