refrigerator...size vs money

[Sagginit]

My new place has no refrigerator. I am debating between the best deal I could find on two sizes. One is a Kenmore that is 18.2 cubic feet. The other is a Whirpool 20.9 cubic feet. The price difference comes to $70 (the lesser one is much less but we have to pay delivery, the larger ones is at lowes with free delivery). Will the 2.7 cubic feet make a big difference? I am splitting it with my roomate so it will only be an extra $35 each. She wants the smaller cheaper one, I would rather spend more to have the extra space.

 

[java]

sent you a pm

 

[mom2d&b]

I have always been told to buy the biggest that will fit in the space.

 

[seashoreCM]

If a larger refrigerator has empty space for long periods of time it will run more efficiently if casks or jugs of water are kept inside to fill up some of the empty space. But you can't put too many in because water is heavy and you may overload the shelves. Put only one gallon in at a time to keep the inside temperature more uniform, then wait a few hours to put the next one in. A jug taken out to make room for food will warm up the refrigerator interior while it is re-cooled when put back in later.

They can be put in the freezer too, but don't fill them all the way to allow room for expansion. Unfortunately some brands of jugs will burst anyway when water in them freezes.

 

[mombrontrent]

I would definatley go with the larger one, especially since you get free delivery. $35 each less the delivery cost is really not that much and I think you will be happier with the larger one, pluslike a previous poster said it's better to get the largest the space with allow. I didn't do that and now I have a couple inch gap between my fridge and the wall on either side and it looks odd and dirt always gets in the gaps and is hard to get out without pulling the whole frige out.

 

[crisi]

Make sure it fits in the space. With air clearance. Refrigerators have gotten bigger, but the space they go in in an old house is usually fairly small.

And by making sure, measure your space along both the bottom and the top (walls are always straight) and the height and depth. Take the measurements and a tape measure to somewhere with the models you are considering. Do not trust the sales literature (there are multiple ways to measure a fridge and the measurements aren't always accurate). Restocking fees on a fridge are not budget - and "it doesn't fit" will result in a restocking fee from most stores.

 

[HM]

Also, you can "haggle" for free shipping. We never pay for shipping...always tell we will buy if we get it shipped/installed for free.

You might even be able to talk down the price a few dollars if you tell them you are thinking about buying something cheaper elsewhere.

 

[Sagginit]

the shipping/delivery fee is for the one online, so I would have to call customer service to haggle the fee but it may be worth it. the one in store has no delivery fee. the landlord said standard size, but the means it is not counter depth, but does not clearly tell me how big i can go. i get keys Saturday so I will measure but I think both will fit. I was hoping or a memorial day sale to get a deeper discount but neither one is one sale for a bigger discount. I tend to stockpile so I am sure I could fill the empty space in the larger size. Someone told me if I buy too small I will regret it, someone else told me I don't need that much space and to save the money so I'm just really divided on the better logic.

 

[mombrontrent]

My fridge is 22 cubic feet and I find it to small especially with the ice maker taking up a huge portion of the fridge. However I do have a family of 5. I still say it's worth the little extra money to go for the bigger size. I doubt you will ever say "I wish I bought the smaller fridge" but you might one day say "why didn't I get the bigger fridge".

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, do you know yet what the Sunday sales will be?

Also, if you'll be paying your own electricity, you want to get the one that's more energy efficient. Finally, if you can't get your hands on a copy of Consumer Reports that reviews refrigerators, at least look online for reviews of the two models or brands.

 

[Sadie22]

The advertised dimensions of interior space of refrigerators and the freezer compartments are not always accurate. The two refrigerators may actually be the same in terms of usable space. I would look at the two in a store and think about what items I need to put in a refrigerator, to make sure it will accommodate my needs. The style of shelves, wire or glass, also make a difference. If you plan to entertain and will be using some large trays, maybe take one and make sure it will fit. Things like that.

 

[clh2]

My fridge is 22 cubic feet and I find it to small especially with the ice maker taking up a huge portion of the fridge. However I do have a family of 5. I still say it's worth the little extra money to go for the bigger size. I doubt you will ever say "I wish I bought the smaller fridge" but you might one day say "why didn't I get the bigger fridge".

About a year ago - I could have said the same thing...And then we did a cabinet modification to allow for a bigger fridge. Now we are sporting a 25 cubic foot fridge. (The old fridge was 18 years old - so if we were going to do something...it was now or never...)

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the bigger fridge!!!

 

[dis-happy]

While you're at it, compare prices at Ikea! I recently purchased a large ss refrigerator on sale and was horrified to find practically the same one at Ikea for tons less. One manufacturer makes several fridges with different names; in my case Whirlpool, Kitchenaid, Ikea (and I think Jenn-Aire as well).