Whirlpool Side-by-Side Refrigerator with MicroEtch™ Spill Control Shelves

The industry's most energy-efficient side-by-side refrigerator, by Whirlpool, includes features to help control spills while saving energy and creating more usable space. The refrigerator features MicroEtch™ Spill Control shelves that combat spills with microscopic etching around the perimeter to help prevent liquids from overflowing and leaking, all while offering more shelf space than ever before.

Cool, Calm And Collected: Whirlpool Brand Puts Refrigeration Frustrations On Ice

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 19, 2010 – No need to cry over spilled milk – or leaky leftovers or soda can spills. Whirlpool brand is turning to science to help alleviate consumers’ common refrigerator complaints with its new side-by-side refrigerator with features that help make spills more manageable, while saving energy and creating more usable space for everything from apples to soda cans to frozen pizzas.

The new Whirlpool® side-by-side refrigerator features innovative MicroEtch™ Spill Control shelves to combat spills with microscopic etching around the perimeter to help prevent liquids from overflowing and leaking, all while offering more shelf space than ever before. What’s more, the ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerator uses less energy than a 60 watt light bulb annually and exceeds federal minimum standards by 30 percent – making it the most energy efficient side-by-side refrigerator on the market. Whirlpool brand also takes the pain out of finding space in both the refrigerator and freezer with the new In-Door-Ice® Plus ice system and the largest crisper among leading side-by-side refrigerators – big enough for 85 apples.

“We put our ear to the ground to determine what consumers want, and capacity and energy efficiency stood out as one of the greatest needs. We also wanted to provide smart solutions to remove household headaches – one of which can be messes in the refrigerator,” said Carolyn Kelley, brand manager, Whirlpool brand refrigeration. “As a result, we’ve not only made the most energy efficient side-by-side refrigerator, but also one of the most intuitive and spacious side-by-sides on the market today.”

According to a 2009 Whirlpool survey conducted online on its behalf by Harris Interactive®, 49 percent of consumers said they would like to reduce messes when cooking and preparing food in the kitchen. Whirlpool brand can’t prevent spills, but its new MicroEtch™ Spill Control shelves can help prevent them from leaking. To the touch, the shelf is smooth like glass, but to liquids, the edge is a barrier that can retain as much as a full can of soda causing it to essentially “bubble up” when reaching the microscopic etching. The technology also eliminates the need for a plastic bumper around the shelf, providing 25 percent more usable shelf space than our previous shelf design – holding 11 more cans of soda than previous models.

Often times, freezer space can come at a premium, so Whirlpool brand improved its In-Door-Ice® Plus ice system to give 30 percent more space and enough room for nine additional frozen pizzas as compared to Whirlpool models without an In-Door-Ice system. The system also features a PUR® water filtration system, which, when changed twice a year, can save up to $600 a year compared to the cost of purchasing leading brand bottled water. The new side-by-side refrigerator features 6th Sense™ technology, putting the temperature guessing out to pasture. To do so, the system uses built-in sensors to automatically adjust cooling to return existing food to the desired temperature in half the time as previous Whirlpool® models without the 6th Sense™ system.

The new Whirlpool® side-by-side refrigerator will be available later in 2010. For more information about the brand, visit www.whirlpool.com.