[quote=flu][quote=SDEngineer]
Most Kenmore stuff is actually Whirlpool, but sort of a moot point, since Whirlpool is considered pretty reliable across all the appliances it makes. LG does make some Kenmore stuff though. Unfortunately though, Maytag also makes some Kenmore stuff, and they’re hardly the reliable manufacturer they used to be. I’d say most Kenmore stuff is probably made by reliable manufacturers though.

[/quote]

I think Maytag is Whirpool. At least Whirpool owns Maytag, as is does Jenn Air and Amana(was owned by Maytag), and KitchenAid….

In my experience, the 3 rules I follow for reliable appliances.

1) Avoid too much electronics and too many features…(Prefer manual controls versus those cool looking LCD/LED). My experience has been the electronics fail long before mechanical stuff.

2) Avoid Bosch appliances (especially dishwashers)…Expect your reliability from this german brand to be on par with german cars 🙂

3) Avoid Chinese brands.[/quote]

Maytag was bought by Whirlpool in 2006, but they are seperate product lines, manufactured in seperate factories (sort of like Ford and Jaguar were). Kitchen-Aid is another brand name owned by Whirlpool, but I believe they are actually manufactured by Whirlpool themselves.