Refrigerators - what do you have? (sinks, kitchen, cabinet, cost)

[KristyLiz]

I need to buy a new fridge for the new house, and although I like my Kenmore side aby side just fine, I was sondering about the new freezer on the bottome type - any thoughts?

[BlueSkyHoliday]

When we redid our kitchen a few years ago, I chose the GE Profile Arctica and have been happy with it so far. One thing I like is the readouts that tell you what the temperatures actually are inside the freezer and refrigerator compartments.

However in my next kitchen I might plunk down the money for a Sub-Zero, mainly because I really like the idea of the freezer and refrigerator being entirely separate units (no air exchange between the two). As far as I know, Sub-Zero is the only brand constructed this way. However, $7000 for a refrigerator (compared to $2000) is a big difference, and I'm not entirely convinced it's worth it.

[cdelena]

Just about every refrigerator I have owned has had some failure or another except one GE that ran for me and the next person over twenty years problem free.

I really liked the easy adjust shelves in the JennAir, the compact size of the GE Profile, the design promise of the SubZero (although it failed more than once).

If I was buying today I may start looking at LG or GE, but it really comes down to features, size, and price so a full evaluation may lead to something else.

[eggalegga]

Growing up, we had a freezer on the bottom model. If it had an automatic ice maker, I wouldn't have minded it much. But I hated trying to fill ice cube trays and placing them in the freezer without spilling.

When I bought my house 9 years ago, I bought a 25 cu ft. Kenmore side by side. I LOVE having ice & water in the door. It's the best thing ever! I have always been a water drinker so that fridge works best for me.

My sister has a freezer on the bottom. Her husband who is very tall, hates it.

[goodbyehollywood]

I bought the LG French Door in stainless, with the ice and water dispenser on the door. It looks beautiful and classic and, so far, I love it! It was a tough call, because the LGs are a newer brand. I also looked at the Maytag French Door, but it seemed big and bulky next to the sleek LG. A repair guy recommended the LG hands-down over Maytag and GE, but who knows? For every person who likes a brand, there's another who doesn't. Good luck!

[JayCT]

I for one do not lioke the French Door refrigerators. To me they are not as convenient as a single door. You open the refrigerator section and only ge to see half of whats in there and then you have to open two doors to take large items out. Plus the two doors block the "landing areas" on either side of the refrigerator. To me this is not practical. I think "french doors" are just a fad that will go out of style in 10 years (like they did back in the 60's when Westinghouse had them briefly), but that is just my opinion. Also I do not think that cabinet depth refrigerators are worth an extra cost (why pay more for something that is smaller).

We bought a 25 cubic foot Amana stainless freezer-on-the-bottom single door refrigerator. We love it. It is very roomy and stunning to look at. Works very well for us. I researched a lot before buying it. Consumer Reports is a great resource. Check their ratings of differnet models and features to see what works best for you. Also check their information on brand reliability and repairs. It is interesting because some of more upscale brands require more repairs than the others. Good luck, Jay

[Ohiogirl81]

Definitely check out Consumer Reports. It's so well worth the money for a subscription.

The magazine generally will say that side-by-side fridges are inefficient and more trouble-prone. When you think about it, a bottom freezer makes sense, because cold air sinks.

[cdelena]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I for one do not lioke the French Door refrigerators. To me they are not as convenient as a single door.
...

In a tight area a single large door may not be a reasonable option as compared to two smaller doors.

[BlueWillowPlate]

I *LOVE* the french door-freezer-on-bottom refrigerator.
The freezer has lots of room, and so does the 'fridge.
I had a side-by-side for years and will never have another.
Our first french door fridge was an LG. It was great.
We moved here and have a KitchenAid french door model. One feature I like is that it has a filtered water dispenser inside the fridge.

[Greenchili]

My next fridge will be a french door freezer on bottom. I like the look of them
and the big heavy single door(which I have now) is bulky and bigger. Now
just have to narrow down the brand Consumer reports will come in handy
for that!


Deb