Refrigerators

Refrigerators 101: The Truth About The Basic Types Of Refrigerators

Modern refrigerators are now built as energy-efficient appliances fitted with the most state-of-the-art features that’ll suit every needs and wants of the consumers. From its humble beginnings as simple ice storage boxes, refrigerators are now available in several structures, such as the side-by-side, dorm size (compact), shallow depth (counter depth), and top or bottom freezer models.

Dorm size refrigerators (a.k.a. compact refrigerators) are perfect for any locations that have limited space areas. These can be used in home or restaurant kitchen bar areas, university dormitories, or under sink settings. These are useful in holding your favorite can or liter bottle drinks, snacks, and a week of groceries. Unfortunately, compact refrigerators like the Avanti compact refrigerator, don’t come with the automatic ice makers or through-the-door water dispensers that other models have. Well, you’re not exactly paying that much for these refrigerators (average cost is $50 to $300), which would explain the limited product features.

Compared to side-by-side refrigerators such as a Kitchenaid French Door Refrigerator, top freezer refrigerators are the much cheaper and more energy-efficient units. Top freezer refrigerators such as Magic Chef refrigerators, with its relatively wider fridge compartments, are able to accommodate more wide-squared or horizontally-shaped items (e.g. pizza boxes). The drawbacks of these refrigerators are that the freezer has limited storage space and bending over is required if you want to reach the bottom part of the fridge.

Counter depth refrigerators (shallow depth) create a deceiving look when you walk through your kitchen. You can seamlessly blend these refrigerators with your cabinets by installing customized decorator panels on its side and front portions. Normally, shallow depth refrigerators have superficial depths, 23 inches to 27 inches. But these are wider in diameter to compensate the lack of deepness in the construction. Some manufacturers do not include top or side outer covers because these parts are going to be hidden within the cabinet’s structure anyway.

Bottom-freezer refrigerators like the Jenn Air refrigerator, are more expensive compared to its counterpart, but these are more energy-efficient. The freezer doors are opened by either swinging it open just like your ordinary refrigerator door or sliding it out like a drawer. The spacious freezer compartments can also have sliding layers and removable baskets for easy access to food items.

Since it has a larger size and is normally spacious in design, a side-by-side refrigerator can hold more food products and tall drinking containers. You can arrange all of these items at a more convenient piling up system, so that you don’t to reach far into the back just to get what you need. But wide-sized containers or kitchen plates are difficult to fit into these types of refrigerators because of the narrow structure. There are some models that have added features like the through-the-door ice or water dispensers. Among all types of refrigerators, these are the least energy-efficient.

When shopping for refrigerators, always go for trusted brands like Fisher and Paykel, Maytag, Kitchenaid, Magic Chef, Jenn Air, Sun Frost, and Avanti refrigerators. Also, take note of your budget and storage space requirements to get the best products as possible.