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Kitchenaid vs. Maytag vs. Whirlpool

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  • Jul 26th, 2012 9:40 am
Newbie
Apr 10, 2012
90 posts
6 upvotes
Toronto

Kitchenaid vs. Maytag vs. Whirlpool

I am looking to buy new appliances (range, OTR microwave, fridge, washer/dryer and dishwasher) and am looking for opinions and experiences on the mentioned brands. Is one brand better than the other in different appliances? I know they are all the same company, but sometimes one does something better than the other.
17 replies
Jr. Member
Jul 18, 2011
134 posts
6 upvotes
Just from personal experience, I love Kitchenaid products. Small or large appliances, I've had almost no issues.

That Maytag repairman you see in tv is FAR busier than he looks. Tried to book a warranty service call and earliest date was 2-3 weeks!

No experience with Whirlpool.
Sr. Member
Jan 2, 2007
933 posts
48 upvotes
I have a kitchen dishwasher, gas stove top, and hood fan. I don't see any difference from the regular brand items aside from it's looks. You pay premium price for the look.
Newbie
Jul 8, 2012
6 posts
1 upvote
SURREY
All Appliance parts come from same place these days. Maytag kept name but that is it when bought out. It is all about who gets best parts. Whirpool is getting good reviews from consumer surveys etc. Whirpool is also putting $$ into design & improvements. Kitchenaid is slightly higher price. Appliances like everything else you get @ big box stores are lower grade cheaper parts. Appliance stores can tell you about different models and features. Kitchenaid induction range has this odd clicking ( it is supposed to do that according to Kitchenaid) for example, so my clients chose Whirpool instead & love it. You do not want builders grade appliances.
Moderator
May 28, 2012
12476 posts
5266 upvotes
Saskatoon
Look up reviews on the models and brands you are interested in, don't assume all appliances from one brand will be best. I had a Kitchenaid washer and dryer for many years (almost 20); it was just recently replaced by a Samsung pair. I swore I would never buy another Kitchenaid since the washer failed when it was only a year or two old (it needed a new motor). I sure hope you have some sort of rewards credit card, that's some serious cash you are spending.
Deal Addict
User avatar
Mar 24, 2008
1028 posts
78 upvotes
Etobicoke
Whirlpool owns Maytag, So either of those two will essentially be the same with just some minor differences.

I have never had issues with repairs to my Maytag refridgerator, tech shows up in no more than a day, day and a half.
The only place you're going to find a helping hand, is at he end of your own wrist. Joe Mondello
Deal Addict
User avatar
Nov 9, 2003
1473 posts
17 upvotes
Can't speak to Maytag, but in our old house we had mostly kitchenaid appliances and they were great. In out new house we have 5 whirlpool appliances and they all seem to have issues. I believe I will avoid whirlpool in the future.
Deal Guru
User avatar
Nov 18, 2005
11953 posts
3694 upvotes
Kingston
We just bought the same appliances (except the OTR part of the microwave). Rather than stick to one brand, we bought the best value for money for each appliance. Used Consumer Reports for research. Ended up with:
* Bosch dishwasher
* GE gas convection Stove (the only appliance I would buy a GE product)
* Whirlpool fridge (french door, bottom freezer. No in-door ice/water because they have a 25% repair rate)
* Maytag washer/dryer

There are small differences in the look of our stove, dishwasher and fridge, but I'd rather have the best value over the best look.

A few of the last posts have tried to point out to Op that Kitchen Aid/Whirlpool/Maytag are the same company. Op stated this in the first post so he/she is well-aware of that.
Deal Guru
User avatar
Nov 18, 2005
11953 posts
3694 upvotes
Kingston
skydec wrote: All Appliance parts come from same place these days. Maytag kept name but that is it when bought out. It is all about who gets best parts. Whirpool is getting good reviews from consumer surveys etc. Whirpool is also putting $$ into design & improvements. Kitchenaid is slightly higher price. Appliances like everything else you get @ big box stores are lower grade cheaper parts. Appliance stores can tell you about different models and features. Kitchenaid induction range has this odd clicking ( it is supposed to do that according to Kitchenaid) for example, so my clients chose Whirpool instead & love it. You do not want builders grade appliances.
You've posted this opinion in a few threads as fact. I call BS on this. Please offer some proof on these very broad statements (and not just one tiny example):
* All Appliance parts come from same place these days. (what place is this? )
* Appliances like everything else you get @ big box stores are lower grade cheaper parts. (The normal name brands (not high end Viking etc) sell exactly the same models at big box and dealers. Absolutely no way the sell the same model with cheaper parts).
Sr. Member
User avatar
Mar 26, 2009
625 posts
97 upvotes
Hamilton
We are currently researching brands also for our home which will be finished summer 2013. I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread.

For the poster that mentioned Whirlpool issues, could you further explain? This was the brand we were looking at.
Jr. Member
Nov 11, 2009
173 posts
5 upvotes
Toronto
I have "high end" stainless steel Kitchen Aid appliances in my home that I purchased 3 years ago, and i have issues with ALL of them except the chimney range hood.

1)The ice maker on my fridge does not work. When I turn it on, it sounds like ice is being made, and after a few hours, if you open the freezer, there is frozen water all over the freezer (think icicle spikes) and hanging off the shelves - no darn ice cubes in the bucket.

2) The latch on the soap compartment on the inside of my dishwasher broke. Doesn't affect the dishwasher operation except that it doesn't hold the soap and release it when it's "supposed" to release it. I just throw the soap tablet in the bottom of the dishwasher - dishes still come out clean. I am going to get this fixed though.

3) Self clean function on my oven is a JOKE. Tried to use it once and it blew a fuse. This happened just after the warranty expired and KitchenAid didn't want to fix it, but when my husband mentioned all the terrible reviews they had online about this very same problem on many of their stoves and the words "class action lawsuit" and "safety risk" they came running. However, I have not tried to use it again since.

At the time I bought these appliances, I knew someone who worked for Whirlpool, so I was able to get them with this person's steep discount. We saved thousands. However, I don't think I would buy KitchenAid again. Their small appliances are fine, big ones, not so sure. I second the poster who recommend you read reveiws prior to buying - I didn't.
Deal Addict
Jul 7, 2005
1117 posts
318 upvotes
JWL wrote: You've posted this opinion in a few threads as fact. I call BS on this. Please offer some proof on these very broad statements (and not just one tiny example):
* All Appliance parts come from same place these days. (what place is this? )
* Appliances like everything else you get @ big box stores are lower grade cheaper parts. (The normal name brands (not high end Viking etc) sell exactly the same models at big box and dealers. Absolutely no way the sell the same model with cheaper parts).
Whirlpool owns maytag and kitchenaid, as well as some other names. Are their differences between the appliances, I don't know. Kitchen aid is however more expensive being the 'higher end' line.
Deal Fanatic
Nov 13, 2002
6221 posts
694 upvotes
Quebec
low-end models from any brand is garbage :)
Deal Fanatic
Mar 21, 2002
6823 posts
1481 upvotes
Manitoba
linsook wrote: Whirlpool owns maytag and kitchenaid, as well as some other names. Are their differences between the appliances, I don't know. Kitchen aid is however more expensive being the 'higher end' line.
They may be owned by Whirlpool but there are some noticeable differences in the repair records of the 3 companies implying that ownership aside they still may operate their own individual factories. Maytag in particular has gone downhill over the years from the Maytag repairman image they once cultivated. After a lot of research I bought a Whirlpool French door refrigerator and am very pleased with it.
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User avatar
May 18, 2004
2856 posts
507 upvotes
Ontario GTA
linsook wrote: i'm dissappointed with that site. there is not much savings for the lower priced models. seems to be only good if you're picking the more expensive choices.
there is normally never any discounts on lower end models.. incidentally they are the ones with the lowest margin so not much to give on.

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