If you are remodeling a kitchen and going high end, you may be asking yourself: What is a built-in refrigerator? Is it a could choice? If you want that really modern, high-end commercial grade look, a built-in refrigerator may be exactly what you need.

Built-in refrigerators are made to be built into an opening in the kitchen cabinets, and they do not protrude from the cabinets. They do not have finished sides and the compressor is usually located on the top of the unit. These are available in larger sizes and are much pricier than freestanding refrigerators. They are usually purchased for very expensive homes along with other high-end appliances. (Before we continue: for more info on choosing a new refrigerator, check out our refrigerator buying guide!)

Many consumers focus on ranges, cooktops, or wall ovens when they think about cooking in the kitchen, but the true chef knows that ventilation is an equally important consideration. This is particularly true if you do a lot of cooking and have an open floor plan home or do a lot of entertaining in or near the kitchen. (For more info on choosing a new range hood, check out our ventilation buying guide!)

When looking for your next hood, you may want to consider XO Ventilation. Many appliance companies offer ventilation products, but XO Ventilation is a true specialty manufacturer offering a full suite of products, including under-cabinet hoods, wall mount chimney styles, custom hood inserts, island mounts, glide-outs, and professional models.

XO range hoods tend to be...

• Quiet, even when running at high speeds

• Nicely designed for a modern look

• Innovative in terms of features

XO prides itself on its Italian heritage, which is evident in their designs. Let's take a closer look at the brand and a few of their best sellers across the product line, from undercabinet models to chimney hoods and pro hoods. 

If you are doing research on new refrigerators, you'll be amazed to find all of the advanced new features that are offered in today's models. One of the features worth considering is a dual evaporator. There are many dual evaporator refrigerators available from brands like GE, LG, Samsung and others. We'll talk about the benefits of this technology and who offers it in detail below - and if you need more study material, check out our refrigerator buying guide!

If you are moving into a small apartment or a tiny house, or are otherwise just constrained for space, you may be scouring the internet to learn more about compact washer and dryer models. Compact laundry appliances are more common in Europe than in the US, but maybe those Europeans are onto something! Compact washers and dryers can be a little more difficult to come by than full size models, and there isn't as much information out there about them. 

Here are some things you should consider with a compact washer and dryer, plus reviews of two highly rated models from GE and Bosch.

If you are shopping for a new refrigerator, you may be wondering what a frost free refrigerator is. "Frost free" is a term that has been used in the refrigerator industry for decades. Terms like "automatic defrost," "frostless," or "no-frost" all refer to the same technology. Many older style refrigerators and some modern mini refrigerators and freezer-only units require manual defrost.

Frost buildup on the coils in the freezer can impair the unit's ability to keep things cool. It can prevent the door from sealing properly and give your frozen foods an unpleasant "freezer" flavor. Manual defrost freezers need to be cleaned out 1-2 times a year and allowed to sit for 2-3 hours so the frost can melt. This is not a chore that everyone enjoys... or will actually do! 

With the new government standards related to water and energy consumption and the popularity of front load washers, the industry has introduced many new top load machines that are designed to compete with front load washers. These machines can offer similar energy savings to front load machines and large capacity wash baskets with no agitators, making them comparable to the front load design. We compare the advantages of disadvantages of HE top load washers compared to front loaders and traditional agitator washing machines.

If you are in the process of researching a new washing machine, you'll want to consider these models - and check out our washing machine buying guide for even more information!

Looking to learn more about Amana dryer models? You've come to the right place. We'll go over the full Amana dryer lineup in both gas and electric models - learn more about gas vs electric dryers in our article!

If you are in the process of researching your options for a new dryer, Amana is certainly a good place to look. Amana products are made by Whirlpool. Amana is a trusted manufacturer of quality home appliances with a focus on value. They offer a small range of products in each appliance category that have basic features and are easy to use.

Front load washers have become very popular in the US market since the early 2000s. Many consumers are drawn to these machines due to their large wash capacity and relatively low water usage. While top loading machines are making a resurgence in the market (in particular high efficiency impeller models), there is still a great deal of demand for front load machines. The cheapest front load washers start at around $700 to $900 before any promotional pricing or package deals kick in and come with advanced control panels and great wash options - so even these "entry level" models are high-quality.

If you are researching new washing machines, want to go with front load, and don't want to break the bank, you have options. Reputable manufacturers Samsung and Maytag both offer inexpensive front load washers priced under $900! Let's take a look at these two competing models in our Maytag vs Samsung front load washer comparison.

If you are searching for a new window AC unit, you should know that not all air conditioners are created equally. Window air conditioners have become a commodity in the appliance industry and are manufactured under many brand names. These branded air conditioners are available for purchase anywhere from the drugstore to the supermarket, with brand names that you either have never heard of or associate with some other product or industry. These brands usually have no service or parts support after the sale and are made to sell at a lower price with lower end features and quality.

However, there are alternatives to these "disposable" air conditioners: brands like Friedrich and Frigidaire. In our window air conditioner review below we will focus on these two great brands.

If you are considering a refrigerator with French doors, you are about to make a great choice!  The popularity of this style has exploded and many consumers love them! When searching for a new refrigerator, you'll probably want to consider all of your style options. In the past, you may have had the old standby refrigerator with the refrigerator on the bottom and freezer above or the once-popular side by side. We've compared French doors vs side by sides, but for most people the French door refrigerator offers the best elements of the bottom freezer and side by side refrigerator styles. (Check out our refrigerator buying guide for more info on choosing a new refrigerator!)