When kitchen appliances weren't made in China....

[Neecy]

They lasted forever - or at least for a very long time.

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/Vintage-Chrome--Bakelite-Art-Deco-Toaster-5453432.html

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/Vintage-Hamilton-Beach-Mixer-5459526.html

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/Waring-Futura-Series-Blender-5465250.html

(This site has great prices on vintage cast iron - the good stuff - although of course the shipping isn't inexpensive, but it's worth it)

I've gone through 2 coffeemakers in three years, and they weren't cheap pieces o'junk. Today the motor on my food processor stopped working. Everything seems to be made now with the cheapest grade of plastic and guaranteed to break the minute you need to use it. Other than my KitchenAid stand mixer, I've replaced my small appliances way too damn often.

People will pay for quality, if anyone would produce it.

[housewolf]

1. I know someone who would LOVE that toaster

Any old, retro appliances like that just tickle his heart

[Neecy]

4. it's beautiful, isn't it?

I can't even begin to date it, but the detail on it - who puts flower designs on a toaster anymore? - is really intriguing. And the damn thing still works!

[Vinca]

2. I try to avoid buying anything made in China, but it's nearly impossible.

We thought we got a great deal on Adirondack chairs for the garden but almost immediately the paint started falling off. It seems the Chinese are not big on primer.

[beac]

3. I remember first hearing about "planned obsolescence" in an econ class in school.

Why sell you one great, long-lasting thing when they can sell you dozens of cheap, temporary things? Such bad customer service and SO bad for the planet too. :(

[supernova]

5. Where are those fancy LG appliances made? Answered

I'm due for a big kitchen remodel, including my laundry area, in the coming couple of years.

Edit: Answered my own question. LG is the former Goldstar, Korean company.

[Warpy]

7. Gold Star made good stuff

but even Korea is shipping jobs to China now. I bought a Korean TV a couple of years ago and the box said "made in China" on the side.

As for kitchen appliances, Consumer Reports gives the highest marks to Kenmore, consistently. I was pretty surprised by that, but I'll probably put those into my kitchen if I stay here long enough to bother to remodel.

[Warpy]

6. An old thrift shop toaster went to heaven about 10 years ago

and I bought a new job that matched the kitchen day core. Unfortunately, that new toaster with its wide slot for bagels required two cycles to toast anything.

I bought an early 60s vintage toaster at the same thrift shop that got the new one and it's still going strong. Having a toaster that swears with everything else beats the hell out of having to swear at a bad toaster.

[pscot]

9. In order to prevent the new toasters

from getting too warm on the outside, they designed them so they don't get warm on the inside either. My food processor is so safe as to be virtually useless.

[katkat]

8. buy old stuff on ebay

ebay has many faults but it's good for finding old stuff.

[SoCalDem]

10. I'm still using my LaMachine from 1979..works great

and my wedding present waffle iron (Manning&Bowman) from 1970

I use my grandmothers pressure cooker all the time.. when I tried to find a new gasket a while back the lady on the phone laughed at me.. She said "Honey, that cooker was discontinued in 1953..don't you think it's time for a new one?"..she did locate a gasket that fit the lid though:)

My girlfriend gave me a coffeemaker for Xmas last year and by Jan1 it had "ceased to exist"..:grr: