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parkah
Citizen
Username: Parkah
Post Number: 178
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 1:14 pm: | 
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our refrigerator died sometime last night and now we're faced with purchasing a replacement without much time to research the perfect model.
we're looking for suggestions on brands and models that would fit the needs of a growing family (i.e., 2 adults, 1 child and another one on the way)? it seems the best approach is to 1) buy a large model to accommodate immediate and the future needs of 4 people; 2) buy quality so we're not faced with having to purchase a new model for a good long time; 3) buy from somewhere that can deliver asap.
with this in mind, we can't afford models with all of the *cool* features. rather we'd like something that is probably middle of the line, very reliable and includes the features most needed (e.g., removable/adjustable shelves but not an in-door water dispenser).
i'm doing as much research as i can, using consumerreports.com, etc... but there are so many models out there i'm overwhelmed. currently i'm thinking that buying a model with a bottom freezer is the way to go. can anyone comment on this? and is it having a single refrigerator door better/worst than french doors on this type of model?
any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 2151
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 6:15 pm: |
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I have a side by side with water and ice dispensor -- its great! Getting drinks and cold water to drink is so convenient.
That said, the problem with a side by side is that the shelves are narrow -- no wide trays of food or large pizza boxes! But I still think its the best fridge -- because side by side both the freezer and fridge shelves are easily accesible.
I personally don't like bottom freezers -- the drawer is very heavy to open, and its hard to get at the food. (but looks nice!)
Since I just bought new appliances... here's my thinking on where to shop --
Sears has about the best selection, not necessarily the best prices. BUT they almost always have a x% off sale and/or free financing, so that's worth something. Its also very helpful to browse their web site first for dimensions, prices, features, etc.
Karls in Orange has only 3.5% sales tax -- they will deal -- but you have to know prices. They have a large scratch and dent room -- with excellent prices. You might want to start there!
Lowes has much more than Home Depot -- right now at Lowes you can get free financing, too.
If you're looking high end, Karls and Renos in Fairfield are the place to go. Again, Karls has a huge scratch and dent room (but think Mongram & sub zero).
Lastly, if there is a specific model you like, check www.appliancesbuyphone.com. Its a NJ based online retailer -- their prices, free delivery, service are awesome. Email Steve for his best price.
Good luck -- Pete
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sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3693
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 8:03 pm: |
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We can just barely fit a large pizza box (or two) in our side-by-side fridge compartment. (Usually perched on top of other stuff, but it does fit without tilting.) It's an older (1990 or so) Kenmore, but this reminds me that when next I shop for a new refrigerator I should take a pizza box along to check.
Actually that's probably good advice in general - if you want to put gallon milk jugs on the door or fit large pizza boxes, or whatever - bring the desired container along with you when shopping and try it out!
Every piece of advice I've ever seen is against side-by-side, but I still like it best. And, for our next fridge, we DO want the dispenser in the door, which pretty well narrows it to that. (Very few models other than side-by-side have that.)
That being said, my mother always swore by her bottom-freezer models and she has owned three over the course of about 50 years, I believe. The middle one was purchased when that type was hopelessly out of style, but she finally found one anyway. When she went to buy the most recent one, she was thrilled at the selection. |
daylaborer
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 883
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 9:19 pm: |
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Regardless of what you end up deciding on, make sure it will fit in your space and most importantly, through the door. |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 1187
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 11:39 pm: |
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For what it's worth, I absolutely love our LG fridge with freezer on the bottom, double doors on top. It has tons of room, the freezer drawer is not heavy in the least (my 5 and 7 year olds open it quite easily) and in the pseudo stainless finish it looks very nice with my other stainless appliances - I think it was called "titanium" which looks like stainless - almost - but is magnetic which is good for families w/kids, and doesn't show a single finger print!
I saw what looked like the identical fridge in Sears under the Kenmore name - I think they often use another manufacturer for their appliances. For instance, my Kenmore Elite oven is identical to one made by Frigidaire which a friend had. |
Zoesky1
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 1630
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 9:56 am: |
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Kenmore appliances are indeed the same as others made by "name-brand" manufacturers. What happens is, if Frigidaire has a good year and its assembly line is cooking along and it makes X amount more dishwashers than it intended, it essentially "sells" those models to Kenmore, lets Kenmore slap a Kenmore brand on it and sell it in Sears.
I have a Kenmore fridge, dishwasher and range right now, all purchased last summer when I had to, and they're great. But I think you do better when you go with the more high-end level of Kenmore.
FWIW, my Kenmore fridge is a side by side model that doesn't have an icemaker/water dispenser. I didn't want them because there is no water hookup on that side of my kitchen and I wasn't into paying to have it installed. Yet it was very difficult to find a side by side that DIDN'T have the water dispenser. Sears was the only place that had one. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 3061
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 10:08 am: |
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If you can, check Consumer Reports' buying guide right away. I believe that you can buy a subscription online and access immediately. They can help you decide which type, and then which brand. I have often ended up with Kenmore and similar once I discovered that it was Sears-branded version of name brand product (and saved 20-30% as a result). This was true for a stove, an over-the-stove microwave, a/c units and a fridge.
Ditto everyone on size. Measure the current fridge height/width/depth including coils -- and the opening. Also note which way you need it to open if not side/side. I've also bought scratch/dent when it was on a side that didn't show. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 3062
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 10:17 am: |
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Sorry -- didn't see your CR comment. I will say that I wanted side by side, but the space we have didn't allow for one big enough for pizza boxes so we went with freezer on top. Space and depth determined a lot for us (and easy to remove shelves etc. for cleaning). It's a Kenmore Elite with icemaker. Bought 4 years ago when we moved in. No problems with it, and had some kind of Kenmore prior for 12 years with no prob in previous house. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8950
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 10:51 am: |
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We bought a side-by-side years ago and I spent the last 10 years waiting for it to die so that we could get rid of it. I hated how narrow it was.
We've done well with Sears Kenmore Elite (although won't shop there anymore) and GE Profile appliances. We purchased our kitchen appliances at Karl's 2 years ago & didn't go "high end".
Karl's also does 0% financing, ala Sears, and will beat/match equivalent Kenmore models. |
exwoodgirl
Citizen
Username: Exwoodgirl
Post Number: 71
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 9:25 am: |
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I also love my Freezer on the bottom Kenmore. I would absolutely purchase this type of refrigerator again. |
DReese
Citizen
Username: Dreese
Post Number: 30
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 10:00 am: |
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ours died also and had to get a new one asap. we however just bought a basic one since we may end up redoing our kitchen and will place the one we just bought in the basement as extra.
i had a frigidaire stainless steel side by side in my old place and it was great except sooo narrow so not great for families if you have tons of wide platters, dishes or pizza boxes.
would love to get the french door ones as well but not keen on having the bottom freezer unless you have a really large one that has a top pull out drawer. but still, depending on how much you go into the freezer which we do alot of, it's a pain to bend down to look for stuff and etc.
sears has a great selection. we had to buy ours at pc richard in union since it was a bit of a timing issue. i'm sure we could have gotten it $50 cheaper if we had the time but they were able to deliver it the next day for free.
only thing is that the damn water filter keeps making this buzzing sound. but we got what we paid for.
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J L Bryant
Citizen
Username: Jeffbryant
Post Number: 65
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 3:31 pm: |
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freezer over refrigerator models are more energy-usage efficient, though the arrangement may not appeal. huge echo for shopping through Karl's. |
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