Okay, okay, the slots are extra-wide, and at 12″x7″x7″, this appliance is big so that $650 is well justified. Although a WordPress blog theme based on the Sicily Is My Love collection would be kinda cool.

If like me, your behemoth of a refrigerator, the LG LFX31925ST/Sears Kenmore Elite Model 72053, has had its air filter warning light on for some time. Initially, I couldn’t find a replacement filter at either Sears or Home Depot, but now they’re readily available. The LG air filter part number is ADQ73334008, model number LT120F. I found it for $24 at Home Depot. Amazon also sells this air filter but at about the same price.

Since it was a return, you could get it for around $986 (less than $1000). From reviews on Home Depot, this washer is rated at 4.7 out of 5 stars after 261 reviews. This model was rated #3 in Consumer Reports in February 2013. Unfortunately, the matching dryer was already sold. And who knows, by this time, the washer might not be around either.

We were so close in getting this unit, but the extra capacity of the WM4070 won out. Our loss, your gain.

It’s progressively been making louder and louder noises while in operation so we had a tech inspect it. The Direct Drive motor is fine, and the drum is fine, and these are the two parts with long term warranties. It’s the parts that hold the drum and motor together that’s busted. Estimate for the repair came out to roughly $800!!

So buying a new washing machine is a better answer. Disappointed at the longevity of this LG, we looked at Consumer Reports for other options. However, LG and Samsung still lead the way in CR reviews along with the least amount of repair issues. Hmmmm. We started looking at Samsung washers only to discover that these washers are deep. They are all 27 inches wide, but between 32-34 inches deep. The typical LG 4.0 cu ft washer is right under 30 inches deep. Because of its current (immovable) location, an extra four inches wouldn’t work out. Seems like LG has the market on “small” 27-in washing machines. Other brands (GE, Maytag, Whirlpool) we looked at were all 30 inches or more. Oh, and this is for front loaders with at least 4.0 cu ft of interior space.

The new LG behemoth, the WM8000HVA, with 5.1 cu ft of space was intriguing. It’s still deeper at 32 3/10 inches compared to 29 3/4 inches, and also it’s 29 inches wide compared to the standard 27 inches. We could actually accommodate the extra two inches of width, but those few inches of depth are still a problem so we couldn’t match our other behemoth LG appliance.

So where does this leave us? Here’s a rundown of what we wanted:

• Low maintenance
• Extended warranty
• 4.0 cu ft or more of interior space
• Front loader. Every sales rep and tech still recommended front loaders for cleaner clothes.
• Similar depth of current washer
• No extra fancy wash cycles (but they all pretty much have them like it or not)
• Available NOW. Our current washer just ain’t going to make it so we can’t wait 30-60 days for delivery.

After checking out Sears, Costco, Lowes, and Home Depot, we ended up at Pacific Sales inside of Best Buy. Not finding a Samsung that met our requirements, we went with another LG, the WM4070HWA, with its 4.3 cu ft of space. It’s the same footprint of our current LG, and there is was one in stock. It seems this model is relatively new with very few reviews available unlike the popular LG WM3470. So although Pacific Sales did not have a floor model to see (neither did other stores), we bought the LG WM4070HWAD with delivery this week.

We also purchased the extended warranty due to our bad luck with our former LG washer. At $129 for 5 years (I have to check on that), it’s a reasonable addition.

Let’s hope for better luck with this LG.

Appearance-wise, Slate looks like stainless steel from the web site, but you’d have to see it in person to view the hues and sheen of the surface. I wonder if Slate feels different from the cool steel? It’s supposed to be fingerprint resistant which is definitely a plus!

The thing that bugs me about GE’s commercial for Slate is the lifestyle portrayed. Seriously, this couple can live in style, partying it up in a seemingly spacious home with a fire pit and Slate-finished appliances. I just can’t relate. I’d rather see kids making a mess in the kitchen, touching the Slate appliances with their grubby hands then the haggard parents (easily) cleaning off the grime. Pan out to a kitchen that looks clean and put together with the face of a smiling parent. That would draw me to Slate.

Here I thought the stainless steel Kenmore Elite Model 72053 (31-cu ft) refrigerator did not have a magnetic surface. I am wrong, or partially wrong at least.

Out of pure randomness, we passed a magnet near the behemoth’s surface, and it stuck! But it’s only in the upper left corner where the ice maker is. And the magnetism isn’t strong. Don’t expect to attach large or heavy objects. Pictures and single sheets of paper are okay. Anything else starts sliding down the surface. “Magnetic stickers” work well though to get your refrigerator in the seasonal spirit.

So despite its extra large internal capacity, the external dimensions really do fit the space of a standard refrigerator.

While most of these models are the same, there are subtle differences, like the fruit and vegetable drawers. The LG version at Home Depot has three smaller drawers while the Kenmore features two larger drawers.

Update: Thanks to reader Fauguy who pointed out that the freezer drawers and water dispensers are also different.

The other major difference is cost.

Home Depot has the LFX3192ST for $2348 and in store, Sears has their 72053 (Sears Item# 04672053000) for about $2500 unless… while taking your vehicle in to Sears for battery maintenance, you wander to the appliance section and see this pricing.

Odd, you think to yourself. At other local Sears locations, you swear the price is higher. Then doing an Internet search, you realize that that price is the online price which shouldn’t apply to Hawaii. So… you jump at the opportunity of this printed price and go for it. And sure enough when the register shows a higher price at checkout, the sales guy honors the printed price (then takes the price tag down). And don’t forget to use your Sears card for an additional 5% off.

Today’s Best Buy ad featured an interesting Samsung with a LCD display capable of running apps. Neat but too many things that could go wrong? Samsung – 28.0 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator with LCD Touch Screen and Apps – Stainless-Steel, Model RF4289HARS. The reviews and ratings look iffy and strange.

But a very intriguing choice might be the LG behemoth known as LFX31925ST. Most refrigerators max out at 28 or 29 cubic feet of storage. But LG has figured out how to get 31 cu ft of space in the same physical footprint of a typical 28-cu ft model. So far, looks like only Home Depot carries this beast, but it hasn’t yet hit Hawaii. According to the Home Depot personnel, this LG should be available very soon. Our refrigerator is stocked with various kinds of milk, full fat, non fat, lactose free, so all this space is needed.

Hold up… seems like LG ain’t the only one with a 31-incher. Within the past 30 days, Sears released its Kenmore Elite 31 cu ft French door refrigerator. Wonder if it’s based on the LG model? Must investigate more since there’s a 30% off Kenmore appliance sale!

Interesting conversation pieces and good history but um, I wouldn’t pay for them.