I have a refrigerator dilemma, can you help me pick a new one

[irishwashguy]

I bought a newer used Kenmore refrigerator when I moved into my house(1989), it is starting to freeze things and flicker the lights, compressor is going out, I knew the day would come that it would say bubbye, anyway now i am faced with a problem; should I buy new and call it good, or move my Vintage refrigerator, which works perfect into the house and buy another vintage fridge into the garage, provided that I can find one that I would see suitable. I have alot of frozen things, and other personal things that I keep in the other refrigerator, plus things that I keep cold, it works for me! I love my 60's Coldspot(it did get a new compressor five years ago as well as a new defrost timer, it just keeps going) I love vintage appliances, the new stuff, it is energy smart, the longevity is what I have with my vintage things. They are build to last----guys what would be a happy medium, the new LG fridge i saw at Sears is 750 and well gorgious, after some of the LG problems that I have seen someone go though with a particular front loading combo, I want to tread carefully bafore I spend money on a new anything. My dream fridge would be Grandma's old Frigidaire from 1957, just gorgious, anyway, What are your thoughts guys?

 

[rp2813]

If you're not going to be sacrificing freezer space or otherwise inconvenienced, I say stick with vintage. It's a no-brainer.

 

[danemodsandy]

Energy Usage

If you live alone or with one other person, and you keep the fridge and freezer fairly full but not packed, you should be okay with vintage from the standpoint of energy usage.

If you have kids, then they'll be in and out of the fridge constantly, and new may be the best option for you in that situation.

A new refrigerator may look great in the store, but once you live with the flimsy plastic innards for awhile, you'll begin to appreciate vintage more than you do already. Also, you really should go to the Deluxe forum and read peteski50's travails with LG's service. Remember that Pete is dealing with a washer, where there is some workaround if it has to sit idle while waiting for service. You won't have that option with a refrigerator full of food.

 

[jaxsunst]

If you must get a new, get a Whirlpool. Mine has been trouble free for 9 years.

 

[whirlcool]

But then again, I bought my Whirlpool side by side in 2000 and have had at least 5 different repairs on it. I finally learned how to fix it myself when it breaks down.
A few months ago I had to overhaul the thru the door ice and water. No more problems since.
I think my unit has more new parts in it than the originals! It seems that the relays are the weakest link.

 

[panthera]

vintage

A carefully maintained vintage refrigerator (wiring in order, klickson ok, etc.) will run forever.
A new one will last maybe five years tops...if you are lucky.

LG builds very good appliances, and over here in Europe their service is good.

But after the nonsense I was told by a sales in-duh-vi-duh-al at Home Depot last year (and Pete's problems) I wouldn't touch them with a ten-foot pole in the US.

Why don't you advertise for that Frigidaire? My grandparents had one of that vintage, awesome!

 

[58limited]

Vintage!!

I love my vintage fridges (except for the defrosting part). They have thick insulation and are pretty efficient. My understanding is that it is the frost free set up that runs the electric bill up. If natural gas is cheap in your area, you might consider a gas fridge - however, new ones are expensive, old one are hard to find. I have a 1948 Servel in line for restoration (behind three other fridges and a few cars LOL) and I plan on hooking it up if another hurricane comes through my area - power was out but the gas stayed on.

This brings up a point about the insulation: when the hurricane hit and power went out, my fridges and 1949 deep freeze kept the food cool longer than my friend's modern fridges. I didn't have near the awful mess to clean up as they did, and the cheap plastic interiors in their fridges absorbed the odors - still haven't gotten rid of it. Mine smell fine.