Need a new refridgerator

UglyCasanova

Lifer
Mar 25, 2001
19,275
1,361
126
Ok so I am in need of a new fridge. It is not dire, but the one I have needs to go. Everything has broken on the current one and I have a lot of the drawers and racks held together by duct tape. The problem is the inside is made of cheap plastic that easily breaks with everyday use (kids don't help!). I'm sure this is a design "feature" to get you to buy their overpriced replacement parts. A cheap plastic replacement bar about 1.5 ft long costs $60 - 80 dollars. Insane.

We have looked everywhere I can think to look and none of the fridges look sturdy on the inside, even the $2k models. I want one that has metal shelving and racks. Also I'm not sure if this exists but a refrigerator with the fridge part only (no freezer) but does contain an ice dispenser. We have a standup freezer outside that holds the frozen food, and I would love to have more fridge space but I wouldn't want to go outside to get ice all the time.
 

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
72,885
33,980
136
In the words of the Sears salesman, "They're all crap now; want to buy the extended service plan?"
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,081
136
Same problem. Every time I go looking all I see is crap, and most of its overpriced crap too. I notice it a lot with most consumer goods these days.
 

PottedMeat

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
12,363
475
126
my parent's cheap ass ~10 year old fridge has metal railing / glass & metal shelves. my mom wants it to break so she can get a shiny new one - that ain't gonna happen any time soon.
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
126
Check out your local used appliance stores. Not only can you get a warranty, you get free delivery and pick up of your old fridge and, they show up when they say they will.
 

Engineer

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
39,230
701
126
Amana makes really nice fridges.
Whirlpool makes some really nice stuff as well.
Stay away from GE, Frigidaire or anything made overseas.

You are looking for French Door models. Still a freezer but more fridge room.


http://amana.com/content.jsp?pageNa...E_SESSION_ID=fbfd675dc0a850e162162eaf3b9db61d

They are all made outside the US now (Mexico mainly) and the quality has gone down significantly. I'm not so sure it's not poor quality by design (cheaper materials, etc) than it is made in Mexico.
 

Zstream

Diamond Member
Oct 24, 2005
3,395
277
136
Are you saying it's Mexico vs. Asia? I wouldn't think that labor plays a big role but rather raw materials (bolts, plastic, hinges, frame etc...)

Anyone have experience with Samsung?
 

Engineer

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
39,230
701
126
Are you saying it's Mexico vs. Asia? I wouldn't think that labor plays a big role but rather raw materials (bolts, plastic, hinges, frame etc...)

Anyone have experience with Samsung?

Don't know about the refrigerator but the washer/dryers from Samsung (made in Korea) have been awesome so far.

As for Mexico, I know that, from experience, quality can suffer from the Mexican labor alone as many of them simply don't give a shit in what they are doing. Have witnessed this over and over and over...
 

Brigandier

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2008
4,394
2
81
Don't know about the refrigerator but the washer/dryers from Samsung (made in Korea) have been awesome so far.

As for Mexico, I know that, from experience, quality can suffer from the Mexican labor alone as many of them simply don't give a shit in what they are doing. Have witnessed this over and over and over...

If mexicans were good workers they'd just get jobs in American factories...ohwait.
 

PhoKingGuy

Diamond Member
Nov 15, 2007
4,685
0
76
Samsung makes good stuff, mines made in South Korea. Haven't had any problems with it since we got it about 5-6 years ago. Felt significantly better made than any of the other brands at its price level.
 

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
21,204
66
91
fridge-reliability.jpg
 

feralkid

Lifer
Jan 28, 2002
16,864
4,977
136
They are all made outside the US now (Mexico mainly) and the quality has gone down significantly. I'm not so sure it's not poor quality by design (cheaper materials, etc) than it is made in Mexico.



Haier is built in South Carolina.
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Ok so I am in need of a new fridge. It is not dire, but the one I have needs to go. Everything has broken on the current one and I have a lot of the drawers and racks held together by duct tape. The problem is the inside is made of cheap plastic that easily breaks with everyday use (kids don't help!). I'm sure this is a design "feature" to get you to buy their overpriced replacement parts. A cheap plastic replacement bar about 1.5 ft long costs $60 - 80 dollars. Insane.

We have looked everywhere I can think to look and none of the fridges look sturdy on the inside, even the $2k models. I want one that has metal shelving and racks. Also I'm not sure if this exists but a refrigerator with the fridge part only (no freezer) but does contain an ice dispenser. We have a standup freezer outside that holds the frozen food, and I would love to have more fridge space but I wouldn't want to go outside to get ice all the time.

You have to have a freezer for an ice dispenser.

Maybe look at one of those models with the freezer drawer on the bottom.
 

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
Really? Wow, I thought all were now sent to Mexico and beyond.

not all...just most

Frigidaire will never sell another product here in the Grand Rapids area. The town of Greenville damn near died when they left town. They left even after the state government made them an offer that would basically pay them to stay here.
 

dabuddha

Lifer
Apr 10, 2000
19,579
17
81
We bought a Samsung about a year back and have loved it so far. Very nice fridge!
 

Linflas

Lifer
Jan 30, 2001
15,395
78
91
We've bought a Samsung in June, 2009 and so far have had no issues with it.