I suggest prayer.

Seriously though, find the best warranty. The domestic brands are all generally the same quality for kitchen unless you want to spring for commercial level like Viking.

Sears doesn't manufacture anything, all of their appliances are made by all the various manufacturers. The model number prefix tells you who makes the model. You can probably find a list online.

Check around for replacement part prices for the brands you're researching. If a model you're looking at is made by one manufacturer but sold by another parts will be insanely priced and it's hard to find the OEM parts sometimes.

Consumer Reports is full of shit.

Whirlpool, Maytag, Kitchenaid, Jenn Air, Roper are all Whirlpool made.

GE and Hotpoint are the same and are owned by Haier.

Electrolux/Frigidaire also make several brand names, make sure you know who actually makes a given appliance.

Oh, Bosch seems to make a decent dishwasher.

Oh and if you get a fridge with a filter they last about year. The light may go off after 6 months but it's just on a timer, it doesn't keep track of water usage or anything.