looking for a refrigerator, what should I know?

[shortbun]

The last frig was purchased by DH and I've hated it since it came through the door. It was an emergency purchase and he bought the first thing he saw. I want stainless, fairly large, pieces that won't break when handled by two zealous and casual men, energy efficient if that exists and very adjustable storage. Bottom freezer is ok but the bin needs to be substantial. The freezer bins I've seen so far have been small and will make me dig to the bottom every time I want something. It is obvious that people who do not USE a refrigerator are the designers. What do you have? Do you like it? tips?
TIA!

 

[IWAS]

I have the ge profile french door,

its designed perfectly, even with the bottom freezer everything is easy to get to,

I have complaints with the loud popping noises it makes but have been told all new fridges do that, its annoying to say the least.

 

[N.Bailey]

I can't speak for the larger unit, but don't get a smaller side by side. I can't even fit a pizza box in the dang thing. I tell ya, I will never buy another one. Perhaps those that are big enough to hold a gallon of milk on the door shelving is different, but we're so turned against the side by sides that we'll never buy another one.

The next one we get (and I think it will be soon as our current one is leaking water - though it's been cleaned and cleaned again - pulled out and really cleaned at the back even), will more than likely be one with the freezer on the bottom. It just makes a lot of sense, but I have no experience with them.

 

[akhenaten]

I can't speak for the larger unit, but don't get a smaller side by side. I can't even fit a pizza box in the dang thing. I tell ya, I will never buy another one. Perhaps those that are big enough to hold a gallon of milk on the door shelving is different, but we're so turned against the side by sides that we'll never buy another one.

The next one we get (and I think it will be soon as our current one is leaking water - though it's been cleaned and cleaned again - pulled out and really cleaned at the back even), will more than likely be one with the freezer on the bottom. It just makes a lot of sense, but I have no experience with them.

My friend has the same problem with the side by side...can't fit some platters and i think the big turkey was a problem too.....
I have the bottom freezer and I love it!! It has pull out baskets

 

[aprilgail2]

Don't get a side by side- they stink!!! To small to put anything of any size in either side of the thing!!

 

[720L]

I can't speak for the larger unit, but don't get a smaller side by side. I can't even fit a pizza box in the dang thing. I tell ya, I will never buy another one. Perhaps those that are big enough to hold a gallon of milk on the door shelving is different, but we're so turned against the side by sides that we'll never buy another one.

The next one we get (and I think it will be soon as our current one is leaking water - though it's been cleaned and cleaned again - pulled out and really cleaned at the back even), will more than likely be one with the freezer on the bottom. It just makes a lot of sense, but I have no experience with them.

I have a built in refridgerator (GE Monogram) that looks huge, but the freezer is as small as a normal refridgerator and I can't fit a pizza box in eithier!! I hate my freezer. I love the refridgerator part though. I can put gallon milks in the door.

 

[Bren's Mom]

We just bought a new home (new to us) and the kitchen came applianced. We are now the proud owners of a Whirlpool side-by-side and I hate it. I've always only had the freezer on top kind. I can hardly fit anything in the freezer. It's kind of good in a way, though...now I know when we redo the kitchen and replace all the appliances I'll know NOT to spend good money on a side-by-side.

FWIW, Consumer Reports April 2008 Ratings for bottom freezers rate the Samsung # RF266AA highest with a score of 83 out of 100. The MSRP is $1600 (so it's one of the less expensive on the list) and its 25.8 cu ft interior capacity is also one of the highest on the list.

Their 2nd best choice is the KitchenAid # KBFS25ET. They rate it at an 81/100, it's MSRP is $1700 and interior is 24.8. The Kitchen Aid is also rated a CR Best Buy. I just quickly googled this one and it's a French Door model, is Energy Star rated and has an interior water dispenser.

Hope that helps...maybe give you a benchmark to start your search. Have fun! We just bought a new washer/dryer since those didn't come with the house...I bought Whirlpool Cabrios and I am in !

 

[okeydokey]

I can't speak for the larger unit, but don't get a smaller side by side. I can't even fit a pizza box in the dang thing. I tell ya, I will never buy another one. Perhaps those that are big enough to hold a gallon of milk on the door shelving is different, but we're so turned against the side by sides that we'll never buy another one.

The next one we get (and I think it will be soon as our current one is leaking water - though it's been cleaned and cleaned again - pulled out and really cleaned at the back even), will more than likely be one with the freezer on the bottom. It just makes a lot of sense, but I have no experience with them.

Ours is leaking water from the freezer side and we have looked and looked and can't see where it is coming from. The water tubes into the water and ice part are fins so it's not that. Anyway, make sure you have milk gallon storage on the door.

 

[bluefairy13]

Why don't you organize a refrigerator exchange for the home the same way they do for WDW?

You could organize it with people from different climates so that everyone has it in the summer months. (get the southern hemisphere involved.)

It's too early to be drinking so I have no real excuse for saying the above crazy thing.

 

[Towncrier]

About the only thing that I know about looking for a refrigerator is that you'll be doing it again in about 10 years. Seems like that's about how long fridges last in our house.

We have a KitchenAid with the freezer on the bottom. It is 11 years old (yikes) and has been very reliable. I guess that the thing to remember is that you usually get what you pay for. Our first fridge was a Sears Kenmore that came with our new house. It lasted a year before the compressor went out. Even with two more repairs in the next 9 years, it finally died a horrible death while we were gone on vacation. The KitchenAid was our emergency purchase.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[jl]

We have a Whirlpool side-by-side (black) - it does have a small freezer compared to a freezer on top; also, we have the front water/ice dispenser. What a surprising expense that is! Uses a "Pur" filter - $49 & even with 2 of us the replacement light comes on 3 x's per year...an unexpected expense for sure. Also, w/black there are white lime deposits on the dispensers...lots of maintenance. But I still like my matching appliances - just didn't foresee those problems.

 

[monorailsilver]

We have a Kenmore side by side & I love it. It is one of the bigger ones too.

We had a freezer on top & I hated the fact that I had to dig to find some frozen meat. With the side by side, I have 2 wire freezer drawers that pull out & I put the meats in there plus all the other shelves.

I don't mind about the pizza box since I have always taken the pizza out of the box & wrapped it in foil for the 2 or 3 pieces that are left. I don't have huge platters to worry about either.

I do love & didn't realize I would love it & thought it was just a gimmic, but I love the lock out feature on the water/ice dispenser. I was pregnant with my 3rd child & had her about a month after we got the fridge in 2006.

Let's just say in the past 6 months that lock feature stays locked otherwise she grabs her tea cups & any other toy that looks like a cup to fill it & dump.

 

[WIDisneyFan]

I am by no means an expert and really have little useful to add EXCEPT - if you get one with ice and water in the door, make sure your favorite cups fit in the opening!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Also, w/black there are white lime deposits on the dispensers...lots of maintenance.

Anyone know how to clean these off?