Which Appliance Brands Are Made In America?

"Made in America" evokes images of pickup trucks, barbeques and Mom baking an apple pie in her new U.S.-made oven. While many appliances are imports, a large number are American made appliances. The Federal Trade Commission requires that any appliance labeled "Made in America" must be assembled and its major parts made in the U.S. Thus, you can check the label to assure yourself that an appliance was made in the good old U.S. of A.

Designed for daily use in a busy household, washers and dryers take an incredible amount of punishment while cleaning and drying a variety of fabrics, from delicate baby clothes to bedding to stinky sports jerseys. A number of well-known brands are still American made appliances, including Frigidaire, GE and Whirlpool. Other familiar washer and dryer brands manufactured by Whirlpool Corp. include Amana and Maytag.

The refrigerator becomes the focal point of many a kitchen, whether you select a basic refrigerator/freezer combination, a high-end commercial refrigerator or a premium wine cooler. In addition to Frigidaire and GE products, brands manufactured in the U.S. include Dacor, Perlick, Sub-Zero, U-Line and Whirlpool-owned Jenn-Aire.

From cooktops to ovens to ranges, built-in or free-standing styles, a good stove makes it easy to cook everything from a simple roast to a full holiday meal. While Dacor, Frigidaire, GE and Whirlpool also manufacture cooktops, ovens and ranges, a high-end kitchen might incorporate Thermadore, Viking or Wolf products. On the other hand, a kitchen in a vintage home might include a full set of retro-styled appliances assembled by Big Chill in Boulder, Colorado.

Most of the major appliance manufacturers, such as Frigidaire, GE, Whirlpool and several of the Whirlpool-owned brands, make coordinated sets for kitchens that include the refrigerator, stove and dishwasher. Germany-based Bosch also makes dishwashers, while New Zealand's Fisher & Paykel makes dishwasher drawers, all in U.S.-based factories.

Although most gas grills are made in China, two popular models are American made. As their name hints, Vermont Castings gas grills have been made in central Vermont since 1975. The company's gas grill series includes the Vanguard and and Vanguard XE models. Products include two-, three- and four-burner barbeque grills.

Vermont Castings also makes a line of American made gas stoves and wood stoves. The company's wood stove line includes the Defiant, Encore, Aspen C3 and Intrepid Flexburn models. The gas stove line includes Radiance, Stardance and Intrepid models.

Small appliances also wave the made-in-the-USA flag. These include Blendtec blenders, Kitchen-Aide's famous stand mixer, Frigidaire's toasters and coffee makers, and Wahl Home Products' grooming products for people and pets, available online and through major retailers. Because not all small appliances are manufactured in the U.S., even if the company is U.S.-based, look for the "Made in America" emblem to ensure that the particular appliance you're considering is actually made in the United States.