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Chilling out with your refrigerator

By JUDY STARK
Published July 30, 2005

WIDTH: Ranges from 30 to 36 inches wide or even wider for some side-by-sides or built-ins.

DEPTH: Ranges from 29 to 33 inches. Some built-ins or cabinet-depth side-by-sides are 25 to 28 inches deep. But a more shallow refrigerator means less space inside.

INTERIOR: Measured in cubic feet, typically 17 to 26 cubic feet for a full-size model. The real question: How much and what kind of food do you typically store? Will the refrigerator you're considering accommodate it? Narrow side-by-sides may not accommodate pizza boxes, cookie sheets, big deli platters or large frozen turkeys.

DOOR SWING: Does a wall or cabinet block the doors from opening wide to allow drawers to be pulled out all the way? Doors on single-door models can be changed to swing from left or right.

FREEZER LOCATION: Top freezers put frozen items at eye level, useful if you raid the freezer a lot. They're more efficient than side-by-sides, the Environmental Protection Agency says. Bottom freezers put fresh food at eye level but require users to bend or stoop to gain access to the freezer, which most people use less often anyway. Side-by-sides split the difference and may be a good choice for small kitchens that can't accommodate the swing of a full-size door.

ICE AND WATER: Through-the-door water, crushed ice and ice cubes are available on side-by-side models. Consumer Reports worries about repair frequency. Some French-door and top-freezer models offer interior water dispensers. Automatic icemakers are an option on many models. A water line is necessary.

COLOR/FINISH: White (or its variants, almond/bisque) is the most popular color, followed by stainless steel and black. Stainless steel is not magnetic. If you want to use the refrigerator as a family message center or art display, opt for one of the stainless-look finishes that does hold a magnet. Look for names like Ultra Satin or Satina. Bring a magnet to the appliance store to test.

WHAT YOU'VE BEEN MISSING: If it's been 10 years or so since you shopped for a refrigerator, take a walk through an appliance department. Here are some of the features you'll see.

Water dispensers that fill big pots, or that shut off automatically at a predetermined amount.

Thawing drawers.

Flash-chilling drawers.

Racks for soft drinks.

Closed bins on the doors that keep beverages colder.

Door shelves that accommodate gallon jugs of milk and other drinks.

Meat keepers.

Digital temperature readouts.

Humidity-controlled crisper drawers.

Warmer, moister areas for fruits and vegetables where they won't dry out.

Crank-adjusted shelves.

Tempered-glass shelves with plastic lips that keep spills from spilling or dripping onto the food below.

PRICE: From about $350 to more than $5,000 for top-of-the-line built-ins.

ENERGY USE: Look at the yellow EnergyGuide label on the refrigerator. It estimates two things: annual energy consumption compared to similar models, and yearly operating cost.

WHAT SIZE DO I NEED? 9 to 15 cubic feet for a one-person household; 16 to 21 cubic feet for a small household; 22 to 26 cubic feet for a medium to large household and 27 to 30 cubic feet for a large household.

ABOUT THE INDUSTRY: Refrigerators are a $6-billion-a-year industry. This year, manufacturers expect to ship just more than 11-million units.

The January issue of Consumer Reports evaluated 60 models.

The Energy Star Web site (www.energystar.gov) offers a product finder and a savings calculator. Click on "Heating and Cooling," then on "Refrigerators and Freezers."

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy rates nine categories of appliances at its Web site, www.aceee.org/consumerguide/mostenef.htm

Sources: Appliance manufacturers, Environmental Protection Agency, "Consumer Reports," Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

[Last modified July 29, 2005, 09:12:57]