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Refrigerators

MtnBikerChk

MtnBikerChk

Squeaky Wheel
Aug 3, 2001
5,478
38
Southern New England (where there ain't no TITUS d
**sigh** so we're looking for a new one - preferably one that doesn't freeze up and overflow water into the refrigerator (the manual says 1. check to make sure your refrigerator is level (it is) 2. it might be broke, call for service <--swear it says that)

We've decided on the french door style (bandwagon, I know) because of two things - 1. door radius - we have a small kitchen and opening a french door leaves more room than opening a full door and 2. I want a water dispenser in the door and MOST of the ones I've seen come PRIMARILY on french door models.

And as an added bonus, when sizing them, I've found they tend to be shorter front to back but wider - which will also fit in our kitchen nicely.

NOW....... I've done my research on consumer reports and I'm not having much luck. On paper, the Whirlpool's have the best "repair" history. We went to look at them in the store and they felt cheap/flimsy to me. I like the kitchen aids too but I can't find the right model to look at in person.

I LOVE the looks of the Samsungs, however, online there are a lot of complaints about them breaking within the first few years.

I have a bad taste from LG from our LCD tv that ended up going back to the store.....

Consumer reports says Maytag and GE have some of the worst repair records so that's discouraging.

I haven't been to Sears to look at the Kenmores but that's next.

And everyone has an opinion so I'm soliciting yours.

GO:

thanks.
 
CrabJoe StretchPants

CrabJoe StretchPants

Reincarnated Crab Walking Head Spinning Bruce Dick
Nov 30, 2003
14,163
2,484
Groton, MA
Jenn-Air? Don't know anything about them, but my house came with one that (I'm assuming) is original to the house (1996) and is still going strong. Quick search online and they appear to be expensive....so they must be good. :monkey:
 
Brian HCM#1

Brian HCM#1

MMMMMMMMM BEER!!!!!!!!!!
Sep 7, 2001
32,119
378
Bay Area, California
My neighbor has a top of the line GE profile, and it's been the biggest POS, especially in the ice making department. Kenmore is good, as is Kitchen Aid. I believe Whirlpool are also made by Kitchen Aid. We've had good luck with the last 2 Kitchen Aids we've bought.
 
narlus

narlus

Eastcoast Softcore
Staff member
Nov 7, 2001
24,658
63
behind the viewfinder
if you are interested in seeing repair/failure history, find the largest data set you can. making assumptions about your personal failure of a TV as a basis for buying a fridge from the same MFG is silly (btw, that is not a plug for LG).

i would think that consumer reports would likely be yr best bet, but perhaps other sites for this sort of thing exist (epinions, maybe?). however, more people are likely to voice their concerns when things go wrong rather than give praise for flawless operation, so grains of salt are your friends.
 
HAB

HAB

Chelsea from Seattle
Apr 28, 2007
11,580
2,006
Seattle
Our Amana sucks. The fridge works via ducts from the freezer, which are prone to getting blocked up with ice, and then the fridge stops working. The fix is to empty the freezer out, pull the back panel off, and unblock the vents with a hair dryer maybe every 6 months. :mad:

Oh, and maybe weekly it decides to dump a puddle of water onto the floor.
 
MtnBikerChk

MtnBikerChk

Squeaky Wheel
Aug 3, 2001
5,478
38
Southern New England (where there ain't no TITUS d
Brian HCM#1 said:
My neighbor has a top of the line GE profile, and it's been the biggest POS, especially in the ice making department. Kenmore is good, as is Kitchen Aid. I believe Whirlpool are also made by Kitchen Aid. We've had good luck with the last 2 Kitchen Aids we've bought.
Click to expand...
That's another point. Most of the brands are made by the same core of like 4 manufacturers.

Whirlpool & Kitchen Aid are made by the same company.

the one we're replacing is a Kitchen Aid.
 
MtnBikerChk

MtnBikerChk

Squeaky Wheel
Aug 3, 2001
5,478
38
Southern New England (where there ain't no TITUS d
daisycutter said:
http://www.consumersearch.com/refrigerators

next issue?
Click to expand...
well since their top reviews are GE, Maytag and Samsung.......

Thanks for the input :rolleyes:


edited to add: in case I didn't make it clear, my intentions are to find a refrigerator/mfgr with a good repair history. There are only a few brands on CR with history. They don't list the Samsungs, Jenn-Airs etc.
 
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stevew

stevew

resident influencer
Sep 21, 2001
40,571
9,577
not mentioned on your list....

sub zero.....the one my parents had could hold all the beer my friends could throw at it.

never gave them a problem the six years they had it.
 
MtnBikerChk

MtnBikerChk

Squeaky Wheel
Aug 3, 2001
5,478
38
Southern New England (where there ain't no TITUS d
stevew said:
not mentioned on your list....

sub zero.....the one my parents had could hold all the beer my friends could throw at it.

never gave them a problem the six years they had it.
Click to expand...
There is a local place near us that sells those, along with Viking and other high end brands. We're going to check them out too. But doesn't sub zero/wolf only make integrated refrigerators?
 
TreeSaw

TreeSaw

Mama Monkey
Oct 30, 2003
17,670
1,855
Dancin' over rocks n' roots!
Kenmore has been good to us but we replaced our fridge about 5 years ago with a Whirlpool model based on repair history. Works great, looks great (not French doors, but side-by-side). The shelves are tough and easy to take out and clean, but the drawers are a bit flimsy (especially the small meat/cheese one). Ice maker is fast and in door cold water is great!
 
MtnBikerChk

MtnBikerChk

Squeaky Wheel
Aug 3, 2001
5,478
38
Southern New England (where there ain't no TITUS d
TreeSaw said:
Kenmore has been good to us but we replaced our fridge about 5 years ago with a Whirlpool model based on repair history. Works great, looks great (not French doors, but side-by-side). The shelves are tough and easy to take out and clean, but the drawers are a bit flimsy (especially the small meat/cheese one). Ice maker is fast and in door cold water is great!
Click to expand...
With all the cooking you do I'm surprised a side by side works for you - don't you have an issue with the width of the shelves being so small?
 
SkaredShtles

SkaredShtles

Michael Bolton
Sep 21, 2003
65,625
12,692
In a van.... down by the river
I hate fridges. I don't think anyone has EVER come up with a convenient design. And if they did... they would still be money-pits.

I say get the cheapest, simplest one you can and hope for the best. Our Kenmore "classic" style fridge has been running for almost a decade now... but as far as convenience/design goes it sucks a$$. :mad:
 
IH8Rice

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
HAB said:
Our Amana sucks. The fridge works via ducts from the freezer, which are prone to getting blocked up with ice, and then the fridge stops working. The fix is to empty the freezer out, pull the back panel off, and unblock the vents with a hair dryer maybe every 6 months. :mad:
Click to expand...
thats how most refrigerators work....from vents from the freezer portion.

if you are having to thaw it out that often, you probably have a bad thermostat like my recalled frig did.




and to the OP, yes GE and Maytag have the worst track record for repairs. Maytag recently recalled nearly 2million units (mine was one of them)
 
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TreeSaw

TreeSaw

Mama Monkey
Oct 30, 2003
17,670
1,855
Dancin' over rocks n' roots!
MtnBikerChk said:
With all the cooking you do I'm surprised a side by side works for you - don't you have an issue with the width of the shelves being so small?
Click to expand...
LOL! Occassionally, but it's what fit in the space when we bought it and the double doors were just a little too wide. I have become creative with packaging all of my goodies though :rofl:
 
CBJ

CBJ

year old fart
Mar 19, 2002
12,874
4,214
Copenhagen, Denmark
MMike said:
Kenmore have always treated us well. My LG dishwasher is a total piece of crap.
Click to expand...
LG fridge only 3 years old and the gate that open to let out ice cubes does not work anymore so it only crushed ice.

LG combo washer and dryer still doing good.

Of the two I only bought the LG fridge because of price and size.

If I was going to buy new I would go with Jenn-Air. I have their oven and its really nice and the finish has perfect.
 
MtnBikerChk

MtnBikerChk

Squeaky Wheel
Aug 3, 2001
5,478
38
Southern New England (where there ain't no TITUS d
SkaredShtles said:
I personally would avoid a fridge that has a water dispenser and ice maker. That's $hit that is GUARANTEED to go haywire. And when it does... it's gonna make a huge mess.
Click to expand...
You're not the first person to say that to me :(

But I already ran the copper tubing for the water (did it before the counter went in!)

And this just in: Jenn-Air is also made my whirlpool.

http://www.whirlpool.com/custserv/other_sites.jsp
 
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narlus

narlus

Eastcoast Softcore
Staff member
Nov 7, 2001
24,658
63
behind the viewfinder
SkaredShtles said:
I personally would avoid a fridge that has a water dispenser and ice maker. That's $hit that is GUARANTEED to go haywire. And when it does... it's gonna make a huge mess.
Click to expand...
what SS said. we just refill a plastic jug and keep it in the fridge. don't use much ice either...the trays usually shrink by 30% by the time we use 'em...
 
Quo Fan

Quo Fan

don't make me kick your ass
Mar 31, 2006
5,909
36
Here. I'm just not sure where "here" is.
We bought our fridge at the Sears Scratch-and-Dent Store and haven't been happier with it. We both like the freezer-on-top and no ice maker/water dispenser in the door. Takes up room that could be used for ice cream. :D
 
buildyourown

buildyourown

Turbo Monkey
Feb 9, 2004
4,832
0
South Seattle
narlus said:
making assumptions about your personal failure of a TV as a basis for buying a fridge from the same MFG is silly (btw, that is not a plug for LG).
Click to expand...


Is it? Every LG product I have experience with has been garbage. I threw my phone away after 6mo and ate the cost of a new one. It was that bad.
Check reviews on a site like Lowes or Home Depot. If it's horrid, you will know.
 
narlus

narlus

Eastcoast Softcore
Staff member
Nov 7, 2001
24,658
63
behind the viewfinder
buildyourown said:
Is it? Every LG product I have experience with has been garbage. I threw my phone away after 6mo and ate the cost of a new one. It was that bad.
Check reviews on a site like Lowes or Home Depot. If it's horrid, you will know.
Click to expand...
well i would assume that the the design and fabrication process of a fridge and a TV are quite different, wouldn't you? if LG is truly that bad, they probably wouldn't be the 2nd largest producer of TVs and the 3rd largest for mobile phones. my old LG phone lasted 3+ years just fine and my wife digs her new LG ally droid phone. again, if there were widespread problems, the company would suffer accordingly. just ask toyota.

but maybe the Koreans don't complain w/ their lot in life.
 
IH8Rice

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
narlus said:
if LG is truly that bad, they probably wouldn't be the 2nd largest producer of TVs
Click to expand...
they arent that large,but you are right. their tv's dont mirror their other products in terms of reliability.
their do produce more tv's for other companies than they do themselves.
 
narlus

narlus

Eastcoast Softcore
Staff member
Nov 7, 2001
24,658
63
behind the viewfinder
well it can be dangerous, but i was going by what Wiki furnished
LG Electronics (Korean: LG&#51204;&#51088;, KRX: 066570, LSE: LGLD) is the world's second-largest manufacturer of Television sets[1] and third-largest producer of mobile phones.[2]
Click to expand...
 
golgiaparatus

golgiaparatus

Out of my element
Aug 30, 2002
7,340
41
Deep in the Jungles of Oklahoma
We have a stainless Kenmore. Best fridge we ever had. It's stacked though... freezer bottom pulls out like a drawer, fridge on top. I like the efficiency of the thing.

I actually will never own one with a water/ice dispenser ever again. I am convinced that those things always break eventually.
 
amishmatt

amishmatt

Turbo Monkey
Sep 21, 2005
1,264
397
Lancaster, PA
We've had a basic (no french doors, no water/ice dispenser, no freezer drawer) bottom freezer LG for three years with zero issues.

FWIW, my LG phones have always been trouble free as well.

What about Bosch? I know nothing about their refers, but my Bosch range has been great for six years.
 
Montana rider

Montana rider

Turbo Monkey
Mar 14, 2005
1,748
2,186
I'm partial to freezer on the bottom -- supposedly more energy efficient design (Heat rising and all that...) and you use your fridge more than freezer anyways.

I second the emotion re: icemakers and the like being things to break down the line. At least you're running copper water tubing.

MIL's plastic icemaker tubing cracked and leaked all over the place (messing up floors etc.)
 
B

BillE

Chimp
May 8, 2004
81
0
Franklin Ma
After my wife's and I experience with GE never again. This was for a warranty repair for a dryer not a refrigerator. Their warranty service is terrible.
 
MtnBikerChk

MtnBikerChk

Squeaky Wheel
Aug 3, 2001
5,478
38
Southern New England (where there ain't no TITUS d
After reading your posts and going back to read random reviews on sears.com I think I'm going to look much closer at the Kenmore's. There was one person who was having issues with his but he also said that their customer service was top notch and they were going to replace it. And we know how I like customer service.

FYI here is the chart from consumer reports:

snip.....we asked more than 86,500 readers who bought a refrigerator between 2005 and 2009. The graph shows the percentage of refrigerators from each brand that needed a repair or had a serious problem. Differences of less than 5 points aren't meaningful, and we've adjusted the data to eliminate differences linked solely to the age of the refrigerator. All refrigerators in the graphs are freestanding models, with the exception of Sub-Zero built-in bottom-freezers. Models within a brand may might vary, and design or manufacture changes may affect future reliability. Still, choosing a brand with a good repair history can improve your odds of getting a reliable model.

bottom freezers with ice makers:
KitchenAid
13
Sub-Zero
15
LG
16
Amana
16
Jenn-Air
17
Maytag
19
GE
25

bottom freezers without ice makers
Kenmore
9
Maytag
10
Amana
12
GE
17
 
Ciaran

Ciaran

Fear my banana
Apr 5, 2004
9,839
15
So Cal
Our house came with a Sub Zero built in. I don't know much about refrigerators but I do know that I like the Sub Zero. My beer is COLD. :D:D:D


Sorry I am not much help on this one. :p
 
Serial Midget

Serial Midget

Al Bundy
Jun 25, 2002
13,053
1,896
Fort of Rio Grande
I've never had a refrigerator fail - we've had GEs and Whirlpool side by sides with water and ice in the door. The only complaint I'd have is is the amount of space the automatic ice cube maker takes up. We don't use enough ice to justify the capacity and the freezer is almost always too full.
 
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