Refrigerator Recommendations?

[sneezles]

I don't know your budget or how many you cook for but I am buying Sub-Zero refrigerator that is all fridge (it is a side-by-side but no freezer). We bought a huge freezer last year and I hate the ones with the fridge.

[carolyn.1]

My DH and I built our dream house in 1997 and I picked out all "Large" black appliances. Because of the island in the middle of the kitchen I had to get a side by side refrigerator. I cannot tell you how much I HATE IT!!!! It is totally useless! Particularly the freezer. With just minimal freezer foods there would be not even enough room for a whole chicken. I highly recommend not getting a side by side.

[mightyh]

We bought our first house this summer and went with a Kenmore freezer on the top model after debating the freezer on the bottom--basically I just decided not to pay extra for the freezer on the bottom.... If they were the same price I probably would have tried it.

Anyway, I love the fridge--tons of storage space on the door, glass slide-out shelves, icemaker. It's been great and I have no regrets. I highly recommend Sears' Kenmore appliances... I bought our washer, dryer, fridge, and new vacuum there and all have been big hits. I always check out consumer reports at the library first, though, to be sure I'm on the right track.

[RobinC]

When by DB bought the house 4 years ago and had to go out and buy a refrigerator, he said that he determined there are 3 sizes of refrigerators. Too small, too big, and too expensive. :P

We have a freezer on bottom, and we love it. I get into the produce bins far more than I get into the freezer. My mom now wants to get a freezer on bottom refrigerator after helping me cook 1 Thanksgiving dinner. She couldn't belive how much easier to root around in the fridge. Ours also easily adjustable shelves on the door. It is usually pretty easy to make a few adjustments to get a big item in or lots of bottle of beverages.

[Grace]

I LOVE my freezer on the bottom from Amana. I spend much more time in the fridge, and I don't have to stoop to get into the veggie drawers. Everything is eye level. There is a big drawer and a light in the freezer, so it's easy to pull out the drawer and find stuff (you don't "lose" stuff at the back of the freezer anymore. My grandma had one when I was young (they were extra unusual back then), and I always dreamt of one. Four years ago I bought a house and had to get rid of the small, old, yukky fridge, and I marched straight to the store and bought what I'd always dreamed of. And I couldn't be happier. And it's plenty big!

[MelH]

I just went through the fridge purchase (my first as a new homeowner!), and I purchased from Sears. They have a huge selection, and my salesperson was very helpful. I went with the freezer on top, which is what the old one was. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to see the freezer as easily as the produce doors, which pull out.

My family has always had GE appliances, and has had very good luck with them. I think some people may just be harder on appliances. I've also had good luck with Kenmore.

One note on the side by sides - my boyfriend just purchased one, and the freezer has basket like bins instead of shelves, which is really nice for Ziplock bags and bags of veggies.

[MelissaAS]

Anybody love their refrigerator? We just bought our first house and have to go appliance shopping- since I know I'll have to live with this purchase for a long time, I'm hoping to make a good decision. I'm thinking of freezer-on-the-bottom type but haven't decided. Thanks for your help!

[SandyM]

Don't, don't, don't go for the side-by-side version, unless you have a chest-type freezer elsewhere in the house. These are nice to look at, but they're not practical for storage space.

I've heard that the freezer-on-the-bottom type is the most energy efficient - and that makes sense. Some people don't like having to bend over every time they go in the freezer, but think about it - how many times a day do you go in your freezer? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[SusanT]

We got a great deal on a Kenmore (made by Whirlpool) side by side with the ice in the door. I didn't think I would like having a side by side, but the way the kitchen is configured, it works much better.

Check out Consumer Reports website (www.consumerreports.org)for their report on refrigerators. They have valuable information on repair history, ratings, etc.

[lsdesign]

We did the consumer reports thing and went with the Kenmore freezer on the bottom. Although I wanted the more stylish brushed aluminum model it would not fit into the space that the older home we'd just purchased had for it. Boo Hoo. I will tell you though that despite the fashion drawback I LOVE this fridge. My tall DH doesn't have to bend over in half to find things in the fridge part and the freezer has a light in it! it also has a drawer which is ultra handy. The only thing I would have liked is to have gotten the larger model with more space but we're pretty happy and so is my five year old who thinks that freezing things and your milk is way cool. He obviously can reach the freezer rather easily. This may be a drawback if you've got little ones.

[lindrusso]

Well, I think it's very much a matter of your own personal preference, but my SIL doesn't like her freezer on the bottom. She finds it hard to find anything in the bottom freezer. The fridge shelves are also a bit shallow.

I have a freezer on the top version. Although I wouldn't necessarily say that it is the best type, there are a few things I really like about it.

It has glass shelves. Some people don't like these because they require more cleaning - however, in the case of spills, you actually have less cleaning because the spills are contained. The glass shelves all come out and can be configured any way I like - very handy.

The shelves on the door are also adjustable which allows me to accomodate whatever beverage happens to be in the fridge at the time - even large wine bottles. I like this VERY much.

The freezer is frost-free and also has a light - as lsdesign pointed out, this is very handy.

I always read Consumer Reports before buying any appliance (or just about any big purchase) - they are very helpful and list many features that might be of interest. According to their statistics, Kenmore appliances are consistently reliable.

[funnybone]

What size are you looking for? Depending on the size, you may be limited. Believe it or not www.sears.ca (http://www.sears.ca) is a great site to look at appliances. You can narrow the search down by size, type, price and other preferences. Although we did not buy there, I thought it was a great tool to use for comparasin.

I have a Jenn Air side by side, counter-depth model. I wanted one that didn't stick out too far. I believe it is 22 cubic feet. I love it. A repair man came in to align my ice maker (it wasn't making ice) and he told me that they have problems with GE. They are always repairing them - and customer service on GE's part for parts is bad. I can only tell you what he told me.

As for the side-by-side not having good freezer space. This is true. However, I don't freeze much, and also I have an older full size fridge in the basement - just in case.

Oh, another thing. My appliances are black, and boy does the dust ever show!!!!

[Jewel]

There was another thread where we were discussing this very issue, and I was one of the listening closely! We're going to be replacing our old fridge very soon, and we're looking now so we don't get caught with our chicken thawing when the old one goes belly-up.

My best friend HATES her side-by-side. She can barely fit a chicken in her fridge, and she says most of the freezer space is taken up by the icemaker. I've heard similar claims from others at work.

My husband and I have been looking at the freezer on bottom partly because of the energy efficiency and partly because of the convenience. I actually thought I'd be wriggling on the floor trying to reach the frozen Chuck Roast in the back of the freezer! I didn't realize that so many of them have a freezer 'drawer' that pulls out and helps keep stuff from getting lost in the Frozen Tundra. That's more like it!! After all the studying we've done, we'll probably end up with the Amana Freezer-on-Bottom model when the time comes. Our old one is still making 'demonic' noises, so it won't be long now!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Karen M]

Love my stainless steel JennAir Side-by-side.

I do have a 13 Cu. Ft. upright freezer in the basement too though. But it only cost 250 bucks and was well worth the investment.

[SusanL]

Absolutely HATE my side by side, wish it wasn't so new! LOVED my old freezer on the bottom. Can't fit as much in our new refrigerator. Wished I hadn't succomed (sp?) to what my neighbors had purchased, they loved their side by sides - Sigh...



[This message has been edited by SusanL (edited 03-30-2001).]

[tonyd]

I have a side by side and I like it because it is very easy to organize. You need to get the largest size. Be sure to get adjustable glass shelves for easy cleaning. I did not get the icemaker because I wanted to save electricity and have more space available. And the most important consideration is to by from a large reliable company that offers an extended warranty. This is extremely important. I bought mine from Sears. Good luck.

[MelissaAS]

Thanks for all of your advice- I'll be appliance shopping this weekend!!

[Kristilyn1]

Melissa-

Does this mean we'll be neighbors? In Warwick?

As having purchased a complete set of kitchen appliances, 3 times in the last 5 years (we've moved a bit....) My .02.

If you freeze a LOT of stuff--freezer on the bottom. Personally, I don't like them. I use TONS of ice, so stooping over to get ice, is not my bag.

I've had three side by sides. I agree with the need to get the biggest size you can fit. I love water and ice on the door. With two small children--they can get their own drinks, which is HUGE at my house. As far as freezing. I don't need a huge freezer. I throw my frozen entrees for lunch in there and bread. So space is not a big concern. My last refrigerator was 23 cu. ft. and the one we are getting now will be 25 cu. ft. We've gone with GE twice and been pleased--I think this time we are as well, because Best Buy has good prices on the 25 cu. ft. ones...but I can't be sure.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

Kristi

[MelissaAS]

Kristi- We sure are neighbors! We close on May 4th so I'm trying to arrange appliance deliveries for then http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Hurray!

[Kristilyn1]

We've found Best Buy to have some pretty darn good prices--keeping in mind that the prices are totally negotiable. We got them to lower the prices and throw in the service plan for free.

Plus, Best Buy has 90 days same as cash. We always take advantage of plans that allow us to defer payment (my husband, the banker).

Plus Sears is good and Home Depot too--though the selection is slim, if you like what they have, you can get a good deal.

Kristi