New Fridge

[KYHeirloomer]

So, we've just started looking at new refrigerators. There's quite a selection out there, and I'm looking for suggestions and recommendations.

While I would love to have one (or, better, a pair) of those glass-fronted SubZeros, they're a little (like 10x) beyond our budget. Frankly, they're beyond any rationale human being's budget, but that's a different story.

Anyway, here are our criteria so far, based on what we've seen.

1. Largish. 22 cubic feet or more.
2. Bottom freezer. Or no freezer at all.
3. Titanium finish or eqivalent.
4. Fully adjustible shelves.
5. Minimal number of crisping drawers.

If that sounds suspeciously like the LG #LDC22720TT it's because that's become our standard. We picked it out of a line-up the other day at Best Buy. But if there are others, similar to it, that we should be looking at I'd surely like to hear about them.

Thanks.

[chubbyalaskagriz]

I love the armoire-fridges, Brook... w/ the freezer on the bottom and the double doors atop. Here's a link:
http://www.bestbuys.com/p45018745-Ge...r--offers.html

[KYHeirloomer]

Thanks, Kevin,

We looked at those and similar models from other makers. Trouble is, all of the double-door models have water dispensers, and digital readouts, and icemakers in one of the doors---all of which takes up actual fridge space. Plus the doubles are usually split, giving you two very narrow fridges (or a fridge/freezer side by side), which won't work for us.

What we want is a single door and one large box. What we'd really like is one with no freezer at all, as it's the fridge space we want. But that's almost impossible to find, nowadays, except in very small units like you'd get for a dorm room.

We started out looking at stainless. But the saleman touted us on to the titanium. Two advantages: One, it doesn't show fingerprints and smudges the way stainless does. And, two, it's actually cheaper, which came as a surprise.

[Mama Mangia]

May I suggest racks and not plastic shelves that crack?

I always have purchased fridges with racks - a friend of mine purchased the shelves - and hers cracked. Plus I don't feel that the shelves allow for even refrigeration.

Just my lame opinion.

[KYHeirloomer]

While I agree with you in principle, Mama, there are two problems:

1. Finding a fridge that otherwise meets our requirements that has racks instead of shelves.

2. Adjustibility. Many of the fridges with racks lock you in to the factory installed positions. And, on those that are adjustible, you have to move the whole rack. With shelves, particularly on the newer models, you can get them split, so that you only have to raise or lower half of it.

Where's that an advantage? Just think of the tall bottles you put in the fridge. Milk, wine, juices, etc. When you raise a rack, you have half the space empty; space you can better utilize with a split shelf.

Like so much that boils down to personal choice there is no right nor wrong; just what works for the individual.

[KYHeirloomer]

Besides which, Mama, now that Kevin is working for all those big insurance bucks, I'm gonna get him to buy me that SubZero---right after he gets me a full Montegue suite.

Um, huh. As they say in California, yeah, right!

[chubbyalaskagriz]

I know exactly what you mean about the awful space of the split side-by-sides in some armoire-style fridges, Brook. I've always hated those cramped side-by-sides... so narrow one cannot even get a large cake or a tray of grub inside to cool- YIKES! But I have seen the French Door style with one large open roomy box. That's definitely the style I'd opt for.

(Sidenote: Big Insurance Bucks? Pul-eaze! You wouldn't believe me if I told you the pay-cut I took by making the move I did! Not that cooking was making me rich- but working an 80 hour week in AK at an hourly rate gave one lotsa OT. And the position I took w/ State Farm, since I have no degree, is just entry-level college-kid wages! It's pitiful, really. No- make that depressing. But... still I made the right choice!)

[KYHeirloomer]

Does that mean I can forget the Montegue?

[Mama Mangia]

I am too particular when it comes to refrigerators, stoves, ovens, etc. I have 2 refrigerators - for the simple reason - one is not big enough. My fridge is cleaned out daily. I keep nothing more than over night (other than condiments, jellies, etc) - I cannot stand clutter - drives me nuts.

The advantage of 2 fridges - the room to do as I please. I can make trays, desserts, etc. and not have to worry. Both with racks - and I love it.

Keeps me happy.

[chubbyalaskagriz]

Mama- are you sure you're not a VIRGO? (spoken from a full-fledged 110% Virgo!)