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mightygeekman

Help Choosing Refrigerator

11 years ago

All,

Having
given up on the dream of owning a pair of 36” SZ fridge/freezer columns for my
new kitchen, I’m resigned to the fact that a “regular” 36” fridge is really all
my family needs. We currently have a 10
year old French-door Jenn-Air that is wonderful, but at “only” 25 cu ft, it
sometimes feels a bit cramped. Not sure
if it’s due to the shelf designs or what, but the newer fridges seem to be
larger inside than our current fridge, even though some of the newer models
claim to have less space.

Also,
after doing a bit of research, it’s been decided that in-door ice/water is not
something we want in a fridge. For
water, we’re planning on having an insta-hot/cold dispenser at the sink, and
getting ice from the freezer seems to have fewer problems than the sometimes
flakey in-door ice dispensers.

Current Contenders:

  • Bosch
    B22CT80SNS
  • Frigidaire
    FGHN2866PF
  • GE
    CWE23SSHSS
  • GE
    Monogram ZWE23PSHSS
  • Kenmore
    Elite 74015
  • LG
    LFCS31626S

These
are purposefully in alphabetical order to avoid bias.

I
removed most other fridges because they either have in-door ice/water, or because
their interior size or fit/finish failed to impress after seeing them in
person. However, if you have a favorite
feel free to shout it out.

So,
here’s my questions:

  1. Which would you recommend and why?
  2. If you own any of these, how useful are the
    dividers and drawers in real-world use?
  3. Is ANY manufacturer’s warranty any
    good? After reading horror stories about
    EVERY manufacturer, I’m wondering if any fridge is worth the price anymore.

Thanks!

G

Comments (16)

  • 11 years ago

    I am having a similar dilemma and look forward to folks experiences and comments! I may take LG out completely. I spent a lot of money for their high end washer / dryer 2 years ago. Dryer has a known issue which LG won't acknowledge even though it is a relatively simple fix. Parts availability and client service are wretched. I've never had this challenge with another reputable vendor.

  • 11 years ago

    Thanks for the Electrolux heads up. I've added the Electrolux EI28BS80KS to my list of potentials. I'm also adding in the Samsung RF260BEAESR/AA, just because it also ticks all the checkboxes of what we're looking for. The Bosch and both GE models have smaller interiors than our current fridge and they're only on the list because they don't have ice/water in the doors. As for counter-depth vs. full-depth, we don't really care as long as the capacity and reliability are there. We can always plan the design around whatever model we decide upon.

    I'm very sad to hear the bad comments on the LG since the 31 cu ft of capacity is very enticing. And at $2K I was thinking it might make sense to get the best aftermarket warranty I could find, which would hopefully alleviate the repair issues. But if that's not feasible, then I'll have to look elsewhere.

    What we're really looking for is the largest capacity fridge with the best reliability we can find that DOESN'T have in-door ice/water.

  • 11 years ago

    Hi, Ty for Electrolux recommendation! We, too, do not want a water dispenser or external ice maker. Reliability and great client service are super important.

  • 11 years ago

    Okay, my current list is as follows:

    • Electrolux EI28BS80KS
    • Frigidaire FGHN2866PF
    • Kenmore Elite 74015
    • LG LFCS31626S
    • Maytag MFF2558DEM
    • Samsung RF260BEAESR/AA

    htc2015 - Regarding the LG W/D, I just did laundry today and realized that we have the LG Tromm W/D! They're about 10 years old, but have been running perfectly without any issues since we bought them. Maybe we got lucky?

  • PRO
    11 years ago

    LG isn't a matter of bad products. They actually make a decent appliance (on the W/D and refrigerator front…less so in the dishwasher/cooking arena). The issue is service. They have few services, fewer of them seemingly capable and little regard for a client being without an appliance for 2 or 3 or 4 weeks at a time! I have had clients without a refrigerator for a month because they couldn't get a part or servicer to correct it properly. Its better than it was a few years back, but you are always taking a risk with the korean brands (LG/Samsung).

  • 11 years ago

    With LG, it may not ever break, and a lot of them never do. The issue is if it does. Joe's comments are similar to my (lack of) LG service and poor client experience. No one at LG cares, even when you escalate to a senior person with facts, including their own service bulletins which one Sears tech gave me and I confirmed in Google searches. LG points to the reseller (Sears in this case, which I'll not use again). Meanwhile, I am left with an expensive and broken dryer. My local and highly regarded appliance store said similar to Joe when looking at options.

    Back to fridges, still searching, trying to balance price vs value. Was hoping for under $2k. Checking into the Electrolux, thank you! This thread is super helpful!

  • 10 years ago

    If anyone has thoughts, welcome them. I can get an Electrolux counter depth French door, model EI23BC30KS, for $2100. OR, a Frigidaire French door counter depth, FGHG2366PF, for $920 including a 5 year all inclusive warranty (parts, labor, food spoilage). The Frigidaire was a special order which was returned for a ding on the side, has no other damage. The ding will be hidden by the cabinet. Anyone looked at or have either, or have sold both and can share pros/cons? I dislike the Frigidaire handles but may overlook it if functionality is similar. Since both are owned by Electrolux, not sure if they may use same internal parts. I don't need water or ice dispensers. Thank you!

  • 10 years ago

    Joe kindly answered my question in another thread. Recommended the Frigidaire due to the pricing, since they are the same core unit. Electrolux owns both lines. My thanks, Joe! You rock!

  • 10 years ago

    I'm also looking to get a new fridge. Not subzero status...rather something that is reliable and looks good. Anyone have experience with these?


    Kitchenaid KBFS25ECMS $1799

    Whirlpool WRS325FNAM $1099

    Electrolux EW28BS85KS $2353

  • 10 years ago

    Unfortunately, no experience with those. Based on Joe's list and other recommendations, the Electrolux he listed has the most usable capacity. The Kitchenaid was nice when I looked at it but the handles were bulkier than Electrolux and it had less usable space. Good luck! Please share what you learn. Thank you to all who continue to help me with their posts.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    B J the kitchenaid and whirlpool are the same basic units. Just a little nicer shelving and different handles on the kitchen aid. The Electrolux will have much more capacity.

    Also the kitchenaid has newer models coming out. I believe it is now a KRFF305ESS

  • 10 years ago

    Thanks everyone. I am still looking at various fridge models. I'm limited in what I can choose since the fridge goes into a corner. Wall on the left side and counter on the right. Cabinets above. So, I'm worried about finding a fridge that will fit and be able to open properly on the left side.

    As some of you mentioned, it is important to me that the units are reliable and there is good customer support.

  • 10 years ago

    BJ, how much space do you have for the fridge? You mention a wall on the left and counter on the right, but how wide is the space between? After all my research I might be able to make a recommendation, but I'd need to know the width, depth, height of the space the fridge needs to fit.

    And a photo wouldn't hurt. ;-)

  • 10 years ago

    FYI, I had a question on Frigidaire and email'd them. In less than 24 hours they responded with an answer, and a working phone number with a knowledgeable person if I had follow up Qs. I got transferred 2 times but they answered the more detailed Q without having me hold a long time. Hoping that is a good sign. Electrolux was serviced by the same team.

  • 10 years ago

    I agree with Joe about his recommendation to buy the GE cafe model. I purchased the French door counter depth model with the indoor water dispenser. I love the fridge. I have had it for over 2 years with no issues.