Obviously, at Uplifting Families I really love cooking. And who doesn’t salivate over Wolf ranges or Sub-Zero refrigerators. But are they really worth it? And who buys them? We asked our friend and appliance expert, Tom Papageorge, what is the difference between regular and high end appliances?. Tom owns two high-end appliance and kitchen design stores, Atherton Appliances and BCG Culinary. Here is what Tom says:
So what is the difference between regular vs. high end appliances? Why do people choose to spend $3,000+ on a range when they can get one for $800?
People enjoy cooking more then they used to. Cooking is no longer just a chore, it is an accomplishment and pastime. Food television has offered people a window into the world of high end chefs that cookbooks just could not provide. This desire to cook at the highest levels had led our customers to demanding professional grade, high end kitchen appliances.
Performance
Basic appliances just cannot perform the way high end appliances can. A basic stove burner might only get 7,000 BTUs. A high end range like Wolf has burners with 15,000BTU. (BTUs measure the heat given off by the burner.) What does this mean? The more BTUs you have, the faster a pot of water boils. And you can achieve a perfectly crisp crust on a seared steak. Just how low can your range simmer a sauce without the flame going out? Professional ranges offer not just power, but precision.
For example, if you are throwing a dinner party for 8 or cooking Thanksgiving for 20, 6 burners, 2 ovens, and a warming drawer can really come in handy.
Quiet
Nobody wants to hear clanging or feel like they are living in a shop. High end dishwashers and exhaust hoods are much, much quieter and and offer better performance. A high performance exhaust hood can preserve the life of cabinetry by filtering smoke and grease out of the air.
Design/Aesthetic
In addition to great performance, why not have appliances that look great and fit in well with your space? One appliance where this really comes up is with refrigerators. They are the largest appliance in your kitchen. Counter depth refrigerators sit more closely in line with cabinetry. Higher end refrigerators make a big deference to how the kitchen looks and are more comfortable to work around then a traditional refrigerators that stick out about 8 inches.
Cost and Value
Let’s compare ranges. A basic mid-level range costs about $700. A high end range might cost about $3,000. That is more then 4 times the piece of a basic range! This seems like a lot, until you think about how long you will be using this item. Over 20 years, it equals $115 a year, or about 30 cents a day.
How often do you buy appliances or remodel your kitchen? You will use these items every day for decades. This is #1 reason people choose the high end appliance. High end appliances are reliable, offer the functions that make everyday life more enjoyable, and look great.
Tom Papageorge owns Atherton Appliance & Kitchens and BSC Culinary. Tom is passionate about running two family-owned companies that have specialized in kitchen appliances and kitchen remodeling since 1956. He lives and works in Atherton, CA. During his spare time, he loves spending time at his winery in Sonoma County. For more about high end appliances visit Atherton Appliance!
