Thread Number: 68578  /  Tag: Refrigerators
Who has the best refrigerator these days?
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Post# 913324   12/31/2016 at 14:32 (2,644 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)        

My parents bought a new fridge several weeks ago. They wanted something that was basically the same as what they had before which was a Kenmore made by GE. They ended up getting a Kenmore made by Haier and got the extended warranty on it.

I felt like a basic Whirlpool side by side or any of its Kenmore Amana, etc clones would be a good choice, because it still uses the same dial controls since the 80s. I thought it would be tried and true. None of the other fridges on the market seem to have changed as little. The GE made now looked very little like their old one.

They were not interested in the side by side idea as they didn't want the dispensers. My mom was sliglty interested in a basic side by side with no dispensers. Ultimately the one they bought was the closest they could find to shelving arrangement as the old one, top freezer ice maker.

I saw very fancy models out. Ones with touch screens, drawers, even speakers. But I couldn't imagine paying that much. The salespeople at Sears and the independent dealer said the new ones will last 7 years at most, not 20+ like the old one.





Post# 913338 , Reply# 1   12/31/2016 at 16:13 (2,644 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
The Truth...

NO ONE has ANY good appliances these days!

Post# 913344 , Reply# 2   12/31/2016 at 16:42 (2,644 days old) by jkbff (Happy Rock, ND)        

jkbff's profile picture
Whirlpool makes a side by side with no dispensers.

The more and more produce I keep, the more I'm liking the idea of dual evaporators, separate cooling systems.

I'll probably end up getting an all fridge unit and an all freezer unit..

Ge seems to be pretty reliable, Whirlpool is getting better, LG is good as well. Samsung... is our most repaired fridge.


Post# 913351 , Reply# 3   12/31/2016 at 17:39 (2,644 days old) by abcomatic (Bradford, Illinois)        

I have a bottom freezer Whirlpool and love it.


Post# 913376 , Reply# 4   12/31/2016 at 21:23 (2,644 days old) by PassatDoc (Orange County, California)        

I own a 2004 Frigidaire counter depth side by side (yes, with icemaker/dispenser). It has had only one repair issue in 12 years: the intake solenoid valve that fills the icemaker broke and needed replacement ($65 from RepairClinic.com). Otherwise operation has been flawless. Very pleased with it, and would buy another like it if it died. If I get more than ten years from it, it's icing on the cake. Twenty years would be nice.

Post# 913381 , Reply# 5   12/31/2016 at 21:50 (2,644 days old) by PassatDoc (Orange County, California)        

This post has been removed by the member who posted it.



Post# 913605 , Reply# 6   1/2/2017 at 11:05 (2,642 days old) by Xraytech (Rural southwest Pennsylvania )        

xraytech's profile picture
I have a 2013 GE bottom freezer, I specifically wanted a bottom freezer with NO dispensers and NO ice maker. I just wish I bought one a bit bigger than the 29 cu ft one I did.



Post# 913618 , Reply# 7   1/2/2017 at 12:14 (2,642 days old) by Sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
My circa 2000 KitchenAid (made by Whirlpool) side by side with dispenser is going on 17 years with no reliability problems. The only issue I've seen is that if one stacks stuff on the top fridge shelf so that it blocks the cold air inlet from the top of the freezer compartment, it may cause icing in the water tube to the ice maker, which in turn can cause leakage into the bottom of the freezer compartment.

It experienced that about 15 years ago, and was "repaired" under warranty, that is, a new ice maker control board installed. It didn't change anything, and when I accidentally blocked the air flow again, the ice blockage returned. That time I just used a hair dryer to thaw out the frozen water tube and have since been more careful not to block the air flow.

The only other issue is that the ice cubes tend to clump a bit in the bin, and periodically I have pull a large clump out and toss it. The ice maker must heat the cubes (crescents, really) to facilitate their ejection from the freeze molds, and I think the small amount of water that introduces is the cause of the clumping. Even so, it's a minor gripe.

If I were to buy new to day, I'd get one of the bottom freezer French door models with ice/water dispenser. Last month both Costco and Home Depot had a model on sale for about $1200. This month the price has bumped back up to $1900.

I'm a big fan of in door ice/water dispensers, and don't really understand why anybody would be against them, if the price is right. They help one drink more water and stay hydrated, without having to open the fridge doors to get out a water jug and the freezer door to get ice. Plus, they always come with a water filtration setup, which removes off-tastes from otherwise kind of gross tap water. I even use the filtered water from the fridge to make coffee each morning.



Post# 913635 , Reply# 8   1/2/2017 at 13:23 (2,642 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)        

ea56's profile picture
I'm old school when it comes to refrigerators. We bought a new one in August, a 15.5 cf. top freezer GE. No frills, wire shelves. I did purchase an extra shelf though and this gives us the same amount os shelf storage space as the 18 cf we had before. Since we don't have the plumbing connection for an icemaker that wasn't an issue. We don't use much ice anyway, so making it in trays is no problem at all. As for filtered water, we have a Brita filter on the kitchen faucet and it gives great tasting water and we drink alot of it. I don't care for side by side fridges as the shelves are narrow and if I need to refrigerate a wide item there is not enough room. This new GE really holds the temp at a constant 35 and 0 F degrees in the fridge and freezer respectively. Plus, since we have a small kitchen it fits in the space allocated for it well, instead of overtaking the kitchen with all refrigerator.
Eddie


Post# 913672 , Reply# 9   1/2/2017 at 17:27 (2,642 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture

We have a Whirlpool SxS, at least 12 years old. I replaced the ice maker today, otherwise, it's been flawless.


Post# 913704 , Reply# 10   1/2/2017 at 20:47 (2,642 days old) by Dustin92 (Jackson, MI)        

We have a lower end GE that's about to celebrate it's 17th birthday, not a single repair at all. Top freezer with ice maker (took the ice maker out when we moved into this house almost 6 years ago) and aside from a good vacuuming of the coils and fan every year or so, it hasn't had a screw turned. Extremely pleased with it.

Post# 913755 , Reply# 11   1/3/2017 at 09:20 (2,641 days old) by dermacie (my forever home (Glenshaw, PA))        
refrigerator

dermacie's profile picture
I have a Samsung 27 cubic inch side-by-side refrigerator that I spent a good chunk of change on that is garbage and I hate it. I went against my better judgement and listened to my brother when I bought it. I wanted a GE.

It has one cracked drawer already that needs replaced and the ice maker is not that great. Every once in a while it needs defrosted because it wont keep cool and ice must get stuck somewhere and needs unplugged.

I have nothing good to say about it.


Post# 913890 , Reply# 12   1/4/2017 at 06:12 (2,640 days old) by polkanut (Wausau, WI )        

polkanut's profile picture

Our Magic Chef fridge will be 20 years old this June.  No ice maker in it.  Still runs like a champ! 


Post# 913892 , Reply# 13   1/4/2017 at 06:26 (2,640 days old) by brucelucenta ()        

It would be interesting to find out exactly what NEW refrigerator is best. I have an LG made one that has been a constant problem. Thing is huge and cost over 3 grand. I wonder just how long it will last and what to get when it does finally bite the bullet. I fortunately have a service contract on it for now.

Post# 913896 , Reply# 14   1/4/2017 at 06:53 (2,640 days old) by iheartmaytag (Wichita, Kansas)        

iheartmaytag's profile picture
Mixed metaphors anyone? Anyone?

Post# 913897 , Reply# 15   1/4/2017 at 07:02 (2,640 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

joeypete's profile picture
I've been trying to decide on this myself. My Frigidaire 18 cu ft one is now 12 years old. I've been using it for just over 2 years without any problems. I've always liked GE's fridges so I'll probably end up with one of theirs if I need a new one.

Post# 913917 , Reply# 16   1/4/2017 at 11:31 (2,640 days old) by jkbff (Happy Rock, ND)        

jkbff's profile picture
I have a 30" counter depth 19 cu ft Samsung french door that was a year old when I got it. A customer was fed up with it and bought a GE. I took it. Knowing what I was getting in to, the fridge evaporator freezes up every 2 months like clockwork. I have to pull everything out, take the back panel out, run my dyson heater in it so it will all thaw.

I've put an extension on the heating element so heat gets down in the drain tube better, I've just recently replaced a temp sensor and a thermal fuse.

It was originally used for veggies etc, but has since been pulled into every day service because I didn't want a big fridge jutting out in the new kitchen..

It is going to be replaced when I find the one I want.


Post# 913940 , Reply# 17   1/4/2017 at 14:22 (2,640 days old) by dermacie (my forever home (Glenshaw, PA))        
sub zero

dermacie's profile picture
anyone have any thoughts on subzero I am going to have a kitchen remodel soon and might be interested in one.

Post# 914003 , Reply# 18   1/4/2017 at 19:36 (2,640 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)        

I should add, my parents bought a Kenmore freezer made by Frigidaire for their pantry in 2013. It has electronic controls and hasn't had any issues. Keeps everything hard frozen.

Interestingly none of Kenmore's top freezer fridges are made by GE or Whirlpool to my knowledge. They all seem to be LG, Haier, or Frigidaire.

The side by sides are Whirlpools with some of the fancier ones by LG, same with their french door models. Not sure who makes their freezers or mini fridges, although I know some all freezers are Frigidaire like my parents'.


Post# 914014 , Reply# 19   1/4/2017 at 20:08 (2,640 days old) by Sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
When I was looking around 2000, I came to the conclusion that Whirlpool/KA had best lineup going. GE had blown their fridge division by coming out with self-destructing compressors in the 90's. I simply didn't trust them. Whirlpool was also sporting some of the best energy ratings at the time

Ice makers always seem to be the weak link. Mine hasn't failed, but I expect one day it will. I also have a KA top freezer fridge in the second kitchen, and it's OK. I disabled the ice maker in that one because there was no need for it there. My one gripe about the top freezer is that it was one of the newer (at the time) models with "curved doors". Well, they are curved all right, but after a couple of years the internal insulation (polyurethane foam?) shrunk and caved in the doors so they no longer have a smooth curve. I can tell the sides of the fridge have the same problem. I don't think it affects efficiency much. I contacted Whirlpool and sent them photos but they insisted on having someone come in person and then charging me for a service visit if he decided it wasn't a mfg. defect. I got annoyed at that and never did get it fixed. The fridge sits in an out of the way spot so I don't have to look at it very often :-). Eventually I'll probably replace it with a bottom freezer unit. Or maybe with the '48 GE I have sitting idle in the garage ;-). It has one of those tiny freezers that can hold maybe 1/2 gallon of ice cream, but there's a chest freezer right next to it.



Post# 914073 , Reply# 20   1/5/2017 at 07:43 (2,639 days old) by joeypete (Concord, NH)        

joeypete's profile picture
I just helped my friend pick out appliances and from what I discovered all Kenmore fridges are either Whirlpool or LG sourced. The Kenmore Elite's were all LG's...everything else was Whirlpool. I don't know though about the smaller capacity ones...these were full size I was looking at. You can tell by looking at the user manual. It has the actual model number with manufacturer code on it.

Post# 915569 , Reply# 21   1/13/2017 at 21:15 (2,631 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)        

The mid sized one my parents have is definitely Haier made, although I just saw a GE that looked just like it so in a way I guess you could say it is GE sourced also, interesting, as their old one was a GE badged Kenmore, in a way the new one is too I guess.

My grandparents have the TOL Kenmore top freezer with water dispenser inside and it's an LG, looks very similar to my parent's though at first glance

Some of the other Kenmore top freezers are Frigidaire made judging by the controls and freezer vents.


Post# 915840 , Reply# 22   1/15/2017 at 19:56 (2,629 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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I have Frigidaires from 1994 (at work), 2002 (in kitchen) and 2006 (2nd fridge on lower level). All are top freezer; none have the ice maker installed. None have required service. I have friends with a Samsung 3-door who curse the day it was purchased. Also have a trouble-free self-defrosting upright 2011 Frigidaire (in heated tuck-under garage).

Given my experiences, I'll cast a vote for Frigidaire.


Post# 915844 , Reply# 23   1/15/2017 at 20:27 (2,629 days old) by washman (o)        

Given my experiences, I'll cast a vote for Frigidaire

 

Thus the name Frigilux!

 

 

Hi Frig!


Post# 915846 , Reply# 24   1/15/2017 at 20:37 (2,629 days old) by washman (o)        

FWIW, I have the frig FFTR1821QM Lowes "exclusive" that was installed by the bloke who build my home.

 

Does it keep the food cold? Yes. Is it convenient? Not really. I don't care for the wire shelves. I cannot get a good temp balance of 0 in the freezer and 37 in the fresh food compartment.  In the defrost cycle the temp goes almost to 30 deg in the freezer compartment.

 

And to top it all off, it is one noisy mother. Makes all kinds of grunts, groans, and assorted noises more at home in a Warner Bros. cartoon than my home.

 

It can be equipped with an icemaker but mine does not have it.

 

If I had it to replace it, I don't know if I would get another unit like this. Regardless of brand, I'd go for glass shelves. And assem. in USA would be a priority. Union made if I can help it! cool


Post# 915881 , Reply# 25   1/16/2017 at 06:24 (2,628 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
Hi, Ben!

All three of my Frigidaires (the 1994 is actually branded as a Gibson) have glass shelves. I wouldn't like wire shelves, either. The Frigidaires are not without their flaws--especially the astounding selection of otherworldly noises they emit---but I've never had a single problem with them, so I'm happy.

Oh, and the 2011 upright in the garage is a freezer, not a refrigerator. Forgot to add the word 'freezer' to that sentence two posts up.


Post# 915939 , Reply# 26   1/16/2017 at 15:32 (2,628 days old) by brucelucenta ()        
dermacie

Sub Zero refrigerators have always been very reliable and seem to last for many many years with no problems. That is probably why they cost so much.

Post# 915979 , Reply# 27   1/16/2017 at 21:43 (2,628 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Sub Zeros Have always been very reliable

combo52's profile picture

WOW, I have never heard of anyone that called SZs reliable, you are smoking some good stuff Bruce.

 

That said SZs are nicely designed and usually good performers, but they are Very expensive to buy and service and will need a lot more service and repair in their frist 30 years of use than just about any other good domestic refrigerator.

 

If I were doing a kitchen now and wanted a nice built-in ref I would look first at Kitchenaid, KA is still expensive and not always the most reliable but usually better than SZ.

 

Diffidently avoid GE Monogram and Viking BI refs at all costs, but of these manufactures have been nothing trouble in the BI ref arena.

 

When you are spending $5000-10,000 on a ref keep in mind that this is not the last money you will spend, and as always skip the service contracts, if you can't afford to have it fixed you should not be buying this appliance.

 

John L.


Post# 915981 , Reply# 28   1/16/2017 at 22:05 (2,628 days old) by Lorainfurniture (Cleveland )        

Sub zero is ok, but I agree with John, they need service every 5-10 years just like every other fridge. Only difference is the sub zero will be 3x the cost. As a servicer, I charge more to work on sub zero basically just because it's a sub zero. There aren't that many people willing to work on them so I can charge whatever I want.

As far as "regular" fridges, I really like LG. Other than a little spat that they had last year with a bad batch of linear compressors, their sealed systems will typically outlast any other brand. They are very easy to diagnose, and parts are relatively cheap.


Post# 915985 , Reply# 29   1/16/2017 at 23:22 (2,627 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Why not

Just get a good fridge....Round corners, a latch on the door,NOT frost free,all poecelain interiors and crispers, metal ice trays with a lever to release the ice, no fans, no heaters....Now THAT is a good fridge...and they haven't been made in 50 years!

Post# 915987 , Reply# 30   1/16/2017 at 23:34 (2,627 days old) by jkbff (Happy Rock, ND)        

jkbff's profile picture
I should add that I have a sxs frigidaire that was built in 09. He keeps running, no matter where he is at.

I would have no problem buying a non-dispenser frigidaire french door, or another sxs. They are very reliable and serviceable. The dispener french door electroluxes/french doors on the otherhand, I'd stay very very far away from.


Post# 916096 , Reply# 31   1/17/2017 at 17:19 (2,627 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

One of my neighbors got a SZ refrigerator when they built the house around '85. It was still there the last time I was in the kitchen, which was about a year ago. I remember Ann telling my mom she wished she had got something else, as it had to be worked on numerous times.

Post# 916141 , Reply# 32   1/18/2017 at 00:17 (2,626 days old) by jkbff (Happy Rock, ND)        

jkbff's profile picture
My thoughts on SubZero and other high-end built in fridges...

People think that because they are spending 6k+ on a fridge, it is supposed to just work and not cause a problem.. I get it. The reality, its not like that.

People spend 6K+ on a car and take it in yearly (at minimum) for routine maintenance etc.

Appliances need to be taken care of. They need to be cleaned and serviced.. We have a ton of built-in fridges around the area.. The people that take care of them, clean them and maintain them have the oldest ones and they keep working.

The people that neglect them are always calling for service....


Post# 916158 , Reply# 33   1/18/2017 at 04:53 (2,626 days old) by ConcettaParsons (Canada)        

My husband recently bought me a new refrigerator as a surprise gift for our wedding anniversary. Our's is Bosch 800 series 24" glass door counter-depth bottom freezer refrigerator ( www.bestbrandappliance.ca/en/cata... ). I just love it because the black tempered glass provides durability and it enhances the design style of our kitchen. It also has an additional wine rack to store our favorite wine bottles. It has a lot of space and it is supercool. It has met all my expectations and this is the best refrigerator that I've ever used.

Post# 916214 , Reply# 34   1/18/2017 at 12:11 (2,626 days old) by firedome (Binghamton NY & Lake Champlain VT)        
iirc...

firedome's profile picture
a few years back CU rated SZ fridges among the most trouble-prone of all makes. People I know who have had them have had numerous expensive problems. Kind of like owning an expensive German car!


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