Looking for Refrigerator Advice

[Spike]

My wife and I are soon moving into our new townhouse and are looking for some appliances. The place comes with all Whirlpool stainless steel oven, microwave, and range, now we need a refrigerator. I have spent some time looking at various makes and models and need some advice from those of you who have purchased recently.

First off the budget, we want to spend $2k on Washer and Dryer and Fridge, so far we have found a simple frigidare stacked W/D unit for about $700 which is exactly what we want (we have the same one right now in our apt). That leaves $1300 for the fridge.

Second off, size and shape. I would like no smaller than 23 CuFt with 24 or 25 perferred. I like the side-by-side models but we have a wall right next to the fridge spot which would prevent the door from swining out too much. According to whirlpools site, all you need is 2" on the side even with a wall in order to get into the fridge, but that seems kinda small to me, any experience here? Also with one of these it seems like it would be hard to put a large platter or cake in due to the smaller width shelves.

I also like the freezer on bottom style and to that end found a cool maytage SS for $1247 at lowes and am thinking about that but it is a littler smaller (22 cft).

So far I have been doing some looking online and in stores. I really like whirlpools "satina" or something like that line where they use metal that looks like SS but does not pick up fingerprints as easily and seems to be cheaper. I have found alot of side-by-side models with this finish but no lower freezer ones.

Anyone know of any other brands that offers the same type of finish? Anyone have a favorite brand of appliance? I have no brand preference, just want it to match the rest of the SS appliances. Thanks for any help!

-spike

 

[FoBoT]

definetly go with the freezer on the bottom
we got a kenmore with the pullout drawer on the bottom last year and we really like it

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
definetly go with the freezer on the bottom
we got a kenmore with the pullout drawer on the bottom last year and we really like it

but can you find those in SS for under $1300? I have not seen any yet for that price but I definitly could have missed it.

 

[FoBoT]

linked
this one is $1349 for the 22 cu ft

you have to drop to 20 cu ft to get below $1300 ($1249)

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

you might be able to stretch your budget a bit by buying all three at the same location. negotiate before you begin shopping to get 5-10% discount plus free shipping.

We have a Fridgidaire Gallery side by side with ice/water on the door. Its great......

concerning your situation with the wall, you might want to check with a neighbor to see 1) if they have a similar floor plan and 2) whether or not it really comes into play.

 

[StageLeft]

I let mrsskoorb talk me into a huge fridge. GREAT IDEA. Trust me: GET A BIG FRIDGE. Her parents cheaped out and bought a small one and have had to live with that for 15 years now. THeir fridge is a joke.

I think you already know this though

 

[TEEZLE]

Just last week Wednesday, I manged to pickup a clearance Kenmore Elite fridge with the bottom freezer for $1250!! Usually a $2400 fridge. It was in the Sears clearance section.

One thing though, the bottom mount fridge does not hold as much as my older top mount. I still have my old 24.3 cuft fridge in the garage and had to hook it up again for a place to put my pizza boxes. If you look closely at the bottom mount freezers, they are not completely flat! So pizza boxes (and Hungry Man boxes) are limited in how many you buy. BUT, the top holds more food for regular refridgerated stuff.

Just trying to help out.

Edit: Also, the fridge has the outside water dispenser and the internal ice maker, if it was up to me, I would have definitely gotten the side by side with the outside water and ice dispenser. But I can't since I would have to physically take the fridge back myself - LOL (I picked it up instead of having it delivered)

 

[777php]

Check out a Sears Outlet, you can get lucky like we did and find a brand new refridgerator with minor minor scratches.

We found a $800 bottom loading freezer fridge for $400 and it has a tiny tiny ding on the right side towards the bottom of the fridge. It's covered by our cabinets so nobody can see.

The fridge was spotless other than the ding, the original manufacturers tape was still covering the drawers and shelves. I would definitely recommend going that route, the only negative is that shipping is super expensive but you can always pick it up and move it yourself.

The outlet has new stuff coming in weekly so if you don't find something you like one week, the next week you may find something that fits your needs perfectly. I know I saw plenty of Amana, GE, Whirlpool, Kenmore SS fridges there.

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
linked
this one is $1349 for the 22 cu ft

you have to drop to 20 cu ft to get below $1300 ($1249)

Thanks for the link! We can fudge for the extra $50, not a big deal there. I am going to have to go check that one out, the style is nice and the width is good (less than 33") as that would mean my 39" of space would accomodate it while letting the door swing out farther.

Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
you might be able to stretch your budget a bit by buying all three at the same location. negotiate before you begin shopping to get 5-10% discount plus free shipping.

This should be easy as everyone we have looked at so far (except for Home Depot) offers the W/D combo we want. I can't check anyones around me yet as no one has moved in, the completion date for the building (5 townhouses, ours is one of the end ones) is not for another few weeks.

-spike

 

[FoBoT]

as TEEZLE says, the bottom freezer is smaller. that isn't a problem for us because we have a chest freezer in the garage. if it will be your only freezer, it might be too small for you.

 

[777php]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
linked
this one is $1349 for the 22 cu ft

you have to drop to 20 cu ft to get below $1300 ($1249)

We have that exact same fridge but in white, it is really nice. No complaints so far.

 

[Amused]

What ever you do, take both a frozen pizza box, and a large pizza box from whatever store you get delivery from and make sure both fit in the fridge and freezer properly. VERY important if you are looking at side by sides.

If you eat pizza, you'll thank me later.

 

[CPA]

the only problem with the freezer on the bottom is that the water dispenser is inside the frig. wouldn't like that myself.

Keep this in mind too, there are only 3 refrigerator makers (domestic) out there. There a bunch of brands, but most are owned by another. Maytag, Kenmore and one more (dammit, I can't remember the name).

My Maytag broke down, so I got an Amana. Amana is owned by Maytag but uses slightly different technology, specifically it uses two seperate cooling systems for the fridge and freezer. Maytag uses a circular cooling system that moves the air from the freezer to the frig. And the Amana was very well priced.

edit: for the washer and dryer, definitely go with the new front loading high efficiencies. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: 777php
Check out a Sears Outlet, you can get lucky like we did and find a brand new refridgerator with minor minor scratches.

We found a $800 bottom loading freezer fridge for $400 and it has a tiny tiny ding on the right side towards the bottom of the fridge. It's covered by our cabinets so nobody can see.

The fridge was spotless other than the ding, the original manufacturers tape was still covering the drawers and shelves. I would definitely recommend going that route, the only negative is that shipping is super expensive but you can always pick it up and move it yourself.

The outlet has new stuff coming in weekly so if you don't find something you like one week, the next week you may find something that fits your needs perfectly. I know I saw plenty of Amana, GE, Whirlpool, Kenmore SS fridges there.

Good idea, I did not know Sears had an outlet, I will have to check if there is one here in Seattle.

To TEEZLE and others, I forgot to mention this, my wife and I do plan to buy one of those cheap ($150-200) 7-10 cuft freezers for the garage. thats good advice on the bottom freezer, I had noticed that they are not flat but had not considered all the implications. This means we are not so concerned about the size of the freezer attached to the fridge (though we definitly want a freezer attached, none of those freezerless models fit our needs).

-spike

 

[Spike]

To those that own Side-by-Sides, what are the benefits as well as the downsides that you have found? Same goes for the bottom freezer? So far I have heard comments on the water/ice dispensor and the smaller freezer, any other issues with either type?

Thanks for all the responses!

-spike

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Spike
To those that own Side-by-Sides, what are the benefits as well as the downsides that you have found? Same goes for the bottom freezer? So far I have heard comments on the water/ice dispensor and the smaller freezer, any other issues with either type?

Thanks for all the responses!

-spike

Side-by-sides are definitely the most convenient for access. But like I said in my post above, make sure your pizza boxes fit.

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Spike
To those that own Side-by-Sides, what are the benefits as well as the downsides that you have found? Same goes for the bottom freezer? So far I have heard comments on the water/ice dispensor and the smaller freezer, any other issues with either type?

Thanks for all the responses!

-spike

Side-by-sides are definitely the most convenient for access. But like I said in my post above, make sure your pizza boxes fit.

I am not so worried about pizza boxes for the freezer as we don't buy many frozen pizzas and we will get that chest freezer. Do you have any issues with large platters not fitting in the fridge section? too wide for those narrow shelves?

-spike

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Spike


I am not so worried about pizza boxes for the freezer as we don't buy many frozen pizzas and we will get that chest freezer. Do you have any issues with large platters not fitting in the fridge section? too wide for those narrow shelves?

-spike

Not in the larger ones. If you have anything you need to fit, take it with you when you shop.

That's what I did and my side-by-side will fit the largest pizza box, and any serving platters or storage containers I have.

 

[FoBoT]

we don't have the water dispenser, so that isn't an issue for us (bottom freezer dwellers)

the side-side you end up with smaller usable volume inside. the middle divider has more surface area/more volume than a horizontal divider

 

[Spike]

They don't mind you hauling around large boxes when shopping for them? Sounds like a good idea, I will bring a few baking pans and platters just to make sure. Sounds like I need to make a trip to sears as they have the biggest selection.

If you don't mind, what model do you have Amused?

-spike

 

[Doggiedog]

One question, do you have kids?

SS is not recommended if you have kids because they will scratch and dent it up. I really like the SS look but with 2 little kids, I'm glad I didn't because it would look horrible now.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Spike
They don't mind you hauling around large boxes when shopping for them? Sounds like a good idea, I will bring a few baking pans and platters just to make sure. Sounds like I need to make a trip to sears as they have the biggest selection.

If you don't mind, what model do you have Amused?

-spike

I have a Sub Zero. Came with the house. My last fridge was a Kenmore Elite.

Yeah, take whatever you want when you shop. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
One question, do you have kids?

SS is not recommended if you have kids because they will scratch and dent it up. I really like the SS look but with 2 little kids, I'm glad I didn't because it would look horrible now.

no kids for the next few years, we will probably move before we have any or move after the kid(s) are over 2 years old. Thanks for the advice though, another thing I did not think about...