ARGH! Any recommendations for a new fridge?

[Coventina]

My ancient fridge just pooped.

Not worth fixing, and I should upgrade to an energy efficient model anyway.

Any recs?

Would be much appreciated.

[Eliot Rosewater]

1. If you are willing to spend over $3000, make sure it is a wifi connected fridge otherwise

you are not getting state of the art.

Depends on what you want and how much.

Consumer Reports is helpful, if you dont have access tell me what style you want and price range, style as in

top freezer
bottom freezer
french door
side by side

and I will tell you which are recommended.

[Coventina]

4. You are an angel!!!

Here's my situation:

My space is VERY restricted:

I absolutely cannot go over 35 inches wide by 31 MAYBE 32 inches deep.

The ideal would be French door with water/ice dispenser on the outside.

I'm willing to splurge, as I haven't had to make a significant appliance purchase for some time.

If you could give me CU's recs I would be so, so grateful!!

[Eliot Rosewater]

13. Size might be an issue, most are a bit bigger than your requirements, you should have 36 wide

available to you, not 35 as most are 36 I think.


GE GFD28GSLSS refrigerator
$2,800


36 wide by 33 for the above unit.

The above is that size and is recommended, but this is the wrong way to go about it, I think.

Do you have Costco either near you or online? If so find the units that fit your size requirements and give me a list of model names or numbers etc and I will see what if any are mentioned at CU, you could PM me for that as I will see that for sure.


This one is 36/29 size

Samsung RF22K9381SR refrigerator
$3,000

[Coventina]

16. Thanks! Will do.

My measurement requirements are pretty locked in, without doing a major remodel, which I'm not prepared to do at the moment.
(Nor do I have that many funds, haha!)

[Eliot Rosewater]

17. 35 ? check again, I think almost all fridges are 36

[Coventina]

18. My current GE is 35 & 3/8 inches.

It just BARELY fits. 35 & 1/2 probably couldn't fit. It's that tight.

[Eliot Rosewater]

22. OK, then you have a problem I suppose. You will need to physcially measure anything you

might get because most are like this or bigger


Dimensions - w/ hinges, handles & door (WxDxH)35.75 in. x 31 in. x 70 in.

Let me check units that are not french door also and update in a minute

Below is side by side

Dimensions - w/ hinges, handles & door (WxDxH)35.75 in. x 30.75 in. x 69.88 in.


You may only be able to get the top freezer types.

[LeftInTX]

25. Here is a list from Home Depot don't know what their CU ratings are.

I was surprised to see French doors on the smaller models. One even has an ice maker. (I think the ice maker takes up alot of space)

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Appliances-Refrigerators-French-Door-Refrigerators/N-5yc1vZc3oo

[Coventina]

29. Thank you! This is really helpful!!!

[zipplewrath]

33. Standard Sizes

Top-Mount Freezers
Top-mount refrigerators, which place the freezer at eye level and the fresh food compartment below, are the traditional style. Most top-mount refrigerator/freezer units range from about 23 to 36 inches in width, 65 to 69 inches in height, and 24 to 33 inches in depth. In addition, it will have an interior volume of between 10 and 25 cubic feet, with between 7.5 and 18 cubic feet (the majority) in the fridge part alone.

Side-by-Side Units
The side-by-side refrigerator features two vertical doors with the fresh food compartment on one side and the frozen food on the other. The typical side-by-side refrigerator measures between 30 and 36 inches in width, 67 and 70 inches in height and from 29 to 35 inches in depth. Total volume ranges from 22.5 to 31 cubic feet, with 14.5 to 20 cubic feet in the refrigerator portion. Built-in models may prove a little larger.

Other Refrigerator Styles
If you choose another type of refrigerator, such as one with the freezer on the bottom, the sizes are still fairly typical. With few exceptions, a standard refrigerator will fall near the sizes for side-by-side or freezer-on-top models.

[haele]

36. We got a decent 20 cu LG, with freezer on bottom, french doors on top that was 30" wide.

Made for an apartment or a smaller refrigerator insert.
We got it about two years ago; we got it at a "ding and dent/floor model" appliance reseller for around $900 - normally $1800 at the time. Pretty much brand new; it had been a floor model that was dinged by the forklift, so the store couldn't sell it. It only had a 1 year warranty, but the brand had a good reputation, and if it was going to go bad, it would have gone bad within the first year or so.

Check your local appliance stores, there should be one or two nearby listed as a new and used reseller. Sears and Best Buy both have "cosmetically damaged/no longer in stock" appliance sales.
Or you can just go to a retailer and ask if they have any slightly damaged or floor models for sale on discount.

Haele

[PufPuf23]

39. I replaced a side by side refrigerator this Winter.

Bought in 2003; side by side with ice maker/water service in freezer door.

Live very rural and what could get service and delivery in 2003 was no longer available in 2017. Went to Sears as bought washer and dryer and had delivered the same time bought refrigerator and a gas stove in 2003 from independent dealer. Sears that would make a delivery in 2003 would also not deliver, delivery and service range was to a small town 60 miles north or another 40 miles west and would not even deliver where I am if paid for the delivery.


Refrigerator partially died where ice maker didn't work but more so that no control of temperature. Bottom of freezer froze so was freezing plastic water bottles in bottom of freezer to put in top of refrigerator compartment (where stuff would freeze in bottom).


That refrigerator was $1500 in 2003 and would be over $3000 now. Think it could be fixed so it sits on carport as a friend says he wants it and need to drive 40 miles for disposal and no longer have a truck.

So bought a new refrigerator from same place bought in 2003 that no longer delivers or services here (a little more than 100 mountain miles away). Rented Uhaul trailer with other friend to haul new refrigerator a new chair for me that also would not be delivered here.

Got very similar side by side but smaller capacity It was not as deep and came in deep or not as deep versions and works much better in space. Had to modify a dividing wall to get the deeper 2003 refrigerator to fit.

The good thing is that the appliance dealer ("local" independent) had a second smaller store front that sold damaged/dented new appliances and financing turn backs. So I got a new $2000 plus unit for about $900 that I like better than the older refrigerator that also was great until problem. Fifteen years and changes in technology is OK for time to replace. had to search to find two small dents. The old and new units both Whirlpool. Seems I bought just what you want.

[IphengeniaBlumgarten]

2. I am happy with my Fisher-Paykel. nt

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. We love our Amana!

They are well built and reliable. We bought a freezer on the bottom and find it very convenient.

Best of luck!

[Coventina]

6. Yes, I'd like French doors with freezer on bottom.

My problem is space limitations.

I have a very tiny house with tiny spaces....

[Ohiogal]

15. Our Amana fridge

is going on 38 years old!

[jberryhill]

5. Charlton Heston's Cold, Dead Fingers

[Coventina]

8. I have a shovel! Where is he?

[ginnyinWI]

7. we like our new one--1 1/2 years old.

It has French doors on top and a drawer freezer on the bottom. I didn't think I'd like the drawer freezer part that much, but I LOVE it! It has an ice maker which is a first for us and like that a lot more than I thought, too! It's slate gray and made by GE. But I don't think the brand is crucial. Just like the style. It has nice deep shelves in the doors, too. There is a spigot for chilled water inside the fridge but we don't use it much. Just put ice in the glass and get water at the sink cause it's faster.

The French doors mean that it is split in the middle and has equal sized doors opening up right and left. So they don't stick out into the room as much and block the way, which in our case means the walkway between the garage kitchen entry to the main part of the house.

[Coventina]

9. yes, that's exactly the style I'd prefer.

My worry is finding one that will fit in my kitchen.

I have a very limited space, width and depth-wise.

Glad to know brand isn't too important.

The one that just pooped is a GE, but it's from the 80s, so it really didn't owe me anything at this point.

[ginnyinWI]

34. ours is 70.5 inches tall

and about 33 inches wide and 33 inches deep, not counting the handles.

This one:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-33-in-W-18-6-cu-ft-French-Door-Refrigerator-in-Slate-Counter-Depth-and-Fingerprint-GWE19JMLES/303345831

[OriginalGeek]

10. well we never thought we'd like a french door fridge

with the freezer on the bottom but it turns out we love it. It's a Samsung and the water through the filter tastes great and, so far, has made plenty of ice.

We previously assumed we'd hate bending over for freezer stuff but it isn't bad at all - and now all the regular fridge stuff is at waist level or higher. Seems like we use the freezer less often than the regular fridge so it makes sense. Our old fridge was a side by side so we ended up going to the bottom on both sides looking for things all the time. this freezer has 2 levels so the least used stuff can go in the very bottom and frozen pizzas and stouffer's mac and cheese can stay in the upper level. lol

It's roomy but we do have a garage fridge for my beer and stuff so not sure how it would handle being the only device. I like the deli drawers and the veggie drawers and the door holds 2 gallons of tea/milk plus other levels for all kinds of bottles of things.


Ours is not quite a year old yet and I have changed the filter once (We use the ever-lovin crap out of the water dispenser so ymmv). I bought generic from Best Buy for the replacement filter which was half the price of Samsung filters and have not noticed any difference in water quality.

My wife wouldn't let me get the one with the big video screen in the door but I woulda if I coulda. I'm a geek, what can I say?

edit to add - lol, there were no replies when I started writing and now I see 3 with the same bottom freezer situation. Yep - it's neat!

[Coventina]

11. It does seem to be very popular!!

Thanks so much for your insight!!!

[OriginalGeek]

19. oh and the water dispenser has a nice big opening

so I can get my 32oz Bubba Mug in there without having to tip it over. Also handy for filling the Keurig water well.

We were also sweating the measurements because we had cabinets above and beside and no other place to put it without a complete remodel but it slid right into the spot vacated by the previous fridge.

I mean yeah, we could have measured the space but where's the adventure in that?

[Coventina]

20. LOL!

You never heard the old adage: Measure twice then curse and curse when it still doesn't fit?

[OriginalGeek]

21. lol, no but

I used to work in a boat factory and I overheard a guy telling the line lead "I don't know! I cut it twice and it's STILL too short!"

[Coventina]

24. Haha! Now THAT'S comedy!

[question everything]

12. The problem is space

We had a narrow space in front of the doors, so had to use a double doors. Then I discovered the three door model: two doors for the fridge that open to a full size space where you can put a plate - and a freezer at the bottom that the door slides open. And, yes, we had to measure it ahead of time. For extra $100 we added a small shelf in the freezer section.

And then we have a cabinet above it that, we thought, worse come to worse, will remove it. Also, we were looking at "shelf deep" (I think this is the term) many go really deep.

We got a GE that we have been quite happy There were really only three models that we could consider and last I've heard, that model no longer available.

Good luck.

https://www.consumerreports.org/refrigerators--french-door/best-french-door-refrigerators-from-consumer-reports-tests/

[Coventina]

14. Agreed, my space (or lack thereof) is a huge problem.

I'm finding it really tough to find the right dimensions with the preferred features.

[Dave Starsky]

23. Make sure you get a stainless steel one.

They're expensive as hell, but they look cool. People will bring beer to your house just so they can admire your refrigerator.

[Rorey]

26. Stainless steel is a matter of taste

We put stainless steel in a house we were flipping, and that was enough of an experience for me to know that I didn't want that. Sure, it looked nice, but keeping it looking perfect during showings was a pain in the butt.

Of course we didn't put top of the line in that house, so maybe the superior quality ones repel fingerprints better. I have no idea. All I know is that I don't want to be a nag about people touching things in my house, and I know I'd get irritated if I had to be constantly buffing and shining things. JMO

[Dave Starsky]

28. Then may I suggest Harvest Gold or Avocado.

Has a retro '70s look that everyone is into these days.

[Rorey]

30. ROFL

Doesn't matter if that retro look is the hottest thing ever, nope.

I'm a fan of black for myself.

[Dave Starsky]

31. That's what I've got.

Black never goes out of style.

[pansypoo53219]

35. we got a newer black one a few years ago. lookes great in the 1926 tiled niche.

only issue is the white inside. the black stove is great cause it hides how dirty it is from cooking.

[Coventina]

32. Haha! This is what I love about DU

You guys are able to make me laugh, even when having a little crisis.

[Freethinker65]

27. We had a similar problem with space when we replaced our old Kenmore/Amana

We ended up going a bit smaller than the original which looks fine, but has much less interior space. Make sure you look at shelf configuration and any design obstacles. Our new smaller Maytag has the temp control panel positioned making access to the middle of the top shelf difficult and the side door shelving is not great for taller bottles/carafes. Still love having my freezer on the bottom and it works perfectly though is a bit noisier than our old one.

[Coventina]

37. Many, many thanks to all!!

I have a new fridge on order.

LG, stainless steel.

I have an LG washer & dryer that have held up for almost a decade on my back porch, in Phoenix heat!
So, I'm pretty hopeful this new purchase will last me for a long time.

Thanks to all of you!!!!

It was really helpful in figuring out what I needed.

Now, to the fun task of throwing out all the science experiments in the old one.....

And, surviving the next few days out of a cooler.
I'll pretend I'm camping!

[DrDan]

38. stay away from GE - nothing but problem with ours since we bought it

12 years ago

piece of junk