Refrigerator and Freezer Styles

Before heading out to shop for your new refrigerator there are a few things you should consider that will help you make the right purchase. Besides knowing the basics, such as size and capacity, you should learn a little about the different styles of refrigerators and freezers.

Here are some of the most common styles:

Side-by-Side Refrigerators

Side-by-side refrigerators have the refrigerator and freezer compartments sitting next to each other with the freezer typically on the left and the refrigerator on the right. This configuration offers the convenience of having both the refrigerator and freezer compartments at eye level.

Side-by-sides are great where space in front of the fridge is tight because the smaller doors don’t need as much clearance to open.

Most side-by-sides range from 28 to 36 inches wide and have capacities of up to 30 cubic feet.

One disadvantage to the side-by-side is the narrower compartments make storing wider items such as pizza boxes or baking trays a challenge. Also the cubic footage claims for side by sides tend to be a bit more inflated than other styles so you would be getting less usable space than another style claiming the same capacity.

Top-Mount Freezers

Top-mount freezers are considered the most common type of refrigerator with a smaller freezer compartment on the top and the refrigerator compartment on the bottom. They work best in apartments or other smaller dwellings as they are less expensive than other types and come in smaller in sizes.

Most have widths ranging from 23 to 36 inches and capacities of up to 22 cubic feet. This design makes great use of space because the refrigerator compartment is one big box featuring adjustable shelves that provide great storage flexibility.

Fancy features such as indoor water and ice dispensers are typically not available on these models but some standard features like storage drawers for meat and vegetables, and ice makers are. This style tends to be more energy efficient too.

Bottom-Mount Freezers

Bottom-mount freezers are essentially the opposite of the top-mount freezers with the freezer compartment below the refrigerator compartment, and like top mount freezers, typically more economical and energy efficient.

One of the major advantages of bottom-mount freezers is your more frequently used refrigerated items are at eye level avoiding the need to bend over while searching for foods. On most models the freezer compartment opens like a drawer as opposed to a swing-out door.

One disadvantage to this is that most items get stacked on top of each other making it harder to find things. Many manufacturers have addressed this issue and are now featuring pullout trays for better freezer organization. If you are more of a fresh food cook than a frozen food cook, this style is a great choice.

French Door Refrigerators

This style is a compromise between a side-by-side and a bottom-mount style refrigerator. French door refrigerators feature double doors on a full-width refrigerator on top with a full-width freezer drawer on the bottom offering wider storage than a side-by-side, but with the convenience of the smaller, space saving doors typical of side-by-side refrigerators.

Another unique and energy-efficient feature is that you can open one door at a time to get something, and like the bottom-mount freezer style – all your fresh foods are at eye level.

Most French door refrigerators range in size from 20 to 26 cubic feet and come with plenty of features, but tend to cost quite a bit more than the top and bottom mount freezer styles. Photo: Samsung_french_door_refrigerator_RFG29PHDPN.jpg

Built-In Refrigerators

Built-in refrigerators are designed to be integrated into your cabinetry offering a seamless look. To achieve this built-in look, models are shallower than the typical refrigerator so that they fit flush with the surrounding cabinetry. They can also be customized with panels that match your cabinets allowing the refrigerator to virtually disappear.

Built-in refrigerators are available in a wide variety of sizes and configurations and tend to be at the top of the price range.

Also, because they are meant to be integrated into cabinetry, most built-ins have unfinished sides, so keep this in mind.

Counter-Depth Refrigerators

Counter-depth refrigerators give the look of built-in refrigerators but at a lower cost. They offer the shallower depth typically found in built-ins but have finished sides so they don’t need to be fully integrated into the cabinets. The shallower depth does mean you will be compromising storage space.

They are available in several different configurations including side-by-side, bottom-freezer and French-door styles.

Refrigerator / Freezer Drawers

Refrigerator drawers are among the latest trends for kitchens where even the biggest refrigerator simply isn’t enough. These models typically are two stacked drawers installed under counter and supplement your refrigerator or freezer space. They are great for storing kids’ snacks, vegetables, or make these drawers your beverage center.

Both drawers can be refrigerated or both can be freezers, or perhaps you want one drawer as refrigerator and one as freezer - no problem - you can even have an icemaker in one.

Most units can be seamlessly integrated with the surrounding cabinets including customization with panels, so they truly look like cabinet drawers not appliances.

Modular Refrigeration

Modular refrigeration is one of the new and upcoming trends in refrigeration. It provides the most flexibility by offering individual refrigerator and freezer units in a variety of sizes, including tower units ranging in size from 18 inches to 30 inches wide.

These flexible sizes allow food storage to be placed anywhere in the kitchen, where it works best.

Most modular units come in stainless steel and can also take custom panels to be fully integrated with surrounding cabinetry.

Because modular refrigeration is relatively new on the market, these models tend to be higher priced and are only available through high-end manufacturers such as Sub Zero, Thermador and Gaggenau.

Wine Refrigerators

Wine refrigerators are a great way to preserve and store wine at optimal temperatures. They come in many different sizes, shapes and styles to suit a variety of needs. There are full-size, free standing wine refrigerators and under-counter wine refrigerators, many of which can be fully integrated into the surrounding cabinetry. There are even wine refrigerators that are small enough to sit on top of the counter.

If you like both red and white wines and want to have both varieties on hand to serve, you will want to look at dual zone wine refrigerators, which offer two storage areas with separate temperature controls.

Traditionally, wine refrigerators use compressor cooling systems but a new, thermoelectric cooling system is available that offers near silent operation and high energy efficiency.

Compact Refrigerators

Compact refrigerators are usually used in dorm rooms, bar areas, basements, offices, and outdoor kitchens. Typically, these small models have about 4 to 5 cubic feet of space and can only hold a few days worth of groceries.

Many compact refrigerators only have a refrigerator compartment, however some include a small freezer section at the top, which usually provides enough room for about two frozen dinners or a few ice cube trays.

Most have a single door and are the height of the kitchen counter which also makes them suitable for those with disabilities.

Although small and fairly limited in design, you can find features such as frost free compartments, soda can dispensers, ice trays and adjustable thermostats.

Freestanding Ice Makers

Freestanding ice makers are ideal for large families or offices where the standard refrigerator ice maker is not enough.

Most freestanding ice makers are installed under counter and can accept custom panels to blend seamlessly with the surrounding cabinetry. Also, there are smaller, more portable ice makers that can be placed on the counter, taken out on the patio or even taken along on picnics.

Many ice makers come with features such as the ability to make different size cubes, as well as different types of ice such as crushed ice. Also, look for models with built in filtration so you get clean, clear ice.

The capacity of residential icemakers ranges from producing approximately 12 pounds of ice per day, up to 50 pounds.

Please note: Ice makers without pumps require a gravity drain directly below the ice maker. If no gravity drain is present, a drain pump may be required for installation.