Appliance sleuthing

The nameplate doesn't always indicate who makes your refrigerator, oven, or washer

Our recent tests of refrigerators included more than 75 models from 23 brands.

That's a lot of companies, until you play appliance detective and discover that the $21.8 billion annual market for refrigerators, ovens, washers, and other major home appliances isn't such a vast place after all.

It's also worth noting that the manufacturing arrangements change all the time.

The Whirlpool Corporation, based in Benton Harbor, Mich., makes Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Gladiator products. The company has gobbled up Admiral, Amana, Jenn-Air, Magic Chef, and Maytag and all of these Whirlpool brands account for about 27.3 percent of major appliance sales in the U.S., followed by General Electric brands—GE and Hotpoint—(25.1percent), and the Sears Kenmore (16.7 percent).

Whirlpool makes appliances for Ikea, Sears Kenmore, and side-by-side built-in refrigerators for Thermador.

Whirlpool's certainly not the only Kenmore supplier. Frigidaire,and LG also manufacture Kenmore refrigerators, Haier handles some of its compact refrigerators, and Danby makes some of its wine chillers, and Sanyo builds some of its its freezers.

Whirlpool's certainly not the only Kenmore supplier. Frigidaire and LG also manufacture Kenmore refrigerators, Haier handles some of its compact fridges, and Danby makes some of its wine chillers, and Sanyo builds some of its freezers.

General Electric is well known for a vast array of products—lightbulbs, jet engines for military planes, and "The Today Show." But this corporate colossus, based in Fairfield, Conn., also makes appliances under the GE, GE Monogram, GE Profile, GE Café, and Hotpoint brands.

Across the Atlantic, BSH Home Appliances is a leading purveyor of high-end appliances. This German company brings you upscale kitchen and laundry appliances under the brand names Bosch, Gaggenau, and Thermador.

Elsewhere in Europe, you might think of Electrolux as the onetime producer of those old, quirky-looking canister vacuums. But this Swedish manufacturer has also brought you refrigerators, freezers, washers, and more under its own nameplate and brands like Frigidaire and Tappan., Electrolux is also connected to Sears: It makes refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, washers, dryers, stoves, wall ovens, and cooktops for Kenmore and high-end Kenmore Pro appliances.

Viking sounds Scandinavian, too, but the company, known for its pro-style ranges and built-in refrigerators, is actually based in Greenwood, Miss. Viking does manufacture its appliances, except for a freestanding refrigerator that's made by Amana, microwaves by Sharp and undercounter refrigerators from Marvel.

The reliability factor

One thing to keep in mind when you're shopping for new appliances: Even though a company manufactures several brands, differences in reliability exist among those nameplates, according to Mark Kotkin, director of survey research for Consumer Reports.

Moreover, says Kotkin, you shouldn't assume that an appliance made by a manufacturer for another brand offers the same reliability as the same appliance sold under the manufacturer's mark.

Based on hundreds of thousands of responses to our Annual Product Reliability Survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, you can learn more about the brand reliability of refrigerators, electric or gas ranges, cooktops, wall ovens, and dishwashers (all are available to subscribers). Visit our Appliances page for more information on all appliances, and check out the Kitchen-Planning Guide for expert advice on remodeling your kitchen.