Recommendations on a basic fridge?

[JEDI]

my 20yr old fridge is leaking. i've tried many, many times this year to de-ice the drain hole in the freezer. (i've made some posts about that.) but it keeps getting clogged up.

i have to de-ice every 2 weeks now (it used to be once a month) and i'm tired of it.

it's a basic fridge with freezer on top. here's a similiar pic:

recommendations on a new basic fridge? just buy the cheapest one thats about the same size as my current? and where to buy?
do they take away the old fridge? if not, then how to get rid of old fridge?

 

[ThePresence]

I was in the same position last week, had to replace a 15 year old fridge. They no longer make that size fridge, so I had to pull off the cabinet above the space. I decided to go bigger on the fridge, and got this one for $1250. http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajm...BFS25EWMS.html

Most places will remove your old fridge. Some places want a small fee of about $15 or so.

 

[Saint Nick]

You could fill a tupperware up with a bunch of ice. Pretty basic.

 

[SunnyD]

Basic fridge = Box + Door + Cold.

 

[mvbighead]

In my area, there are some used appliance stores. They could serve you in two ways:
1) They'd likely take your fridge for free, and fix it, and sell it to someone else
or
2) They may be able to fix it for you.

Also, you can find fridges from 400 - 10000. Just depends on what you're looking for. Most Sears, best buys, etc. Granted, the ice maker bit may make your model a bit more expensive. But you should be able to find a run of the mill fridge with ice maker for 600 I'd think. I'd stick with Whirlpool most likely, but that's based on advice from my dad and uncle who have to deal with a lot of those types of appliances. My uncle is in appliance repair, and he seems to swear by Whirlpool. I just listen to their advice.

This would probably do nicely:
http://www.homedepot.com/Appliances...oreId=10051&superSkuId=203487935#.UDPtk92PX9k

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I'd go with a bottom freezer top fridge setup. Those are supposed to be more efficient.

 

[JEDI]

In my area, there are some used appliance stores. They could serve you in two ways:
1) They'd likely take your fridge for free, and fix it, and sell it to someone else
or
2) They may be able to fix it for you.

Also, you can find fridges from 400 - 10000. Just depends on what you're looking for. Most Sears, best buys, etc. Granted, the ice maker bit may make your model a bit more expensive. But you should be able to find a run of the mill fridge with ice maker for 600 I'd think. I'd stick with Whirlpool most likely, but that's based on advice from my dad and uncle who have to deal with a lot of those types of appliances. My uncle is in appliance repair, and he seems to swear by Whirlpool. I just listen to their advice.

This would probably do nicely:
http://www.homedepot.com/Appliances...oreId=10051&superSkuId=203487935#.UDPtk92PX9k

i dont need an ice maker. ice cube tray FTW.

what does your uncle recommend for repeatly clogged defrost drain holes in the freezer?

 

[JEDI]

I'd go with a bottom freezer top fridge setup. Those are supposed to be more efficient.

why?

 

[BoomerD]

Measure all three dimensions of the place where you want the fridge. Left open or right open? (it can make a BIG difference in some kitchens)

Buy one of the "major brand names." Don't settle for Haier or some Chinese-made piece of shit just because it's a bit cheaper. You'll regret it...

Each manufacturer has it's good and bad models. Go out...look at Sears, Lowe's, Home Depot, Best Buy, and your local appliance stores. Odds are, your local appliance store can/will beat the prices of the "big box" stores. The sales staff usually has much more leeway to "dicker" on prices. If you want an extended warranty, (I usually do for major appliances) the local place will usually offer as good or better for less.

 

[Zargon]

i dont need an ice maker. ice cube tray FTW.

what does your uncle recommend for repeatly clogged defrost drain holes in the freezer?

standard style fridges are getting harder to find, I have a maytag I think thats like the whirlpool posted, it was one of maybe 3-4 fridges I found that would fit in my kitchen in my 40 year old house

most now in the 'traditional' door syle have switchable doors so they can open left OR right

 

[BoomerD]

i dont need an ice maker. ice cube tray FTW.

what does your uncle recommend for repeatly clogged defrost drain holes in the freezer?

I'd HATE to go back to ice cube trays. Ice and water in the door are a MUST for any fridge. (IMO)

 

[SpatiallyAware]

FWIW you can probably fix your old fridge, I had the same problem on a rental property fridge and bought a kit specifically for this.. Used diluted bleach to clean the drain (after it's completely melted) and have had no more issues.

That being said, costco is the only place I'll buy an appliance. Lifetime no hassle warranty and they only sell quality products.

 

[vi edit]

I'd HATE to go back to ice cube trays. Ice and water in the door are a MUST for any fridge. (IMO)

Eh. They take up space and are the number one thing to break costing several hundred bucks a visit to fix.

 

[BoomerD]

Eh. They take up space and are the number one thing to break costing several hundred bucks a visit to fix.

To each their own. The icemaker in my old Amana started leaking. A replacement cost about $110. Took about an hour to change it out.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Get a used refrigerator at a local used appliance store. They will save you money and pick up the old one.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I'd HATE to go back to ice cube trays. Ice and water in the door are a MUST for any fridge. (IMO)

The thing that bugs me is that most people dont keep that water line clean. You can tell if the ice is all murky and if you put it in water and look at it all the "particles" are flowing.

 

[rayfieldclement]

try a Whirlpool with a top fridge. Newer models may not need defrosting.

 

[IGBT]

sanyo makes apartment size high efficiency fridg's. Costco usually has em for 289.00 in stainless finish.

 

[ElFenix]

Eh. They take up space and are the number one thing to break costing several hundred bucks a visit to fix.

my parents have a GE and GE decided to use brittle clear plastic for the auger in the ice machine as well as the door shelves. the auger has broken several times and a couple of the shelves are broken. really poor material choice. what was wrong with the metal that the plastic replaced?

 

[JEDI]

try a Whirlpool with a top fridge. Newer models may not need defrosting.

Lowes Top-Freezer Refrigerators:
http://www.lowes.com/Appliances/Ref...-SC_Refrigerators_TopFlexible_Area-_-96112_3_

cheapest model is a Whirlpool. 10 Cu ft for $400. it's highly rated.
Hotpoint 15cu ft is on sale for the same price. WTF is a Hotpoint?

Another highly rated model is Frigidaire 18.2 cu ft on sale this week for $450:
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&productId=3240643&cId=

decisions, decisions...

 

[BoomerD]

Lowes Top-Freezer Refrigerators:
http://www.lowes.com/Appliances/Ref...-SC_Refrigerators_TopFlexible_Area-_-96112_3_

cheapest model is a Whirlpool. 10 Cu ft for $400. it's highly rated.
Hotpoint 15cu ft is on sale for the same price. WTF is a Hotpoint?

Another highly rated model is Frigidaire 18.2 cu ft on sale this week for $450:
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&productId=3240643&cId=

decisions, decisions...

Hotpoint is GE's "bargain brand." I've never been very impressed by the quality. Frigidaire has its problems too. (as do all the manufacturers)

 

[twinrider1]

Check with your local electric provider for any rebates. For example, right now mine will pick up your old unit and send you a $50-$100 check. Also, they say a 20 year old fridge uses 2x as much electric as current models.