Suggestions on a New Refridgerator

[toploader55]

Ironically, I just watched the video "Faulty Appliances" this morning and then a friend called and told me she needs a new fridge.

Doesn't want a SubZero. Needs to be "Cabinet Depth" and has 37" in width.

I have been reading some of the horror stories here on new refrigerator purchases.

I would appreciate any thoughts on this. I told her to find a Monitor Top and it would probably outlast all of us. But she doesn't want to go that route.

Thanks in advance for any input on Good or Stay Aways.

 

[turquoisedude]

Geez, the last brand-new refrigerator I bought was back in 2001... (It was a GE-Made Kenmore and get this - it's still running! But I digress)

Fisher-Paykel is the first brand I can think of for the counter-depth feature. Not sure how well they perform/last.

I have friends with a side-by-side LG that is over 10 years old now and they say they've never had any issues!

My 1.7 cents (based on the current CDN-USD exchange rates...LOL)

 

[dermacie]

I have a Samsung side by side I would NOT recommend.

 

[toploader55]

Yes, I think Samsung is out of the question.

 

[luxflairguy]

whirlpool or KA all the way!

 

[rp2813]

Eddie, when we recently bought our new home, there was a 32" wide counter depth Samsung French door model in what seemed like a customized enclosure that was part of the kitchen cabinetry.  I won't bother to list the practical shortcomings -- actually total failures -- of its design, including an ice bin that was impossible to scoop ice out of without lifting out the entire bin due to obstructions above it, and no refrigerator shelves that would even accommodate a tall soda bottle.

 

That fridge had to go.  I brought in a carpenter who managed to just eke out enough room by removing one side of the enclosure's wood trim and sawing off the front lip on the other side, which created space to fit our 35.5" wide 2009 counter depth KA side-by-side.  We had to shoehorn it in there, but the KA fit and I'm thrilled to still have it.  It looks more like it's built-in than the Samsung did!

 

No doubt production efficiencies have cheapened components since 2009, but I'd recommend a KA/Whirlpool (and Estate maybe -- if made by WP?) refrigerator.   All I do is vacuum the coils underneath mine once or twice a year (with a counter depth, the coils are always going to be on the bottom), and give it a new water filter no more often than once a year. 

 

If she doesn't want a bunch of bells and whistles, it might be difficult to find a counter depth box that doesn't have more features than she needs, but the space saved by going with counter depth is totally worth it.  She'll also probably only have SxS or French door choices in counter depth, and she may have to learn to like stainless.  My '57 GE Combo top mount is counter depth, but that was then.  These days, top mounts are primarily full-depth BOL fare.

 

Here's a shot of the KA's perfect fit:

 

 

[gansky1]

Yup - KitchenAid is definitely the way to go, especially for counter-depth. I have a 2016 KA, french-door which works in my galley kitchen. I probably wouldn't choose a french-door unit again, but the side-x-side is a trade-off in other ways. There aren't a lot of options in counter-depth but don't have or want to make the space for a unit 32"+ in depth.

I've heard mixed reviews on the LG - Samsung side of the debate, but having worked on a couple of ice makers in LG, I personally would stay away from that crap.