New fridge recommendations

[MuirWannabe]

At home, we have a Kenmore french-door with bottom freezer and ice and water in the door that is made by LG. While we did have a couple issues with it early on... just after the manfacturer's warranty expired but before the credit card extended warranty expired, since those repairs to replace the compressor and one door... it has been trouble free.

Those early issues may have something todo with it falling out of my truck on the interstate at 60 mph, but who knows.
]

Now that was funny [emoji1]

 

[pb4uski]

I will give LG a lot of credit... I thought it would be trashed but it was packaged so well that the only things visibly wrong was a small dent along the bottom that is barely visible and the plastic drawer in the freezer was cracked. Incredibly, all of the glass shelves were fine.

I called Sears and told them that when I got the fridge home that the freezer drawer was cracked and they ordered me a new one. They didn't ask if it fell out of the truck and I forgot to mention it.

The compressor failed 18 months later so whether the little adventure on the way home had anything to do with it is unclear. The door was because the line to the ice water is inside the door and was freezing and the only way to fix it was to replace the door. The extended warranty on the credit card covered the repairs in full.

 

[MuirWannabe]

What was the issue with the Samsung? I’ve had one since 2010 and although it makes an annoying loud popping noise once in a while (I suspect from thermal contraction) it’s otherwise been trouble-free.

The biggest issue was the ice maker leaked. That caused it to freeze over and fail to make ice. Over two years and many technician visits they could not fix it. The entire ice maker unit was replaced twice. Finally, after waiting over 3 months for yet another ice maker unit that was on backorder with no ETA the retailer agreed to refund cost towards a replacement. The retailer stepped up (Nebraska Furniture Mart). Neither Samsung or the dirty rotten warranty company were ever going to make it right.

Oh, one other kinda funny thing. Earlier today we were in Lowe’s looking at fridges. Overheard another couple talking as they were looking. Turns out they had the exact same problem with the exact same Samsung and their retailer had also finally given them a refund.

 

[Dash man]

We have four homes and two of them have Samsung French door bottom freezers with dual ice makers and love them. Our full time rental has a GE French door bottom freezer that we just put $550 into repairs for a five year old fridge. Our vacation rental has a Frigidaire French door with a single ice maker, and the fridge as a whole didn’t have much space, but came with the house and works, so we’re not changing it out.
Any brand will have it’s lemons. We looked at LG but didn’t like some things in the configuration like a basket freezer where things fall through and get caught.

 

[copyright1997reloaded]

I have never even had a side by side, much less a French door refrigerator; nothing stylish at all. Not even water through the door. I admit it, I'm kind of stingy (although I usually do spring for an icemaker in the freezer).

That said, I've never paid much for a refrigerator and I have never had one break. I wonder if perhaps the simpler the refrigerator, the less likely it is to break? I have no idea. Anyway, food for thought.

Here's the frig that I had in my last house for 10 years with no breaking or trouble, and no repairs needed. I sold it with the house as an incentive, and bought a new one of the same model for my dream home. It's just a cheap Sears freezer-on-top model with an icemaker. It keeps my food cold at the right temperature, which is really all that I need. It is perpetually on sale, and right now it is under $599.99. If you are lucky, in the past sometimes it has been $100 less than that. I seriously doubt that anyone here would even consider a frig under $600, but just in case I am wrong, here's the link:

Sears.com

Here's my (somewhat) old grouch statement: The new appliances are junk. I had an old Amana in my house (bottom freezer) that had rust on the front of it. I decided to replace in around 2010 or so with a great looking stainless steel french door model (Samsung or LG, can't remember). I put the old Amana in the basement for brewing purposes (to hold kegs). Anyway, about four years later (just outside of warranty) the great looking Stainless steel fridge wasn't keeping cold. Repair person basically said junk it, it wasn't the compressor or even worth trying to repair. In the mean time, the Amana in the basement keeps chugging away (so at least my home brew is cold .)

About a year after I bought the refrigerator, I replaced my old (but still working) Whirlpool washer and dryer, again with a fancy front loader from Samsung or LG. (Whatever my refrigerator was, the washer/dryer was the other). Again fast forward 5 years or so and BOTH the washer and dryer had major issues, and I had to replace both. So far so good on the replacements, but given how well things are these days I wouldn't be surprised to have issues sooner rather than later. If these front-loaders have issues, I will go back to the old school mechanical dial washer/dryer (assuming I can still find one).

 

[MuirWannabe]

Here's my (somewhat) old grouch statement: The new appliances are junk. I had an old Amana in my house (bottom freezer) that had rust on the front of it. I decided to replace in around 2010 or so with a great looking stainless steel french door model (Samsung or LG, can't remember). I put the old Amana in the basement for brewing purposes (to hold kegs). Anyway, about four years later (just outside of warranty) the great looking Stainless steel fridge wasn't keeping cold. Repair person basically said junk it, it wasn't the compressor or even worth trying to repair. In the mean time, the Amana in the basement keeps chugging away (so at least my home brew is cold .)



About a year after I bought the refrigerator, I replaced my old (but still working) Whirlpool washer and dryer, again with a fancy front loader from Samsung or LG. (Whatever my refrigerator was, the washer/dryer was the other). Again fast forward 5 years or so and BOTH the washer and dryer had major issues, and I had to replace both. So far so good on the replacements, but given how well things are these days I wouldn't be surprised to have issues sooner rather than later. If these front-loaders have issues, I will go back to the old school mechanical dial washer/dryer (assuming I can still find one).

I really can’t understand it. When everything is supposed to advance and improve how can appliances have regressed so badly. I agree it’s not just a Samsung thing.

If I was motivated, what a business opportunity. Some company that can actually build quality appliances would shine bright over the cesspool of the market. I’m definitely not motivated [emoji4]. Or qualified.

It’s perplexing. They can put a man on mars but can’t build quality appliances.

 

[meierlde]

I really can’t understand it. When everything is supposed to advance and improve how can appliances have regressed so badly. I agree it’s not just a Samsung thing.

If I was motivated, what a business opportunity. Some company that can actually build quality appliances would shine bright over the cesspool of the market. I’m definitely not motivated [emoji4]. Or qualified.

It’s perplexing. They can put a man on mars but can’t build quality appliances.

Conversly if you put both fridges on a kilawatt meter you would find the newer ones take a lot less juice. Now I do suspect one thing that low end fridges may be more reliable than high end ones as there is less to go wrong. Multiple compartments and multiple compressors yield more things to go wrong and fancier controls add to the problem. For example the whole idea of putting the fridge on the internet is IMHO just plain stupid. (but then I live alone), just like putting individual lamps on the grid is stupid. With the fridge you could come home one day and find a hacker has turned it off a while ago, and it might not turn on again. with Appliances I do think now days KISS does apply.

 

[Gumby]

I would get a Sub-Zero with a 12-year warranty.
Of course, you will have to redesign part (maybe, all) of your kitchen.
But, you are going to live many more years, so go for it. (That is what we did.)

We have been very happy with our Sub-Zero for the past twelve years. It is a side by side style, but I know they make a french door style as well..

 

[pb4uski]

I would get a Sub-Zero with a 12-year warranty.
Of course, you will have to redesign part (maybe, all) of your kitchen.
But, you are going to live many more years, so go for it. (That is what we did.)

If my WR was <1.1%, I might get a Sub-Zero too.

 

[Katsmeow]

This is a timely thread. We just sold our house and the refrigerator went with it. So... we need a new one.

We were in Costco today and I looked at an LG and a Samsung that we liked. They both had that door in door thing where you can just open the one compartment to get drinks and stuff stored in the door. I liked that a lot.

The LG had a second drawer for meat that you could open separately from the rest of the refrigerator. The freezer at the bottom was the pull out style (top was French doors).

I don't actually care at all about an ice maker or water in the door. But, I find that if I don't get that then I have to give up other feature that I do want.

The Samsung was similar to the LG with regard to the stuff in the door. The freezer at the bottom was different. It was also doors rather than a drawer. What I liked was that the bottom right could be set to either be a refrigerator or a freezer. Since we have a separate freezer that would likely be set as additional refrigerator space.

Some years ago we had a Samsung I really liked. It had a screen on the front of it and you could scribble notes on it for family members or to make a grocery list or whatever. I would have thought I wouldn't use it but we used it all the time. Unfortunately when we sold that house the buyer wanted it so we sold it with the house...

 

[swakyaby]

Thanks swakyaby. Can you tell me what model LG? I’m probably fine with an ice maker inside the freezer, instead of a door dispenser. Like the older fashioned types that actually worked. Was that an option on your model, or just the way it came? When I’ve looked, it seems these days all French door type fridges come standard with the door dispenser and ice maker.

The LG French door refrigerator model I purchased is LFCS22520W. The retailer was Fry’s Electronics. The ice maker in the bottom freezer was an option that you had to order separately. Since it was going to be a 2nd refrigerator/freezer in the garage, I never ordered the optional ice maker; also I didn’t have a water hookup in the garage. So I can’t really give you feedback on how well the ice maker works.

 

[brucethebroker]

Fridgidaire Gallery model, side by side. Just discovered a leak at bottom of freezer (ice maker/water) door FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 10 MONTHS. Nearly ruined our kitchen floor.

5 years old, BTW.

 

[braumeister]

It's always a crapshoot, isn't it?
We have a French door Samsung, with freezer and TTD ice/water dispenser on one side. It was installed by the previous owner of our condo, and is about 3-4 years old now. Never a problem and we're happy with it.

 

[Scuba]

Last year we bought an LG with french door, freezer on the bottom. Ice maker and water in the door. The shelves are all spill proof (slightly lipped). Has a large drawer that you can adjust temperature for deli, produce, meats, along with three smaller drawers.
I love it! It has the space for my largest pans and casserole dishes.
Water and air filters need to be replaced about every 4-6 months (control panel will let you know)--this is the only ongoing extra expense, but worth it for us. Our previous model was a Jennaire side by side, which was Ok, but n to roomy enough and it was over 20 years old.

We have this LG also and have been using it for 3 years. Love it!!

 

[H2ODude]

Anecdotal evidence is always suspect, but I came across a thread on Reddit the other day (probably vastly more participants than here, albeit younger ). The number of people who piled onto Samsung was way way more than LG. (meaning negative comments).

We got an LG French door w drawer a couple of years ago, ice maker in the upper door. We specifically went for the counter depth model as older one stuck out too far. Be aware this impacts interior space (well, duh). To the point that the crisper drawers are almost non functional (can't get a bunch of celery in any of them). Would probably give it a vigorous thumbs down if we still had kids in the house, but for us it's fine. The freezer is also a bit clunky in design, shallow drawers that are not real useful for us. Very quiet, like the through the door ice and water which we did not have on prior unit.

 

[John Galt III]

I really can’t understand it. When everything is supposed to advance and improve how can appliances have regressed so badly. I agree it’s not just a Samsung thing.

If I was motivated, what a business opportunity. Some company that can actually build quality appliances would shine bright over the cesspool of the market. I’m definitely not motivated [emoji4]. Or qualified.

It’s perplexing. They can put a man on mars but can’t build quality appliances.

Maybe everyone already knows this, but perhaps the current manufacturers of junk are making good profits by making people buy new stuff every 5 years. Maybe there is a cartel in place that has managed to keep new competition (of long-lasting, quality appliances that make less profit) out of the market. Just sayin'. But of course everyone knows that, right? LOL

 

[Souschef]

We have a Maytag with a bottom freezer and love it. IMO, the ice maker takes uo too much freezer room. I asked the installer to remove it, but he refused, saying it was wired in!. After he left, I removed the 2 screws holding it, and unplugged it
We bought a small stand alone ice maker I keep in the garage that makes 20 pounds a day with filtered water. In our freezer we have a small rectangular ice bucket to hold the ice.
The biggest problem is we have well water here that tastes terrible, and I did not want to make ice with it, anyway.
I am retired, so once I week I fill up 6 to 10 gallon bottles from a machine, and maybe once a day fill up the ice bucket.
P.S. I have 2 brand new ice makers in my garage if anyone wants one

 

[sheldon cornped]

We've had our new Samsung French Door fridge since November. No middle drawer, only bottom freezer. We absolutely love it. You may not be able to wait but the 2 best times to buy appliances are July and November. Normally $2500 got for 1699. Good luck in your quest. Incidentally we have had several of supposedly "high end" appliances before most of which had issues. Don't be fooled by the names sub-zero, Wolf, Viking etc... We do like GE profiles.

 

[wannabe]

I will never buy a high end appliance again. We've been through all the big brands -- Sub-Zero, GE Profile, Miehl, etc., and all have failed. Now I just go to Sears and say "give me the cheapest and simplest." I was elated to find a dryer without a bulb -- just one more thing to break like ice makers, water dispensers, etc.

But I do have an ice maker -- my spouse.

 

[Breedlove]

We go to the GE scratch and dent warehouse here in Houston . Really wonderful buys . Same warranty as new from the appliance store and you get to talk to technicians , not a 17 year old kid .

 

[gerntz]

We're in the LG french doors/bottom freezer camp too. 2+ years in it's been issues-free.

It's a "counter depth", but I consider that false advertising because a)it's book says maintain 2" clearance in the back for air circulation for the compressor to operate properly and b) if you have a water line, you can't push it too the wall anyway.. Well, 24" frig depth + 2" clearance = 26" & my counters are 24" - as are everyone's else's unless custom made. I nailed a couple of 2 x 2 pieces to the wall to prevent pushing it too close to the wall.

Still think it's great despite the narrow depth reducing capacity because when I open the doors I feel like I'm surrounded by the fridge, standing in it, with no reach to the back for hidden items.

 

[MuirWannabe]

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts, advice, and sometimes funny stories.

DW and I made our replacement purchase today. We selected an LG side by side counter depth model. I’ve read of fewer ice maker problems in side by sides, since the ice maker is located in the actual freezer side of the unit. DW wanted counter depth and for just the 2 of us it provides enough space.

I realize it’s a crapshoot on almost any model. Hopefully we will get lucky with this one. I’m not sure I can spend the time and emotional investment fighting another lemon as was required with the last one. Even as expensive as these things are, it’s almost not worth it. And of course, that’s their strategy. Effective I suppose.

One final piece of good news, the newest purchase was actually $625 less than the lemon we are replacing. So, I’m actually getting a credit back to my card! Ahh......the sweet smell of victory.

Muir

 

[Dash man]

Just a side note for the veterans out there. We’ve saved a bundle buying from Lowe’s using their 10 percent veterans discount.

 

[Ronnieboy]

I'm no help because we're very happy with our 8-year old Samsung french door fridge. Sorry you got a lemon.

+1

9 years going on our Samsung, French doors, freezer on the bottom. Water and ice through the left door. Ice maker takes up the space of about a 12 pack of pepsi in the fridge section.

Aren't all refrigerators make by like 3 companies and sold under all the different brand names anyhow

 

[davebarnes]

I will never buy a high end appliance again.

I am the opposite.
Last Fall, we bought Sub-Zero x 2, Wolf hob, Miele ovens x 2, Zephyr hood, Blum LEGRABOX.
Quality first, price is less important.