New Refrigerator Recommendations

[jdcyclone19]

Whirlpool (also makes kitchenaid).

Also, I rarely buy protection plans but buying one for a fridge is a good idea if you're spending over $1,500. Most have coverage for spoiled food and product if something happens, in addition to reparing/replacing. Its the rare case where a $150 ext warranty has some merit.

 

[NickTheGreat]

There is not one fridge that has over a 3/5 reliability rating on CR for any brand

This. They're all terrible. Our whirlpool died after 5 or 6 years and that's better than average. And a few repairs along the way.

Replaced with another whirlpool because they 'rank highly'

I don't believe in extended warranties generally but do for fridges.

 

[Sousaclone]

Things I've learned from this thread

1) All refrigerators are trash (which is weird, because in 35 years I can only remember one refrigerator having issues and that was the control board getting fried in a power surge at a rental).
2) I'm weird because I can't remember the last time I ever got ice out of an ice maker for any reason and would never consider a fridge with an indoor ice / water dispenser.

That said, I think my parent's have had very good luck with their GE (I think) french door style for the past 12+ years.

 

[BCClone]

Are you referring to black, or black stainless steel?

Straight black. Nearly all the new builds I go through has black appliances.

 

[cymac2408]

Wife and I got 2 Samsung French door refrigerators over 3 years ago and love them.

 

[Cydaddy]

We built in 2007 and put Whirlpool stainless appliances in and have had no problems. The fridge/freezer is a side by side with ice and water in the door. Space is sometimes tight, but we have an extra fridge/freezer in the garage so that isn't a problem. The ice maker seems a bit slow but we are heavy ice users. Now that I've endorsed Whirlpool I'll probably have one crap out next week.

 

[Cyfan1965]

It does look like Bosch rules the dishwasher world

I finally put my foot down on one appliance and that was a Bosch dishwasher. Quietest most efficient machine we have ever bought. Wife agrees with me now think about that for a minute?

 

[Blackhawk6515]

Do NOT buy a Samsung. You're welcome.

 

[Cyfan1965]

Since we are talking refrigerators I killed our 1950's Hotpoint while defrosting it. Took a chisel to the ice, hit the side wall which made a pin whole and all the coolant went by by. Anyone know of anybody that repairs old fridges like this and does a recharge. Iowa City/Crud Cities area?

 

[BACyclone]

We have had great luck with Kitchenaid, but as of right now their back orders are nuts. Also, I will never again go back to a side by side fridge/freezer. We went french door fridge and it was life changing.

Last time we bought, the house we are in has a relatively small/odd/short space for the fridge.

We were able to find the kind with french door upper and a bottom freezer and it is AWESOME.

It's an LG and it's been fine. One minor issue in the first year but after that no issues. If I were to pick a brand I'd aim for the Whirlpool family, which is most brands.

 

[dmclone]

Things I've learned from this thread

1) All refrigerators are trash (which is weird, because in 35 years I can only remember one refrigerator having issues and that was the control board getting fried in a power surge at a rental).
2) I'm weird because I can't remember the last time I ever got ice out of an ice maker for any reason and would never consider a fridge with an indoor ice / water dispenser.

I think these two things may be related. It seems like one common problem area are the ice makers.

 

[clone4life82]

Electro hypersensitivity. Thanks very much. I've researched 'commercial', but couldn't find anything residential looking. Considering the medical bills thus far, it is worth my while to fork out a bit more to appease this.

wow! I didn’t even know there was such a thing! I’d be interested to learn more about what affects her and how it does if you’d be willing to share? Makes sense on the trade off of medical bills. If your name brands like Amanda, Maytag, Kenmore, etc don’t have options with remote condensing units. You may be better off reaching out to a restaurant or restaurant chain to see if they have recommendations for a reach in cooler? I know where I work we have built up coolers/freezers with the evaporator inside them and the remote condensing unit is outside the building or on another floor. These are typically much larger than what you’d be looking for but they use Russell refrigeration units for them. You could look them up online.

 

[dmclone]

wow! I didn’t even know there was such a thing! I’d be interested to learn more about what affects her and how it does if you’d be willing to share? Makes sense on the trade off of medical bills. If your name brands like Amanda, Maytag, Kenmore, etc don’t have options with remote condensing units. You may be better off reaching out to a restaurant or restaurant chain to see if they have recommendations for a reach in cooler? I know where I work we have built up coolers/freezers with the evaporator inside them and the remote condensing unit is outside the building or on another floor. These are typically much larger than what you’d be looking for but they use Russell refrigeration units for them. You could look them up online.

I just heard a story on the news that the restaurant auction business is going crazy. May be able to pick up a deal.

 

[cyadict]

Not to sound booshie, but the new LG refrigerators can make ice balls for drinks.