LG and Samsung have become two of the top names in appliances in a short time due to their reputation for making great products in the cell phone and flat screen TV businesses. They make innovative appliances with thoughtful features, and their microwave ovens are no exception. 

Microwave ovens are the one appliance that people hate to be without. When the old one breaks down, it needs to be replaced quickly and people sometimes make hasty decisions based on price to replace them. Take a look at some of the great features of these two reasonably priced brands and you may be pleasantly surprised! (For more info on choosing a new microwave, check out our microwave buyer's guide!)

If you are in the market for a new washer, you are probably trying to learn about every style and option available to you. One option worth exploring is the agitator washing machine (discover more of your choices in our washing machine buying guide).

With all the modern front load washers and top load impeller style washers on the market, traditional agitator washing machines can be easily overlooked. However, some manufacturers are still making traditional top load washers with agitators in the tubs to clean the clothes. These washers generally use more water and are smaller in capacity than newer models. However, the pros are many. Chief among them are wash performance with certain types of loads and durability. 

When you are researching a new refrigerator, the choice between counter depth and full depth can be an important one. This is especially true if you have a kitchen with a built in cabinet opening for your refrigerator that is finished on one or both sides and has a cabinet above it.  When you are looking at refrigerators, you'll want to be sure to notice the difference between counter depth and full depth models.

How do Frigidaire's dishwashers compare with Bosch models? Bosch is an excellent brand and is very strong in the dishwasher category. They were one of the first to fill the need for quieter dishwashers and even their most inexpensive models come with stainless steel tubs. They are known for excellent cleaning performance and quality German engineering.

If you are in the market for a new washer, you are probably trying to learn about every style and option available to you. One option worth exploring is a washing machine with steam - and you can find more features to consider in our washing machine buying guide, too. These cutting-edge washing machines feature a steam cycle in addition to traditional water cycles.

Steam in a washer provides improved stain removal and can help eliminate odors and prevent wrinkles. It works similarly to a garment steamer. Steam powerfully penetrates the fabrics, and the heat can help sanitize items as well. If you love cleaning with steam, there are also steam dryer models so you can purchase a steam-cleaning pair.

Many of the new highest capacity and most energy efficient washers have impellers in the bottom of the wash tub that perform the wash action and clean the clothes. These washers look enormous because they have no obstructions in the tub, but they have to be loaded properly to avoid tangling and to allow the clothes to be cleaned properly.

If you are not sold on the performance of these new designs, GE and Maytag still make agitator models that are very energy efficient and have big tub capacities. These are just a few of the factors to consider when researching a new washing machine (check out our washing machine buying guide for more info).  Most of the new washing machines are very different in design with direct drive motors and load sensors to control water usage, but GE and Maytag have packed most of this new technology into these models while sticking with the traditional agitator design that some people prefer.  

Napoleon and Weber are two companies that specialize in making high-quality grilling products for the home. If you are looking for quality, features and performance, these are two companies that you can depend on for great results and longevity. Both companies offer grills in a variety of price ranges, sizes and feature packages to take care of the needs of most families.

If you love grilling and want to be creative and produce great meals, it helps to have the right product to work with. Weber and Napoleon will give you just that. Let’s compare two of their best selling mid-priced models to see which one might be right for you: the Weber Genesis II E-310 vs the Napoleon Rogue XT 425 SIB. It's Napoleon vs Weber, head to head!

There is a lot of buzz about Speed Queen in the laundry industry, and our readers want to know more about their products.  Speed Queen is a specialty laundry manufacturer headquartered in Wisconsin that has been making great laundry products for both the commercial and domestic markets in the US for over 100 years.

Unlike many other appliance bands, they focus their efforts on one thing - laundry!  This focused effort has led to great results for Speed Queen. We see this in industry publications and hear it from our own customers. Consumers looking for a Speed Queen front load washer will be excited to learn that Speed Queen offers two front load options starting in 2019. They have slightly revised the lineup for 2020.

Are you looking for the most dependable, longest-lasting washing machine on the market? If so, then you're probably looking at commercial washing machines for home use. These models are rare in the home appliances market, but they're out there. These washers are made with heavy-duty construction and often do not have the energy efficiency of consumer-grade models. They are priced similarly to many high efficiency top load washers but don't have as many of the modern "bells and whistles."  You will have to make some trade-offs if you want one of these models, but if durability is your most important criteria, a commercial washing machine made for home use is a great choice.

If you are in the market for a new appliance or package of appliances, you may be considering the question of whether to shop at a local appliance store or a big box chain. This is definitely an important question to consider. Knowing that you will be spending hundreds to perhaps many thousands of dollars on these products and that you probably intend to keep them for years, choosing the right retailer to buy them from is critical.

As a local appliance dealer since 1953, we certainly know the industry well and compete with the big box retailers every day. In this blog we are going to give you an honest, fair insider's perspective on your two options and try to help you to answer the question - local appliance store vs big box chain - which is better?