Refrigerators and Freezers – Know the Basics Before You Buy

The refrigerator is probably one of the most important appliances in your kitchen and buying one can be overwhelming simply because of all the choices that are available. There are numerous styles, configurations, colors, special features and brands to choose from.

There are also different refrigerators for different spaces – outdoor refrigerators, wine refrigerators, under-counter refrigerators, dorm refrigerators and even portable refrigerators! So you ask – where do I start?

Start with the basics: space, capacity, and style.

source: Electrolux
Electrolux Bright Design Refrigerator

Space

It’s critical that you consider the space you have available when buying your new refrigerator. Most people are replacing an existing refrigerator, which means the new refrigerator needs to fit into the same space as the old refrigerator.

So before you start shopping you need to measure…note the width, the height, and the depth of the space you have available. It’s not a bad idea to jot down the dimensions of your old refrigerator as well since you know it fits! Width (side to side) and height (top to bottom) are the most critical, but with depth (back to front) you may have some flexibility depending on the area you have available in front of the refrigerator and how much you want the unit to stick out beyond the adjacent cabinets.

Be sure to take into account the clearances you will need for the refrigerator doors to swing open. Also, many refrigerators can’t be pushed back tight against the wall due to cooling units, plugs and other gadgets on the back so be sure to keep that in mind.

Finally – you need to be able to get this new refrigerator into your kitchen so do a quick check of doorways, stairways, and elevators to make sure you have a clear route to get your new appliance inside!

Capacity

Once you have established what space you have, you will want to determine what size or capacity your new refrigerator should be. Refrigerator capacities are listed in cubic feet and the general rule is a family of two needs approximately 8 to 10 cubic feet of fresh food storage. For each additional person, add 1 cubic foot.

What’s tricky is that most refrigerators may claim between 20 to 26 cubic feet in capacity – but actually the available space is less – approximately 20 to 30 percent less depending on the style of the refrigerator. With that said, most 20 cubic foot refrigerators have at least 12 cubic feet of usable storage, which would be enough for a typical family of four.

Of course you will need to take into account your own situation – if you have growing kids, you are big cook, or you entertain a lot – these are important factors to consider when determining what capacity your refrigerator should be.

Style

Refrigerators come in several styles, or configurations such as side-by-side refrigerators, french door refrigerators, or bottom-freezer refrigerators just to name a few. Each configuration has its own unique advantages that you will want to consider. For example, if you are tight on aisle space in front of your refrigerator, a side-by-side refrigerator is a good choice because the narrower doors don’t swing into the space as much as a single door refrigerator.

Learn more in Refrigerator and Freezer Styles.

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Refrigerator Web Guide

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How to Measure For Your New Refrigerator
ReKitchen helps you make sure your new refrigerator will fit into your kitchen with great measuring tips.