What to Look For in a New Refrigerator

What to Know Before You Buy

Searching for a new refrigerator can be complicated, and since purchasing one is a huge investment, getting it right the first time is crucial. We recognize how important this is, and want to make sure you find the refrigerator that is right for you! From which brand has the best service, to preparation and which features you can pick from, if you are looking for a new refrigerator this is the blog for you!

Assess Your Space

The first thing you need to do may sound obvious, but it is important to measure your space so that your refrigerator fits perfectly in it. You will want to make sure to measure the width, height, and depth. It is also important to remember that your refrigerator will not be flat against the wall, so leaving a little wiggle room is important when measuring.

Cubic feet are very important to measure as well so that you can make sure all the space you need within the refrigerator will be utilized. Cubic feet for a refrigerator can range from 9-30 cubic feet. 30 cubic feet is typically on the high end, however, more money will be spent to utilize more space. If you have a very large refrigerator with smaller cubic feet, there may be some issues with the installation. 

Door On, or Off

There are only two types of refrigerators. The most common is when the doors come attached when the refrigerator arrives to you. The second is called a panel-ready refrigerator. A panel-ready refrigerator is when the doors come completely blank and are open to customization.

You could have your refrigerator match your cabinets, or you could get a custom door made to match your kitchen aesthetic. Some manufacturers have additional doors for you to purchase as well. 

In addition to these two types, there are also four different styles of refrigerators to choose from. The first two styles are bottom-freezer and top-freezer! The second two are similar. One of these is a side-by-side, which essentially is half freezer half refrigerator. The last style is french door styled. This means the freezer is down below, and the refrigerator reflects the french doors. 

Our Top Refrigerator Choices

In regards to selecting the right brand, we made sure to do our research so that you can pick the brands that will leave you happy not only with the appliance but also with the customer service. Our top 3 recommended refrigerator brands include KitchenAid, GE, and Beko. We selected KitchenAid and GE because of their aftermarket features, and Beko because of the unique features. Bosch is also a great choice because they manufacture their own refrigerators and do not outsource. 

Another important tip when choosing a brand is to call your favorite servicer and see which brands they service in your area. This is important to remember because some brands such as Samsung do not service at all in certain regions. Research is key in picking out new kitchen appliances!

Know Your Fridge Specs

When researching, one thing to check on is how many compressors it has versus how many evaporators it has. The refrigerator compressor is both a motor and a pump that moves the refrigerant through the system. The evaporator is located inside a refrigerator and is the part that makes the items in the refrigerator cold.

The reason why this is so important is homeowners can ensure that the air circulating in the refrigerator is different from the air circulating in the freezer. Some brands only have one compressor and one evaporator, meaning the air is shared and filtered. This is not ideal, and we advise finding a fridge that uses separate air systems.

One brand that does separate them is Bosch. They have been a pioneer for that over the years. In other instances, some will have one compressor and two evaporators. This also keeps the air separate. 

Customer Support is Key

One in every four refrigerators that is purchased will need to be serviced in the first five years. Seeing which brands offer the best service plans, extended warranties, or which brands partner with the best warranty companies.

KitchenAid is typically great with these types of inquiries, but for comparison, KitchenAid and Samsung have had similar amounts of service calls within the first year of purchase. GE and Bosch typically have the lowest number of service calls. The catch is they are a bit more expensive. 

One of the last things to consider is if it has an ethylene gas filter. Ethylene gas can spoil food quickly. This can cause the contaminated food to spoil other food in the refrigerator as well. In many instances, you can place these filters around your refrigerator so that other foods do not spoil each other. 

Finally, it is important to consider the difference between a gimmick and a gadget. When you see features such as a wifi-enabled refrigerator, typically you can tell if they are more reliable by if they are a bit more expensive. If it is a cheaper fridge and they have these gadgets, they may wear down easier or work less effectively. 

Happy shopping, and be sure to follow us on all of our social media platforms to keep up with the latest from Appliance Educator!

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