Kitchen appliances, especially refrigerators, are a long term investment and need careful thought before buying. There are so many things to consider, such as the door type, brand, capacity, and price before you make your decision. This refrigerator buying guide aims to make your job easier by helping you select the one that is right for you.
Youll come across different kinds of models in the market today, such as top/bottom freezer, side-by-side, and French door refrigerators.
A side-by-side refrigerator has a freezer on one side and a refrigerator on the other. It has a large freezer capacity and has always been a popular choice among shoppers. Though they dont score high in the energy-efficient department, they take up less space with their doors open. So if you have limited room in your kitchen, you should consider a side-by-side refrigerator. However, upper or top freezer models can accommodate large horizontal objects like pizza boxes or birthday cakes and are generally less expensive than side-by-side refrigerators. Top mounts typically have smaller freezer compartments than the side-by-side models and if you dont store much in the freezer, it would be an ideal option. The freezer compartment in bottom freezer refrigerators, on the other hand, is bigger than those in top freezer models. The most energy-efficient of the lot, they are also more convenient as their frequently-used refrigerator sections are at eye level. A French door refrigerator has two top sections with two side-by-side doors and a bottom freezer; so you dont have to open the entire fresh food area whenever you want to store or take out food.
Once you have decided on the refrigerator type, the next thing that you must consider before buying a refrigerator is its capacity. Decide on the capacity based on the size of your family. If you are a family of two, then a compact refrigerator with around 8-10 cubic feet should be enough. A 14 cubic feet refrigerator is ideal for a family of 4. If you have a large family, then you probably need a refrigerator with 18-22 cubic feet or more. Make sure you are buying a refrigerator of the right size because a refrigerator that is too big and empty will waste energy and drive up your electricity bill. Its always wise to buy a refrigerator that is Energy Star-qualified as well.
When you have made up your mind about the capacity, move on to the shelves. Some refrigerators have shelves that can be removed whereas others have shelves that can be adjusted without having to remove them. Some can even be reduced to half their depth with a slight push. Ice makers and dispensers are other important aspects to consider while buying a refrigerator. It is better to get models with through-the-door ice and water dispensers.
The next thing that you need to focus on while buying a refrigerator is features like frostfree operation, humidity and temperature controls, door/temperature alarms, water filtration systems, and condensation control. Many LG, Maytag, Haier, Whirlpool, and GE refrigerators incorporate these useful features.
