Choosing a Refrigerator

Apr 22, 2016

If you haven’t been in the market for a refrigerator for a while, you may be a bit overwhelmed when it comes to choosing one as manufacturers continue to add to their wide range of styles, capacity, features, and even colors. Stephen Erb, manager at Appliance Gallery, offers some tips.

“Before the shopping begins, whether or not you are being assisted by a professional remodeler, do a little research on what will work best for your household,” he said. “Do you like to have plenty of fresh ingredients on hand, entertain where you need extra space for large platters, have a family where the doors will open and close frequently, or just need the basics of keeping food and beverages cold?

“If you are simply replacing a refrigerator, instead of working with a new build or a remodel, measure the space carefully so you know what will fit. Note that the top hinge adds a half-inch to an inch of height. In a kitchen remodeling project, you can choose the appliances first, and then the cabinetry can be designed around them,” Erb said.

Types and Styles

When doing your research, determine whether you want a freestanding, counter-depth, or built-in/integrated model. Standard freestanding refrigerators are usually about 30- to 35-in. deep and give you the greatest amount of storage. They are finished on both sides and the top so they can stand adjacent to a counter or cabinet and can slide into a pre-existing alcove. When placed, they will typically extend beyond the cabinets or countertops. A counter-depth refrigerator is a full-size model, which is usually available in various capacities and finishes, but designed to fit flush with a standard counter. Built-ins or integrated models are flush with the cabinetry, with custom fronts that match.

There are also column units, which are individual thin refrigerator and freezer units designed to fit in spaces between 24- to 36-inches. The columns can be placed side-by-side or separated to maximize space.

You also need to decide if you prefer a French-door model, side-by-side, or freezer on the bottom. Each has certain advantages. The French door offers the option of storing and easy removal of large party platters. A side-by-side gives you instant viewing of your freezer holdings, but narrow shelves may make fitting large items difficult, unless the shelves are removable. Freezer on the bottom gives you a lot of room for frozen foods; however, viewing all items may be more difficult because of items getting stored on top of each other.

There are choices in colors and finishes too. Stainless remains perpetually popular, but if you have young children or a household where many people are accessing the fridge, you may want to consider a model that is “smudge-proof.” For those who enjoy a burst of color, some manufacturers offered pre-finished or custom panels.

Features Abound

“Feature options are many and it’s all about what your household will find most user-friendly. Consider in-door water and ice dispenser, soda can dispensers, adjustable controls for drawers, door within a door for easy access to frequently used items, adjustable door bins, child lock systems, programmable control panels, and more,” Erb said, adding that premium models take the bells and whistles up a notch. For example:

• Jenn-Air includes a Precision Temperature Management System with electronically controlled sensors that monitor the environment, automatically adjusting temperatures to maintain ideal levels for optimal food preservation.
• Thermador offers Theater LED Lighting, which fades in when the unit is opened and illuminates all items from the front and sides – so that all food can be seen – and nothing remains overlooked or forgotten.
• Viking Professional 5 Series Refrigerators have the exclusive Plasmacluster™ Ion Air Purifier, which uses advanced ion technology to eliminate airborne bacteria, mold, and odors to enhance food preservation with no filter required.
• Sub-Zero’s refrigerator columns include digital temperature controls, which can be set to the degree. An air cleaner is employed to preserve foods by scrubbing the ethylene gasses off spoiling foods and shelving has nano technology to eliminate spills from spreading as well as a vacuum seal to prevent air from infiltrating into the refrigerator.
• Liebherr’s SuperCool function chills fresh food quickly to seal in flavors and textures. With the SuperFrost function, food can be frozen at its highest quality to best preserve the vitamins, taste, and appearance. After the SuperFrost function is completed, the appliance automatically switches back to its standard mode.

“When purchasing your new refrigerator, consider what is important to you for everyday use,” Erb said. “Visit a specialty appliance showroom to see if you prefer the look and feel of one brand over another and an expert can answer all your questions.”