Help! We need a fridge!

[Larabeth]

Trying to make a decision on a refrigerator and it is proving difficult.  Any suggestions?

[Another Reader]

Craigslist can be your friend here.  Also ask around to see who is "upgrading"  to the $3,000 stainless model and wants to get rid of their old, working fridge.

What you want depends on how many people you are feeding and what you store.  For a small space and two or three people, a top freezer is fine.  18 cubic feet is typical.  I like side by side models because I know what in the freezer, as it is at eye level.  Icemakers are generally standard, except on low-end top freezer models.  Whatever you get, avoid Frigidaire, they are the junk brand.  Sales are everywhere every week.  Lowes and Home Depot have good prices if you go new, and delivery is free.

I will take a three year-old Whirlpool side by side in good condition for $250 to $300 tops if I can find one.  It's what I put in the rentals that can accommodate the width and height.

[Larabeth]

There aren't many good craigslist options around and I'm concerned about our inability to safely haul it to the house.

I actually use Craigslist for everything else, but I'm leaning toward something new this time.  Our Sears Outlet even sells the refurbished items in our area for comparable prices to the new items.

[TheDude]

An old chest freezer?

http://newlifeonahomestead.com/convert-chest-freezer-to-fridge-solar/

[Thinkum]

Do you have NextDoor in your area? Social site for neighborhoods. If so, ask on there. You might be able to find one locally for really cheap.

If you are wanting to buy new, you can check Consumer Reports to see what they recommend. If they do not list them online, you can always try your local library or bookstore to peruse.

I followed their recommendations as well as reviews and bought an LG fridge. Happy with it so far.

[Another Reader]

When I switch out all the appliances in a higher end rental, I often buy this model.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Whirlpool-24-5-cu-ft-Side-by-Side-Refrigerator-in-Monochromatic-Stainless-Steel-WRS325FDAM/204079506

It's CHEAPER in stainless.

Below is the basic fridge with icemaker for the small 3/2 houses.  GE makes a similar model.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Whirlpool-30-in-W-18-2-cu-ft-Top-Freezer-Refrigerator-in-White-WRT318FMDW/205721823

[Larabeth]

An old chest freezer?

http://newlifeonahomestead.com/convert-chest-freezer-to-fridge-solar/

Ooooh, I like this!!!!

Do you have NextDoor in your area? Social site for neighborhoods. If so, ask on there. You might be able to find one locally for really cheap.

If you are wanting to buy new, you can check Consumer Reports to see what they recommend. If they do not list them online, you can always try your local library or bookstore to peruse.

I followed their recommendations as well as reviews and bought an LG fridge. Happy with it so far.

Thanks for the tips... I'll check CR and look at Next Door for my area

[Larabeth]

When I switch out all the appliances in a higher end rental, I often buy this model.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Whirlpool-24-5-cu-ft-Side-by-Side-Refrigerator-in-Monochromatic-Stainless-Steel-WRS325FDAM/204079506

It's CHEAPER in stainless.

Below is the basic fridge with icemaker for the small 3/2 houses.  GE makes a similar model.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Whirlpool-30-in-W-18-2-cu-ft-Top-Freezer-Refrigerator-in-White-WRT318FMDW/205721823

Awesome, thanks!!!

[sstants]

I just got a GREAT deal on a scratch & dent return at our local Home Depot. We paid $800 on a $1700 brand new stainless fridge that has a barely noticeable scratch on the side. I 100% believe in buying new and getting the best deal you can. Dig up coupons, negotiate the price on sale items etc. We sold the existing fridge for $300 on Craigslist so the new one effectively cost us $500, a 70% discount.

Try to think about cost per year, maybe the ones on Craigslist seem like a better deal, but you have to figure out the effective life of the appliance as well (and forego the warranty). I prefer to replace things less often and spend more up front, but that's a personal preference.

[Northwestie]

Agreed with the above.  One other item to consider is that the newer models are extremely energy efficient compared to what you can find on Craigslist.  Good job on the scratched model sale - gonna keep my eyes out for a similar deal.

[Sweetloveginger]

I ended up with a 1 year old fridge for $100 just a couple months ago (we actually were in the market for a freezer).... Apartments were being remodeled and they were just dumping the old appliances for the sake of time. Seriously check out craigslist and ask any contractor friends.

[bobechs]

It's winter.

You don't need a refrigerator.

[MoonShadow]

It's winter.

You don't need a refrigerator.

He would if he lived near me.

Every major city has a "scratch & dent" outlet nearby, because distribution centers have accidents.  The bigger the scratch, the lower the price; but (obviously) these are not pretty machines anymore, nor do they have warranties anymore.  So it's a give & take. 

Also, the typical American refrigerator is too big.  There are many things that don't really need to be kept in the refrigerator, if space is tight.  As a rule of thumb, the rest of the world gets away with refrigerators about 2/3rds the volume as Americans.  Most (hard) cheeses don't need to be refrigerated, if they are going to be eaten with a week or less; and butter can be kept in a butter crock at room temps (72 F or less) for many weeks.  Reducing your refrigerator volume by 25% to 30% will not save that much in electricity, since the power required is a function of exterior surface area, not volume; but it's certainly true that not keeping unnecessary things in the fridge will reduce your waste, because it doesn't matter if teenagers stand in front of an open cabinet looking for cheese.

[Bruinguy]

Also, check out Sears outlet centers (www.searsoutlet.com).  They have a mix of floor models and return/recertified.  Most at 50% off. 

Also, consider buying gift cards at a discount from somewhere like Raise.com (about 6% for Sears, which work at the outlet stores too) for additional savings.

[RetiredAt63]

It's winter.
You don't need a refrigerator Freezer.

Fixed that for you.  ;-)

[Chris22]

It's winter.

You don't need a refrigerator.

He would if he lived near me.

Every major city has a "scratch & dent" outlet nearby, because distribution centers have accidents.  The bigger the scratch, the lower the price; but (obviously) these are not pretty machines anymore, nor do they have warranties anymore.  So it's a give & take. 

Also, the typical American refrigerator is too big.  There are many things that don't really need to be kept in the refrigerator, if space is tight.  As a rule of thumb, the rest of the world gets away with refrigerators about 2/3rds the volume as Americans.  Most (hard) cheeses don't need to be refrigerated, if they are going to be eaten with a week or less; and butter can be kept in a butter crock at room temps (72 F or less) for many weeks.  Reducing your refrigerator volume by 25% to 30% will not save that much in electricity, since the power required is a function of exterior surface area, not volume; but it's certainly true that not keeping unnecessary things in the fridge will reduce your waste, because it doesn't matter if teenagers stand in front of an open cabinet looking for cheese.

We have a smaller fridge (~17 cu ft?) because that's the available width we have in our kitchen, without changing cabinet or wall layouts.  It doesn't save anything, because we took the old fridge out of the kitchen when we redid it and put it in the garage to use as overflow, and for things like beer/drinks, extra casseroles, etc.  The extra electricity it costs to run it is far offset by the savings of being able to cook food in "bulk" and eat it during the week when we're busy rather than going out. 

[Larabeth]

It's winter.

You don't need a refrigerator.

I'm in Alabama.  We have maybe two days a year that it actually gets into "cold" temperatures?

[Larabeth]

Also, check out Sears outlet centers (www.searsoutlet.com).  They have a mix of floor models and return/recertified.  Most at 50% off. 

Also, consider buying gift cards at a discount from somewhere like Raise.com (about 6% for Sears, which work at the outlet stores too) for additional savings.

I've been watching the Sears Outlet near us, but the prices at that one aren't any lower. 

Definitely need to look into the gift cards!!!

[robartsd]

It's winter.
You don't need a refrigerator Freezer.

Fixed that for you.  ;-)

Good fix RetiredAt63.

The research station in Antartica use energy to keep fresh items. It is heated to prevent freezing - no freezer needed year round. There are plenty of places where winter means no freezer is needed (I do not live in such a place); but it would be a very rare to have a climate where temperatures are appropriate for refrigerated (34-40 F) storage for days on end.

[horsepoor]

Also, check out Sears outlet centers (www.searsoutlet.com).  They have a mix of floor models and return/recertified.  Most at 50% off. 

Also, consider buying gift cards at a discount from somewhere like Raise.com (about 6% for Sears, which work at the outlet stores too) for additional savings.

That could be a good option.  We bought a new fridge last year and the one with the best reviews, consistently was the Whirlpool French door fridge (no through the door water).  I think they make it in a single door configuration for less, but we wanted French doors due to access in the fridge location.  Anyway, we ended up getting ours on sale at Lowe's with a 10% off from www.mycheapcoupons.com and then purchased it with Lowe's gift cards purchased from Fred Meyer when they were doing like 4x fuel points for gift cards and my credit card was offering 5% cash back on grocery store purchases.  With all that, we ended up getting it for several hundred less than retail price.  Without all the discounts, getting one shipped from Sears Outlet would have been the next best bet (we have a local Sears Outlet but they didn't have this particular fridge in stock).

[bobechs]

It's winter.

You don't need a refrigerator.

I'm in Alabama.  We have maybe two days a year that it actually gets into "cold" temperatures?

Two words:  spring house

[MoonShadow]

It's winter.

You don't need a refrigerator.

I'm in Alabama.  We have maybe two days a year that it actually gets into "cold" temperatures?

Two words:  spring house

If you can afford property enough that there is a spring on it, and afford to build a spring house; then you can afford just about any refrigerator on the market.

[bobechs]

It's winter.

You don't need a refrigerator.

I'm in Alabama.  We have maybe two days a year that it actually gets into "cold" temperatures?

Two words:  spring house

If you can afford property enough that there is a spring on it, and afford to build a spring house; then you can afford just about any refrigerator on the market.

Afford and need are two different things.

[MoonShadow]

It's winter.

You don't need a refrigerator.

I'm in Alabama.  We have maybe two days a year that it actually gets into "cold" temperatures?

Two words:  spring house

If you can afford property enough that there is a spring on it, and afford to build a spring house; then you can afford just about any refrigerator on the market.

Afford and need are two different things.

True.  But my point was that even a SubZero in stainless steel isn't likely to cost more than even the building of the spring house, not counting what it would cost to buy a patch of land with a known spring on it.

[Rural]

It's winter.

You don't need a refrigerator.

I'm in Alabama.  We have maybe two days a year that it actually gets into "cold" temperatures?

Two words:  spring house

Springhouse is one word regardless of what your autocorrect (or mine) thinks about it. Just saying.


Anyway, the springhouse won't keep milk from going over for more than a couple of days.

[bobechs]

It's winter.

You don't need a refrigerator.

I'm in Alabama.  We have maybe two days a year that it actually gets into "cold" temperatures?

Two words:  spring house

Springhouse is one word regardless of what your autocorrect (or mine) thinks about it. Just saying.


Anyway, the springhouse won't keep milk from going over for more than a couple of days.

Nope; spring house, springhouse, they are both right.  Which means by insisting on one form  to the exclusion of the other-- you are completely wrong.  It's the penalty of relentless prescription.

Just sayin'...

Anyway, how many cows are you keeping these days?