The kitchen is the most used room in the house and is always the gathering place for families and while entertaining. Don’t get sidetracked by all the gadgetry available for refrigerators, because the purpose of this storage appliance is to keep your food fresh, beverages cold and ice box chilled.
Don’t get sidetracked by all the gadgetry available for refrigerators, because the purpose of this storage appliance is to keep your food fresh, beverages cold and ice box chilled. When you look at each model, check out the amount of free space, accessibility and special (practical) features. The biggest difference between most models is the amount of cubic footage. The rule of thumb is that a family of two needs 8 to 10 cubic feet of storage space and that you should add 1 cubic foot for each additional family member - however, if you’re the type that likes to always have a stocked refrigerator you may want to increase the cubic feet right off the bat.
Check out features that will keep your food the freshest, like having separate temperature and humidity controls for different compartments and separate refrigerator and freezer compressors. If you want an ice and water dispenser, keep in mind that you’ll be losing valuable storage space.
There are three basic models: a top freezer with bottom refrigerator, bottom freezer with top refrigerator and side-by-side freezer and refrigerator. The top-freezer model is the least expensive and tends to be the most roomy, while a bottom-freezer allows easier access to the refrigerator but it’s not available with a built-in ice-and-water dispenser. The side-by-side offers easier (but narrower) access to both compartments and isn’t as energy efficient. Special features are plentiful when it comes to refrigerators. You can get shelves that adjust, slide, crank and are spill-proof; interior wine racks, ice and water dispensers, refreshment centers (you can access drinks and goodies without opening the main door), beepers to alert you when the door is open, humidity-controlled crispers, night lights, deodorizers and much, much more. Top-freezer models cost about $600-$900; $900-$1500 for a bottom-freezer; $1000-$2000 for a freestanding side-by-side; and $3,500 to $5,000 for a built-in. Whirlpool offers a wide variety of refrigerators. The sleek design of the refrigerator featured above fits flush with kitchen counters for a streamlined look, without sacrificing capacity.
SpecialtyIf you’re looking for something special you might want to check out separate cold storage units such as wine chillers, undercounter refrigerators, drawer refrigerators and ice makers.
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