In this session, I cover the appliances I’d avoid buying in 2026—and most of it comes down to one thing: real-world performance and service, not marketing. We track thousands of service calls, so I’m not guessing. I start with the biggest mistake people make in new kitchens: bad ventilation. If you cook on the front burner (and you do), an over-the-range microwave can’t capture the steam, smoke, and grease because it’s too shallow. Downdrafts are even worse because they fight physics—smoke goes up—and they typically have no capture area and create ducting problems that kill performance. I also get into “beautiful concepts” that can turn into expensive repairs, like induction under granite (especially with downdraft). Induction is fast, safe, and cleaner than gas, but it’s still electronics—if it needs service later, lifting a countertop to access it is a nightmare. I cover other common money-wasters: premium pricing for the same box under a different badge, outdated builder-spec appliances, combo washer/dryers for families (heat pump drying takes longer and you can’t reload), standalone icemakers if you won’t maintain them, ultra-quiet dishwashers below 44 dB, and double ovens when a single plus speed/steam may be smarter. The best question isn’t “what’s the best brand?”—it’s “what does service look like where I live?”