A look at the Kenmore PRO line
First off, new is a word I use very loosely. The Kenmore PRO line was announced in April 2006 and debuted in September of that year. Comments on Sears’ website all seem pretty positive about the appliances. But, since they are Sears’ own brand and the comments are on their website, that is something that should always be taken with a grain of salt.
Ranges
The Kenmore PRO ranges look like their high-end (think Viking and Wolf) counterparts. The burners all have different BTUs, specially designed to handle everything from delicate, low temperature dishes to fast cooking items. It also includes a built-in griddle. Price-wise, a Viking 36″ Range Top runs about $3,000-$4,000. The Kenmore PRO is $1099.
Refrigerators/Freezers
There are a few models of refrigerators and freezers available from the Kenmore PRO line, including a full-size professional refrigerator and freezer (separates) that can be housed side by side. Unfortunately, unlike top makers like Subzero, there no version that can be concealed by cabinet faces.
Dishwashers
For me, this was the disappointing category. I have a Kenmore dishwasher that I purchased two years ago - it’s not a PRO or even the Elite line. Just a basic dishwasher that fit my minimum requirements. Unfortunately, the thing is wrought with problems (cycles can run as much as 5-6 hours at a time). So, I decided last weekend to kill two birds with one stone and head over to Sears to find a new dishwasher and check out the (very expensive) Kenmore PRO line one. Knowing that I wouldn’t be able to afford the PRO line, I checked out the other models (I wanted something that will last, but no more than $750). Ultimately we chose a Bosch that my parents bought last year and rave about. It has a steel tub, is energy efficient, etc. It meets my needs and was about $630 after the percentage off sale they were running. On our way out of the store, I detoured by the Kenmore PRO line and checked out the dishwasher. It was strikingly similar to the Bosch, but twice as much money. Go figure. And the styling? Eh. Coincidentally, the Bosch uses an estimated 353 kWh per year and the Kenmore uses 362 kWh. For $1,399, I would expect the Kenmore Pro to be more efficient, not less.
Ovens
Ahhh, something I loved. When I checked the ovens out in the store, I was impressed with the number of racks each oven had. That would be awesome for baking large quantities of cookies and whatnot at holiday time. And they were nicely styled. The downside? That style is going to cost you $1,999 for a single (though it’s on sale for $100 less right now) and $2,999 for a double. Steep.
The verdict?
These appliances appear to be just what Kenmore/Sears billed them as: professional, sleek styling without the price tag. But you are still paying a large sum to have the look. I wish we knew how they performed as that would really make or break this discussion. Judging by looks alone . . . well, that’s just not how I shop.
Photo courtesy of Sears.com.
we purchased a complete sears kitchen including pro wall ovens and 36 inch surface gas cook top. the wall ovens lack the ability to preset ovens to come on at a preset time they also do not vent correctly and leave water on the floor and in the back right hand side of the oven after two trips by sears repair they feel it is a design problem and have to answers on how to correct. the cook top has a left hand burner the high heat burner that blows itself out and will only start with a match sears repair said the pro series is so new they have not been schooled in how to fix them but have ordered a new unit for us however they have to have the old one taken out by our gas man before we can have the new one thus generating two service calls from our gas company that we have to pay for all this since may we certainly have been disapointed with the product plus the knowledge of sears tec.