Your refrigerator is more than just a place to keep your leftovers cold. As a large appliance, it’s also a significant player in the aesthetic layout of your kitchen. Refrigerators are a considerable investment, so you want to ensure that what you buy meets your specific needs.
When searching for the perfect fridge, you’ll want to partner with a trusted home appliance retailer such as Goedeker’s to save yourself any hassles down the line. With that said, here’s a roadmap guide for choosing your perfect refrigerator.
Top freezer
A top freezer is the traditional combination style, with fresh food stored in the refrigerated portion on the bottom two-thirds and the freezer area in a separate compartment on top. While the design has fallen out of fashion somewhat, these combination units are usually still the cheapest options.
Top freezer fridges are also one of the most petite options, making them an excellent choice for kitchens with limited space.
Bottom freezer
The bottom freezer takes the traditional top freeze design and turns it on its head. This design keeps the fresh foods at a higher level, making them easier for adults to reach.
For most refrigerators with this design, the refrigerator portion has a hinged door, while the freezer section is a pull-out drawer. Generally, bottom freezers are a bit larger than top freezers.
Side-by-side
With a side-by-side refrigerator, the freezer and refrigerator sections split vertically. Some types give equal space to each section, while others make the freezer smaller by a few inches.
Side-by-side fridges are usually the slimmest options. These models are ideal for small, narrow kitchens, although you do end up sacrificing some storage space compared to the other types.
French doors
French doors combine features from the bottom freezer and side-by-side. The top of the unit has side-by-side doors for the refrigerator section, while the bottom freezer part has a pull-out drawer.
They provide tons of storage space for both fresh and frozen foods. Also, French door refrigerators are more energy-efficient, as the dual side doors allow you to access fresh food without releasing all of the cold air.
Features
Refrigerators can do far more than keep food cool. Many have a wide variety of extra functions, including:
- Dual ice makers
- Custom temperature controls that allow you to customize each side of a dual-door unit
- Built-in icemaker
- Liquid dispensers, including a filtered water dispenser, hot water, and even K-cup brewers, are healthy alternatives to contaminated tap water.
Above all, consider the unit’s energy needs. Refrigerators with the Energy Star logo are 9% more energy-efficient than minimum federal efficiency standards.
Before you go
Your refrigerator is one of the essential appliances in your kitchen, so you want to carefully consider the size of your kitchen, the types of food you want to store, and other factors.
Determine how you and your family use your fridge, and then select the option that best fits your style. This guide will help you stay cool as a cucumber while you search for your family’s next cooler.