topic Re: Refrigerators in Home

Refrigerators

gidgetgh — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 12:59:02 GMT

I'm going to be moving to a new house, more than likely in January, and it looks like I will probably leave our current refrigerator in this house and buy a new one for the new house.

Forever, we always had a side by side refrigerator.

3 years ago, we bought a French door with the freezer on the bottom. It's been fine. It's just too big for my needs now.

I went to Home Depot yesterday to do some casual looking and I'm thinking about going back to side by side.

The salesman said the shortage of refrigerators is easing up a little. He suggested waiting for the Black Friday sales to shop for one.

'What are your thoughts about French door vs. side by side?

Re: Refrigerators

sandy53 — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 13:05:32 GMT

I ordered a new side by side in April and am still waiting. The microwave, wall oven, and dishwasher came promptly, but the refrigerator is now saying "early fall." I say order one soon! My choice was limited because of needing black stainless is a specific size.

Re: Refrigerators

queendiva — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 13:09:01 GMT

I have had both. Bought the French door for my previous home. Buyers bought it from me. Inherited a side by side with my present home.

When the time comes I will go back to the French door model. If you prefer smaller, especially a smaller freezer you may prefer the side by side.

Re: Refrigerators

Marp — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 13:11:17 GMT

Before I moved to my current home our refrigerators were always ones with a top freezer. I longed for a side-by-side.

When we moved into my current home it had a side-by-side and it was only a matter of weeks before I was longing for something else. So awkward to to fit some packaged products in the freezer compartment due to its narrowness, things worked their way to the back, which is deeper than in other styles, and being forgotten or requiring items be moved to get to the wanted item. I easily adapted to the refrigerator section but never got used to the freezer compartment.

Finally it died and I replaced it with a French door model with the freezer on the bottom. It took a little while to get the placement of items in the refrigerator section the way I wanted them but the freezer was a joy from day one.

No question on my part, if I had to replace my present refrigerator it will be another French door model.

Re: Refrigerators

Othereeeen — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 13:11:54 GMT

I say order your refrigerator ASAP...

I read an article about refrigerators destroyed by the tens of thousands in New Orleans and other places that had flooding that affected the refrigerators...

Apparently, when food such as meat spoils inside a fridge, the odor permeates the insulation in the fridge, the insides where one can't clean, etc....and they must be replaced.

There will probably be LOTS of refrigerators ( as well as other appliances) needing to be replaced so you might consider that when waiting to order one...

It's a sad fact of result of flooding in a major hurricane....and IDA flooded TWICE the areas that usual hurricanes do...

I feel so bad for those who were flooded.....what a mess and with the shortage of people to hire and winter coming ( in the NE) it's going to be terrible.

Re: Refrigerators

Shelbelle — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 13:20:49 GMT

I stilll love my side by side, but I have a very big 27 cu ft, which means the freezer is fairly wide, a smalller model would mean a smaller and narrower freezer.

Re: Refrigerators

On It — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 13:23:31 GMT

@gidgetgh The side-by-side is my least favorite configuration. The freezer is too narrow and its space is inefficient. As for French Door, I like having the refrigerator on top so that the items we use the most are at eye level. The bottom freezer is cut up by drawers that must slide and cost some storage capacity, but I much prefer the French Door to a side-by-side.

If you want a smaller refrigerator, don't rule out the traditional top freezer style. The freezer space is unobstructed and holds a considerable amount of frozen food. The down side is your vegetable drawers are practically on the floor and more difficult to access.

Re: Refrigerators

gidgetgh — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 13:29:23 GMT

@sandy53 wrote:
I ordered a new side by side in April and am still waiting. The microwave, wall oven, and dishwasher came promptly, but the refrigerator is now saying "early fall." I say order one soon! My choice was limited because of needing black stainless is a specific size.

@sandy53 - the rep at Home Depot said the longest they will hold one once sold, without delivering it, is 90 days. My house won't be ready in 90 days. He said it was way too early to order for a January delivery.

Re: Refrigerators

PeggySusie — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 13:37:24 GMT

I love my freezer on the bottom, refrigerator on top model. Did not want to deal with french doors.

Re: Refrigerators

kaydee50 — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 13:39:52 GMT

We've always had the "old fashioned" freezer on the top. In our current condo we have a side by side and we HATE it. Can't wait until it breaks down. The freezer section is practically useless--so narrow. When we get a new refrigerator, it will be with the freezer on the bottom.

Re: Refrigerators

Carolina925 — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 13:44:21 GMT

I've had freezer on top, freezer on bottom, side by side, which I unfortunately now have. The freezer space in mine is so small and I lose things all the time because there's no way to keep it in order. I know there are very high end models that have all the space you can hope for, but I had to get a middle line model. When this one goes, I'm going to the freezer on bottom. At least I can buy trays to keep things in order. I love to fill up my freezer in the summertime with fresh veggies, fruits, and seafood. My side by side won't allow all that. Good luck with your search.

Re: Refrigerators

CAcableGirl2 — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 13:58:56 GMT

@gidgetgh I would order it now. Ask Home Depot of they will match the price if it gets lowered before your item gets delivered. Or, you can always try Sams Club or Costco and see if they will match the price if it is lowered while you are waiting. You might be able to cancel if not delivered and then re-order at the lower price, if the delivery time is not going to be a problem.

Honestly, if I could take the current refrigerator with me, I would and then upgrade. At least you would still have one while you are waiting.

I think the shortages will continue and as someone else posted, there is going to be a lot of need for appliances as many homes were destroyed.

And french door style for me, I had a side by side for many years, and the freezer was always too narrow. I also got rid of the water feature and only have the ice machine, because I didn't want to give up the extra space just to have a water dispenser.

Re: Refrigerators

catter70 — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 14:05:32 GMT

Many, many years ago I had a refrigerator that you had to defrost by putting in a pan of hot water and chipping away at the ice. My mother's neighbor was getting rid of her side by side so we bought it. I never liked it. It seemed like both sides were too small for anything. I like my freezer on top and if it goes, I'd get another, if they still make that style.

Re: Refrigerators

Sooner — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 14:18:45 GMT

@gidgetgh wrote:
I'm going to be moving to a new house, more than likely in January, and it looks like I will probably leave our current refrigerator in this house and buy a new one for the new house.

Forever, we always had a side by side refrigerator.

3 years ago, we bought a French door with the freezer on the bottom. It's been fine. It's just too big for my needs now.

I went to Home Depot yesterday to do some casual looking and I'm thinking about going back to side by side.

The salesman said the shortage of refrigerators is easing up a little. He suggested waiting for the Black Friday sales to shop for one.

'What are your thoughts about French door vs. side by side?

I despise our French door fridge. There is not enough room for tall things, and I have to dig to find anything--in either compartment.

I would go back to side by side in a heartbeat but hubby likes it so he can dig for it. I can't get anything off the top shelf, of this one either.

Re: Refrigerators

ScrapHappy — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 15:13:38 GMT

Personally, I would keep the fridge you have now for a couple of reason: 1. you don't know when/if you'll be able to get another. 2. We are still in a pandemic and it's nice to have extra fridge/freezer space (keep in garage). I was watching Clark Howard the other day. He discussed appliances and said that new appliances seem to be arriving, but are still limited. The style you may prefer may not be available. He also said there are really no deals/sales to be had so if you don't need one right away, to wait. I like french door style better. It's not just about the room, everything just fits better. They come in all sizes.

Re: Refrigerators

queendiva — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 15:25:50 GMT

@gidgetgh : Another option not yet mentioned for a smaller fridge/freezer would be a counter-depth unit in either style.

Re: Refrigerators

Sweetbay magnolia — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 15:44:45 GMT

I've had experience with all of those, and frankly, I like the old freezer on top option. I use the freezer intensively and it is easy to sort/re-sort my stash.

I have a very small fridge (I think it's no more than 15 cubic feet) but it works extremely well. I just have to keep it organized, and I do.

I had a really cool retro side-by-side but no. No room for a boxed frozen pizza! My mom has the French door and good grief, the bottom freezer just seems to swallow everything. Maybe it's just too big for her needs.

Re: Refrigerators

gidgetgh — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 15:47:38 GMT

@queendiva wrote:
@gidgetgh : Another option not yet mentioned for a smaller fridge/freezer would be a counter-depth unit in either style.

@queendiva - thanks. I'm pretty sure I'm going with counter depth this time.

Re: Refrigerators

rockygems123 — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 15:55:30 GMT

@gidgetgh wrote:
I'm going to be moving to a new house, more than likely in January, and it looks like I will probably leave our current refrigerator in this house and buy a new one for the new house.

Forever, we always had a side by side refrigerator.

3 years ago, we bought a French door with the freezer on the bottom. It's been fine. It's just too big for my needs now.

I went to Home Depot yesterday to do some casual looking and I'm thinking about going back to side by side.

The salesman said the shortage of refrigerators is easing up a little. He suggested waiting for the Black Friday sales to shop for one.

'What are your thoughts about French door vs. side by side?

@gidgetgh

Do you freeze larger size items, like freezing ice trays with left over chicken / beef broth, leftover fresh lemon juice or small portions of pesto or other semi solids or liquids? I use the larger flat area in my pull out freezer drawer in my french door refrigerator, couldn't be without it. Side by side too narrow for me for my purposes. We also have a door within a door that allows partially opening the refrigerator on one side with immediate access of your favorite items.

Re: Refrigerators

Marp — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 15:58:14 GMT

@gidgetgh, I very much agree with other posters that appliances may become even more difficult to get due to all the flooding.

Since you will have other things to move come January would it be feasible to take delivery of the new refrigerator now and store it at your present location until moving day?