10 Tips to Buying the Perfect Refrigerator

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Did you know that the first household refrigerator was wooden and cost $1000 in 1911? At the time, this was more than buying a vehicle!

Technology has surpassed the wooden refrigerator and there are now different varieties. Although this is a plus, it can be hard to choose which refrigerator is right for you.

If you are looking to buy the perfect refrigerator for your home that can help you avoid a costly fridge repair, read our guide.

1. Refrigerator Types

The first step to buying the perfect refrigerator is to consider the different types out there.

Standard-depth refrigerators are around 30-34 inches wide and can be 70 inches tall. These types of fridges are bulkier and deeper than other depth refrigerators.

They are great options for those who need more storage space. Big families can really benefit from a standard-depth refrigerator.

The only downside is that they are bulkier so they will stick out further than your counters or cabinets. However, if you can make this work in your kitchen, you'll enjoy the advantages. In contrast, built-in refrigerators are more high-end because they stay within your cabinets. There is less depth, but they are wider and taller.

These fridges come with a customizable look that can blend in with the colors in your kitchen. You'll need the help of a professional for appliance installation.

Counter-depth refrigerators are the last type that we will discuss. These are more economical than built-in refrigerators and only require standard installation. You can blend these refrigerators to look like your counters.

These are more shallow options than a standard-depth refrigerator which makes them more aesthetically pleasing in the kitchen. You'll even be able to reach food in the back easier.

2. Refrigerator Styles

There are many styles of refrigerators including compact refrigerators, commercial refrigerators, drawer refrigerators, and freezerless refrigerators. We'll focus on the most popular style options instead.

French door refrigerators have twin doors that pull open from the middle. You can see the fridge at full width when both doors are opened. They'll also have a full-width freezer below.

French door refrigerators have twin doors that pull open from the middle. You can see the fridge at full width when both doors are opened. They'll also have a full-width freezer below.

Frigidaire FFHD2250TS 36 Inch Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator with 22.5 cu. ft. Total Capacity, in Stainless Steel

These styles are great for tight spaces because you'll have an easier time opening the doors fully. Inside, you'll often find one or a few additional refrigerated drawers to help keep food fresh for longer.
Next, we have the side-by-side refrigerators where the freezer door and refrigerator door are similar sizes. Both narrow doors run from the top to the bottom of the unit.

SMETA 36 Inch Side-by-Side Refrigerator 26.3 Cu.Ft Freestanding with Auto Ice Maker and Water Dispenser Large Capacity Refrigerator for Home, Stainless Steel

If you don't have enough room for french door refrigerators, this is the next best thing! This is the best fridge option for galley kitchens with limited space.
Last, we have top-freezer and bottom-freezer refrigerators. Both compartments, the freezer and refrigerator compartments, include wide shelves.

RICCI Apartment Size Refrigerator – 4 Cubic Feet Upright Freezer with 14 Cubic Feet Full Size Fridge – Spacious Interior and Automatic Defrost – LED Lighting and User-Friendly Controller - Energy Star

You'll need room for this style of fridge because they have full-width doors. However, different units may have reversible door options to make it easier to open the doors all of the way in a tighter space.
Most bottom-freezer units will have a pull-out drawer. This is the less traditional way of the refrigerator but the main compartment is closer to eye level.

3. Refrigerator Sizes

If you need a refrigerator for a specific space in your kitchen, which is usually the case, you'll need to measure the area. Always allow a little bit of extra room so that the unit has proper airflow.

A common mistake homeowners make is that they don't take into account the room they need for the doors to open. Keep this in mind when completing your measurements.
If your refrigerator model has water and ice dispensers, you'll need extra space behind the fridge to connect the supply line. Without this in mind, you'll need a fridge repair sooner than later.

Don't forget to ensure the refrigerator you choose fits through doorways and can cut tight corners on the way to the kitchen.


Another consideration to make for buying a fridge based on size is how much food you want to keep in it. Think about your food buying habits and how much you purchase fresh food vs. frozen.

Frigidaire FFHD2250TS 36 Inch Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator with 22.5 cu. ft. Total Capacity, in Stainless Steel

4. Refrigerator Organization

The best refrigerator is one that can keep your food safe and organized. No one wants a cluttered fridge.

A lot of refrigerators come with different component options to choose from. You can decide if you need adjustable glass shelves, gallon-sized door bins, humidity-control drawers, or pantry drawers when buying a refrigerator.

5. Refrigerator Features

Here is where you can decide what you really need from your kitchen appliances. There are different features you may feel are a must-have or you just want.
An air filtration system is a common need to keep the air in the refrigerator fresh. Dual- cooling systems are also helpful for keeping freezer air separate from the main component while keeping them both at the right temperature.

'Bosch 800 Series 36" Black Stainless Steel 3-Door Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator'

Ice and water dispensers are another common fridge feature. The fridge can filter water so you'll always have some fresh on hand. You'll see these features in side-by-side or french door models.

Most people don't need to have a programmable control pad, but they are a nice feature to add if you can splurge a little. These pads can set temperatures, lock water or ice dispensers, check the condition of the filter, and more.

6. Refrigerator Finishes

There are a ton of refrigerator finishes you may not be aware of. They commonly come in these colors/textures:

  1. Black

  2. Slate

  3. White

  4. Stainless steel

  5. Black stainless steel

  6. Matte black

Some finishes are fingerprint-resistant. This makes the outside of the fridge easier to clean which brings us to our next point.

7. Refrigerator Cleaning

Refrigerator cleaning is necessary to keep out odors and keep your food fresh. If the fridge you purchase is hard to clean, it'll feel more like a chore than it needs to.

When you opt for certain materials, colors, and styles, cleaning the fridge will be an easy task you'll never hate doing.

8. Refrigerator Hookup

You are probably planning on having your new fridge hooked up when it is delivered or when you take it home from the store. Be sure to hire a trusted professional in advance.

Keep in mind that you'll need to buy a new water line or ice maker connector if your fridge has a water dispenser or ice maker. Without this piece, you won't be able to get your new fridge installed right away.

9. Refrigerator Efficiency

Do plenty of research on different manufacturers of refrigerators to discover how efficient they are. You can ask a qualified salesperson to provide you with recommendations.

After choosing your new fridge, there are things you can do on your own to keep up/improve the efficiency of it.

For one, you should plan to place your fridge in an area away from heat. You don't want it next to a window with direct sunlight, by a stove, or near heat vents.

When the fridge is near a heat source, it reduces the compressor because it must account for external temperature extremes.

You should also keep things off of the top of your refrigerator. What seems like a great storage solution can actually trap heat inside of the appliance and cause the compressor to work overtime.

Try not to open your fridge or freezer doors that often. When you need to, don't keep them open for too long. This reduces efficiency because air is escaping and the fridge must then make up for lost cool temperatures.

FRIGIDAIRE FFTR1821TS 30 Inch Freestanding Top Freezer Refrigerator with 18 cu. ft. Total Capacity, in Stainless Steel

10. Refrigerator Maintenance

To avoid a costly fridge repair, it is essential to take care of your refrigerator. Before making a purchasing decision, you should learn where each fridge component is. Proper maintenance can increase the lifespan of your refrigerator. You can contact an expert to handle maintenance for you if necessary.

Some easy maintenance tips you can do yourself are keeping the doors closed all the way and checking for loose seals. When you have loose seals, you are wasting energy and cool air.

Keep the coils free of dust and debris. You should pull your fridge out twice a year to check on the coils.

Because refrigerators need thermal mass, you need to fill them up so that they can maintain low temperatures. This is why it is essential to consider fridge size when shopping for a new appliance. Buy a sized fridge that correlates to your food and drink needs.

Buying the Perfect Refrigerator to Avoid Fridge Repair

When you don't take the tips listed in this guide into account, you won't be able to avoid a fridge repair for long.

Buying the perfect refrigerator is not an easy task because there are so many options. By using this guide, you can know exactly what to look for and base the product on your wants and needs.

Get rid of that old, dusty refrigerator now! Check out our other home improvement recommendations too.

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