February 20, 2008
I need your help.
We are buying a fridge this evening. HH_Gregg has a great sale (30% off!) that ends tonight, so we're going to go ahead and get one, and they'll wait a few weeks to deliver it. Perfect!
Trouble is, we don't know what to get. Initially, we wanted this one. It's stainless steel, with a bottom mounted freezer and french doors. We still love it, but it's $2000.00 I like that the freezer is on the bottom though since we use it the least often, and it's so stylish and sleek.
In thinking about it though, it seems foolish to spend THAT much on a fridge when we have other furniture to buy and some fence to put it (the fence doesn't enclose the whole yard, so we've got to fix that for the dogs). Anyway, you see what I mean. Cheaper is probably better. We're dead set on stainless steel, and for nearly $1000 less, we can get the same brand fridge in the side-by-side style that still has the water/ice despenser on the outside, which we also want.
So here's what I'm wondering, do any of you have a side-by-side fridge with the freezer on one side and the fridge on the other? If so, is it annoying or do you like it?
Oh I hate to say this, b/c I know it's not what you want to hear, but I do have a side by side fridge/freezer, and I HATE it!!! I'd like to throw it down the stairs. I always wanted a side by side b/c I thought they looked better than the traditional type fridge. I never realized how narrow it makes your fridge and freezer. I can truly fit very little in my freezer,and my fridge is very cramped as well. I recently made a cake that I needed to cool quickly, so I was going to stick it in the freezer for a few minutes....no such luck...it was too narrow and there was already so much in there I didn't have enough room height-wise either. Ugg. I don't know what to recommend. I'd hate to tell you to get the $2000 fridge...that's just ridiculous. Maybe I'm the wrong person to talk to though, b/c we had a stainless steel range, and I hated it...so hard to keep fingerprints away.
Anyway, good luck. I love the fridge on top look....very useful.
Posted by: Chas at February 20, 2008 10:32 AMI have a side-by-side one and I love it. It is very easy to work with and easy to clean.
I have looked at the one with the freezer at the bottom and I like that one too. :o)
I have a side by side, and I hate it too. I used to think that was the way to go, but it just seems so narrow and hard to get to things.
But whatever you get, HH Gregg negotiates. Think of them as a car salesmen. Feel free to walk away, hem and haw, ask for a friends and family discount (they offer that to "special customers".
When we bought our last Washer and Dryer, we paid much less than the advertised sale rate.
Posted by: alfredsmom at February 20, 2008 10:58 AMI like the side by side, though depending on the width, it can be challenging. My parents have a freezer on the bottom and we all hate it. It's bin-style, so if you want something at the bottom, you have to dig everything else out. Or more likely, just forget about the stuff that's on the bottom. Also, I don't know if this is a consistent pattern, but getting ice is not the easiest thing. Water is dispensed from the front of the outside of the fridge, but to get ice you have to slide the freezer open and bend down. Granted, not a huge ordeal, but also not super convenient access. I currently have a freezer on top and like it.
Good luck! I suspect you're going to get as many different opinions as you will commenters. Despite the fact that there are only a few configurations ;)
I know it's late but we have a side by side and I have no issues with it. Sometimes I feel like there is no space but maybe I just need to clean it out =)
Posted by: Sara at February 20, 2008 12:24 PMMy refrigerator has two doors on the top, and the freezer on the bottom and I love it! It has sooo much more space than a side by side, if that's something you are looking for. My only complaint is that ice can be a challenge to get to.
And I'll agree with Chas, and this is just my two cents, I've had stainless steel for 4 years, and I HATE them. Especially with a 2 year old. They are very difficult to keep clean. Yes, they look pretty, but if keeping them clean is something that is important to you, you might want to keep that in the back of your head. Just a thought!
Posted by: becca at February 20, 2008 12:25 PMWhat you get??? When we move(hahahha) I'll be looking to get a new one. I used to like the side by side but the one with the freezer space looks very nice. I always have more stuff in the freezer than the fridge so maybe the side by side is better for me? I guess depends on how much you freeze? God luck!!!!!!
Posted by: Ani at February 20, 2008 12:34 PMI have a side-by-side & am happy w/it~there isn't as much space as I'd like sometimes but we have a deep freezer in our garage that helps out ALOT w/that issue :) So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm pleased w/our side-by-side although I told Bobby a few months ago that I like the ones like the 1st one you've posted here ;) I don't think we (women) are ever satisfied, lol ;) Good luck w/your decision & let us know which one you choose :)
Posted by: Connie at February 20, 2008 02:45 PMWe did the same shopping about nine months ago. We ended up with a side by side. The key is the ice machine. On the French door you are looking at It takes up a LOT of fridge space... On the side by side if its a door mounted ice machine you should be good to go on having space.
Posted by: Holly at February 20, 2008 02:54 PMI have no informed feedback on the side-by-side vs. top-bottom question (though it seems like it would be tough keeping a bottom bin-style freezer organized). But I want to mention something about stainless. I too love the look and want one for our next fridge. But it is tough to keep clean. My parents have one and by the time H and I are done visiting, the thing is covered in toddler handprints from about 2 feet up down. Also, you can't stick magnets to the front of it. Not a deal-breaker, but my kid is obsessed with his letter and animal magnets, so it's something that I've thought about.
Posted by: Arin at February 20, 2008 03:55 PMMy parents have a side by side and I also hate it!!!!!!! I wanted one until I actually had to live at their house and deal with their fridge. I much prefer the normal freezer on the top, fridge on the bottom, lots of room and nothing get's lost, there are also no issues about stuff getting lost. You can always get the traditional fridge/freezer in stainless steel. I have a stainless steel microwave and I love it but it's up high where my Little man can reach it.
Posted by: A at February 20, 2008 04:46 PMMy MIL used to have a side by side and she didn't like it either because of the lack of space. You couldn't even fit a frozed pizza in the freezer. Unless you have a deep freeze, I'd say it's not a great option. Sorry!
Also I've heard that stainless steel and fingerprints are a huge pain! We thought about getting ss when we moved as well but went with black instead. I don't regret it but I know what you mean about the sleek and stylish! Although, I don't know how stylish it will be with slimy prints all over it. hee hee. Maybe it won't be too bad. I've just heard stories.
Good luck! Hope you find something you like in a good price range. It's a big purchase so you don't want to hate looking at it for the next 10 years either!
P.S. My aunt has a freezer on the bottom one which she loves but it was shelves instead of a bin so maybe keep that in mind too?
Posted by: villagegirl at February 20, 2008 06:03 PMi have one with the freezer on the top, but i really want a side-by-side one. i think it has more room.
Posted by: cady at February 20, 2008 06:41 PMok with the freezer on the bottom... Olivia will be able to get into it and get ice cream etc... one of my friends son got stuck in their freezer like that... also with the ice and water on the outside... the kids will get into it and make a huge mess (learned that from some other friends that ended up having to redo their kitchen because of water damange from the kids playing with it when they weren't looking)...
This is what we got... it has an ice maker and internal water dispenser and built in water filter... http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_04687202000P?vName=Appliances&cName=Refrigerators&sName=Top+Freezer+Refrigerators&filter=Capacity%7CBigger%7CBigger+%2819.0+-+22.0+cu.+ft.%29%5EColor+Family%7CWhite%5EIce+Maker%7CYes
We love it and all of our friends with small kids now want it...
Posted by: Shannon O. at February 20, 2008 09:21 PMUg, Decisions decisions. Which reminds me, I've had my current fridge for about 8 years! So not going to buy a new one until we get to our new country though :) I would totally go for the expensive one if I could afford it - to hell with worrying about fingerprints, your kids won't be young forever and to simply wipe it down - is that so hard? Some stainless steel brands have a 'non fingerprint coating' - which I've seen on toasters/kettles etc (i.e. Brabantia) and they really are non-fingerprint, matte silver finishes, not sure if that kind of thing is available on a fridge though? Good luck and let us know what you decide!
Posted by: Rainbowfudge at February 21, 2008 01:11 AMA side-by-side came in our house & I ABHOR it! Horrible, horrible, horrible, DO NOT BUY ONE! They must have been designed for people who eat out all of the time because the shelves are wide enough to fit a take-out box.
My parents have one similiar to the one you like & it's totally fabulous! Hope you found something. :)
Posted by: Jessica at February 21, 2008 09:20 AMI know I'm late, but I have a "freezer" on bottom type and my 3.5 year old can JUST now barely open it up. If you get the right model, the freezer door is NOT easily accessible to children, which I like. I open it fine though.
Oh, and I LOVE IT. I have YET to fill up the refrigerator. It's so big. MUCH more room than a side by side, which we've also had.
Posted by: Dana at February 23, 2008 10:19 PMI know I'm late, but I have a "freezer" on bottom type and my 3.5 year old can JUST now barely open it up. If you get the right model, the freezer door is NOT easily accessible to children, which I like. I open it fine though.
Oh, and I LOVE IT. I have YET to fill up the refrigerator. It's so big. MUCH more room than a side by side, which we've also had.
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