ApplianceAdvisor Appliance Report FRIGIDAIRE

The New Appliance Report from ApplianceAdvisor.com

FRIGIDAIRE (division of Electrolux)
800-374-4432
Full Line Appliance Maker

2006 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
No Notes

2005 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
NEED TO DIVIDE FRIGIDAIRE PRODUCT FROM ELECTROLUX
Frigidaire
Professional Line
-speed clean dishwasher, washes and dryes in 50 min
-combined microwave, warming oven
-Spacewize fridge, counterdepth with same volume as a side by side???
Gallery Line
-re-designed cooktop and range
-30" range with warming 2nd oven cavity
Grill Line (speak to Brad Cansler if any new questions)
-Now come 98% assembled, less to do by homeowner
-27" unit is new, though others are not new
-New Front load stackable washer and dryer. 3.5ft 3 washer
-Tops of cooktop and range are redesigned
-Redesigned ceran top
-All Fridge and All freezer with trim kit to merge
-can be built in
-64" wide all together
-32" fridge and 32" freezer
-Counter depth
-$2300 for total package

Electrolux
-Built in 36" wide dishwasher build by Elica. Has 2 arms, auto wash, integrated installation. 1 level + utensil, stainless interior. Now avail in Europe, but no date of avail in USA. Big guess of price of $2500. Not in press kit. Concept unit.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Electrolux2.jpg
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http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Electrolux4.jpg
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http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Electrolux6.jpg
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2004 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Beer Fridge
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2004Appliancephotos/frigidairebeerfridge.jpg
http://www.frigidaire.com/products/refrigerators/beverage_center/prod_PLKU1267D.asp

Warming Drawer
http://www.frigidaire.com/products/cooking/warmer_drawers/productlist.asp

Industry first no frost freezer
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2004Appliancephotos/frigidairefreezer1.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2004Appliancephotos/frigidairefreezer2.jpg
http://www.frigidaire.com/products/freezers/chest/large/prod_AFFC1466D.asp

2003 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Clear as Mud
"As part of an Electrolux global branding initiative" Electrolux has decided to rebrand the Frigidaire line, and the myriad of brand extensions, launch a new brand extension, launch the high-end Electrolux brand, kill the Kelvinator brand, but keep the walking-dead brands Westinghouse, Tappan, and Gibson. We are not making this up. The new brand list will be:
    Frigidaire from Electrolux
    Frigidaire from Electrolux Classic Series (new)
    Frigidaire from Electrolux Gallery Series
    Frigidaire from Electrolux Professional Series
    Electrolux (which includes Pro-style and Euro-style appliances)
    White-Westinghouse
    Tappan
    Gibson
Our first thought was rather cynical: Why are the cheapest, lowest regarded major brands in the North American market even bothering with the trouble and expense of attaching a logo?
Our second thought was more troubling: What advantage could "Frigidaire" brand gain being paired with the unknown entity "Electrolux"? Frigidaire customers couldn't give a rat's ass about "Electrolux".
The new "Electrolux" brand is being positioned as high-end high-style. To what end does one chain the "Electrolux" brand to "Frigidaire", the brand of mouth breathers? We recommend that Electrolux learn from the famous American brand strategist, Jimmy Carter who never invited his idiot brother Billy to a state dinner for a simple reason: Why remind the world that you're related?
This is an example of Electrolux Sweden creating a "global branding initiative" without considering the regional implications. This is also an indication that the management of Electrolux North America is far too weak to veto nutty "global branding initiatives".

Open letter to incoming Electrolux North America President Keith R. McLoughlin: West Point graduate B.S. in engineering
            Dear Mr. McLoughlin,
            If you will have any hope of succeeding, you must lead, not be led. Carpe Diem. Carpe Frenum.
            Of course you have your work cut out for you.

A Classic Gimmick
Frigidaire by Electrolux Classic Series is a line of appliances which revisit the 1940's or 1950's styles with the use of non-textured high gloss finishes and a raised classic "Frigidaire" logo. Do these details make a classic style?
Hi-Res Image of Classic Kitchen: http://press.electrolux.us/e016xy_images/pri/hi-rez/classicSSKitchen2.jpg
http://press.electrolux.us/media.php?id=182

2002 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
New "Pro-style" style Range
This 40" unit looks Pro-ish, but Frigidaire isn't trying to compete with Viking. The dual fuel model features 5 sealed burners, (1) at 13K BTU, (2) at 9.1K BTU, and (2) at 5K BTU all under cast iron grates. This model has 2 ovens, a primary oven with 3 element convection and self-clean, and a secondary oven with bake and broil capability. The all electric model features a ceramic top with (2) 1800W elements which can be activated together with an 800W bridge element. It also features a 9"/6" dual element and 6" single element and a center located warming zone. MSRP is $2400.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2002Appliancephotos/frigidaire40gas.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2002Appliancephotos/frigidaire40gas2.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2002Appliancephotos/frigidaire40electric.jpg

Stainless Substitutes
Frigidaire showed prototype finishes:
Distressed Brass
Graffiti Stainless
Polished Point Copper

2001 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
A Hyperactive Trademark Department
So many idiotic trademarked feature names (such as: TufRacks, UltraSoft, Precision Wash, Smart Soil, Ultra Quiet Plus, Active Vent Drying Sytem, Power Dry Fan System all from just one of their 14 Press Releases) that I had to stop writing this several times so that I could pry open my window and scream.

New Frigidaire Logo
Launch of new Frigidaire logo. It is a modernized version of the 1955 "script logo" used in GM times.

Frigidaire Enters the Ventilation World
Five new hood models. Gallery Professional will carry 1 new island chimney hood with 770 CFM, and 2 new wall chimney hoods with 405 CFM. Features include electronic controls with features, aluminum filters, and 1 unit with tempered glass. Gallery will get 2 sizes (30" and 36") of a concealed glass sliding type with 305 CFM. That unit features mechanical 4 speed slide control, dual lights, aluminum filters.

Internet Refrigerator
Prototype "Screenfridge" internet facilitated refrigerator shows its face at KBIS for the 3^rd year in a row. Now in field test in Denmark, the unit requires broadband cable hookup, and features touchscreen, television, radio, video camera. Family members can leave video messages for each other. Probably a great package of features, but the advisor cannot see why this equipment is bundled in a refrigerator. In the end, we doubt that it will be.

Electric Ranges without Thermal Shock Cooking
"Next generation" electric ranges with improved temperature control. On most electric cooktops, heat adjustment is achieved by adjusting the time of the 100% power cycle and 0% power cycle. This new technology eliminates this nasty burning and cooling assault with the use of "advanced electronics". It all sounds suspiciously similar to Caldera's "Microcycling" system shown at this year's show. Also includes improved convection with 3^rd heating element, rounded styling, new full width frameless oven door, 86% larger oven window, and 30% larger ovens on self clean models.

Gas Ranges
"Next generation gas ranges have all the new features that are on the new electric ranges (above) except self cleaning, and improved convection.

Fed Standard Passing Refrigerators
Next Generation Refrigerators. All refrigerator manufacturers had to scramble to meet the new rigid efficiency requirements. Frigidaire models have made improvements in insulation, hinges, door gaskets and compressors in order to improve efficiency. While meeting Fed Regs to stay in business, Frigidaire also added several consumer features, such as a new water filtration system, an improved water dispenser allowing the filling of larger receptacles such as coffee pots and kettles, a Rapid cool feature in the freezer with increased ice capacity. Frigidaire also included a softer design now found on all the new stuff.
See the Advisor Rant About Energy Star under the Kenmore heading

New Dishwasher
Many of the improvements made last year on Gallery models seem to have migrated this year to the regular Frigidaire models. All models are Energy Star, have the 5 spray direction "Precision Wash" system which is "exceptionally quiet, highly efficient……uses as little as 6 gallons per normal wash." Also includes, self cleaning filter, NSF certified sanitize rinse, and delay start, "Active Vent Drying". The top line model also has the ability to wash the upper and lower racks separately.

Revamped Microwave Line
Revamped built-in and OTR Microwave ovens. OTR models have 1.6 cu ft of capacity, 1000W, sensor cooking and temperature probe cooking and lots of other stuff. The vent side of the OTR can be ducted or non-ducted, has a 2 speed blower, included charcoal filter for non-ducting, and 2 level lighting with a programmable automatic night light feature. They also offer a lower end OTR for people with less money, or a greater desire to hold onto the money they already have. The built-in models are very similar and are installed into the cabinet or over a built-in oven using an optional trim kit.

2000 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
All of the big 5 have press kits to help the press in writing their stories. GE and Maytag have the best press kits. Frigidaire on the other hand has the most confusing. This is the result of the Frigidaire branding of "Frigidaire", "Frigidaire Gallery" and "Frigidiare Gallery Professional" and a press kit with 12 multi-page News Releases which repeat or cross-reference back and forth across brands. We are just so lost, but will try our best.

Stainless Non-Pro Line
Frigidaire launched a new "Soft Look" stainless steel line. The Soft Look is a slightly less angular, less commercial stainless steel style aimed at the middle of the mass market. It does not have the performance of a Viking, but then it doesn't have the price either. The line includes a side by side refrigerator, gas or electric ranges, and a dishwasher.

Prototype Internet Enabled Refrigerator
The internet refrigerator raised its ugly head for a second year. No one can put their finger on what the real advantages are of internet connected appliances, and Frigidaire is no exception. Some creative thinking here is necessary to save the concept. Do we need a multi-hundred $ feature so we can shut a burner off from the office? Parent company, Electrolux is working on a whole house controller to network HVAC, Security, Lighting, and Appliances, and perhaps this is the application that will make sense.

Refrigerator Concept
The amorphously designed "Oz" styling concept refrigerator. The Advisor does not believe it likely that the Oz will be produced for North America, but the appliance equivalent of the "concept car" is the best part of any show. The appliance industry doesn't do enough of it.
http://www.sthlms-reprografen.se/electrolux/72/Zanussi%20Design/Oz.jpg

Bigger Oven Windows
Gallery oven windows were increased in size 86% over the old window. If we find out what the new size is, we will let you know.

Simmer Burners
Gallery freestanding gas ranges get a 500-5000 BTU simmer burner

Side Swing Oven Door
Gallery launches a built-in oven with side swing door. Fantastic. It always seemed to the Advisor that the bottom hinged door solved a problem that it has itself created; the need to rest a roast on the door as one leans over the door to put in or remove from the oven. If there's no door in the way, you don't need to lean over it!
http://208.155.230.135/products/products.asp?pageurl=built_in_ovens&sp=qp_built_in_ovens&model=FEB786CE

Dishwasher
Gallery dishwashers received some upgraded features like a sensor to judge whether the dishes are clean and an optional "Sanitize" cycle certified by National Sanitary Foundation. Also added were the "Precision Wash" system which uses filtered water and allows half load washing (top or bottom racks). Why would this system allow half load washing? An answer that will have to wait.

White white ceran electric cooktop
True white ceran electric cooktop: New cooktop with a real white ceran glass.

Washer and Dryer
New Gallery washer sound insulation feature. Also 4 new models of electric and gas dryers.