So the old refrigerator that came with our house tried to burst into flames on Monday (a Kenmore). The back of the freezer compartment was so hot that it was glowing orange and melting food. I was too freaked out to get a picture, and now I’m a little concerned about plugging it back in (even though I really want a picture).
So the lady and I go refrigerator shopping, find a few models we like and I go home to research them. What do I discover? That every single model of refrigerator is a heaping pile of crap that will breakdown, leaving you waiting for weeks for warranty work (if you read forums). And, conversely, that every brand is wonderful with high levels of consumer satisfaction (if you visit a variety of sites like Consumer Reports and JD Power).
Ugh, seriously, is it that hard to get decent info on a refrigerator? Consumer Reports is almost worthless. What I want to know is how reliable and well built a unit is.
We had been leaning towards a Samsung, until the CR forums and a couple of other sites made me leery of the brand with horror stories of customer service. But JD Power ranks Samsung as having the highest level of consumer satisfaction for five years in a row in refrigerators. I definitely felt that the design and quality of shelving felt better in the Samsung, but that doesn’t really say anything about how well built the actual guts are.
Aaargh. Anyone have any clues about refrigerators?
Tags: appliances · frustration · kitchen · refrigerator · remodel2 Comments - Follow the string
2 responses so far ↓
Don’t you hate trying to research things on the Net? We did the same thing trying to buy a camcorder. Seems the only ones who give feedback are the ones with bad experiences!
Well, back to your topic, we bought a Frigidaire from Best Buy in 2003. Just a no-frills side-by-side with the in-door water and ice server. It’s been perfect, we haven’t had a single problem it. I also worked at Sears for a few years back in high school and have always felt their products are pretty good. Kenmore is their version of Whirlpool and other brands and is great based on family experiences.
But I didn’t even know Samsung MADE fridges!! You might be looking at a higher price range than I ever could though, I’m pretty cheap!
I’ve historically always bought used fridges for no more than $100 (ah, the bachelor days!). The lady on the other hand wants a nice fridge, which I have to admit with the look of our kitchen, we at least need something nice looking. I’m seriously leaning towards stainless steel or copper countertops. If I just buy the raw metal and cut, bend and mount it myself, it would be less than a formica counter from Home Depot.
I go OCD on researching anything though, which I think drives her crazy.