Quality in Consumer Grade Refrigerators

3 years ago

We are looking to replace our 5 year old Kitchenaid side by side full depth 36 inch refrigerator that we purchased when we built this home. The insulation between the freezer and fresh food section disintegrated (accodring to our repair person) a year ago and has caused massive amount of moisture in the fresh food section, the interior lighting is shorting out, the fresh food section barely keeps at 39 degrees and the water dispenser is starting to have a slight drip (most likely due to our hard water). We do want to stay with a side by side after much discussion with DW and she does not to buy a higher end refrigerator due to the cost and needing to hire the cabinet maker to come back in to modify our cabinets.

It apperars that all of the sub-$5,000 refrigerators are now using Isobutane so we cannot ecape that issue. Side by side units have lost popularity so the selection is limited in full depth models (we had a recess built behind the frige to accomdate a deeper unit). So is there much really much difference in longivity/quality of any of the manufactures (excluding Samsung)? Is an LG any worse than a GE, Whirlpool or any of the other sub brands? Or do you just pick the features (or limit the number of features) and know that the refridgerator will not last as they used to years ago? I know that going to the French Door style would open up additional possibilties but that is not an option for our preferences.

Featured Answer

Kendrah

3 years ago

Whenever I buy an appliance I always use the videos and buying guides from Yale Appliances. It is a large, independent appliance store in the Boston area, which I live nowhere near. However, their information is so useful. They not only get into the appliance nitty gritty, they delve deep into statistics from their large repair center, which helps you understand of the appliances they sell, which brands are always needing repair.

It is a free to use, really reliable source. Yale Appliance Learning Center

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Comments (6)

chicagoans
3 years ago
I'm in the throes of a remodel (and also need a new laptop), so I purchased a subscription to Consumer Reports. It's only $39 for a year of digital access, and it has given me some good information and confidence in my search and selections. Might be worth it for you, too.

FWIW I just checked their side-by-sides ratings for you, and the 3 top rated are all LG, and all of those are under $2k.
Gailan - thanked chicagoans
Toronto Veterinarian
3 years ago
The fridge I currently have is an LG with an ice maker and water dispenser.....when I bought the house it was 4 years old, and I've been here 9 months, so close to 5 years in total. I am on well water with a water softener. Although I turned off the water to the fridge when I bought the house, there have been no problems with the fridge at all, and I have no complaints with the temperature in the fridge or freezer compartments. Before I bought this house I also had an LG; I'd had that one less than 2 years before moving, so I can't attest to longevity, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy an LG again. (Neither of my units were side-by-side.)
Gailan - thanked Toronto Veterinarian
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Gailan -
Original Author
3 years ago
@chicagoans - I did see in the CR 2023 Buying Guide how highly they rated the LG models (the only recommended brand in side-by-sides) and the reilablity is average for nearly all of the brands. I was surprised to see that, not that I totally trust CR.

@Toronto Veterinarian - Thank you for your real world experience. There will always be those that do have issues regardless of brand or model but it almost feels like LG may have improved their product/quality for their refrigeration line..
Toronto Veterinarian
3 years ago
" reilablity is average for nearly all of the brands. I was surprised to see that, "

I wonder if it's a factor of the side-by-side configuration.....The taller compartments will lead naturally to more variable temperatures, which means the unit will have to work harder to maintain proper cooling.
Gailan - thanked Toronto Veterinarian
User
3 years ago
Join the Just Ask Al appliance group on Facebook. You get the unvarnished truth.
Gailan - thanked User