ResearchChoosing the Type of Refrigerator that is Right for You
While refrigerators used to come in one standard layout that is not the case anymore. This is great on one hand because every consumer can choose a refrigerator that accommodates his or her needs as well as possible. The down side of all of the options on the market is that it can be difficult to choose which is the best for you, because generally they are all very nice. Browsing around your appliance retailer for even 30 minutes will give you a great idea of what is out there and what may work best for you.
Your Choices
There are three basic types of refrigerators on the market today. The three types are side by sides, freezer on top, and freezer on the bottom. The sides by sides have been really popular for a while and are seen in many homes. Side by sides are just as the name states, a refrigerator with two long doors that are side by side. Next, there are the freezer on top model that is set up like your standard refrigerator with the freezer on top and the refrigerator on bottom. Lastly, there is the freezer on bottom models, which are not that common, but have the freezer on the bottom portion of the refrigerator while the refrigerated part is on top.
The Pros and Cons
We’ll start with side by sides because they are really popular right now. Many people like the look of these, and they are generally are the models that offer all the bells and whistles such as built in televisions, and items such as water and ice on the door. Because the doors are not real wide, the double doors will not interfere with cabinetry, so you can generally fit the side by side in the same area you’d fit any other refrigerator. The problem with a side by side is that each side is quite narrow, so if you want to put a large plate of food or platters of food during the holidays or a party in there, you might run into a problem. This narrow set up can cause a problem for a lot of large families, though many small families find that the side by side set up forces them to keep their refrigerator clean, which is a good thing!
The freezers on the top models are more traditional than anything else, and they also happen to provide the most space. When you compare a 21 cubic feet freezer on top refrigerator to a side by side, you’d have to buy at least a 23 cubic foot side by side to match the amount of space you have inside of the freezer on top variety. The extra space is great because you can put what actually appears to be a smaller refrigerator into your kitchen to maximize space, but have more room. The only drawback to the freezer on top model is that they don’t usually have all of the bells and whistles like clocks, televisions, water, and ice on the door. But, for the extra space, these features might be worth giving up. If it’s any consolation, freezer on top models are generally less expensive than side by sides, too.
Last, there is the freezer on bottom models. These have never caught on with the vast majority of consumers, although some people really like them. These models usually have a lot of adjustable shelves and compartments that makes food storage very organized and convenient. Because you have to bend down to access the freezer there are usually rolling bins that make access very simple. While bending down to access the freezer may turn some people off, it actually makes more sense to bend down into the freezer than the fridge since you access the fridge more often.
Which model you choose is ultimately up to you, many people like the way that the side by side models look only to find that they don’t have the storage capacity that they need. Others are unsatisfied with the other models, and then there are those that love all of the models! Personal preference and family size is what it all comes down to, so look at all of the types of refrigerators and go from there.