Gas vs electric stove and dishwasher questions, I'm considering a LARGE purchase.

[berlinsmommy]

Hello all. I got my year end bonus from my job and it was much more than I expected. I want to buy a new stove and a new dishwasher for my house. Help me analyze this from every angle!!

First, I think I'd like to have a gas range. I currently have electric, but the gas line comes into the house in the basement just below and about six feet next to where the stove is in an unfinished portion of the basement. Has anyone had a plumber add a gas line for a stove? What is involved? Roughly how much should I plan to spend on this?

Second, I have read Consumer Reports and looked at options and here is the stove I'm considering. This shows retail at $1699, but Home Depot sells it for $1549 (and has a BUNCH of incentives) and Lowe's sells it for $1478 (no incentives, so Home Depot is actually cheaper).

I've researched dual fuel, but the strongest selling point for them is that electric ovens have a more precise temperature, but this gas oven has GE's True Temp, which is supposed to maintain a temp within 3 degrees of the setting, so for my needs that is more than adequate. Consumer Reports did not consider dual fuel to be worth the extra money.

Now, for the dishwasher. Consumer Reports liked Bosch the best, but I'm not big on the fact that it has to have the manual filter cleaned out while all other models dispose of the food particles on their own. Also, I'm not sure if I agree with Consumer Reports because they take affordability into account. The Bosch I liked at Lowe's was $698 with no incentives except 10% off (making it $628). The GE dishwasher that I liked was priced at a whopping $899, but if I bought it, I'd get 10% off (making it $809) plus a $100 GE rebate (if I get the stove too), an extra $50 in GCs from Home Depot from their appliance rebate promo, plus a $100 GC offer for that specific dishwasher, plus 5% back if I get a Home Depot MC, so $809 - 5% ($40) - $250 in GCs = $519, so the "affordability" that CR uses is kind of down the drain on this one because this dishwasher ends up being cheaper than the Bosch and CR did give GE a higher rating on minimal repairs and on their drying cycles but says, "The General Electric models, while competent overall, lack the value to make our Select Ratings."

Here is the dishwasher I'm considering.

Here is the "package deal" if I do this now and get it at Home Depot:
Stove: $1549
Dishwasher: $899
Total: $2448
- $245 (10% coupon)
$2203
-$125 in Home Depot GCs for 5% points on HD Mastercard with $25 GC for 1st purchase
$2078
- $100 cash GE rebate for 2 appliances
$1978
- $100 HD GC rebate for buying this specific dishwasher
$1878
-$200 in HD GCs for spending $1997-$2496 (before rebates) on appliances
$1678

Under this plan, I would NOT get any interest free months. If I got a Home Depot card (instead of the MC), I would lose $125 in GCs but would get 12 months interest free. Since I have the cash right now, I think I'd rather have the gift cards and pay the bill for the HD Mastercard as soon as it comes.

Okay, everyone, please comment, answer, pick apart my plan, etc.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

It sounds like you have done your homework! I dont have much to add except that I love gas stoves vs electric. There are certain things I cook that I cant do efficiantly on an electric stove. We have electric, and it sort of bites. Another reason I dont like it is if we have a power outtage we have no way to cook. At least with gas you can light the stove manually and be able to cook still.

My MIL has the dual stove, gas cooktop and electric oven. She likes it.

As far as temperatuers go have you thought to ask which is type of oven is easier to calibrate (im not sure if thats the correct term, but ovens go wonky from time to time temp wise...which is easier to fix to get back to the correct oven temp?)

[zydeco]

I have a dual fuel range/oven and LOVE it! In the past I've owned both an all electric and all gas range. With the dual fuel you get the best features of both. I'll never clean an oven again.

[berlinsmommy]

Okay, I need to revise my numbers a bit for 2 reasons:
1. The $100 on that specific dishwasher is only for stainless steel and I'm buying white, so I won't get that (stainless is also $100 more).

2. They will pricematch and Lowe's has the stove for $1478 and Sears has the dishwasher on sale right now for $799.
Here is the updated "package deal" if I do this now and get it at Home Depot:
Stove: $1478
Dishwasher: $799
Total: $2277
- $228 (10% coupon)
$2049
-$125 in Home Depot GCs for 5% points on HD Mastercard with $25 GC for 1st purchase
$1924
- $100 cash GE rebate for 2 appliances
$1824
-$200 in HD GCs for spending $1997-$2496 (before rebates) on appliances
$1624

plus taxes, which will be around $135. Also, I will pay delivery and installation but they are not taxed and those charges will be refunded by rebate, so thats a wash. It is possible that I may have to spend a little on cords, hoses, and such if the ones to my current dishwasher are not compatible.

[kurlisola]

Don't forget to see if your state/gas company offers rebates. I know ours did when we were checking into converting our stove to gas. I think it was about $250 or maybe $500. It increased for every added gas appliance.

[BzyBee]

Don't forget the PM policy is to subtract an additional 10% from the competitor price. That should knock off $148 off the stove and $80 off the dishwasher.

I would get some estimates on having the gas line rerun before you commit to a purchase. In one house everything was gas except the dryer...the line was not more than 6 feet away but to keep it in code would have cost >$600 to run the line that 6 feet. We sold our gas dryer for $150 and used the money plus a little more to buy a new electric dryer.

ETA...we have moved enough to learn to just always switch out hoses with new appliances.

[kurlisola]

I agree with Bzy, we were all set to convert the stove & water heater to gas. The cost to convert was between 1500-3000, just for the stove. So wasn't worth it.

[berlinsmommy]

Wow, Bzy, you rock!!! I didn't know that about the PM policy, but I just looked at Home Depot's website and you are right!!!!

I'm calling a plumber tomorrow to find out how much the gas line will cost since the stove is REALLY the piece I have my heart set on, but I guess I need to be practical, if the stove is a no-go, I'll have to continue looking to figure out what I want and like. A bunch of discounts and rebates are no good if you have to buy something that isn't what you wanted, and the discounts on the dishwasher alone, without the stove purchase, are not THAT fantastic.

[MaryMary]

Try visiting your smaller appliance stores. the sticker price might be much bigger, but they are more pliable in negotiations (we were able to shave off 30% from the posted clearance price). Just do not afraid to ask, mention HD prices and promotions, etc. do not call, visit and talk to the salespeople directly. Likely you'll find a different models of the similar stoves and dishwashers, compare features before making any decisions. From my experience HD sells lower models of most of the higher brands.

[quiltingdiva]

I had never dealt with gas cooking until we moved, and our new house has a gas cooktop and ovens. I LOVE the gas cooktop! I will never willingly go back to electric. The heat is so much quicker and better, and since I cook alot this helps keep the electric bill low.

The gas ovens are another story, however. I don't particularly like them because they heat hotter and not very even. Although to be fair, the ovens are approx. 20 years old, so I'm sure there are MUCH better models out now. I want to replace our ovens with electric eventually, but will keep the gas cooktop.

I like GE appliances, and they are usually very efficient. You have done some great research! Good Luck and enjoy your new appliances!

ETA: Oh, and we had to have our cooktop and ovens checked and setup by the gas company. They might be the ones that run the lines as well.