New fridge recommendations

[Gumby]

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.

I have to agree with Dave. We've got a Sub-Zero fridge, a Wolf gas cooktop and double Wolf electric wall ovens. They have worked great for over 12 years. We had an Asko dishwasher but just got a Miele, because the racks in the Asko were rusting after 12 years and it would have cost several hundred dollars just to replace them. The young wife is happy every day in her kitchen, and that makes me happy.

 

[harley]

Same here. We have a Sub Zero Pro 48 refrigerator (talk about blowing dough, I told DW I would bury her in it if she goes first), a Viking gas range and double Viking ovens. 10+ years without a single problem. The range has such fine simmer control that you can melt a piece of chocolate on a paper plate. The plate scorches a bit, but doesn't burn. This is of no practical use, but it's fun to show people. I do a lot of cooking, and love the range. The only real negative about the fridge is that with the glass door you don't have door storage, and I use a lot of condiments. But it's so big everything fits anyway. And I love the giant produce drawer.

We have Samsung in our FL house, but only a couple years old so I can't vouch for longevity. But they seem pretty sturdy. The dishwasher is a little noisy, though.

 

[ivinsfan]

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.

That's what they want you to think...there is also the equation of quality vs value. What kind of a warranty comes with a sub zero fridge? I'm just curious for how long they back up their products. From my experience high end products out of warranty cost more to repair and because you paid so much money for them you feel obligated to repair them.

I have a friend with a sub zero that has a separate pull out 2 drawer freezer unit and it died completely at less then 10 years. In 45 years I've never had a conventional or cheaper fridge completely fail in that manner.

 

[H2ODude]

Appliance are like anything else, say cars. If you want high end it will cost you but if it gives you pleasure then go for it. I've thought about a better stove but not really worth it to me. OTOH got DW a BMW hardtop convertible that just went off warranty. She loves the car but I know it is going to be way above the cost to maintain a Honda. I can't think of anything off hand that the high end products cost way more to purchase but less to maintain in the long run (that have mechanical/electrical parts). And yes, I know there are exceptions and anecdotes otherwise!

 

[davebarnes]

What kind of a warranty comes with a sub zero fridge?

12 years.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

The biggest problem is we have well water here that tastes terrible, and I did not want to make ice with it, anyway.

Get an iron filter. No more foul taste or stained plumbing fixtures. We got one to reduce the arsenic levels in our well water -- the results were life-changing.

 

[ivinsfan]

12 years.

So I it's 5 for the cooling system and between 5 plus and 12 the cooling system is covered for parts only and the owners must pay all labor and fees...
and they want you to use their certified repair people.

My friend bought a house in the crash.. with wooden cabinet fronts for the fridge and separate wooden pull outs for the freezer, it's basically part of the cabinetry, so he is pretty much at the mercy of sub-zero and it's repairmen forever.

 

[Bestwifeever]

We considered a Sub-Zero when we redid our kitchen but the price difference for the benefits was too much, even though we did choose high end brands for the rest of the appliances and love using them (blow that dough!). Sometimes I wish we had more seriously considered it. The functions that we need of a refrigerator are pretty simple and despite our woes described above, the freezer and refrigerator compartments stay exactly at the temps we set and the configuration is perfect for us. Since we have the depth space for a full-size fridge to still align with the cabinets, which is much cheaper than the counter depth, we can replace it six times before hitting Sub-Zero $ numbers. Plus those Sub-Zero doors are a lot stronger than I am—man do they seal tight!

 

[redduck]

We have a three-year old double door Samsung (bought at Lowe's). Also bought a 5-year warranty (parts and labor). The repair guy is coming out tomorrow. Seems like the fan (or a fan) is hitting some built-up ice. Apparently, this is a defect of the refrigerator because there's a bunch of comments on-line about this problem. Can also watch the temporary fix on YouTube.

 

[Midpack]

I probably had the only lemon LG french door refrigerator . It died at 3 and a half years old and Lg customer service was awful.

Nope, some good friends of ours has nothing but trouble with an expensive LG fridge/freezer, several unsuccessful warranty calls, and it had to be replaced at our friends expense 12 months after they bought it new. Needless to say

We have a kitchen with GE fridge/freezer, dishwasher, gas range and microwave - all doing fine 3 years in...

You can get a lemon from ANY manufacturer, and when we looked at the Consumer Reports kitchen appliance review, we were shocked at how spotty reliabilty was for all the expensive name appliance e.g. Viking, Sub-Zero, LG, Samsung, etc.

I rarely buy any big ticket item without at least looking at what Consumer Reports has to say...

 

[MuirWannabe]

We have a three-year old double door Samsung (bought at Lowe's). Also bought a 5-year warranty (parts and labor). The repair guy is coming out tomorrow. Seems like the fan (or a fan) is hitting some built-up ice. Apparently, this is a defect of the refrigerator because there's a bunch of comments on-line about this problem. Can also watch the temporary fix on YouTube.

Good luck to you. If I’m understanding the problem you describe correctly, it’s similar to ours. If so, it cannot be fixed. Despite everything they tell you. Hope that’s not actually the case for you.

 

[Souschef]

We have a kitchen with GE fridge/freezer, dishwasher, gas range and microwave - all doing fine 3 years in.....

We have the same GE setup in slate, except for the refrigerator. Unfortunately, GE did not make a bottom freezer fridge in slate in the size we wanted, so we have a black Maytag.
Funny story-as the delivery people are moving the fridge off the truck, I look down on it and it was white! I asked if that was ours, and they said yes. I said we ordered a black one. Then they finally looked at the delivery notice, and it was supposed to be delivered 10 miles away! Fortunately, our black one was on the truck.
As I posted earlier, the first thing I did was to remove the ice maker.

 

[redduck]

Good luck to you. If I’m understanding the problem you describe correctly, it’s similar to ours. If so, it cannot be fixed. Despite everything they tell you. Hope that’s not actually the case for you.

Yeah, that's going to be the case for me. I understand it's just a temporary fix that maybe lasts six months. The good news is, it's a pretty nice-looking refrigerator. I sure do miss our Montgomery Ward refrigerator-- it was unattractive, but, it lasted more than thirty years with no problems (that I can recall).

 

[Midpack]

This White-Westinghouse freezer is about 40 years old, and it’s lived in our garage it’s entire life, without ever giving us a single issue - it still runs like a top. We have a 26 yo (clothes) washer too. Ah, the good old days when appliances could be expected to last a very long time...

 

[MuirWannabe]

I have a very similar model. And an old ugly yellow fridge in the garage. As you say, runs like a top. Can’t imagine putting the new fancy ones in the same conditions the old one in the hot garage lives under. It wouldn’t survive a week probably.

 

[swakyaby]

12 years.

Our GE Monogram carries a 25 year warranty on the compressor.

 

[davebarnes]

Our GE Monogram carries a 25 year warranty on the compressor.

Well, this one:
Monogram 30" Integrated Customizable Refrigerator, ZIC30GNHII, $7K
which is similar to our Sub-Zero BI-30
has a warranty of:
LIMITED 2-YEAR WARRANTY
LIMITED 5-YEAR WARRANTY
LIMITED ADDITIONAL 6- THROUGH 12-YEAR WARRANTY ON THE SEALED SYSTEM

 

[copyright1997reloaded]

This White-Westinghouse freezer is about 40 years old, and it’s lived in our garage it’s entire life, without ever giving us a single issue - it still runs like a top. We have a 26 yo (clothes) washer too. Ah, the good old days when appliances could be expected to last a very long time...

Yep. The 1991-2 Amana that was bought for the house (by the previous owner) is still working fine and dandy in my basement. It does an excellent job keeping my beer cold.

 

[meierlde]

However on old fridges be aware they use a lot more energy than a new one :http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/refrigerators.html, replacing a pre 1976 fridge with a new one could save up to $238 a year (depending on your electric rates). The web site includes a calculator. Note that depending on your state you might get a rebate to trade it in. Now in particular a " downstairs fridge" Might then not need a the features of the kitchen fridge so for example a top freezer model might make sense which if your up at the higher electric rates would pay for itself in 2-3 years.

Plus not having all the fancy features of the fancier models might be more reliable.

 

[aja8888]

When will it die

Our GM (General Motors) refrigerator - 1976 Purchase - what a life!

Moved to Connecticut from Detroit for a job promotion in early 1976. i was freshly married First daughter born, we were building a house on 3 acres in Southbury, CT. Needed all appliances and furniture.

In July, 1976, when the house was finished, we bought subject fridge. It was a double door unit with no ice maker through the door. I don’t believe those were invented yet.

1981 - Moved to Thousand Oaks, Ca to work for ARCO. Brought fridge along. Bought small house and commuted to downtown, LA.

Around 1985, the fridge got warm inside and I replaced a bad thermostat or defrost timer (can’t quite remember, but the part was about $30). DIY project.

In 1986, I started consulting and hired an engineer from Texas (he was single and wanted to move to Ca). About that time, DW said “we need a new fridge as this one does not have ice thru the door”. Seeing we were getting a “new fridge”, I gave the old GM one to the new hire and helped him carry it up three flights of stairs to his new apartment. Ouch!

About 1988, new hire engineer decides LA area is “not like he thought” and wants to move back to Texas (smart boy). He doesn’t want the GM fridge anymore so I take it back and use as a garage fridge (beer, wine, soft drinks).

Two houses and one divorce later, I am in Texas, flat broke, with the GM fridge, a collection of old things, and two teenage daughters to raise. We put the GM fridge in storage until we could find a cheap house. One year later (1994), we find a house I can afford and move us and the GM fridge in.

Fast forward 20 years and somewhere in there, a new wife is on scene and the GM fridge is back to garage use due to some “unsightly” rust stains. Both daughters are through college and out of the house.

In 2014, we move to a smaller house in town and the GM fridge is told that our small garage has no room for it (I am sad). So neighbor Bob need a fridge as his died about that time and we give it to him. It is now 2018 and the GM fridge resides in old neighbor Bob’s garage to hold beer, of course. I visit Bob and the fridge every now and then.

 

[MuirWannabe]

That’s a great story aja8888. Tell that GM fridge I said hi next time you visit. Sounds like a trusty friend at this point.

 

[ncbill]

However on old fridges be aware they use a lot more energy than a new one :http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/refrigerators.html, replacing a pre 1976 fridge with a new one could save up to $238 a year (depending on your electric rates). The web site includes a calculator. Note that depending on your state you might get a rebate to trade it in. Now in particular a " downstairs fridge" Might then not need a the features of the kitchen fridge so for example a top freezer model might make sense which if your up at the higher electric rates would pay for itself in 2-3 years.

Plus not having all the fancy features of the fancier models might be more reliable.

My 1995 Kenmore has the extra insulation (probably the first model year of the new standards)

So you could replace that 1970s fridge with anything built in the last 20 years and still save on energy costs.

 

[RE2Boys]

After our last experience, soured on the french door idea (styling and marketing gimmick) and on GE Profile brand in particular.

In 2007 we purchased the latest fad....french door fridge, as part of a kitchen full remodel. Seems 75% of the time we needed to open both doors to find what we needed or fit a large dish in. And it was noisy as it ran virtually 100% of the time. Didn't even make it to the 10 year anniversary. What a disappointment, seeing that our previous fridge (now in the garage) is still going after 22 years.

So last summer, we replaced it with a Whirlpool single door, bottom freezer, slightly smaller (25+ to 23+ cubic feet) and saved 40% over the cost of just replacing our french door model. The new one is quieter, space is just as usable with less "hunting" for stuff. So glad we abandoned this fad!

 

[RE2Boys]

This White-Westinghouse freezer is about 40 years old, and it’s lived in our garage it’s entire life, without ever giving us a single issue - it still runs like a top. We have a 26 yo (clothes) washer too. Ah, the good old days when appliances could be expected to last a very long time...

1965 RCA Whirlpool Freezer. Parents purchased it when I was 15 years old and put it in the basement.

Currently living in the same house at 68 years old (there's a 35 year absence in there due to college, military, living in Europe, and following my career in multiple states). The freezer has only been moved twice, slid over so we could paint the concrete floor and has never left the basement. Still in regular use. Never been repaired.

Must admit it is probably an energy hog, but it is in a benign environment (56 to 72 degrees over the course of the year) so hopefully not too bad. In the picture beside the freezer is my newer dehumidifier. The old one was retired a few years back, it was also from the 60's , a Bradford, but used twice the energy of the newer dehumidifier.

 

[flintnational]

Yeah, that's going to be the case for me. I understand it's just a temporary fix that maybe lasts six months. The good news is, it's a pretty nice-looking refrigerator. I sure do miss our Montgomery Ward refrigerator-- it was unattractive, but, it lasted more than thirty years with no problems (that I can recall).

Ice build up was the same problem we had with our Samsung. The repair guy said it is a defect and there is not a permanent fix. He installed a copper wire that helped for awhile. Several months later we decided to replace it. We got concerned that the ice/water would leak while we were travelling and damage the hardwood floors.