Refrigerator ideas

Our 18 cubic foot top freezer is on its last leg due to compressor making "not happy" noise and vibrations. At least it's still working but don't know how long so started the search for a replacement. I've heard GE and Whirlpool are two of the better brands and have decent support. LG is also rated high, but customer service is poor at best. My instinct is to stay top freezer, but others would like to have ice maker with door dispenser and that would make us move to a side by side. Never had one but concerned about the narrow spaces in it, plus we are limited to 34" wide and 68.5" tall.
Just thought I would reach out and get ideas from other members. I guess one plus, is they only last around 5 years so we wouldn't have to live with it long if we don't care for it.

 

I would never get another side by side.

You can't fit anything large in them no cookie sheets , pizza boxes etc.
If I had only thought of that before buying.

We do have a standard top freezer refridge in the basement for things that don't fit, and cold adult beverages.

If I could do it over it would be a double door side by side on top and freezer on bottom.

 

We've had standard top and bottom freezer fridges and now a double door fridge with bottom freezer drawer...we like it best...its very functional.

I'd consider having an appliance repair guy look at the old fridge first...it might just need a good cleaning and maybe a rubber compressor mount replaced, something like that...even if this fridge is not that old, the newer you go, the less you get for your money, as far as longevity...even the "high end" stuff. In my opinion the older stuff is often worth fixing...they try to sell the new ones by saying that they use a lot less electric than the old ones do...BS! I put a Kill-A-Watt on my old 50's Frigidaire and then on my new Whirlpool...totaled up after a week, very little difference. Both the same size and both top freezers.

 

Freezer on the bottom is great. Wouldn't go back.

 

X2

 

I like freezer on bottom also. Just so much easier

 

I just bought a new fridge last month. All of the bottom freezer and side by side refrigerators were too tall for my space 67.5 inches. I wanted a double door fridge with bottom freezer but none would fit

 

We have a bottom freezer and love it also. Ours is a Whirlpool. I'll get some debate going with the next advice. I would stay away from Frigidaire. I have not had any luck with them.

 

now days about all you can do is buy an extended warranty or pony up a grand every few years for a new unit. that old late 40's fridge I had was still working fine and out lasted 5 newer models. No freezer but I have a small chest type freezer ($150. new) which has way more room than any combined unit. My old Norge washer tranny gave out no way to fix it, got one of those HE units made it just past the 5 year warranty. ( waste of $600+) the Hall effect sensor in the stator went south but that isn't considered the motor ( funny with out the stator the armature ani't gonna due squat- 10 year motor warranty ya right, news flash ya need both to make a motor but LG dosen't think that way) Hot water heaters 6 year warranty yup in the 7th yea gonna need a new one - use to last at least double the warranty or more ( mine right now is 31 years old- installed1991)- replacement is at least a grand- maybe it is because it is still has a standing pilot type vs the new stuff with on demand pilot light ( and that is mostly the problems arise on those) furnace in my shop 90% type have to replace the exhaust motor every 2 seasons have another in shop also. old style haven't touched it in 25 years. New stuff must be what keeps people employed I guess. ( if you find them that want to work)
If any of your appliances have electronics in them get a very good quality surge suppressor on the power line to it ( That $25 one from walmart aint' gonna do the job). won't solve all the problems but reduces quite a few.

 

In order to get my side by side refrigerator/freezer, I had to buy a house and then they through in the appliances!

We decided immediately that if you are by yourself, it's a good setup. But if not. go for the bottom freezer and french door upper for the fridge. The side by side has failed a time or two but I keep fixing it. Water valve was first, defrost heater and t stat for the freezer was 2nd. Did both repairs for less than $50 but maybe should have bought the new one right away.

Only looking for a upright freezer now a days.

 

When I bought my Whirlpool it made it 1 month past the 1 year warranty before the evap motor died...was only $30 though, but still....grrrr...bottom line is they are all crap anymore.
Supposedly Lehman's Hardware has (had?) some fridges that are still made to last...but they are VERY spendy too! Modern fridge made to look like an antique one, and has a really long full warranty...10 years maybe? But last time I looked at them was maybe 10-12 years ago and I think they were $4-5k even then! But that "retro" stuff always does cost more.
Found this too...Best Refrigerator Warranty (2022 Guide)

 

With the back off of the noise is coming from the compressor as well as the vibrations. As tempting as it is to have someone come look at it, just can't see spending good money after bad, but maybe I'm wrong. Looking at going with a GE 33" wide french door with freezer on the bottom. Includes water dispenser in frig part and an ice maker but no dispenser for it. $240 for a 5-year full warranty so will add that as well.

 

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

 

Me too. I always had top door freezers before I moved into my current house. The house came with a bottom door fridge. I really like it. Since I use the fridge door way more than the freezer door, that means less stooping / bending to get stuff on the bottom shelf. It is a Kenmore and was several years old when I moved here November 2013, and still going strong. The bad news is that I've heard Kenmore ain't what it used to be (or is it still even around - IDK).

 

Stephiedoll The last frig we bought was a Whirlpool and we are very pleased with it. We also had space constraints to consider and the one we have is a side by side, 33 inches wide and 66 inches high. We had to go with a side by side because of a counter that was close to the front of the frig. We opted for NO ice maker because we had been told that ice makers for most brands are made by one company and they are prone to have a lot of problems. My ice cube trays haven't failed yet

 

Thats what we've had since 2013. The side by side opens to the entire fridge. Sometimes PITA finding stuff buried in the freezer, but much better than a standard side by side. Our basement fridge came from my mothers when she went into the home and we had to clean out her place. It is newer than our unit. Freezer is full but fridge has plenty of room. Its a mid sized top/bottom model/

I would go with GE Stephiedoll Ive had good luck with them. If price is a concern, check for scratch and dent clearance appliances. Got a new dryer for half price that way. Big box stores.

 

We did go with a GE 33" wide by 68.5" tall. Just fit, but I guess I was off on the depth, so it sticks out some. Not a major issue and who knows, I may come up with an option to hide some of that. Also went with a 5-year warranty just in case.

 

I think that is pretty normal for them to stick out like that...a least all of them I've had have.

 

Looks good. Should give you years of good service.