Refrigerator!

**runethechamp** · 12-06-2006, 11:57 PM

If you were to buy a refrigerator today for your family of 4, what brand would you get and why? I'm looking for particulars here, not a "buy a brand XX, they always seem to work for me". Are the any special design elements in certain brands that set them apart?

I already know about energy star ratings and rebates and such.

Yeah I know, boring grownup family tech talk, but whatever.

**bossass** · 12-07-2006, 12:03 AM

Get the LG with the built in LCD, obviously.

**kid4lyf** · 12-07-2006, 08:12 AM

Anything BUT another JennAir.

That said, you need to add a little more info.
If $ is not a constraint, get a Sub Zero. Yes, they're worth it.
If you have it, that is.
It'll last forever and, believe it or not, things will actually keep better.
I'd guess it's the far superior temp control.

**iceman** · 12-07-2006, 11:01 AM

SubZero is the best brand imo, but they are $$$. Personally I think they are worth it, but you have to make the call I guess. The temp control is better because they have seperate compressors for the fridge and freezer, which adds money but also works better.

One often overlooked benefit is that magnets won't stick to them so if you have kids you don't have to hang their artwork on them forever and there's no place for the "honeydew" list either.

**Big E** · 12-07-2006, 11:34 AM

Funny, I have seen more than once that SubZeros are by far the least reliable fridge out there.

advres · 12-07-2006, 11:38 AM

amana. I like them because they have the freezer on the bottom. You tend to go into the fridge more so it is more convenient not having to bend down as the bottom shelf is at your thigh, not your toes.

Also if your kids are small, You can keep shit on the top shelf you don't want them to get to.

**runethechamp** · 12-07-2006, 11:42 AM

I do care about the price, but for the sake of this discussion I'll ignore it for now.

Separate compressors on subzeros sounds smart. Bad reliability does not. I know there's lots of good euro brands that make large appliances, but I always thought american fridges were cool.

**bagtagley** · 12-07-2006, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Big E

Funny, I have seen more than once that SubZeros are by far the least reliable fridge out there.

My folks' has run flawlessly for ~15 years, FWIW.

**schuss** · 12-07-2006, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by Big E

Funny, I have seen more than once that SubZeros are by far the least reliable fridge out there.

True. They don't provide enough breathing space for the compressor, so it overheats and the fridge dies. My dad (an architect) refuses to spec em into houses for that reason.

**philippeR** · 12-07-2006, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by advres

...
Also if your kids are small, You can keep shit on the top shelf you don't want them to get to
...

Borat-inspired, disturbing pictures come to mind...

**runethechamp** · 12-07-2006, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by schuss

True. They don't provide enough breathing space for the compressor, so it overheats and the fridge dies. My dad (an architect) refuses to spec em into houses for that reason.

What are your dad's fridge recommendations then?

I got good advice on washer/dryer brands from a friend of mine whose uncle was an appliance repairman for 30 years.

**bagtagley** · 12-07-2006, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by runethechamp

Bad reliability does not.

They get top ratings from CR for reliability...also FWIW.

We have a MagicChef at my house. It's a massive turd that is to be avoided. When it's not freezing/defrosting our food, it gurgles and cracks. Not to mention it's metal all around, so my wife uses it as her personal scrap book.

**mc_roon** · 12-07-2006, 12:26 PM

your first decision to make is if you want a side-by-side or over/under.

**runethechamp** · 12-07-2006, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by mc_roon

your first decision to make is if you want a side-by-side or over/under.

Most brands seem to carry both. I want to know what separates the brands.

**lemon boy** · 12-07-2006, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by runethechamp

I want to know what separates the brands.

what separates the brands?

price
reliability
features
functionality
market penetration (he he he huh I said penetration)

etc...

**runethechamp** · 12-07-2006, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by lemon boy

what separates the brands?

price
reliability
features
functionality
market penetration (he he he huh I said penetration)

etc...

Uhh, penetration...hu-huh

But what if we say I'm interested in reliability, features, functionality, design and whatever is supposed to make a brand perform better and last longer.

**Cirquerider** · 12-07-2006, 12:59 PM

Basic questions:
How large is the space you have to install this. Height Width and depth.
Is it acceptable for the fridge to stick out in front of that opening, or do you need flush fit?
Do you have room in front of that for a large swinging door or would side by side work better?
Variation on side by side is french door with freezer on the bottom. Like it?
Do you need water and ice dispensing in the door?
What finishes are going to work for you? Stainless, Color Panels, Cabinet.
What is the most you are willing to spend? (if under $5k forget about sub-zero and some other premium brands; $2K should get most features except built in).

**Viva** · 12-07-2006, 01:04 PM

I got side by side with a separate freezer drawer on the bottom.

This is my second LG fridge (first stayed in PDX when I sold house there). I like LG appliances as they do a nice job of copying the US designs and have an affordable product. No problems so far on 2 LG fridges or front-loading Washy & Dryer.

**4matic** · 12-07-2006, 01:11 PM

Stainless steel is very hard to keep clean. Imo, the fake stainless ones look better than the real ones and are much easier to clean. I have the fake stainless and like it a lot. A big cosideration for a home is how quiet they are..

They call it Stainless but it's not steel:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....&ref=06&loc=01

**mnflyfish** · 12-07-2006, 04:05 PM

I will tell you what I just told my mom. Skip running all over town to get the best deal, at best you might save $50. So to Sears, get a Kenmore that fits your needs, have it delivered, and be done!

I have had two Kenmore fridges, as well as washers, dryers, dishwashers, etc. The reason I've had two is because I've had two houses, nothing has broke. Great service, nice design, does the job, and one stop shopping.

Good Luck,
Jay

**The Dad** · 12-07-2006, 04:45 PM

Yeah, but Kenmores are actually made by a variety of manufacturers.

We have a "french-door" Kenmore (made by Maytag, IIRC), which is great because you have the big drawer freezer on the bottom and side-by-side doors that open to a big compartment above, without extending too far into the kitchen.

**Lexi-Bell** · 12-07-2006, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by advres

amana. I like them because they have the freezer on the bottom. You tend to go into the fridge more so it is more convenient not having to bend down as the bottom shelf is at your thigh, not your toes.

Also if your kids are small, You can keep shit on the top shelf you don't want them to get to.

I've got an Amana with the freezer on the bottom and love the design/function.

What I haven't loved is needing the compressor replaced TWICE in four years. Fortunately we purchased a warranty which has more than paid for itself. FWIW, I have one friend and one co-worker who have Amanas w/ freezer on bottom and have had compressors/wiring issues.

SIDENOTE:

When the repair guy was out to fix the unit I was grilling him with questions about brands; mainly longevity related. He claims in the 20+ years he's been repairing appliances the quality (or lack thereof) has dropped off the table. He mentioned the Sub-z's are better than most, but the days of refrigerators lasting 30 years are over.

**birdman829** · 12-07-2006, 06:14 PM

We just got a new fridge (a GE). Irregardless of brand, I like the ones that have the freezer drawer on the bottom. Makes the refrigerator more accessible.

**mnflyfish** · 12-08-2006, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Lexi-Bell

SIDENOTE:

When the repair guy was out to fix the unit I was grilling him with questions about brands; mainly longevity related. He claims in the 20+ years he's been repairing appliances the quality (or lack thereof) has dropped off the table. He mentioned the Sub-z's are better than most, but the days of refrigerators lasting 30 years are over.

The guy I deer hunt with is an HVAC guy and he said the same thing about furnaces. Mine broke last winter whilewe were at the cabin, came home to find the house hovering just over 40 degrees. He got it running again, and found what had broken. The price of the part was 2/3 the price of a whole new unit. SO naturally I went with the new furnace, though the days of a furnace lasting the life of the house are over. My buddy said, anything over 10 years and you're in the bonus round, same goes for air conditioners. He said it's all the plastic parts, computer chips, etc and frankly building a furnace that lasts 30 years is a hell of a way for the companies to make a living. HE believes they want them to break at around 10 years to keep the consumer coming back to buy a new one.

Good Luck,
Jay

**runethechamp** · 12-08-2006, 01:55 PM

Thanks for the replies.

Might look at some of the euro brands even though they're expensive. Maybe they have changed in the same way the american brands have, but then again, maybe not. I know my parents have a top/bottom refrigerator/freezer made by Electroloux (swedish brand) that they bought in the early 80's, and it still works and still looks like it's practically new.