Need a list of the most reliable refrigerators.

Jane
by Jane
We are updating our kitchen. Want a counter depth, French door, around 22 or more cubic feet, only 2 of us. Reviews say ice makers are often flawed by this design as it is housed in fresh food side. Advice welcome, please.

  15 answers
    • Jane Jane on Nov 13, 2017

      Hello- I subscribe to the magazine, for years, not the CR on-line.

      Checked magazines from past few years, and they reported on a

      few refrig models in the Oct 2017 issue. Saw no info for counter depth ratings or reliablity, on this more difficult to find information. The ratings on the computer thru a variety of websites, are rather conflicting. Numerous brand ratings swing from 1 to 3 to 5 and may score between 70-80%, as recommended, which does not raise ones level of confidence, when trying to make a careful decision. Realize one MUST buy extended warranties today, due to lesser quality. However, many complain about the lack of service and response when something goes wrong with their refrig & wait time is a week.

      Thank you for your assistance.


  • Kauai Breeze Kauai Breeze on Nov 13, 2017

    Look for one with the ice cube maker in the freezer compartment. You may not get the handy through the door ice dispenser though if you insist on the french door type with freezer on the bottom. I bought my Frigidaire 2 years ago. The ice maker is up in the refrigerator section. I'm on my 4th ice maker already. I bought the 5-year warranty and I'm certainly getting my moneys worth out of it. I haven't paid a cent yet. There is just me in the house.

    • Jane Jane on Nov 13, 2017

      Did you buy a larger Gallery model? So your experience is the ice maker in fresh food area , is not the best decision. Correct??? I can live with the idea of opening the bottom freezer for ice, but it looks so good as part of the unit. Any other issues with this fridge? Can you tell me where you purchased your 5 yr contract (Home Depot, etc), and did you feel the service contract company was helpful and took care of you , quickly? Is ice smaller and slow in forming? Thank you for your advice.

  • Sharon Sharon on Nov 13, 2017

    I would read the consumer reports on best frigs for 2017... https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q=consumer+reports+on+best+refrigerators+2017&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 I've always brought Whirlpools

    I would not buy Sears as they have let their repairmen go due to their financial troubles

    • See 1 previous
    • Sharon Sharon on Nov 13, 2017

      I have a clue what model, my current one is 17 yo.

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Nov 13, 2017

    I have both the side by side (too big for opening in this house so is used in the garage) and a French door with the ice maker in the freezer compartment. Both are in the freezer. The side by side has the water and the ice dispenser in the freezer and is an LG that is probably ten years old and only had a problem once early on. The freezer works great, it even keeps ice cream hard enough to be hard to spoon out. My present in house fridge is a Samsung that is two years old to replace the one that came with the house that was so old all the plastic inside walls and such were breaking and the handle was falling off. I have not had a problem with it at all. I have all Samsung appliances in the kitchen other than my toaster oven and small appliances like blenders, mixers, toaster, etc. Other than my phones, our family has all Samsung phones, and we also have all Samsung TV's in the house. We get all our things at Best Buy, with extended warranties. We just recently had a problem with our main TV in the living room and two days later we had a new one up at no charge because of the warranty. Since our two year old 3D TV is no longer made, they replaced it with one that had all the rest of what the TV had and upgraded us from a 55 inch to a 65 inch! Still getting used to the bigger screen! We have had good luck with Samsung products and they stand by them to the end. Some people have not had good luck with them, but we have and you can tell by the amount of their products in our home. I will not get their laundry products, I am sold on what I have used for years and won't change much to hubbies wanting too.

    • Jane Jane on Nov 13, 2017

      WOW! Samsung has been very good to you in the past. Hope this will continue to happen for you and your family. I have all GE Profile for 11 years, and still working. Old style side by side, a bit noisy, now. Just want to get all new in stylish look as we are renovating kitchen.

      Like the look of Samsung and LG, but the reviews/ratings for today's models are so conflicting. Thanks for your reply.

  • Connie Connie on Nov 13, 2017

    we have a Samsung that fits your description. Only 5 months old so I can't comment on its longevity.

  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Nov 13, 2017

    I have 3 door Frigidaire and love it

    • Jane Jane on Nov 13, 2017

      Like the looks of Frigidaire Gallery 3 door +want one in counter depth. Is yours a Gallery model w/ exterior ice dispenser?What yr did you purchase? The ice maker is located @ top of fresh food section, far from the freezer, which has problems w/ less production of normal size cubes.What's your favorite points of your refrig and is it "Quiet" while running? Thanks for your input.

  • Big lulu Big lulu on Nov 13, 2017

    Bought a Frigidaire Pro. Looks and works great. Opted not to get an ice-maker since we don't use much ice and don't like the looks of the ice dispenser in the door.

    • See 1 previous
    • Big lulu Big lulu on Nov 14, 2017

      Just got it this year. FPBG2277RF

  • 27524803 27524803 on Nov 13, 2017

    Consumer Reports... can give you a good comparison on the makes and models of refrigerators...as far as energy efficiency, frequency and cost of repair, dependability, etc... be aware that a model number from Home Depot can differ slightly from one at Lowe's. And places like Sears and Costco have models that are made specifically for them. So the research by Consumer Reports may not cover every model number. And sometimes the "base price" listed can be higher or lower than what is available in YOUR area. Good Housekeeping.com can also be a good source of comparison. Look for reviews by websites that purchase the items and don't get them free from manufacturers.

    Also some manufacturers make more than one brand, Maytag and Jenn Aire for example.

    Take time to make a shopping trip to the largest appliance store in your area and look for the FEATURES you want, Door bins, ice maker, movable shelves, frost free, etc. Pay attention to some of the details that differ by manufacturer like how the door bins attach to the door and if they are adjustable or just fit in pre-fitted spots (sometime it can get annoying if they are too far apart for short stuff, or too close together for tall stuff) Same thing for the shelves. Check out the freezer for ease of accessibility and amount of actual storage ( a lot of refrigerator freezers have the power unit on the bottom and the shelves and bins there are not as deep (front to back)

    This purchase can last 10 years and beyond... take your time and do your research... and get what you like

    We have had a Samsung for 5 years.. our ice maker/ water dispenser is in the freezer side... and the only problem we have had is replacing the water filter, but that is due to our well water, and the fact that the manufacturer has changed the model number of the filter... we have been able to find compatible filters on line and for less than buying locally.

    Happy Shopping


  • I have a Samsung 2 door, bottom freezer with icemaker in the freezer compartment. 10 years old, no problems, but it is just me in the house. Love the refrigerator shelves, great for sheet cakes or party platters.

  • 2dogal 2dogal on Nov 13, 2017

    Go to your local library and look up the back issues of Consumer reports. They do the best research on things like this.

  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Nov 13, 2017

    My dispenser is on left side at top. It is probably one of my favorite features because I use the cubed ice constantly with water. We have plenty of ice and have family in quite often. I enjoy the freezer at bottom and have lots of room. We find it quiet. Have had it about 4 years now and am very pleased especially now that I don't have to crawl around on floor to look for something in old one at bottom.

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Nov 13, 2017

    I had a GE fridge before I got my LG. It is sitting in my garage right now. The only reason it isn't being used is that it quit cooling after we moved, so probably needs coolant. I had used that one for about ten years in the kitchen, but when I got the LG is went into the basement as my spare fridge and freezer for more seldom used things. I got it used when I purchased it. so it lasted for years. I have also had GE washer and dryers that lasted for years, so I know that is also a good brand. You will always find people that are not satisfied with what they purchase and more of them put in reviews than the people that are satisfied, so go with what you think you would be happier with, not what others were satisfied or unsatisfied with. I just know that I have been very satisfied with GE, LG and Samsung for performance of their products that I have had in my house.

  • Kauai Breeze Kauai Breeze on Nov 13, 2017

    It is a 25CF French door w/freezer on the bottom. Purchased at Lowes with the 5 year extended warranty. The warranty company has been very good sending repairmen. The repairmen have been good also. The ice cubes are smaller. They seem to make plenty ice for me. The ice maker does take up a lot of space in the refrigerator area. I have a friend with a similar frig with ice maker in bottom freezer. She has never had a problem and frequently has to empty the bucket when it gets filled. I've also had a side by side with ice maker on the left freezer side with through the door ice and water. I never had a problem with that.

    • Jane Jane on Nov 14, 2017

      What brand and model, and is it counter depth, or at least under 30 inches in depth. Since u have had good service, would like to know the brand. Raised our family in your area of PA. In FL now. thanks for the input.

  • Pk fridges Pk fridges on Nov 18, 2019

    I like my Kenmore fridge due to its large storage capacity. It has one feature that make it different from other fridge that it has dual evaporators that cool the refrigerator and freezer separately.

  • Jane Jane on Nov 18, 2019

    Thanks of the replies. Got one and it's doing ok