3 Mistakes People Make When Buying A Fridge

Homehelpplease takes its recommendations seriously and strives to bring you the best of the best products. We also want you to know that when you click on a link on our site we might make a commission off the sale of that item.

Well, the light is out and your kitchen stinks like rotten food. Maybe you need to let your contractor know what to put in that brand new kitchen you're panning.

Time for a new fridge? Maybe this isn't how you'd planned to spend your day, but here you are. You need a new fridge.

How do you find the best fridge to keep it cool in your kitchen? Before you run out and buy that shiny new kitchen appliance, consider some important facts. 

Keep reading so you can avoid three common mistakes people make when choosing a fridge.

1. Missing the Measurements

Ever heard the saying, "measure twice, cut once?" When buying a fridge, measure five times. Seriously, here's why.

Kitchen appliances are bigger than 20 to 30 years ago. This means the space you've got for your old fridge may not fit your new one.

"Standard" sizes from years ago are no longer standard. Even current standard sizes aren't all the same. It's important to check your measurements against the fridge you want to buy.

Start With This Step

Before you even begin that search for the best fridge, measure your space. Then measure it again. Then call your neighbor, friend, or innocent passerby, ask them to measure, and compare results.

Most manufacturers give measuring guides on their websites. For best results, review a measurement guide.

Remember to account for door swings when measuring your space. French doors create more space than side swinging doors. Keep the amount of space in mind when measuring.

A Close Encounter?

Is your fridge opposite an island or countertop? Factor that in as well. Some side-swinging doors may be too large for the space.

You'd hate to purchase and install a fridge only to have no way of getting around it when the door opens! Make sure there is plenty of clearance between the open fridge door and the countertop.

Don't Forget The Doorways

Once you've measured your space, make sure it fits in the door. Measure the height and width of any door frames the fridge will pass through on its way to your kitchen. You'll also want to see if doors are removable from their hinges.

Some screen doors or storm doors are tricky to remove and put back again. If an open door isn't removable, measure the space it takes up. Then measure again.

What About That Wall?

Fridge spaces usually have a wall on either side. If your dream fridge doesn't fit in the space, you may want to move or remove a wall to accommodate.

First, make sure the wall isn't load-bearing. If it is, it needs to stay put. This means you should look for a refrigerator that fits the space.

If the wall is not load-bearing you may be able to knock it down. Be sure to check with a contractor or professional before you take a sledgehammer to the wall. Work with your contractor to find a way to fit your dream fridge where you want it.

Tearing down and moving walls will add an expense to your fridge purchase. If you're willing to pay to get exactly what you want, go for it!

Do You Need Those Cabinets?

Many homes use the space above their refrigerator for storage. Cabinets above your fridge space will likely limit your height options. If the best fridge fit for you is too tall, consider removing the cabinets above to make space.

If you really need that cabinet space, you'll have to find a fridge that fits.

2. Busting the Budget

Refrigerators range in price from $300 to over $3,000. Setting a price boundary will help you narrow your options.

A budget of $1,000, for example, rules out higher-end options. If money isn't an object, why not go for all the bells and whistles of that top-of-the-line refrigerator.

Energy Efficient

An energy-efficient fridge could save up to $200 over a 12-year span. Make sure the next fridge you buy is energy star certified. Energy efficiency is a great way to save money while you keep it cool.

Maintenance Costs

The average American pays around $350 for a refrigerator repair. Fridges with sophisticated technology can cost more to fix. It's helpful to take these costs into consideration when setting your budget.

DIY Delivery

Looking to save a few bucks? Skip the delivery fee by picking it up yourself. If you've found an appliance online this may not be an option. If you're buying locally, grab a pickup or trailer, a hand truck, and a few strong (and very kind) friends.

Just make sure the "thank you" pizza and beer for your buddies cost less than that delivery fee.

3. Skipping the Research

Use the internet to your advantage before choosing a fridge. Put a shout-out on social media for recommendations. What are people like you buying and enjoying?

Read reviews online. Not every review is credible, so you may have to use common sense when reading. If several reviewers mention the same negative or positive features, pay attention.

Read reviews from several different sites. Check out retail sites, manufacturer webpages, and places like Consumer Reports and Good Housekeeping.

Pay attention to dates reviews were written. Are they talking about the same model you're looking to buy?

Research different styles as well. Which one works best for your situation and why?

Side-By-Side

A side-by-side fridge has a freezer on the left side and a refrigerator on the right. It's split down the middle with each side opening outward.

At 20 to 28 cubic feet, side by side refrigerators are ideal for small spaces. They're usually 30 to 36 inches wide or 29 to 35 inches wide, and 67 to 70 inches tall. 

Top Freezer/Side Swinging

These are the traditional-style refrigerators. The box-style freezer takes up the top portion. The bottom portion is taken up by the refrigerator. Both fridge and freezer doors swing in the same direction.

Top freezer-style fridges have an inside measurement of 10 to 24 cubic feet. Their outside measurements are usually 65 to 69 inches tall, 23 to 33 inches wide, and 24 to 33 inches deep.

Top freezer fridges are usually less expensive than other styles. If you're on a tight budget, consider a top freezer-style fridge.

Bottom Freezer

These have, as the name states, a freezer component on the bottom. Most have a freezer door on the bottom. The refrigerator part is typically side swinging.

Bottom freezer fridges are approximately 67 to 70 inches tall, just over 33 inches deep, and 29 1/2 to under just under 33 inches wide.

French Door

French door-style refrigerators open on either side with the freezer drawer (or two) on the bottom. These fridges keep it cool while saving space. Just remember to account for how much space the drawer will take when it pulls out.

Thankfully, there are several french door fridge sizes to choose from.

Small

Small french door refrigerators can replace standard top freezer fridges. They measure about 20 cubic feet and stand around 67-3/8 in tall. Expect these refrigerators to be around 30 inches wide.

Medium

Medium-sized french door fridges are slightly bigger, measuring 22 cubic feet and 32 inches wide. These refrigerators also stand a little taller at 70-1/8 inches.

Large

This grandaddy of a fridge will hold enough food to feed your teenagers and their friends.  Measuring in at a hefty 25 cubic feet and 36 inches wide. The large french door fridge stands the same 70 1/8 inches as its medium-sized friend.

Be Prepared... If You Can

Life happens. Most people don't plan for their fridge to quit. If your kitchen appliances are over ten years old, you may want to start some research.

Do a little reading each week or month about refrigerator costs and styles. Know your kitchen measurements and the features your family wants. Set a budget and figure out what's available to you.

Having a basic knowledge of what you need will help you make a good decision when the time comes. Frantically shopping for a fridge while you're food is going bad in a cooler may not end with the best decision.

The Best Fridge to Keep It Cool

The best person to pick out a fridge for you is you. Start by asking yourself a few important questions.

How much food do you need your fridge to hold? What kind of space do you have? What's your budget?

If your fridge is over ten years old, you can expect to need a new one sometime soon.

Remember to check out homehelpplease.com when buying a fridge. Homehelpplease.com can help you keep it cool with recommendations for the best kitchen items.

Recommended buys: