When buying a new appliance there is always a number of different factors to consider. It’s a big purchase and it will hopefully last you for several years. So, you want to make the best choice for you and your family. There’s nothing worse than spending all that money only to discover that you aren’t happy with your new fridge. Here are some of the most important things to consider when buying a refrigerator.
1) Size
Size matters. Before you even start looking, figure out where in your kitchen you intend to place your new appliance. Measure the height, depth, and width of the space. You’ll want at least a few inches on all sides to accommodate air flow around the fridge. Bear in mind that you need to have space to swing doors open without interference from other cabinets, shelves and appliances. Drawers that pull straight out can be handy if your space around the refrigerator is limited or risks being impeded by other cabinets and appliances.
2) Finish
Some people are really fussy about having matching appliances and décor while others are not as concerned. Regardless of how fussy you are, you will want to choose something that won’t look totally hideous in your kitchen. Some finishes show things like scratches much easier than others. Some are easier to keep clean if you have young children who tend to touch the appliance with sticky fingers. Take into consideration what tends to end up on your fridge surface on purpose and by accident.
3) How Do You Fill It?
How you shop, cook, and the types of food purchases you make are an important consideration when buying a fridge. Some people tend to do a lot of cooking one day a week and then freeze meals for the balance of the week. This means they need a lot of freezer space. If you purchase a lot of foods that are cooked from frozen, you will also need lots of freezer space. Others tend to eat mainly fresh foods and freshly prepared foods so that they don’t make frequent use of freezer space for anything beyond ice cream and frozen treats. Do you own a separate freezer? If you make frequent use of your freezer or tend to buy bulk items or large quantities of food when it’s on sale, having a separate freezer in your basement or garage can be a good investment and reduce the amount of refrigerator space that needs to be devoted to freezer space.
4) What Is Easiest on Your Body?
This might seem like an odd question when discussing refrigerators but it’s an important consideration. The placement of doors and the freezer section can vary widely between models. Bending and stooping to reach frequently used items can be hard on seniors, people with bad joints, and people with physical disabilities. The traditional freezer on top with both doors opening to the right or left is no longer your only option. The freezer may be one vertical side of the refrigerator and the fridge portion may be the other vertical half. Some freezers are located on the bottom or top. Doors can come as the traditional swing outward doors but you can also find French doors that open at the center and also drawers that pull outward. There are a ton of options so choose one that makes it easiest for you to make use of the appliance.
5) Features
There is a huge range of features that you can choose from in the modern fridge. There’s ice dispensers, water dispensers, built in wine coolers, temperature controlled drawers, energy efficiency, movable shelves and drawers, and crisper drawers. Obviously the more features you want, the more expensive the refrigerator is likely to be but there are other things you’ll need to consider too. Some features such as built in water dispensers require special plumbing to accommodate them. This means that the location you intend to place your new fridge must be able to meet that plumbing need. Features like temperature controlled wine coolers can take up a lot of space within the refrigerator. This means that either you have less room for food or you need a bigger fridge to accommodate both.
Energy efficiency can save you money in the long run but can also be a bit pricier initially. If environmental responsibility is important to you, make sure you find a model that provides you with an efficient and environmentally sound option.
Regardless of what your circumstances, budget, and needs are, there is a refrigerator out there that is perfect for your home. Today’s models offer such a wide range of choices that you are bound to find the right one for your family’s needs. Start by making a list of the features that are important to you and the size, finish, and space needs that will best suit your home and food purchases. Then, it’s time to start looking around. Be sure to include online as well as traditional stores.