Smeg, Bosch, F&P or Euromaid which brand is better?

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ToPGuNZ

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#81399 12-Apr-2011 20:52

We are looking at the following brands for a new kitchen. We are not sure which brand is more reliable and would have better resale value if we sold the house in the future. Hoepfully someone reading this is a kitchen expert and has tested all the brands otherwise take a pick and let me know why.

Smeg, Bosch, F&P or Euromaid which brand is better?

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#457990 12-Apr-2011 21:04

Bosch for me - very nice.
F&P = only a few key items (the one-touch dishwasher).

To add one more option to your choice, check out the Miele's... not cheap! Heck, you can't even get a cash discount, but it's genuinely nice stuff. Nothing's perfect, but still, verrrrry nice.

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richms

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#457993 12-Apr-2011 21:09

F&P stuff is a negative IMO, based on some of their cheaper things, which they have now rebranded to elba. Bosch is a positive, smeg has never had anything I would consider buying even when I wasnt skint.

Isnt euromaid a cheap housebrand of one of the hardware chains or something?

Richard rich.ms

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#458002 12-Apr-2011 21:22

Bosch is a great brand in my opinion.

mattwnz

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#458004 12-Apr-2011 21:24

richms: F&P stuff is a negative IMO, based on some of their cheaper things, which they have now rebranded to elba. Bosch is a positive, smeg has never had anything I would consider buying even when I wasnt skint.

Isnt euromaid a cheap housebrand of one of the hardware chains or something?

I believe they have now got rid of the elba brand, and it is all f&p again, and their cheap brand is now called hairer(or similar), which is the company that purchased a shareholding in them. Bosch is good,but for cheap stuff, I think F&P are ok, as it is cheaper to repair in NZ, and all the parts can be easily sourced.

scuwp

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#458020 12-Apr-2011 22:06

I think F&P are ok, as it is cheaper to repair in NZ, and all the parts can be easily sourced.

+1 on that one. Just buy the top-of-the-line models. Can't go past the F&P dish drawers IMO.

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richms

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#458027 12-Apr-2011 22:27

scuwp:
I think F&P are ok, as it is cheaper to repair in NZ, and all the parts can be easily sourced.

+1 on that one. Just buy the top-of-the-line models. Can't go past the F&P dish drawers IMO.

Unless you have 14" dinner plates.

Richard rich.ms

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#458048 12-Apr-2011 23:22

bosch is awesome - currently have one of their higher end dishwashers and its super quiet and does an excellent washing job (unlike the whirlpool at office!). always had too many dishes for a dish drawer - and found they didnt fit my stuff that well.

have a delonghi oven - cant recommend them. takes 20 minutes to heat oven to 180degC and have just had a repairer come and fix it when it stopped working- turned out to be a loose wire on the thermostat which doesnt say much for build quality :/

also have a samsung fridge and am perfectly happy with that - but upon reflection the F&P french door fridge would have been better as you can get the big wide dishes into it.

have a 7 year old panasonic microwave which just keeps on going. i never replaced it as the old one was so good and its in a cubby under bench so no need for fancy stainless model

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Byrned

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#458098 13-Apr-2011 08:02

Talk to someone that services the items then you'll know from a reliability point of view which to go for.

For example, Samsung is a brand of washing machine that has been recommended to as the repairer had yet to have to service one, and he only knew of one person who had serviced one. Yet F&P he warned me against, as he was constantly having to replace a certain electronic part which kept of corroding due to not being waterproofed.

Then you just need to find out from the usability angle - we didn't go with a Samsung as they play an annoying tune whenever it finishes something!

ToPGuNZ

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#458106 13-Apr-2011 08:30

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, some very good info and suggestions.

kiwitrc

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#458112 13-Apr-2011 08:50

Bosch even though I dont have any.

langers1972

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#458116 13-Apr-2011 09:04

Not Fisher and Paykel, because I do ;o)

The dish drawers are a good idea except they don't fit dinner plates in and break all the time, pile of steaming horse dung

+1 for Samsung washing machines, we got a front loader about 6 years ago and it has been faultless

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#458171 13-Apr-2011 11:28

haha this needs to be a sticky so i can find it if/when i can afford to build my house!

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#458177 13-Apr-2011 11:40

+1 for Bosch. Got a Gas/Electric Bosch oven from Harvey Norman a couple of months ago, and it's great. Self cleaning oven, heats up nice and quick, nice telescopic rack arms means the trays don't tip over when you pull them all the way out. Plus a very sleek metal look and a nice solid feel to all the components.

Went with Westinghouse for the Fridge/Freezer, and it's been great too.

Have a Samsung washing machine, and it had only one fault (think it was a bad solenoid) which was covered under warranty. The service person said they were great machines, and the only problem he usually encountered was the water hoses sometimes cracked because of the top mounted screws and the fact the hoses were made of a rigid plastic. Ours were fine, but he replaced the hoses with softer, more flexible ones for no charge.

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#458208 13-Apr-2011 12:56

I have always bought F&P. Never had an issue that I thought was unreasonable.
Dishdrawer - I have a new one (it is the second one I have bought), the first one is still going strong in our old place. Never had anything that would not fit in it that would fit in another dishwasher. They are quiet and pretty quick. Bosch are very quiet, but can take a while to do the dishes (not that that is usually an issue).

I am waiting for my 10 year old F&P SS fridge to die (so I get get one of their Ice and Water ones that aren't big huge double door things), but I don't think it will. It has never needed service, not even the light bulb.

THe best oven we have ever had was an F & P wall oven - really good heat, and fast and big enought (be careful of some of the european brands - quite small oven cavities < 60L). I currently have a Parmco 90cm Gas/Electric range. It is OK, but the build quality isn't as good as the more 'high-end' brands. It heats up well enough and does what we need it to do, so it won't be replaced until it stops.

As for laundry. When we moved into this house, I had to give away my old Intuitive 7.5Kg washer (too big for gap in laundry - gutted). It was 10 years old (the first model). We had the circuit board on it replaced about 3 years ago (for about $150 incl. labour). I was pretty happy with that. It was making some funny noises when it pumped out water - like a noisy bearing - but still went fine (and still does - I gave it to my Stepson). I need to replace the F&P dryer - it makes weird noises like worn bearings, but it is the oldest appliance I own - at least 12 years old.

All-in-all, my experience with F&P has been good and I will continue to use them. Bosch would definitely be my pick of the European brands.

pageweon

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#458214 13-Apr-2011 13:04

theres a brand called smeg????? thats horrific

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