An Uncle of mine is looking to buy a new fridge and to me, they all look the same now and they all look like garbage. Do any of you have any opinions and/or experience with new fridges and what to buy?
Advice on New Refrigerator-Freezers
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rayjay
Well-known member
Hi Ken. I have one of the new Electrolux side by side models. I did have a problem with the cheese and cold cuts freezing in the meat drawer, but Electrolux first replace the refrigerator, and then the second one was doing the same problem. They did however have a fix for it, and it working fine now. Now problems with it at all. The water and ice cubes taste great, quiet running too. For all my troubles Electrolux sent us a 200.00 check. Now,,, that was not bad. The company has great customer service, which I think is important these days. Let me know how your uncle makes out.
Ray
Ray
iheartmaytag
Well-known member
We have always had GE refrigerators until five years ago we bought a Maytag bottom freezer. So far it has done very well, it takes a little getting used to the freezer being on the bottom, but after the adjustment period it's very convenient.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
it takes a little getting used to the freezer being on the b
The reverse is true, too. We had freezer on the bottom growing up (early 60s refrigerator). Even now, years and years later, and having lived in countless places with refrigerators with freezer on top, I still feel like there's something not quite right about a top freezer.
I don't have enough experience with what's on the market now. If this helps, I can say that if I were buying, I'd look at:
-US made
-Best warranty coverage, and I'd consider an extended warranty/service coverage
I'd try to find the cheapest buy that combines these two factors.
If I were buying for myself, I might be willing to splurge a bit and get a bottom freezer model.
Then, again, if I were buying for myself, I'd probably be trying for a vintage model....
The reverse is true, too. We had freezer on the bottom growing up (early 60s refrigerator). Even now, years and years later, and having lived in countless places with refrigerators with freezer on top, I still feel like there's something not quite right about a top freezer.
I don't have enough experience with what's on the market now. If this helps, I can say that if I were buying, I'd look at:
-US made
-Best warranty coverage, and I'd consider an extended warranty/service coverage
I'd try to find the cheapest buy that combines these two factors.
If I were buying for myself, I might be willing to splurge a bit and get a bottom freezer model.
Then, again, if I were buying for myself, I'd probably be trying for a vintage model....
xraytech
Well-known member
I have a 3 year old bottom-freezer Kenmore, it is a great fridge and has not had any problems
iheartmaytag
Well-known member
My bottom freezer was at Lowe's. Of course the frig went out on Christmas Eve. When we went to Lowe's it was $999. The day after Christmas it was on sale for $699 with free delivery. Our's is a 19.2 cu ft, with the freezer door instead of a pull-out.
Fridges.
My folks got an Amana (Maypool) bottom freezer french-door refrigerator about 4 years ago. The evaporator fan burned out (warm food and a none-too-small repair bill) out of warranty. Now the door gaskets are disintegrating. The water dispenser is INSIDE the fridge. You have to stand there with the door wide open to fill your glass! Also, the freezer drawer is a large mesh that allows things to fall through it and get stuck in the freezer. The upper freezer drawer also binds and sticks.
If these are still made, I would avoid them like the plague. Also, the bottom-freezers with an ice dispenser in the door have a compartment for the ice maker in the fridge portion. It takes up a lot of space and can be troublesome.
Good luck,
Dave
My folks got an Amana (Maypool) bottom freezer french-door refrigerator about 4 years ago. The evaporator fan burned out (warm food and a none-too-small repair bill) out of warranty. Now the door gaskets are disintegrating. The water dispenser is INSIDE the fridge. You have to stand there with the door wide open to fill your glass! Also, the freezer drawer is a large mesh that allows things to fall through it and get stuck in the freezer. The upper freezer drawer also binds and sticks.
If these are still made, I would avoid them like the plague. Also, the bottom-freezers with an ice dispenser in the door have a compartment for the ice maker in the fridge portion. It takes up a lot of space and can be troublesome.
Good luck,
Dave
We bought a KitchenAid Architect series side-by-side in stainless a couple of years ago. I like the fridge a lot. It's going to depend on how many features your uncle wants. I agree that white fridges these days are ugly and look like they were squashed out of a vacu-form, so there's no getting around that unless you can talk him into vintage.
So, the "first" Architect we had kept dropping stray ice cubes all the way to the floor of the freezer instead of into the bin. We went through two attempts to fix it, one where the tech made an adjustment, the next guy changed out the entire ice maker, and still had the problem. The 2nd guy said if his fix didn't work, call KitchenAid directly. I did that, and without the slightest hesitation the guy on the phone started arranging to send out a new fridge, and it was the next year's model. The replacement fridge has been behaving flawlessly ever since.
So, the "first" Architect we had kept dropping stray ice cubes all the way to the floor of the freezer instead of into the bin. We went through two attempts to fix it, one where the tech made an adjustment, the next guy changed out the entire ice maker, and still had the problem. The 2nd guy said if his fix didn't work, call KitchenAid directly. I did that, and without the slightest hesitation the guy on the phone started arranging to send out a new fridge, and it was the next year's model. The replacement fridge has been behaving flawlessly ever since.
whirlcool
Well-known member
We have a Whirlpool side by side we bought in 2000. Every year up to two years ago we had to have it repaired. Switches, solenoids, compressor fan, water connection solenoid replaced, and I had to overhaul the through the door ice/water tap. Now the water reservoir is disintegrating. But I removed it when it started leaking in the bottom of the refrigerator compartment and plugged the line.
With all that it hasn't caused us any more problems over the past two years. It's white and everything else in the kitchen is SS, so its days are numbered.
With all that it hasn't caused us any more problems over the past two years. It's white and everything else in the kitchen is SS, so its days are numbered.
I have a GE SxS (GSH25JSXL SS)
Slow down a bit, what are your budget constraints to start.
1. What is the current size you now have and are you willing to go bigger or smaller.
2. There are features that you can benefit from if you do your homework right.
3. Look for separate interior temperature for both fridge and freezer compartments.
4. Separate controls for water and ice.
5. Replacement water filter inside the fridge and not on the bottom front of grill.
6. Exterior finish.
What do you have currently? SS/Black/White.
Are you willing to put the same color in or upgrade for a new look..
I did not shop with this list I provided, so I missed out on certain things that would have made my life easier.
Picture of my new fridge below.
http://www.geappliances.com/appliances/refrigerators.htm#shopping_guide
Slow down a bit, what are your budget constraints to start.
1. What is the current size you now have and are you willing to go bigger or smaller.
2. There are features that you can benefit from if you do your homework right.
3. Look for separate interior temperature for both fridge and freezer compartments.
4. Separate controls for water and ice.
5. Replacement water filter inside the fridge and not on the bottom front of grill.
6. Exterior finish.
What do you have currently? SS/Black/White.
Are you willing to put the same color in or upgrade for a new look..
I did not shop with this list I provided, so I missed out on certain things that would have made my life easier.
Picture of my new fridge below.
http://www.geappliances.com/appliances/refrigerators.htm#shopping_guide
passatdoc
Well-known member
I have a 2004 Frigidaire side-by-side counter depth 23 cu ft model. Counter depth was important for me because the fridge space is next to the entry to the kitchen, and the old fridge stuck out eight inches beyond the counters--and into the entryway. I regained 8-9 inches of entryway space. I was considering a KitchenAid 24 ft model, but the tops of the door hinges were 72 1/2" high---and the bottom of the overhead cabinet was 71 3/4" high. I didn't want to cut out the bottom lip of the cabinet so I went with the Frigidaire, which was only 71" high, a neat fit.
Going on six years, never a service call or mishap. The closest thing to a mishap was once when the cut-off arm became jammed between the icemaker and the bin and a pile of ice cubes. The tray could not rotate to dump its load in the bin, and water spilled on the floor because the icemaker tried to refill the tray. I solved that problem by turning the icemaker off when the bin is filled, and then turning it on again only when it's close to empty. Several folks have said you're supposed to do that anyway, when you aren't using ice.
Going on six years, never a service call or mishap. The closest thing to a mishap was once when the cut-off arm became jammed between the icemaker and the bin and a pile of ice cubes. The tray could not rotate to dump its load in the bin, and water spilled on the floor because the icemaker tried to refill the tray. I solved that problem by turning the icemaker off when the bin is filled, and then turning it on again only when it's close to empty. Several folks have said you're supposed to do that anyway, when you aren't using ice.
passatdoc
Well-known member
ps
My kitchen is somewhat similar to that of CleanteamofNY except no arched doorway to the left of the fridge. However, the wall separating the kitchen from the adjacent room (to the right of his fridge) was only counter-depth length, so anything deeper than counterdepth stuck out beyond and into the doorway. Sort of a bizarre design for a c.1989 house, built before counter-depth freestanding models existed.
A clue: I believe the homes had an upgrade option for a built-in GE fridge/freezer, which neither I nor virtually any of my neighbors bought. I remember seeing the built-in in the model homes. The counter-depth length of the wall may have been designed with a built-in model in mind. The width of the fridge space is 38", wide enough for a small-medium built in unit.
My kitchen is somewhat similar to that of CleanteamofNY except no arched doorway to the left of the fridge. However, the wall separating the kitchen from the adjacent room (to the right of his fridge) was only counter-depth length, so anything deeper than counterdepth stuck out beyond and into the doorway. Sort of a bizarre design for a c.1989 house, built before counter-depth freestanding models existed.
A clue: I believe the homes had an upgrade option for a built-in GE fridge/freezer, which neither I nor virtually any of my neighbors bought. I remember seeing the built-in in the model homes. The counter-depth length of the wall may have been designed with a built-in model in mind. The width of the fridge space is 38", wide enough for a small-medium built in unit.
dnastrau
Well-known member
We have an Amana...
...bottom freezer unit (swing out door, not a drawer) that we purchased in 2000 when we built our house. It has an ice maker but that is all as far as accessories are concerned. It has performed flawlessly.
...bottom freezer unit (swing out door, not a drawer) that we purchased in 2000 when we built our house. It has an ice maker but that is all as far as accessories are concerned. It has performed flawlessly.
whitekingd
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2008
- Messages
- 484
I have heard,
to stay away from Amana. My friend bought a G.E. a few years ago, and had trouble with the ice/water in the door. What about a '49 Westinghouse? Mine is going great guns! LOL
to stay away from Amana. My friend bought a G.E. a few years ago, and had trouble with the ice/water in the door. What about a '49 Westinghouse? Mine is going great guns! LOL
iheartmaytag
Well-known member
dnastrau,
Sounds like we have the same frig, only mine is the Maytag version. We have been very happy with ours.
I think with anything the less accessories the less to go wrong. Here at work we have a Whirlcrap S/S with ice/water through the door. The circut board has been replaced twice in the last year and the dispenser is acting like it will stop working again soon.
Sounds like we have the same frig, only mine is the Maytag version. We have been very happy with ours.
I think with anything the less accessories the less to go wrong. Here at work we have a Whirlcrap S/S with ice/water through the door. The circut board has been replaced twice in the last year and the dispenser is acting like it will stop working again soon.
I've had my Amana bottom-freezer model (22 CF) for almost 13 yrs. now, with no problems. It was made by Raytheon. I did hear there were some problems with them during the short time Amana was owned by Goodman, and again when Maytag was having troubles before being sold to Whirlpool.
As for Kenmore, some of their bottom-freezer refrigerators are Amana (#'s starting with 596.) and some LG (#'s starting with 795.) I have read the LG's have a habit of dumping the ice out onto the floor.
Ice and water in the door is an invitation to trouble, as they're subject to more vibration, and must have flexible connections between the cabinet and door. Not everyone is carefull about closing the door in a gentle manner. Thing can get jarred loose fairly quickly by that.
As for Kenmore, some of their bottom-freezer refrigerators are Amana (#'s starting with 596.) and some LG (#'s starting with 795.) I have read the LG's have a habit of dumping the ice out onto the floor.
Ice and water in the door is an invitation to trouble, as they're subject to more vibration, and must have flexible connections between the cabinet and door. Not everyone is carefull about closing the door in a gentle manner. Thing can get jarred loose fairly quickly by that.
passatdoc
Well-known member
Amana
My sister has an Amana bottom freezer c. 2004-5 (don't know serial number) and its compressor had to be replaced last year. Otherwise good service, but I am old school and feel that a refrigerator should go ten years or more without needing an expensive repair.
My sister has an Amana bottom freezer c. 2004-5 (don't know serial number) and its compressor had to be replaced last year. Otherwise good service, but I am old school and feel that a refrigerator should go ten years or more without needing an expensive repair.
frigilux
Well-known member
I have two Frigidaire top-freezer models, both near the top of the line; one in stainless steel. The kitchen fridge was purchased when I bought my house in '02.
The 2nd fridge was purchased in '07. Neither has given me a lick of trouble. And they're priced right. Most Frigidaire refrigerators rank in the top third to top half of Consumer Reports ranks.
The 2nd fridge was purchased in '07. Neither has given me a lick of trouble. And they're priced right. Most Frigidaire refrigerators rank in the top third to top half of Consumer Reports ranks.
Kenmore by Whirlpool
Are OK.
If it has to be US built.
However, you can pay nearly double for the exact same fridge, depending on what name WhirlpooltagmanamoreAide has put on it and where you buy it.
It pays to shop around.
If serious freezer capacity is important, forget side-by-sides.
Many folks buy two 16cuft units, place them side by side and for less than $1100 have a seriously good looking, enormous capacity cooling center. Hotpoint offers a center seam for just this approach for several units, in white only, though. Not needed, really.
I, personally, have had good experience with Hotpoint/GE but am very well aware that that is not typical.
Frigidaires don't stand up to rental use at all well, so I would be cautious there.
Oh, that coiled up bunch of water line in the back of the Whirlpool refrigerator is the water cooler. Yee-haw. Easy to nik, easy to bend, stupidest solution ever.
Are OK.
If it has to be US built.
However, you can pay nearly double for the exact same fridge, depending on what name WhirlpooltagmanamoreAide has put on it and where you buy it.
It pays to shop around.
If serious freezer capacity is important, forget side-by-sides.
Many folks buy two 16cuft units, place them side by side and for less than $1100 have a seriously good looking, enormous capacity cooling center. Hotpoint offers a center seam for just this approach for several units, in white only, though. Not needed, really.
I, personally, have had good experience with Hotpoint/GE but am very well aware that that is not typical.
Frigidaires don't stand up to rental use at all well, so I would be cautious there.
Oh, that coiled up bunch of water line in the back of the Whirlpool refrigerator is the water cooler. Yee-haw. Easy to nik, easy to bend, stupidest solution ever.
