Fridgidaire fridge confession and question

[spookiness]

My fridge bit the dust and I somewhat reluctantly got a Frigidaire 20.5 CF top freezer model LFHT2117LB. Long story short, I want a bigger fridge, and until I fully remodel my kitchen I can't get anything bigger. The space is limited to 30" wide, and comparably-sized Whirlpool and GE models are wider (32") and I did not want to give up cubic footage. It was literally the biggest, but narrowest, and cheapest fridge I could get. In 5 years I'm hoping to do a full remodel.

Anyhow, the new Frigidaire is about the same as the 12ish y.o. Amana it replaced. I can tell from several design elements that they are the same chassis. But I wasn't aware that there was ever a past corporate connection between Amana and Frigidaire. I know Amana is now Whirlpool IIRC. Can anyone explain?

 

[goatfarmer]

I don't believe there was a Frigidaire/Amana connection.

 

[rockland1]

As far as I know, goat farmer is correct.

 

[danemodsandy]

Maybe....

"corporate connection between Amana and Frigidaire"

Could be China, Inc.

They're not just making stuff to order over there now - they're making stuff they design themselves, offering it to "manufacturers" for their branding. They'll slap any nameplate on it you want.

 

[spookiness]

Not China

I think its made in Mexico but I am not sure. There are just too many physical similarities. Curved front door, same dimensions, similar design and location of all controls, compressor, interior light housing design, etc. Too many details are identical that they can't be related in some way. Even the vent/grill on the front is the same.

If I had time and known they're the same, I'd have taken the door handle off the old one because I liked its design better. I did manage to save a small rack that screws into the freezer where the ice maker would normally mount. The screw holes are exact match, and the shelf holds two ice trays. I'm not big on ice, and I'd rather have the extra space in the freezer. The ice maker was a bonus and was shipped separately.

 

[goatfarmer]

A few years ago, I had a Frigidaire bottom mount refrig come through the shop, it was a Whirlpool built unit. But that one was built way before Whirlpool became involved with Amana.

 

[gansky1]

It's entirely possible that it was a sourced product to fill a slot in the line when Maytag owned it. For a specialty size with limited demand potential, it is probably cheaper to source the unit than to design, tool and make it yourself.