Sears Came through again! New Garage Fridge!

[ilovewindex]

So at my local Sears store, I have a specific salesmen i use (Doug) who has been selling appliances for, ehh, 27 years now..

Anyway, went in tonight with my coupons and was ready to get the hotpoint or a basic frigidaire...

He showed me how crappy the frigidaire doors where and explained they can be noisier than some... Also he said a factory ice maker would be better installed than an aftermarket, plus the hotpoint needed an extra tiny shelf.

He showed me a 14 cu ft Frigidaire made Kenmore with Ice maker for $499 and a 21 cu ft Whirlpool Made Kenmore for $549 and 2 others... After discounts I had (About $85) I wound up with the Whirlpool one... Not a fan of newer whirlpool refrigerators, but I felt this was the best option given it had actual door bins, glass shelves, the icemaker installed and everything else.. The smaller unit didn't have decent door shelves and had rather cheap drawers and very simple shelves

Its a Kenmore 70212.. Delivered and everything for $454.94...., Down from some insane price of $1,000.00

I also get $35 in points as well, so thats brings it even lower to like $420.00

 

[combo52]

New Refrigerator

You did well, Whirlpool refs are still about the best ones out there, A good basic ref like this if well cared for can easily last 30 years given the very good quality control these days.

 

[vacerator]

Yes,

and an extra ice maker is also nice to have for large parties and warmer weather for cool refreshments.

 

[firedome]

Good choice!!

we got a new TF 20 cu ft Whirlpool US made Whirlpool in last Spring for $489, we're very happy with it so far. Got essentially the same one in black 5 yrs ago for the summer place, also very happy with it. Good value for not much $$.

 

[ken]

Roger

Do you find either of them loud? Was looking over some comments on Home Depot's site earlier this year from people who purchased a top freezer WP fridge. There were quite a few that commented they found them to be loud compared to their old fridge. And just as many that complained it made a high pitched hum. Many also said that it ran a lot more than their old one. I've read the longer running is normal for these new style high speed compressors which run up to 90% of the time. Others commented on it not getting cold enough even with the controls set at max. And handles that break after just a short time.

 

[gusherb]

That looks like one of the few maytag designs that made the cut over to whirlpool. Looks very similar to my grandmothers Maytag from around 2005.

 

[ilovewindex]

I just hope it lasts... I thought it looked Maytag ESQ myself... Its got a blend of designs..

 

[retro-man]

I bought the Maytag version last summer. The difference is mine does not have the door handles but the indentations on the sides of the doors to open. Very quiet unit, doesn't seem to run that much and cools great at the normal setting. Has an emblem on the front of the freezer door. 10 year compressor warranty. Same price also at HD $498.00

Jon

 

[frigilux]

Congrats on getting a great deal on your new refrigerator! I still prefer the old-fashioned top freezer fridge, too. Looked into replacing the 14 year-old Frigidaire in the kitchen with a Maytag or KitchenAid bottom freezer (which my sister has always had), but now plan to go with another top freezer when the time comes.

Although I use a fair amount of ice, I refuse to run water to the fridge. Have never had an ice maker. I buy the 8-lb.bags of ice at the grocery store. Put it down to having had a number of water-related issues/floods in the kitchen.

I've always had good luck with Frigidaire refrigerators. My old '94 model in the break room at work is still chugging away. A 2002 is in the kitchen and a 2008 downstairs. They're a bit loud, but otherwise have been solid performers. Never a problem or repair with any of them.

 

[davey7]

I ended up with a Frigidaire because a) that's what would fit through my doors and b) fit in my available space. Would have preferred a bottom freezer, but I've had no trouble with mine in, what, four or five years. Probably should have had the ancient Westinghouse fixed, but my electric bill dropped dramatically with the new fridge.

 

[gusherb]

If the new Whirlpool is unchanged from the Maytag design (i.e. not cheapened) then it should last a good while. My grandmas refrigerator from 2005 and our French door bottom freezer model from 2006 are both plugging along just fine. The latter had an evap fan motor replacement in 2008 and that's it.

 

[combo52]

Current WP Built Top Freezer Refs

Do NOT have anything to do with any former Maytag Top Freezer Refs, they may have a few similarities in looks but so do some Frigidaire and GE refs.

 

[frigilux]

John-- Just to clarify: You'd recommend a brand new (Whirlpool-built) Maytag top-freezer refrigerator? The dealer I want to purchase from carries Maytag, KitchenAid, Frigidaire, and Samsung refrigerators.

The other local dealer carries LG, Whirlpool, GE, and Speed Queen. An LG is currently at the top of Consumer Reports' list for top-freezer models, but I'd prefer to support the Whirlpool Corp. if the quality is good.

 

[combo52]

Current WP Built Top Freezer Refs

Hi Eugene, yes I would first consider a WP, MT, Amana or Kitchenaid.

 

[suburbanmd]

At first I thought this was about a refrigerator made to work properly in a garage. Right now I'm squeaking by with a regular GE top-freezer in my garage. The main problem is that produce in the refrigerator compartment freezes in the winter. Freezer compartment stays frozen. Reviews of garage refrigerators on Amazon haven't been good. John, do you have a suggestion? Amazon has a "Garage Kit for Refrigerator" for certain Whirlpool models. Could you supply a Whirlpool with that kit installed, if I wanted to make a switch?

 

[americana4]

This Sears unit looks about the same as the Whirlpool WRT311 I bought in June. After many calls to WP and the local service company, the freezer still doesn't seal properly. Frost and condensation all over the top of the freezer and freezer door. They've replaced the door seal- which still doesn't feel very tight- and installed a special "service kit". No better. Anybody else have this experience? Ideas? Coming again this week to try again, but not optimistic.