Refrigerator Buying Guide [TOP]
There's more than just choosing the right capacity when it comes to buying a new refrigerator. With all of the latest features and advances, it's getting tougher and tougher to know where to begin. From measuring for refrigerator space (including making sure the appliance will fit through the front door) to saving money with energy efficiency, this guide will help you better understand the options to find the perfect fit for your home.
refrigerator buying guide
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Avoid the hassle of not being able to slide the refrigerator into place (let alone down the hallway), always measure the space where the refrigerator will sit. Top to bottom, side to side, taking full measurements will ensure that you get the perfect fit for your home.
There are numerous options for water dispensers and ice makers, but first make sure there's a water line you are able to connect the refrigerator to. Once you're set with a water line, you need to decide what the best fit for your family is.
A tall dispenser is ideal for filling taller items like pitchers and water bottles, and an Arctica Ice Maker is perfect for families that use a lot of ice. Having an external ice maker helps with quick water and ice convenience, where as an internal ice maker is perfect for saving space in the refrigerator. Many people prefer to have their water dispensed from their refrigerator because of the ability to filter the water before it is consumed.
Do you know the difference between French door, side-by-side, bottom door and traditional refrigerators? You should make sure you're well informed about the different options available to ensure you get the right refrigerator for your home. The biggest difference is the door opening space, but there are different convenience options for the door arrangement too, which makes it easier for children and people in wheelchairs to access key food areas.
Many GE appliances are ENERGY STAR qualified, which means savings for you. ENERGY STAR standards require 20% improvement over base DOE standards. When you go shopping for a new refrigerator, make sure you look to see if the appliance has an energy star rating.
From compact refrigerators with 4 cubic feet of space to larger refrigerators with more than 26 cubic feet, there are plenty of options for food storage. The key is to get the right size to store enough food for you and your family, but answering that question is harder than it seems. Each family has its own unique eating habits; where some may have 3 growing teenagers that are constantly eating, others may be a single couple with no children. So judging how much space you need by simply sharing a capacity guide is challenging, but a typical family of four is likely to be fine with a refrigerator that measures 25 cubic feet or more.
The best way to know what capacity is right is to take a look inside. When shopping around for a new refrigerator, make sure to open the doors and look at how things are arranged. Can the shelves be repositioned, taken out or slid out of view? Can you fit tall items like beverage containers? Can you fit wide items like pizza or birthday cakes?
There are plenty of refrigerator features to choose from, including digital water dispenser readouts and drawers that allow you to vary temperature. Just like capacity, what features are right for you depend on what you are looking for in a refrigerator.
Are you thinking about getting a new fridge? Replacing such a large appliance should not be taken lightly. Our FAQ will go through everything you need to know about purchasing a new refrigerator the right way.
You can take a look at our guide on the best refrigerator makers for more information, but the brands we rate the highest include Whirlpool, LG, Samsung, and GE. The best brand for you will depend on a number of factors, including how much money you want to spend (some brands are known for lower prices than others) and how many smart features you want on the fridge. You may also want to have all your appliances from the same manufacturer, so that may narrow your search.
There are counter-depth refrigerators that are much more shallow than standard models and designed to stay flush with your counters for a smoother look. If your refrigerator is part of one of the counter-depth setups, make sure the replacement is also a counter-depth fridge with the right measurements.
That really depends on the size of the fridge (how much cubic feet of space it has), extra features, the type of freezer, and similar factors. The cheapest fridges are generally $800 to $1,000, although small fridges can go even lower. More standard refrigerators starts at around $1,500 to $2,500. Larger models with lots of smart features can cost several thousand dollars or more. You can check our guide on the best refrigerators to get an idea of current price ranges.
A cold plate is a frigid surface located in the refrigerator storage compartment that statically cools via natural convection through contact with the air. The major drawback of this method is that contents may obstruct cool air flow and colder air falls, creating temperature stratification inside the unit, meaning your food and beverages will not be cooled as evenly or effectively as forced air technologies.
Lower-priced refrigerators are often made from vinyl-cladded steel or a ferrous, stainless-steel look-alike susceptible to corrosion. Premium outdoor refrigerators are built to last longer than cheaper counterparts on account of durable construction and higher quality materials, refrigeration technology and parts. Be sure to also explore warranty coverage, too.
You may be wondering whether or not you can store your wine in a standard refrigerator. The short answer is no. There are several reasons why you should avoid storing your wine in a standard refrigerator:
A key appliance that the majority of households can't live without is the refrigerator. Shopping for a new refrigerator can be fun if you know what you need to look for and have a plan in place before you head to the store! Whether you are replacing an existing model or buying one for the first time, there is a lot to consider when choosing a refrigerator.
In this Refrigerator Buying Guide, we cover everything you need to know, including the types of refrigerators, styling options, features to consider, and measuring your space. Discover all of the information you need in one convenient place. Enjoy! We know you'll learn a lot.
This style of refrigerator is found in many small homes, older homes, and apartments, due to their smaller footprint and lower cost. They come in many sizes from 10 cubic feet to 24 cubic feet. In terms of dimensions, a top freezer refrigerator will tend to fit in a smaller space both in terms of height and width than many of the larger French door and side by side models that have become popular in the past few decades. They also tend to be slightly more energy efficient than comparable models in other styles by 10 to 25%. The largest top freezer refrigerators are around 24 cubic feet. LG makes a 24 cubic foot model but most brands top out around 20 to 21 cubic feet in their top freezers.
A bottom freezer refrigerator has the fresh food section on the top to allow better visibility and access to fresh food without the need for bending over. The freezer door - or freezer drawer, in this case - is at the bottom. These models are typically found in the 10 to 25 cubic foot range. These can be great for consumers that like to have their most frequently accessed fresh food items at eye level. A basic bottom freezer refrigerator will be about $100-200 more than a comparable top freezer model.
French door refrigerators have taken the market by storm and they are especially popular in new home packages and kitchen remodels. They have two doors on the top for accessing the fresh food and a freezer drawer at the bottom. They come in many sizes, from 18 cubic feet to over 30 cubic feet, and are available with or without an icemaker accessible through the fresh food door.
Side by side refrigerators are very stylish looking. They have the freezer on the left and the fresh food section on the right, split down the middle. They provide better access and visibility to the fresh food and better organization in the freezer section. They also are available with ice and water dispensers on the outside of the freezer door. The only drawback of this style is that the freezer sections are somewhat narrow, making it difficult to accommodate very large items. Side by side models typically range from 20 to 28 cubic feet. Most are 22-26 cubic feet. Compare French door vs side by side designs in our article, or check out the largest side by side refrigerator models!
Built-in refrigerators are made to be built into an opening in the kitchen cabinets so they do not protrude from the cabinets. These high-end appliances do not have finished sides, and the compressor is usually located on the top of the unit. These are available in larger sizes and are usually priced much higher than freestanding refrigerators.
Panel-ready refrigerators are similar to built-in models and are also a high-end option designed to have custom panels and hardware installed on the exterior for a seamless look that will blend in with your kitchen cabinets.
Counter-depth refrigerators have a shallower depth than a typical refrigerator at about 24 to 25 inches plus 5 or so inches for the handles, so they don't stick out from the surrounding cabinetry. These models tend to be wider to make up for the decrease in depth and are another way to achieve a high-end look in your kitchen. They are more expensive than non-counter depth models.
It's important to know how much space you have to work with in your kitchen when choosing the refrigerator size you need. If you are placing a refrigerator in a designated built-in compartment in your cabinetry, you'll have to measure the height, width, and depth. You'll also want to measure the distance to any obstructions that could impede the door swing, like doorways or kitchen islands. This will also help you consider how the refrigerator will look in your space and how the door swing will affect the "flow" of your kitchen. 041b061a72