Tips for Choosing a Side-by-Side Refrigerator

Tips for Choosing a Side-by-Side Refrigerator

Size Matters

When shopping for a side-by-side refrigerator in an effort to get the most for your money, it is important to keep a few tips in mind. This style of refrigerator tends to look larger than it actually is, and after buying one and beginning to use it, you just might find out it is not as large as it looked on the sales floor. Side-by-side refrigerators have more freezer room than standard refrigerator/freezers, and they are more expensive in more ways than one. Unbeknownst to many, it can cost up to twenty percent more to run this style of refrigerator/freezer. Consider the following information before choosing a refrigerator, and do not be fooled by the appearance of the exterior, click this over here now.

Refrigerator

Refrigerator Shelf Space

A side-by-side unit is generally just as deep as a regular refrigerator, but it is considerably narrower, and this can be a problem for those who refrigerate larger items. Large side-by-side refrigerators offer plenty of shelf space, but the models with the least amount of square footage might not be adequate – even with a small family.

Square Footage

Although even the smallest side door refrigerators offer considerably more than eight cubic feet, this is the smallest size recommended to accommodate two people. Add a cubic foot for each additional family member, and four more cubic feet if guests visit regularly. No matter the square footage, consider the width of refrigerator shelf space very carefully before deciding on a model or you might not be happy after stocking the shelves.

A Personal Experience

My husband and I ended up choosing a side-by-side refrigerator with a little over fourteen cubic feet in the refrigerated section alone, but it was not adequate for our family of six. Matter of fact I would not have considered it adequate if I were living alone. A large pizza box would not fit on any of the shelves because it was too wide, and some of my baking pans would not fit either. The freezer section was more than adequate since it was larger than what we previously had, but overall the refrigerator was a disappointment, and I regretted choosing it.

The narrow shelves were just as deep as a unit of average size, but even though the shelves were glass, many items ended up hidden in back. Dishes of food spoiled many times because they were behind other items, and hidden food ended up going to waste. It was a style of refrigerator that I knew I would never end up choosing again, at least not with shelves that narrow.

My husband and I sold our small side-by-side refrigerator/freezer, and I do not miss it in the least. We ended up choosing an eighteen cubic foot unit with the freezer on top after moving into our current home, and it provides plenty of space for everything from baking pans to large pizza boxes. Having a larger and more open refrigerator section is something I prefer over having ice and water in the door and a larger freezer. When in the market for a refrigerator, this is definitely something to consider before choosing a side door unit that could end up costing more in every way.