Anyone know what compelled refrigerator manufacturers (or at least Sears) to start burying cubic footage info for their models? It took us over an hour to stumble on this website, for anyone else looking:
Fridge Sizes
- Thread starter jeffg
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ptcruiser51
Well-known member
It may surprise you
In all the years I worked selling appliances at THD, I learned that there is no conformity (by the government or anyone else) as to how cubic footage is to be measured for refrigerators/freezers. It's strictly based on what the manufacturer decides is "usable capacity". Things like hinges, brackets, or interior moldings may/may not affect the actual number. Most manufacturers will include an approximate capacity in the model number, but 17.8 cu. ft. may be shown as "18", for example.
In all the years I worked selling appliances at THD, I learned that there is no conformity (by the government or anyone else) as to how cubic footage is to be measured for refrigerators/freezers. It's strictly based on what the manufacturer decides is "usable capacity". Things like hinges, brackets, or interior moldings may/may not affect the actual number. Most manufacturers will include an approximate capacity in the model number, but 17.8 cu. ft. may be shown as "18", for example.
Refrigerator and Freezer Capacities
Actually refs do conform to AHAM rules, the problem is the entire inside capacity of the inside of the ref and freezer compartments are measured WITHOUT DEDUCTING THE SPACE TAKEN UP BY ANY SHELVES, DRAWERS AND THE WASTED SPACE AROUND THEM ETC being deducted from the claimed capacity. because of this there is a HUGE difference in usable capacity. Just look at all the space that is wasted around the pull-out baskets in new bottom freezer refs. With an older top freezer refrigerator you could pack it full to the walls. Basically the more cool drawers and cute shelves a ref has means less real food items can be stored.
Actually refs do conform to AHAM rules, the problem is the entire inside capacity of the inside of the ref and freezer compartments are measured WITHOUT DEDUCTING THE SPACE TAKEN UP BY ANY SHELVES, DRAWERS AND THE WASTED SPACE AROUND THEM ETC being deducted from the claimed capacity. because of this there is a HUGE difference in usable capacity. Just look at all the space that is wasted around the pull-out baskets in new bottom freezer refs. With an older top freezer refrigerator you could pack it full to the walls. Basically the more cool drawers and cute shelves a ref has means less real food items can be stored.
CR has ratings for kitchen appliances this month and one of their columns is stated capacity and useable capacity on each of the reviewed refrigerator models. It was not too surprising to see the sometimes drastic differences.
I understand you are speaking of cubic ft. Just an observation here the "footprint" seems to be getting smaller but the overall height is increasing. It is always good to measure before you shop even if the new fridge is less cu. ft. LOL, a phenomenon that any elderly aunt will argue with you.
It's not a huge deal. We need a new fridge and are trying to match the capacity of our current one.
I understand things get subjective when measuring fridge capacities, it still doesn't explain why Sears can't or doesn't use the same numbers the models were originally marketed with. The referenced database obviously has access to this info somehow.
I understand things get subjective when measuring fridge capacities, it still doesn't explain why Sears can't or doesn't use the same numbers the models were originally marketed with. The referenced database obviously has access to this info somehow.
Don't know what you mean by "burying" cubic foot info. I just looked at Sears website, and this was clearly indicated for each model.
We need a basic fridge with no special requirements other than a certain size range (20-22 cu ft) and a top freezer. We don't even want water or an icemaker. Most appliance stores so far have recommended the Maytag M1TXEGMY because they claim it's quieter than most other models. I think they've read the same online reviews we have. We're more than willing to give up some reliability for peace and quiet, because our current low-end Kenmore sounds like something between a microwave oven and hair dryer when it runs. Not to mention the defrost cycle, which several times has been mistaken for gunshots as huge blocks of ice fall five feet directly onto the drain tray. Sheer design genius. We don't know if Maytag is any better but we can't imagine it being much worse.
