What Brand Is Cafe Appliances?

Cafe Appliances is a premium brand of appliances launched by GE Appliances, a subsidiary of Haier, in 2018. The brand was introduced as a new line of customizable, high-end appliances aimed at “mass premium” consumers looking for luxury appliances with a personalized look and feel. Cafe Appliances debuted with The Matte Collection, featuring a variety of kitchen appliances like refrigerators, ranges, cooktops, dishwashers, and more with a unique matte white glass finish and contemporary design accents like brushed bronze, brushed stainless steel, and matte black hardware.

The Cafe Appliances brand aims to provide a luxury appliance experience allowing consumers to customize their appliances with unique finishes and hardware to match their personal style. The product line includes kitchen appliances as well as laundry appliances and caters to customers looking for professional-grade appliances with versatile cooking options and smart home integration, while also valuing unique design and customization options to reflect their tastes.

History

Cafe Appliances was founded in 2002 as a brand of premium appliances under GE Appliances, part of General Electric (Source). The Cafe brand was created to offer high-end appliances with a sleek, modern design and the latest smart technology. Cafe launched with a full suite of kitchen appliances including refrigerators, ranges, ovens, dishwashers, microwaves and more. According to Spencer’s TV, Cafe has focused on innovations like advanced cooking modes, strong finishes, and smart home connectivity since its founding.

Ownership

Cafe Appliances is owned by GE Appliances, headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. GE Appliances is a subsidiary of the Chinese multinational home appliances company Haier. Haier acquired GE Appliances from General Electric in 2016 for $5.6 billion. Since then, GE Appliances has functioned as a separate entity within Haier, while still using the GE branding for its major appliance lines like Cafe, GE Profile, GE, and Monogram.

Sources: https://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/money/who-makes-cafe-appliances

Product Lines

Cafe Appliances offers a wide range of major appliances including ranges, cooktops, ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, and more. According to Johnsabc, some of Cafe’s most popular products include:

– Ranges and cooktops like the Cafe 30″ Slide-In Electric Range with Self-Cleaning Convection Oven.

– High-end French door refrigerators like the Cafe 29.6 Cu. Ft. 4-Door Counter-Depth Refrigerator with CustomChill Drawer.

– Built-in wall ovens such as the Cafe 30″ Single Electric Wall Oven with Self-Cleaning Convection.

In addition to major appliances, Cafe also offers a variety of small kitchen appliances including coffee makers, blenders, air fryers, and more. According to Better Housekeeping, Cafe’s goal with their appliances is to offer innovative technologies and high-end finishes to give consumers a luxury, chef-level cooking experience.

Design

Cafe appliances are known for their distinctive and stylish design. According to the Cafe Appliances website, their products feature “sophisticated finishes, statement hardware and chef-inspired details” (https://www.cafeappliances.com/).

Some of the key design elements of Cafe appliances include:

• Matte white, matte black, and stainless steel finishes
• Brushed metal and solid metal handles
• Full-color touchscreen displays on some models
• LED interior lighting
• Custom hardware like commercial-style handles
• Wood block interiors on some models

Cafe aims to create a consistent, upscale look across its product lines. According to their 2022 design trends lookbook, they focus on “dramatic designs that defy the basic” (https://www.cafeappliances.com/lookbook/2022-design-trends-lookbook). The distinctive styling helps Cafe appliances make a bold statement in any kitchen.

Technology

GE Cafe appliances are known for integrating innovative technology and smart connectivity features. According to GE Appliances, Cafe aims to be at the forefront of culinary technology.¹ Some of their latest innovations include:

Smart home connectivity – Many Cafe appliances can connect to wifi and be controlled remotely via voice commands or a mobile app. For example, their smart ovens and ranges allow users to preheat, monitor cooking, and turn the appliance off from their phone.²

Special cooking features – Cafe’s Advantium ovens use a combination of convection, microwave, and halogen lights to cook food quickly and evenly. Some models have customizable cooking settings and precision temperature control.³ Their ranges offer options like dual-ring burners for versatile heat control.

Reviews

Cafe appliances tend to receive strong reviews from both experts and customers alike. In reviews from major publications like Consumer Reports and Appliances Connection, Cafe appliances score highly for their performance, innovative features, and sleek design aesthetic.

According to Consumer Reports, Cafe’s gas and electric ranges provide accurate baking temperatures and easy-to-clean flat cooktops. Reviewers especially praise Cafe’s induction cooktops and convection ovens. Cafe refrigerators also receive high praise for temperature accuracy and uniformity. The brand’s dishwashers are lauded for quiet operation.

Customers seem very satisfied with Cafe appliances overall. On sites like Home Depot, Best Buy, and AJ Madison, Cafe products average around 4-4.5 out of 5 stars from buyers. Positive reviews highlight the stylish appearance, quiet operation, ample capacity, and intuitive smart features. Some downsides mentioned include high prices and occasional reliability issues.

According to Appliances Connection, “The consensus among appliance experts and happy GE Café owners is that these luxury appliances provide incredible performance and have that wow factor to make your kitchen the envy of anyone who walks into it.” While expensive, most reviewers agree Cafe appliances provide an excellent combination of style, innovation, and real-world functionality.

Prices

Cafe appliances are considered premium appliances with prices to match. While not the most expensive on the market, Cafe appliances command a premium over more budget brands like Samsung, LG, and Frigidaire.

According to The Home Depot, Cafe refrigerators range from $2,599 – $4,199. Their gas ranges start around $1,099 and go up to $2,899 for higher-end models. The price for Cafe dishwashers is approximately $899 – $1,299.

Compared to other premium brands like Thermador, Wolf, and Viking, Cafe tends to be 20-30% less expensive for similar products. However, Cafe still carries a significant price premium over mass brands. Overall, Cafe aims for the upper-middle of the appliance market in terms of pricing.

Availability

Café appliances are sold through authorized dealers and retailers throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While not sold directly by the manufacturer, Café products can be purchased both online and in brick-and-mortar stores.

Major national retailers that carry Café appliances include Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Best Buy, and AJ Madison. Local appliance dealers and specialty retailers may also offer Café products. The full list of authorized Café dealers can be found on the Café website.

For online purchases, Café recommends visiting major retailer websites or working with an authorized online dealer like Designer Appliances. According to the Designer Appliances website, purchasing Café appliances online offers convenience, competitive pricing, and bundled delivery and installation services.

While not available for direct purchase from the manufacturer, the wide availability of Café products through major retailers online and in stores makes buying and installing these luxury appliances accessible for most homeowners.

Conclusion

In summary, Cafe Appliances is a premium appliance brand owned by GE that offers high-end kitchen products known for their stylish design and innovative technology. Cafe focuses on performance, craftsmanship, and attention to detail to create appliances that look great and perform exceptionally well.

Customers choose Cafe appliances because they want the quality and luxury of professional-grade appliances for their home kitchens. Cafe offers features usually only found in commercial appliances, like powerful burners, convection baking, and precise temperature control. They use quality materials like stainless steel and hardened glass. Their modern style and customizable finishes allow customers to get that built-in look. Cafe prices are premium but competitive compared to other luxury brands. Overall, Cafe fills the need for beautifully designed, technologically advanced appliances made for cooking and entertaining enthusiasts.