The icebox of yesterday used to be lined with cork, sawdust, straw, or even seaweed to help keep the perishables inside from spoiling. Today’s refrigerators stand tall and quiet and do an extremely efficient job of keeping food cool and frozen. Plus, the technological advances of water and crystal-clear ice dispensers, digital temperature controls, and an array of door and compartment configurations make for a can’t-do-without kitchen appliance.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or replacing an older model, plan for your growing family and even plan for your family to shrink. The kids will move away eventually. If you’ve got four teenagers that will be living on their own in four years, a 25-cubic foot total capacity refrigerator might be way too big down the road when you become an empty nester.
(left to right) Top Freezer, French Door, and Side-by-Side
Follow our easy-to-use, five-step method for selecting the right refrigerator and you’ll be stowing away your veggies, frozen foods, and your midnight snacks in no time!
STEP 1 = LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
There are restrictions in your home based on location because of your refrigerator’s overall size, the structural layout of your kitchen, and the air circulation needed around the unit.
If you’re building a home and construction isn’t complete yet, you might be able to ensure you’ve got plenty of room in the floor plans. If you’re replacing a fridge that has seen better days, you might be limited to purchasing the same size that you already have due to existing conditions. At least the new fridge will be more energy efficient and have more features.
Kitchen Layout – The mere size of your refrigerator might only give you one location in the kitchen to install it. Don’t fret. Use the space you have wisely by measuring the width, depth, and height of the available space. Also, measure the width with the door(s) open to ensure your new refrigerator won’t block a passageway or hit an object before the door is fully opened.
Hookups – Another location restriction you might run into is the available power source and water connections for the ice maker. If you’ve selected an installation location away from these sources, consult with a professional to have the connections relocated.
Air Circulation – For maximum efficiency, ensure your refrigerator has some breathing room by allowing for air to circulate behind, underneath, both sides, and the top. Leave space between the wall and cabinets.
STEP 2 = CUBIC FEET REQUIREMENTS
Select a refrigerator that fits your needs in your home. Too small and you’ll be constantly rearranging shelves to get that last item to fit. Too large and it will occupy a large footprint in your kitchen and will consume more electricity than is needed, consequently costing you more to operate.
The most common mistake in purchasing a refrigerator is buying one that is way too big. So what is the perfect size? That depends. As a general rule, 8-10 cubic feet of fresh food storage is needed for two people. From there, add one cubic foot for each member of your household.
Two refrigerators with similar total cubic feet capacities can have vastly different sizes of fresh food to freezer compartment capacities. Check the numbers on the manufacturer’s literature to be sure.
STEP 3 = DOOR CONFIGURATIONS
With location and cubic feet still in mind, it is time to pick out the door configuration of your new refrigerator. Even if the kitchen is your castle, think of the other members of your family that will be using the refrigerator.
Side-by-Side – Although a side-by-side doesn’t have the full swing of a single-door refrigerator, consideration must still be taken because one door opens to the left and one door opens to the right. Ensure there are no obstacles on either side, including blocking passageways in and out of the kitchen.
The term side-by-side comes from both doors (and the inner compartments) standing vertically and side-by-side each other. The freezer is on the left while the fresh food area is on the right.
French Doors – The entire area behind the French doors is the fresh food compartment, keeping everyday food at eye level. The freezer is a drawer conveniently located below the French doors. Since both the fresh and freezer compartments are the full width of the refrigerator, wider items such as pizza boxes can be stored flat and larger food items, such as a Thanksgiving turkey, can be stored with ease.
All Refrigerator – If you have an upright or chest freezer to store all your frozen foods, a refrigerator with no freezer can store all your fresh food needs without worrying about space. These units have the same general appearance as a fresh/frozen refrigerator except they only have one door – to access all the fresh food inside at the same time. They also came in a variety of cubic foot sizes comparable to a regular fresh/frozen refrigerator.
2-Door Top Freezer – This model has the freezer on the top and is the most traditional style available today. Some smaller refrigerators of this style have a single door to access the fresh food and then a second door located on the inside of the unit to access the freezer (which is usually very small). This type of refrigerator is basic in appearance but still has features and options available that are comparable to the more expensive styles.
2-Door Bottom Freezer – Placing the freezer on the bottom allows for eye level access to the foods you use most-in the fresh food compartment. There is one door to access your fresh food and one door to access your frozen food providing full view of everything you’ve got available to make dinner.
Compact (Beer/Wine Coolers) – These little workhorses are just smaller versions of their kitchen relatives. They do a small job on a smaller scale but are perfect for the office, dorm room, garage, or basement. Features don’t fall short on these models either as they can have most any option their larger counterparts have. A popular use for these refrigerators is for beverages only, including use as a wine cooler. Some of these units are designed to hold pony kegs (15.5 gallons) for party nights and then easily converts back to a compact refrigerator when the party’s over.
STEP 4 = FEATURES & FINISHES
The features available on refrigerators are vast and combinations of options are virtually limitless. The exterior of your refrigerator has many colors to choose from, including the popular stainless steel finish.
Shelves – The amount, location, and versatility of the shelves in your refrigerator is very important. The ability to raise/lower a shelf or remove it completely will be a consideration if you need to accommodate very tall items. Some shelves slide in and out like drawers to keep from having to reach for items stored in the back. Also, look for shelves that are easily removable for periodic cleaning.
Shelving includes the storage available in the doors. Here you can also find adjustable shelves which are capable of holding gallon-sized jugs to keep them from taking up too much space in other parts of the refrigerator.
Drawers/Baskets – The core use for the crisper drawers is to store fruits and vegetables. Other uses are for storing items that don’t stack well (e.g., fruit/pudding cups) and for items that aren’t used very much but still need to be refrigerated.
Crisper drawer fronts can be clear, frosted, white, or opaque. Freezer baskets are constructed of metal coated with a durable plastic. They have several large holes in them to ensure the cold air circulates around the food properly to keep it frozen solid. These baskets usually slide in and out like a crisper drawer and are easily removable for cleaning.
Door Finishes – Your refrigerator can actually fit your décor instead of just being a large box located in the kitchen-gone are the days of harvest gold and olive green. You can now choose from white, black, biscuit, and stainless steel (faux and authentic).
Some kitchens go all-out and opt for counter-depth refrigerators which are surfaced with matching kitchen cabinetry to blend in with the design of the room.
Ice Makers/Water Dispensers – One of the reasons why water and ice dispensers are such a nice convenience is because you don’t have to open the door to use them. The cold air from the freezer would escape when you grab some ice and the constant temperature inside would be temporarily lost. There are even some models that will dispense crushed ice.
These dispensers aren’t just for a cold glass of water; some have the capability to fill tall pitchers for serving and stock pots for boiling pasta. Water filtration systems are available as an option or standard feature on almost all refrigerators that have through-the-door water and ice dispensing.
Lighting – Ensure there is enough lighting to see everything inside your refrigerator. You don’t want to have to remove items to see what’s in the back because it is so dark. Also ensure the lighting is easily replaceable if it goes out. Most refrigerators come with 25-75 watt bulbs but LEDs are quickly becoming the new standard.
Food Safety – Some models have adjustable humidity drawers. This will help keep meats and cheeses fresher even longer. Humidity settings are also important for vegetables-low humidity for fruits and high humidity for vegetables. Keeping food edible longer will help keep your family safe and save you money.
Look for a model with a digital temperature display in the door. This feature alerts you when the temperature inside the refrigerator or the freezer gets too hot or too cold and if the door has been left ajar. This will prevent spoilage and waste by informing you when your food is no longer at a safe temperature.
Some units have child locks on them to keep your little ones from opening the door. The will also keep them from accidentally leaving the door open or getting into food or drinks they aren’t supposed to eat.
Defrosting – Although automatic defrost models can consume up to two times more energy than a comparable manual defrost model, consider the additional time and effort needed perform the manual defrost duties.
ENERGY STAR
To receive the stamp of approval from ENERGY STAR, a refrigerator must use at least 20 percent less energy than current federal standards. Through better insulation, improved door seals, more efficient compressors and precise temperature controls, today’s refrigerators consume 40 percent less energy than conventional models sold in 2001.
ENERGY STAR appliances might cost more up front due to better construction and higher quality materials, but the result will be significant savings throughout the lifetime of the product. If there is one feature of your new refrigerator you can’t live without, it would be ENERGY STAR.
STEP 5 = MAKE YOUR PURCHASE!
You’ve done your homework. You’ve measured and re-measured. Now you’ve got your heart set on the perfect one and it is time to bring it home.
To view our line of side-by-sides, French doors, 2-doors, compacts, and all-refrigerators, click here.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Technology, design, and efficiency have all come together to make the refrigerator an effective tool and an easy on the eyes asset to your kitchen. No matter your living space, your budget, or the size of your family, you fresh and frozen needs can be met.
Don’t forget to allow for the leveling legs of the refrigerator in your height measurements and allow space for the hinges to open and close. Keep your refrigerator away from all heat sources, even sunlight. Any additional external heat will make your refrigerator work harder to keep the food inside cold.
Still have questions?-feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!
Refrigerators
Frigidaire’s ranges and stoves are designed to complement your Frigidaire refrigerator both in style and in function. Some key features found on Frigidaire cooking appliances include: 
Don’t overlook the importance of a good dishwasher. If you find yourself washing your dishes before you put them into the dishwasher, it might be time for a new one. Frigidaire dishwashers feature some of the most advanced features available including:
With the addition of steam to a washer the machine can freshen up clothes without actually washing them. This won’t clean the garment, but rather remove any odors that you may have picked up last night while clubbing. Steam can also be used to remove allergens from your clothing such as dust mites and pet dander. Steam can also be used to remove stains that would otherwise be stuck on your clothes by allowing the steam to pass through your clothes, taking the stain with it.
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