Comparing new refrigerators

[RichZ]

My wife and I are in the market for a new refrigerator. My wife likes the french door refrigerators with the freezer on the bottom. They have double doors on top. My wife likes 25 cubic foot models by Maytag, LG and Samsung. We can get the best price on the Maytag at Home Depot. I know Maytag had gone downhill recently, but I've been doing a lot of research, and Maytag was recently taken over by Whirlpool, and they are supposed to be a top manufacturer, again. With all these refrigerators, the weak spot is the water and ice dispensers in the door. We don't want water or ice dispensers at all, so that won't be a problem for us. I think they all come with at least an ice dispenser in the freezer, but we won't even hook it up. Anyone have any experience with these refrigerators?

Thanks!!!

 

[whistlepig]

We bought a Whirlpool Gold Series with the French doors and the freezer on the bottom four years ago. We are very pleased with it. All the shelves, including the shelves in the doors, are removable and dishwasher safe. Makes cleanup much easier. We bought it at Lowes.

 

[QRTRHRS]

We have a Samsung french door/freezer on the bottom that we got from Lowes. Ice maker is in the freezer. No issues and we like the unit. Temp control drawers keep food well. Overall easy to live with, certainly better than our side by side we had previously. I did go with an extended warrenty because of some negative comments I read.

 

[whistlepig]

On the Whirlpool Gold the ice dispenser is in the back corner of the bottom freezer drawer and well out of the way. The cold water dispenser is built flush to the inside wall of the refridgerator and also out of the way. We don't use the cold water dispenser that much because we have reverse osmosis water piped to our kitchen sink and prefer drinking that. But we do use the ice maker a lot.

 

[dwost]

If buying from a box store I'd go Samsung. My recommendation If you can swing it get a Sub-Zero, nothing can touch it on performance and service.

 

[whistlepig]

We have bought Whirlpool for decades and have always have had good life and minimum maintenance with Whirlpool. We bought a Whirlpool Gold Series fridge and Gold Series dishwasher 4 years ago. Its a little bit more money for something that works a lot better and lasts a lot longer. Something like paying a few dollars more to step up to the Pro Series with the Stihl chainsaws and weed eaters.

 

[patrick_g]

We have a 3 door unit, side by side refer and bottom drawer (two pull out racks) that has a ice maker in the freezer and a water dispenser inside the refer.

We rarely ever use the water dispenser but use the heck out of the ice maker. We had a little concern when the ice maker glitched and stopped making ice for a week and then started up again just fine bur after we had made a service appt. Repair guy came out and replaced the ice maker for just in case. No problem as it was under our extended warranty.

It is a Kenmore Elite in Stainless steel and it is nearly seven years old. With the exception of the glitch with the ice maker it has run perfectly and we both like it a lot. Whenever it becomes necessary to replace it I want one in the same configuration but maybe with temp readouts on the outside of the door. I would accept an outside water dispenser but wouldn't mind a replacement unit without one.

Choose wisely Grasshopper as refrigerators last a long long time. I tend to lean toward Consumer Reports for appliance information and in nearly 50 years of appliance ownership never got a bad CR appliance recommendation.

Pat

 

[czechsonofagun]

There was a thread here before Christmas to favor Sears for purchases due to their excellent policy towards deployed employees. In our area Sears have the biggest selection too.

Not suggesting anything, just saying

 

[scoutcub]

Choose wisely Grasshopper as refrigerators last a long long time. I tend to lean toward Consumer Reports for appliance information and in nearly 50 years of appliance ownership never got a bad CR appliance recommendation.

We moved last May to our new home and needed all new appliances....so I also got on consumer reports and we ended up with the GE Profile side by side french door with bottom freezer. I believe it's around 28 cu ft, with the in-door ice and water maker. Use them all the time. Great frig thus far. Only problem I can see is the wife complains about cleaning the SS finish - it's hard to get all the streaks off.
Good luck!

 

[Mickey_Fx]

Yes, Maytag is one of the family of Whirlpool appliances as is Amana, Kitchen Aid and a couple more brands. Minor cosmetic differences between them.

Bought a Maytag 3 door model about 2-3 yrs ago. Wife enjoys the bottom located freezer. Hatted stooping down to floor level for reaching the chrispers. I would recommend you go for one of the upper level models that offer solid molded freezer bins. The lower cost models come with wire baskets and what a pain trying to rescue food that has fallen through the bin and thus could prevent door from closing. IMO this is especially true if you go with the ice try in the freezer compartment.

Have had 3 small failures so far. First was the temp sensor, had to call service out and they had to order which took about 10 days to get fixed as was near a holiday. About 8 months ago noticed water coming out from under the frig. On close examination found the plastic drain tray cracked on the bottom. Molded PE tray that should have not cost more than $5 but was $50. They now have a different design which is also a lot easier to replace and cost about $10. Just this past week the part that hold the "pantry" tray cover, the full width one, somehow broke the hinge mounting point thus not supporting the hinged cover. I made the repairs, not difficult and think somehow we played a part in the breakage but couldn't prove it.

Other than these small issues we've been happy with the purchase.

We did a lot of looking and as an old Eng, I almost got **** about research. Had several dealers say parts replacement for the Samsung were difficult to come by. G.E. rebadges the Samsung for their 3 door models. Asked a dealer that sold both the G.E. and Samsung about parts availability and he said G.E. name hasn't done anything to improve the parts situation.

Seem to recall avg life expectancy of latest machines is about 5 yrs and a far cry from the 10+ yrs of a decade ago and the 20 yrs one could expect from older models.

Do believe you and wife will really enjoy a 3 door model.