Wait a minute, just before you set out to purchase a new refrigerator, have you asked yourself why you should buy an exact refrigerator for your home or business. You might have found one online, or in a catalog, brochure, magazine, or any other source possible. This post is right for you to know more points before you give it a go.
Possibly, you have asked yourself how many years a refrigerator should last before changing it. Well, to avoid stories that touch, we have shared with you here in this post some best buying guides for your refrigerator. Let’s get started.
First, you must know that a refrigerator is an indispensable appliance in the kitchen that you buy only once in 5-10 years. Oh yeah! That answers your question of how many years you should use your refrigerator before changing it. Therefore, if you have your refrigerator under 5 years, and you are already having troubles with it, you either made the wrong choice at the point of purchase or you probably just require a little help to get the problem fixed. Choosing a fridge that’s suitable for your needs in terms of size and features while ensuring it goes well with your kitchen space is not an easy task. Moreover, there are so many options available for refrigerators in the market today, each varying in some way or the other. So, knowing the basics of types of refrigerators and their major pros and cons can assist your purchasing decisions! In this article, we have focused on two main types of refrigerators and freezers.
Built-in Refrigerator
If what you need is a seamless touch to your kitchen where no appliance seems out of place, a built-in refrigerator might be the one for you. While built-in refrigerators were originally designed for large kitchen spaces, there are options available for smaller units as well today. You can get the exterior panels to match the cabinets or leave the stainless-steel finish as it is. Generally, they are taller than free-standing refrigerators with a height of 80 inches and a width of 48 inches on average. The compressor is placed on top.
Benefits:
• The sleek design brings an elegant appeal to your kitchen
• Improved convenience as you can store more items than a free-standing refrigerator
• Saves kitchen space as it is well-integrated into the cabinet area
• These types of fridges have wider compartments
• Energy-efficient technology is environment friendly and lowers your electricity bill
• Longer lifespan due to enhanced durability
Drawbacks:
• They are the most expensive types of refrigerators as they are primarily designed for high-end, commercial-style kitchens.
• In-built refrigerators have less depth in comparison to free standing fridges as they must fit in with cabinet depth.
• Lack of portability can be an inconvenience when you move to another house.
• The installation of the fridge requires expert assistance.
• The height can be an issue when reaching out for compartments in the top.
Freestanding Refrigerators
Freestanding refrigerators are the most common type found in the market and come in a variety of sizes to fit both small and large kitchens. Some models come with wheels so that they can easily be moved around if you want to reorganize the kitchen interior. There are four main types of configurations found in free-standing types such as top mount, bottom mount, French style, and side-by-side. The compressor of a freestanding refrigerator is usually at the bottom.
Benefits:
• Less expensive than in-built refrigerators. They are available at different prices depending on the features and design.
• A variety of options available in terms of style and texture.
• Ease of portability improves convenience as you can set it anywhere with space and electric supply.
• More depth allows you to store more goods.
• Easy to set up and install.
Drawbacks:
• Shorter life span as they are less durable compared to integrated refrigerators and might require repairs from time to time.
• Less height allows you to have only fewer compartments.
• These refrigerators also have shorter compartments due to limited width of 36 inches or less.
• Generally, freestanding fridges don’t perfectly align with cabinets and are more protruding due to their depth.
Freezers
Freezers are mostly used for commercial purposes, although they are not uncommon in domestic usage. Most of the time, your refrigerator freezer can go out of space, especially if you are someone who is used to purchase goods in bulk for later use. A stand-alone freezer can help you with this. There are two major types of freezers to choose from, namely, chest freezer and upright freezer.
Chest Freezer
These freezers usually come with transparent sliding covers or blind covers. It’s ideal if you are looking for a bigger capacity.
Benefits:
• Offers more space than upright freezers.
• Ability to keep food frozen for a long time after a power failure.
• Available in 3 sizes such as small, medium, and large to choose from.
Drawbacks:
• Can be difficult to retrieve food stored at the bottom.
• Larger footprint than upright models.
• The manual de-frosting method can take time.
Upright Freezer
They are similar in appearance to refrigerators with shelves and compartments. Go for this one if your kitchen has less horizontal space to hold a freezer.
Benefits:
• Ability to organize food items better.
• Smaller footprint requires less space to station it.
• Auto-defrosting feature is convenient.
Drawbacks:
• More expensive than chest freezers.
• Less storage capacity in comparison to chest freezers.
• Food is likely to spoil faster during power failures
Brands We Like to Recommend
If you are going to purchase a refrigerator anytime soon, make sure you pay attention to the brand as much as the features. It will ensure top-grade quality, longer life span, and fewer problems. Getting a refrigerator or a freezer from a reputed brand would also make it easier when it comes to repairs and parts replacement. The brands we recommend for you are
• Bosch
• Bertazzoni
• Frigidaire
• General Electric (GE)
• Jenn Air
• Maytag
• Miele
• LG
• Electrolux
• KitchenAid
• Samsung
• Sears Appliances –Kenmore
• Whirlpool
• AEG
• Amana
Common Issues Related to Refrigerator
Refrigerator not working? It can be due to an underlying issue that requires a refrigerator repair expert’s help. The main reason why refrigerators break down or start to malfunction is when there’s a problem with one of its components. This can either be due to a lack of maintenance or depreciation. If you encounter these problems, contact a professional appliance repair service specialized in washing machine repair.
• The refrigerator has stopped working
• Water leaking from the fridge
• The freezer is not cool enough
• The ice maker has stopped making ice
• The refrigerator temperature is inconsistent
• Noisy or faulty compressor
Sometimes, the refrigerator may show a reduction in efficiency if it is nearing the end of its lifespan. However, that doesn’t mean the problem cannot be fixed for its use to be extended. It’s important to troubleshoot the issue to determine if it needs a refrigerator repair, parts replacement, or refrigerator replacement. So, calling a trusted and reliable appliance repair professional is essential.
There is almost no home anywhere in the world without the need for a refrigerator. It is not a luxury, but one of the basic necessities to make our lives much better. Our foods are better preserved, we can keep our leftovers without worrying about spoilage and above all, we will be able to save more money.
Therefore, picking the right one at the point of purchase is highly important. We have highlighted these guides above for you to make a better decision. However, just in case you have any issues with fixing, installing or maybe repairing, do not hesitate to give us a call – 289-426- 0867.
