They don't make them like they used to - - time for a new Fridge!

[revvinkevin]

Approximately 12 years ago my ex and I were looking to buy a fridge. After researching Consumer Reports we settled on a stainless front, Amana side-by-side with ice & water in the door. Up until earlier this year, it's worked fine with no problems for all these years.

Earlier this year I noticed the compressor was running for longer and longer periods of time and it was not as cold as it should be. I called a friend who does refrigeration, who came out, checked it out and put in "some gas" saying it was low on Freon. Now here we are 4-5 months later and it's starting to do the same thing again. I called my friend again who said he'll come by and put more Freon in it, but also said "You've got a leak somewhere and will probably need to find a new fridge". Not the best news for the day after Christmas, but oh well.

I do have to say that this is the ONLY problem I've had with this Amana fridge. Compared to friends who bought a GE side-by-side a few years before we bought this one. The compressor failed in theirs less then a year after the warranty expired.

So I am asking for your ideas and suggestion for brand name please, also why you suggest it. I don't think I want to stay with a side-by-side, as they are very limiting for large items.

Thank you so much!
Kevin

 

[ronhic]

Not knowing the American market makes this impossible, but you may be interested in the following statistics from Choice magazine here as it could be an indication for manufacturers there too...

Westinghouse, Kelvinator and Electrolux fridges (medium-larger sizes) are made here in the same factory with smaller ones come out of Asia. We have a medium sized upside down Westinghouse fridge that is 4yrs old. It has been faultless mechanically, only the crisper drawer, which is poorly designed, has given us grief...and this has been resolved in newer models.

Interesting to note that GE, Maytag and Whirlpool - the only American brands we get here are at the bottom of the list.

Fisher and Paykel don't send refrigeration to the US.

Percentage NOT needing repair in last 12m

All fridges (6286) 91
Westinghouse (1806) 93
LG (456) 92
Kelvinator/Electrolux (608) 92
Samsung (294) 92
Fisher & Paykel (2072) 91
Whirlpool (272) 88
GE (132) 84
Maytag (162) 83

Would buy again

All fridges (6219) 87
LG (444) 89
Westinghouse (1786) 89
Samsung (293) a 88
Fisher & Paykel (2059) 88
Kelvinator/Electrolux (610) 87
Maytag (158) 83
GE (125) 82
Whirlpool (262) b 80

a) higher proportion said 'difficult to get service/poor service'
b) higher proportion said 'difficult to get parts'

 

[goatfarmer]

Kevin, we have a Whirlpool SxS, about 6 years old. Never had any problems with it. I think Whirlpool is still making a decent 'fridge. But with them closing the Evansville IN plant, all bets are off.

 

[toggleswitch2]

My mother has an Amana, top mount. In here the condenser fan died, causung a massive defrost of the contents of the freezer. Once fixed however the fridge/freezer ran great.

Good luck. It's seems odd to me that it's so much money for a rectangular box that merely gets cold.

I wonder if that technology that one sees in tiny "college" refrigerators that is electronic/electircal not mechanical will ever make it to larger models. Wonder if they are more reliable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_cooling

 

[danemodsandy]

What I Wish...

...Is that reliability and longevity had to be factored into efficiency ratings. There isn't anything efficient about a refirgerator that dies prematurely, no matter how little juice it draws when new. To replace it, ore has to be mined (or recyclable steel reclaimed), petrochemicals pumped, materials transported, manufacturing processes undergone and the result shipped - all of which takes more energy than the appliance will consume during its working life.

There really needs to be more weight given to lasting quality before we can say we're getting a handle on efficiency, I think.

In a way, I think we're moving backwards. In 1950, you could buy a refrigerator made to last thirty years, and it was made largely of materials that were either recyclable (like steel) or made of low-environmental-impact stuff (like porcelain, which is largely sourced from sand). It is true that Freon was no environmental bargain, nor was the chrome seen on the trim and shelves of old fridges.

But for all their faults, they were great machines, and it's a pity you can't get anything like those old fridges now - today, it's all weird-science plastics and electronics the Yugo people would be ashamed to put out, all wrapped in a veneer of highly wasteful stainless steel.

 

[magic clean]

Any interest

in persuing further repair? Whirlpool has a "dye" filter-drier(part# 2317845) that can be easily installed by your tech. After several days, the dye will show up where the system tubing is leaking....conclusively identifying the area that needs attention by your tech. Most leaks occur at a 'high' side joint or tube surface. Generally this is easy to repair at a moderate cost. A 'low' side leak would severely contaminate the system & render the unit as scrap at this point.

If you are otherwise happy with the unit, it might be worthwhile having it repaired. Since it is '98 vintage, then it is charged with R134A which is plentiful and not terribly expensive. Good luck!

L.P.

 

[yogitunes]

I have a Kenmore LIMITED EDITION SXS in almond, I it got in 1998, at fours years the compressor made a fluttering noise, out of warranty but the compressor system had a 5 year warranty, so that was replaced no charge....never had another issue since, but a year ago the water line to the "in-door" dispenser dry rotted and cracked....at 20 years old not sure it's worth investing $110.00 for a 4 foot piece of molded hose....but curious how long theres of the machine will last, I love this one with every possible feature available and the electronics....not another one like it available on the market.....

but sears has a new one out that gives you ice 3 ways...cubed...crushed...and "SNOW CONE"....not sure who manufacturs it yet, but this is high on my list....

Happy Shopping!

 

[xraytech]

I really like my 22 cu ft Kenmore bottom freezert fridge, I picked it up at a used appliance store last year,I lover the slide out drawers in the freezer and that everything in the fridge section is at eye level, I also love that it has two slide out shelves to make finding things in the back easier. It runs quietly and has not been a problem at all

 

[imperialmarkxii]

I've been happy

with my 25 cu.ft. Sears Kenmore side by each (made by Whirlpool) with water & ice through the door, plus night light!

A lot of people love the bottom mount freezers. So many features to choose from these days, as well as those that compliment your decor. I would love for them to come out with a self-cleaning fridge.

FYI: Kenmore has more than one manufacturer for their fridges. Also Pacific Sales has some GOOD buys going on through 12/31/09.

My two cents, (no tax!)

-Russell P.S. 'Believe mine was made in '01 or'02.

 

[frigilux]

Whirlpool and Frigidaire have the best reliability ratings according to the most recent review by Consumer Reports.

I've had three Frigidaire (top-freezer style) refrigerators and all have performed flawlessly. The oldest is about 15 years old and is currently doing duty in break room at work.

The fridge in my kitchen is 8 years old. No problems.

My downstairs refrigerator is the newest, about 2 years old (which I bought when I took my old one to the break room at work). No problems.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Why not think about staying with Amana?

The Amana brand is still made (mostly) here and is still a good product. I've been very pleased with my JennAir SxS refrig which was made in the Amana plant. Quiet, keeps an even temperature throughout the unit and has been trouble free. If it does hiccup, then service is easily found through the Whirlpool/Maytag network.

The latest generation bottom freezers have been a really reliable machine. I've worked on few here in my corner of the world.

RCD

 

[spankomatic]

My COOL thoughts....

I think buying a refrigerator today is a crap shoot. There is no way to really tell what kind of quality you are really going to get. The compressor may be good on one brand but the ice maker will quit in a year. Then another brand may have a good ice maker but noisy compressor. I have used many refrigerators in my life. The type of kitchen and where the refrigerator will go plays a big part on what style to get. Is the door handle going to hit a wall when you open it? Will a large door block a doorway when opening? When pulling out a bottom freezer door can you still stand in front of it? I had one like this and because of space issues you had to get out of the way when opening the bottom freezer door. The top part was the french door style. For the most part it was neat but if you wanted to put something in the bottom veggie drawer you had to open both french doors to do it. Do you want on the door ice and water dispencer? Some water dispencer you have to open the refrigerator door for access. Visible temp display I always thought was neat.

I say go for the features and style you like. Reliability is anyone's guess these days... Look over the warranty and extended warranty. You almost need a lawyer these days...

Good luck!
Looking foward to hearing what you pick.

Jim

 

[twinniefan]

Hope this helps

Hi Kevin,
Like Ronhic, being from Australia this may not be of any use to you, but for what it is worth, when I had my G.E. SBS serviced earlier on this year, Peter the tech who's company services many different brands suggested that when I (note the word when not if???)I need to replace it that I should seriously consider L.G.(another brand they service also),as according to him they perform as well as any and probably more importantly they keep a large supply of spare parts which apparently are quite reasonably priced.
I note your comments about your friends G.E. dying basically 1 year after warranty,interestingly enough I have had a few more problems with mine this last few days, not quite keeping the goods cool enough, I had to turn the temperature controls from 5 (normal setting.),to 7 just to get the temperature cold enough to freeze properly,but maybe it was just because it has been fairly hot recently, except Christmas day onwards.
Peter the tech also mentioned to me that Samsung are really a hit or miss company, meanign if you get a good Samsung fridge it will be a really good one, but if you are unfortunate enough to get a lemon, it will be a lemon forever, they also have some issues regarding poor after sales service.
I hope this info is of some help to you ,would be interested in seeing what you end up buying.
Cheers.
Steve.

 

[peterh770]

Part of the problem with my last fridge was that the fiberboard back to it had disintegrated to the point where the coil cooling fan no longer pulled room air in over the coils and out over the evap pan. If that is the same problem your fridge has, you might have an easy fix.

 

[mtn1584]

I like GE

I would recommend a GE because GE still has their own service network, and although I have had some problems with GE appliances over the years their GE service in the NY area is second to none. Good luck.

 

[sudsmaster]

If I were in the market for a new fridge today, I'd probably get a bottom freezer french door model. More usable space than a side by side. But I'd also insist upon one with filtered in-the-door ice and water. I find that very convenient and a good way to stay hydrated.

As for brands... Kitchenaid/Whirlpool is good. I've been impressed also with the Samsung offerings. I would avoid LG and GE on general principle (LG because of their poor service network, and GE because of their history of cutting corners on important things like compressors).

I've had a side by side Kitchenaid for the past nine years, with no major problems. Quiet and energy efficient. A couple of times the thing freezes the water delivery tube to the icemaker. Then it starts squirting out the top of the back of the fridge. I had a service call for it the first time it happened, and they replaced the controller, but it happened soon after and I found a hair dryer directed at where that tube enters the freezer compartment fixed it. Then no problems for several years, and it happened again. This time I figured out the cause: I had stacked items on the top shelf of the fridge unit which effectively blocked the cold air vent up there, causing the water tube to freeze up inside the freezer. Now I'm careful to leave that vent unblocked and haven't had any more problems.

 

[whitekingd]

Haier?

I don't know if they make full size refrigerators, but I have two smaller ones, plus a freezer. All have been trouble free for over ten years now. Just a thought!

 

[laundromat]

AFD2535FES

I hate,literaly hate side by side refrigerator freezers.I buy in bulk and have never had issues with any Amana bottom freezer units I've owned.I currently own a 25 cu ft bottom freezer unit with no ice or water but lots of useable space.This model (AFD2535FES)is in SS and has the filtered/chilled water on the inside left wall.Nothing on the doors to take away space.It also has a filtered water ice maker down below and is extreamly energy star compliant and huge in capacity.M.S.R.P. is $1899.

 

[panthera]

In a market

which out-sources major components and places no value on longevity, I think if you are otherwise happy with the refrigerator, it's probably worth looking for the leak with that dye test.

Most people in Europe don't realize that nearly all compressors are made by one company in Italy, ALL major brands -Siemens, Neff, Bosch, Miele are made by B/S/H and the luxury queens simpering over their Liebherr and "Made by Liebherr" refrigerators are looking at parts made in Italy, put together by B/S/H and put together under contract for Miele and Liebherr...by B/S/H. To the exact same quality standards and on the exact same production lines.

And yet, the price differences are enormous. The only thing you are buying is appearance.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

K-man

Here's my personal two-cents for what it's worth -

The appliance junk-yard that I've visited a number of times in the next town over is literally littered with ultra-late model Frigidaire fridges, by that I mean 2004 and 2005 models!!!! The owner has been in the sales and service business of used appliances for over 30 years and says they're the biggest "piles of wasted metal" he's seen.

I would be almost as equally hesitant about GE units. I do not believe that company is what it once was. My mother's 2005 GE dishwasher was pronounced D E A D by GE factory service in January 2008 saying it needed a new motor. Thanks to someone here (that is how I found AW.org in the first place so I guess I should praise GE for that), we found out the problem was a rattling conduit in the upper rack, and I corrected the issue at the cost of a 29-cent zip tie!!!!!!!!! Bad motor my a$$!!! The machine has run 5 times a week for almost two years on a "bad" motor, yet the moron service guy almost cost my folks the cost of a top of the line Kitchen-Aid dishwasher they didn't need. I am glad that MTN1584 has top-notch GE service at home, because it blows chunks here.

You know me, I like Whirlpool products. A major part of my decision making process takes into account the origin of the manufacturer and place of construction. We as Americans are often quick to ask what's happened to our economy, why are so many people unemployeed, and why can't we buy anything decent made here anymore. For me, the answer comes quickly. If we like the lifestyles we have become accustomed to in this country, we need to support our own if we still can. All too often we gripe and moan about American industry's woes, but then immediately buy the Samsung washer or the LG range as if buying the U.S. made product is for someone else to do.

We are still capable of building a good appliance in this country. Most of Whirlpool's product line is made here with the exception of their front-load washers, (note I say "most"). The Asian import brands bring their goods to our markets made with labor that costs pennies on the dollar what Westerners make and the U.S. makers are forced to compete. We consumers are often stupid enough to buy them.

If we don't get a grip on this somehow soon to level the playing field, there will be no U.S. industry left for us to gripe about, and people everywhere will be scratching their heads asking "what happened?".

Thus, my suggestion is to buy something Whirlpool-made. They have a marketing campaign going on right now which mentions their items are U.S. made by U.S. workers...I LOVE that and hope it works. I would still buy a Frigidaire or a GE over something imported, but I like Whirlpool and if in your shoes would look at their refrigerators seriously if I didn't fix the one I already have.

I own a 2003 Whirlpool top-mount now in fact, and had a 1990 top-mount before that which I left in my previous home.

Sorry for the dissertation...

Gordon

 

[panthera]

Gordon,

I drive Cadillacs and Chevys for that reason.

But - I have my parents' pocketbook behind me for the enormous repairs which American products entail.

It's a tough situation - yes, by all means - we want to keep value added business in the US.

At the same time, US companies have gone out of their way to produce shitty quality and screw their employees, shareholders and consumers wherever they could.

When I pay the repair bills, I buy Japanese or German. I can't afford otherwise.

It's a bit of a chicken and egg thing, but still, especially in appliances (and service!), American quality is the absolute pits. Frankly, I'd rather spend the money restoring a 1960's Frigidaire refrigerator (and in 99% of the cases, the whole problem is going to be that that little motor for the 'flowing cold' needs oil) than to shell out for a stainless steel clad POS which is going to be trash in less than eight years.

Same for all the rest of the major appliances, our vintage machines here are quality. The new stuff is an insult.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Panthera -

I think enormous repair bills for vehicles are much more likely bestowed on the likes of VW, BMW, and Lexus than on a Ford for example.

As for new applainces, if they are truly an 'insult', this is most likely that way because it's the only way American companies can price their products to compete with units made overseas. Here in the U.S., labor and overhead are a major contributor to overall cost, if not THE largest contributor. What should we expect of a foreign appliance that was made with 15% the labor cost? I don't care how good an overseas appliance is (and that's debatable), it has no business in my house, that's for sure, because they arrive in our markets unequally produced and their effects on us ALL long-term in no way justify any perceived short-term personal benefit.

As to vehicles, I've never owned anything but Fords, and probably won't anytime soon - 18 of them in fact. I was hoping to avoid getting into an automotive discussion, because my feeling is somewhat different regarding the U.S. auto industry vs. the appliance industry, but I don't see much of a difference bwtween a Whirlpool engineered and built refrigerator and an LG from Korea. Time will tell in 10 years how easy (or not) it is to get repair parts for the LG, and how likely they are to be supported over the LONG term.

 

[danemodsandy]

French Door Models:

I'm not personally a fan of French door units, but to each his own. If you get one, I do have a suggestion: buy a replacement set of refrigerator door gaskets as spares and put them away for the future.

On French doors, the fridge door gaskets take a real beating, and I trust nothing and nobody any more when it comes to keeping replacement parts in stock over the long haul. You would hate to have a fridge in otherwise good shape that needed a set of door gaskets that were NLA.

If the fridge dies before you have gasket trouble, put the extra gaskets on eBay and get your money out of them.

 

[hydralique]

ronhic,

Fisher & Paykel do sell refrigerators here in the US. This last summer when my much loved '67 turquoise Frigidaire Imperial bottom freezer unit finally died (compressor failure), it was replaced with a Fisher & Paykel french door unit. It has water in the door and a filter as well. The box was made in Australia, but the compressor is Brazilian.

I notice the seal method on the Fisher & Paykel (and other modern french door refrigerators) is much different than my garage fridge, an old Coldspot by Whirlpool. On the Coldspot, there is a vinyl flap with a magnetic strip inside that seals between the door seals. It's a silent and elegant solution, but I have replaced it in the past when the vinyl became worn. The Fisher & Paykel has a big metal and plastic flipper on the left door that fits into a slot on the top of the interior and gives a flat surface for the right door seal to fit against. It's kind of clunky but probably lasts much longer than the older method. I prefer french door models as in a narrow kitchen the open doors don't get in the way so much.

 

[panthera]

Not my experience

Kenmoreguy,

I live between Europe and the US and have since the 1980s. I run my own small business as well as teaching as a technical college.

Have to say, you're right on any one particular repair bill for cars, but when I look at the total cost of ownership, any Toyota, any VW, any Audi, any BMW, etc. is going to cost you less on repairs over the life of the car.

I buy Cadillac and Chevy because they support gay rights, refuse to knuckle under to the christianists and are made in the US. But it is silly to pretend that they are cheaper to repair over all, because they aren't. Living in both places, I, unfortunately, have the opportunity to compare and pay bills.

Your argument about how things are cheaper abroad is not valid for Europe and yet appliances built - even in Germany - are comparable in price yet enormously better built. The problem is not the employees, the problem is not the shareholders, the problem is the management and their 'screw the workers, screw the owners, screw the consumers' mentality.

As far as long term repairs, B/S/H guarantees parts availability for 15 years. LG (at least in Germany) has eight year 100% warranties and European Whirlpool offers eight year parts exchange after the two year warranty expires.

Try getting anything from Sears on an appliance older than three years - I went through that shit with them just last year on a refrigerator. Thanks to one of the members here, I found out the equivalent Whirlpool model, called their service line and they sent me the part, for free, as it had failed on all their freezers. Called Sears headquarters and they more or less told me to go screw myself.

I'll stick with US appliances built before 1970 wherever I can. Like I wrote, I support GM because I have my parents' deep pockets behind me and I support gay friendly companies.

 

[toploader1984]

whirlpool will NOT be making refrigerators in the usa for long, they are closing all the plants in the usa to be made in mexico, whirlpool will no longer be considered an american company, nor can they put a big sticker on thier appliances "made in usa" although i did read on aother thread that GE is soon to build a plant here in the usa to make refrigerators and dishwashers, years ago in the early 90s, ford motor company used to have a bad reputation for unreliable and UNSAFE vehicles, in the past year or 2 ford has completely done a 360, now ford is known for having better quality than toyota, and most of fords vehicles are safer than honda! the 2010 f150 is one of the safest trucks on the road. i do know my next vehicle will probably be a ford.

 

[revvinkevin]

…so much money for a rectangular box that merely gets cold.

Thank you to all for your comments and suggestions so far!

Yes Toggles, I really agree with that! I'm amazed by what some of these "cold boxes" are selling for! Especially the "counter depth" and "designer" models when they started becoming so popular 8 – 10 years ago! I've always wondered what makes them worth 2x or 3x the cost of a "normal" fridge. Just greed I suppose, since the "high end" market is willing to pay for it.

When we first bought the house there was a Sub Zero 20 cu ft refrigerator only (no freezer) in the kitchen. I have to say it was REALLY great having such a large fridge space! But after the thermostat went bad about 4 years ago and turned the fridge into a freezer (the 2nd time) about 4 years ago, I decided it was out and the Amana would come in from the other room.

Repair this fridge? Yes I've thought about doing the colored die leak test and will discuss it with my friend. But one problem with possibly repairing this fridge is, if the leak is not immediately apparent or easily accessible, it would be down and not usable for a few days. Then what would I do for a fridge?

I'm probably going to just keep nursing this one along by adding Freon again, as I'm (unfortunately) going to be moving sometime in the next 6 months or so and I'll probably buy one then.

I will start looking now, probably for Amana again, but also check out WP and others. I'm pretty sure I want a bottom freezer, but I prefer a single door for the fridge. I'm also not a fan of the "French doors" and don't see the need. Plus they charge a lot extra for that extra door. I'll just have to see what's out there.

= = = = = =

Another little refrigeration story: Just over 3 month ago I looked at a used Danby 30 bottle wine cooler someone at work was selling and it couldn't been more then a few years old. It was in the house they just bought, they don't drink wine, so didn't need it. She was asking a fairly high price for it, so I did an internet search. I found a number places selling them (yes a current model) and Sam's Club had it for less then $300. I gave her that info and she dropped the price to $150. I asked her to plug it in and went to look at it.

The compressor was running, but after running for an hour, it wouldn't get below about 80 degrees inside. She and her husband decided to just gave it to me to get it out of the garage (SCORE! Or so I thought). I asked my friend to check in and it too needed Freon. He took it home, did the colored die leak test and discovered the evaporator inside the cooler was leaking. The part was available, but for what it cost, I could almost just buy an entire new wine cooler, so it went to the giant recycle bin in the sky…

 

[peterh770]

I bought the Amana top-fridge over the summer. LOVE IT! It is sooooooo much more convenient having the fridge on top.

Model ABB2222FEW.

 

[danemodsandy]

Speaking of Reefers:

Can anyone tell me the approximate time frame of this Amana seen in a pic Hoover1060 posted here recently? And what about reliability? I've always liked the styling of these, and wouldn't mind having one in white:

 

[magic clean]

Just

to clarify an earlier ill informed post.........Whirlpool is not closing all their US based refrigeration factories. Evansville Inidiana will close as top-freezer production is moving to another location in Mexico. Evansville continues with refrigeration design, engineering & technology....just not production. Amana IA continues with all bottom-freezer product.

Also, additional side by side production has started Ft. Smith AR to satisfy demand. Just a few weeks ago, Whirlpool acquired a factory in Ottawa Ohio where chest & upright freezer production will commence soon.

L.P.