We are facing a challenge in deciding to keep Swiss standard kitchen electronics or replace them with EU standard. From internet I could see that Swiss standard is 55 cm width v/s EU std is 60 cm.
we currently have VZUG brand swiss std (dish washer, fridge, oven.) but as part of overall kitchen renovation should we keep these or better switch to European stand units?
What would you recommend?
Thank you
Far better to switch to 60cm EU standard as this is what it will be in future. 55cm Swiss standard is only really made for Switzerland so it is far more expensive for 5cm less !!
If you are changing the kitchen completely go for 60cm all kitchen units are now standard 60cm except if you ask your installer to go for 55cm.
All brads make 60cm appliances, some make a limited range of 55cm appliances
Biro has said it perfectly. We are stuck with 55Cm, and have had to change most appliances when they have broken, with more 55Cm. Pain, less choice and more expensive.
As another option, you can source 60Cm appliances from euroLand, and get them fitted by a local firm.
That sounds a great idea, but the chassis for a 55cm cupboard size is very different from a 60cm chassis so it will cost you a fortune to change the spaces to fit 60cm appliances in a 55cm kitchen and keep sufficient stability.
Cheaper to rip out the old 55cm kitchen and start afresh with 60cm spaces.
If they are nearly new, that fact ought to be included in your decision making process.
If you are planning on replacing them anyway then, as others have said, 60cm is the way to go.
If you go 60cm, check internal capacity/dimensions of ovens etc before purchase if you are going for Swiss ones.
You don't won't to go to all that trouble and expense of getting a 60cm appliance which has the same capacity as your current 55cm but with a larger fascia.
If you do keep your 55cm appliances, get the kitchen for 60cm and put in small filler panels to enable you to fit the 55cm machines. When you change them take off the filler panel and fit 60cm machines.
A 60cm appliance is usually cheaper than a 55cm appliance as they are far more common and of course you can chose from the full range.
Sometimes 5cm doesn't really make any difference
very insightful comments.... my current VZUG are 5 year old and the plan is to renovate full kitchen so better to go with EU Standard...
Thanks again
As others have said, best to go with 60cm and don't buy anything which is not a standard size. We have a Gaggenau cooktop which is split gas and electric. The electric is glass ceramic but not induction. It is such a strange size that only a Gaggenau unit will fit and the price is eye watering.
As for which brand of appliances to buy, I think some manufacturers make certain appliances which are great and others not so great. They are showrooms to visit and I think this is really worthwhile.
Electrolux/Bosch/Siemens on the other hand..
Sometimes the same parts fit both. I put a V-Zug drier motor into an Electrolux drier (or was it the other way around, I can't remember).
Sometimes the parts are fully interchangeable, especially if they come from same third party supplier
Xonic, along with many other Swiss people, firmly believes that if exactly the same part from the same manufacturer in an Electrolux machine is fitted in a V-Zug machine, it will automatically last much longer.
Sure, V-Zug do make quality, reliable appliances but at sometimes three times the price of a competitors equivalent model, one needs to ask oneself whether it's actually good value.
Are there any actual statistics which show that V-Zug is more reliable?
It may well be but there may this brand love which some unreliable (or at least not more reliable) German car manufacturers have managed to retain.
55 cm is measured inside the niche, while 60 cm is measured on the front plate. A "60 cm" niche has an inside width of 56 cm.
The one equipment where it makes the biggest, noticeable, and also applicable difference is the fridge. Make this niche wide enough that you can put in your desired fridge. Some fridges need a niche of 61 cm or even wider. Specially as fridges come with thicker and thicker insulations. If you bake a lot you might want a fridge were you can put in the baking try of your desired oven.
A professional kitchen builder can make your kitchen made to measure so that all fits nicely.
Had kitchen replaced as part of major renovation and chose entirely Siemans products. After approx 5 years of use I can report that:
- Steam combi oven
Water tank had to be replaced twice (first one broke after one year)
Fan makes horrible rattling noise, when the over gets up to temp
- Dishwasher
Doesn't clean regardless of what we try, i.e. filters cleaned regularly, with-salt/no-salt, powder, capsules, with rinse-aid/without salt, all programs
- Warming drawer
Stopped working and after replacing one part at a cost of CHF100, was then informed that it must be the other part, cost of which is CHF200 ... now looking to replace with another brand
- Fridge
Constantly producing pools of water under and in the veg drawer
A friend has exactly the sanme problem with the same fridge
It's awesome that they share parts, I'm sure some car manufacturers also share parts. Yet parts don't make the whole car.
Unclog the condensation drain with a needle or zip tie, that will solve the problem.
I'm sure some people find V-Zug amazing.
Here are some reviews from V-ZUG customers in Australia:
1 Star (out of five)
V Zug ADORA SL GARBAGE
Been battling numerous repairs from new... will NOT be repaired again...sick of everything internally getting constantly replaced.
1 Star (out of five)
Waste of money
We bought 7 appliances for our new house for a very high price 5 years ago
We have had problems with every single machine and it is very expensive to fix. Can’t find technical support very easily and every part is expensive . I regret so much buying these brand . I do NOT recommend . I hate the fact that I was made to believe that paying premium price would garantee a long lasting performance and quality.
1 Star (out of five)
Overpriced products with cheap plastic parts and poor service
Disappointed on multiple fronts, but especially by the poor reliability and service. Premium price, but reliability and support on the level of cheap Chinese brands. Coffee centre broke and no longer supported after 10 years: have to throw out a $4000. Dryer filter holder plastic part broke after 2 years. Dishwasher makes noise and hinge easily broken by a 2 year old. List goes on ..
1 Star (out of five)
VZug Dishwasher = Rubbish!
published 2 years ago
Bought six VZug products including a dishwasher. Don't be sold into their dishwashers as they are absolutely rubbish. Very expensive & we are hand washing most days. It doesn't wash properly & sells itself on steam cleaning & exceptional drying!! Cutlery is left soiled & wet as is crockery. We have gone by the book on this one but wished we'd bought a cheaper Bosch or AEG. Worst dishwasher we've ever had. Do not be sucked in by their marketing blurb!!
You can find good V-Zug reviews too of course but people who have had a bad experience or two with any major brand will tend to see that brand in a bad light.