The average life expectancy of refrigerators is 10 to 20 years, meaning we buy fridges less frequently than cars.
Refrigerators have an average life of 10 to 20 years.
Refrigerators–and refrigerator openings–are not standard in size.
What are your kitchen’s size constraints?
This compact kitchen by Ore Studios has a slim but tall space that’s perfect for a 24-inch refrigerator with a generous capacity.
What kind of cook and food shopper are you?
A key driver in selecting a refrigerator is storage needs, both in terms of capacity and interior configurations. That’s why it’s important to assess your cooking, food shopping, and food storage habits.
A look inside the under-counter Double-Drawer Refrigerator Modules from GE’s Monogram Collection; $2,899 for a set of two with tubular steel handles. For more, see 10 Easy Pieces: The Best Under-Counter Refrigerator Drawers.
What types of refrigerators are available?
There are four primary types to consider:
The Electrolux Icon Professional Counter-Depth Refrigerator with French doors and bottom freezer looks similar to more expensive built-in models; $3,299 at Plessers.
The narrow True Residential 30-Inch Stainless Glass Column Refrigerator has a glass front and is available through True dealers.
When it comes to full-size refrigerator selection, the door style and freezer/refrigerator configuration are key. The good news is that a proliferation of sizes and styles are available at a wide range of price points.
What are the different styles and configurations?
Sub-Zero is the standard-bearer of high-end refrigerators, with dual compressors (separate cooling units for the freezer and the refrigerator provide control over temperature and humidity, and prevent freezer burn).
The Sub-Zero BI-36U 36-Inch Built-In Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator, shown here, starts at $10,075 in stainless steel; it’s available through approved dealers.
The menu of enticements offered by manufacturers is vast. Offerings range from the practical (adjustable door bins) to the over-the-top (built-in entertainment centers).
What features are important to you?
The interior water dispenser of the KitchenAid Architect Series II French Door Refrigerator; $1,899 at Plessers.
Miele’s engineering at work: Drop and lock adjustable door bins and shelving stay firmly aligned on slide-rail framework.
The CoolDrawer Multi-Temperature Refrigerator 3.1 by Fisher & Paykel is a chameleon for food storage, offering both cooling and freezing options.
For those overwhelmed by all the options, the good news is that the finish choices are more limited in scope.
What about the aesthetics?
Old style meets new technology: Italian manufacture Meneghini makes a line of premium refrigerators based on la ghiacciaia, the icebox.
Refrigerator Care Tips
A simple white Smeg in the Helsinki kitchen of Finnish interiors and prop stylist Anna Pirkola.
Refrigerator Selection Recap
For information on specific refrigerators brands and models, see our posts. Finally, get more ideas on how to evaluate and choose your kitchen refrigerator in our Remodeling 101 Guide: Kitchen Refrigerators.