Refrigerators
are usually the first appliance to choose when purchasing new appliances for
several reasons. Because of unique
refrigerator sizes, it is difficult to choose other appliances before your
refrigerator because you want to make sure that the biggest appliance will fit
and match all other appliances that you get. Many times the brand will be
determined by the size restrictions of your kitchen or any home restrictions. Sometimes, even your front door or access to
your kitchen can be the deciding factor on the size of your fridge. The
majority of full size refrigerators have a height of about 70 inches to the top
of the hinge and about 68.5 inches to the top of the case behind the fridge
where the cabinet above the fridge will be located. There are also options for
counter depth units. The width of most
full size refrigerators is about 36 inches and the depth is usually around 32
inches without handles.
Because of refrigerators
large size in comparison to other appliances, it takes up a lot of visual space. Think carefully about how
much room you’ll actually need for storing food before you start shopping. Unique
sizes like 33 inch wide, counter-depth, 72 inch high, and built-in refrigerator
models are all available. The finish options that are available are top mount,
bottom mount, side-by-side, French door, and event 4 and 5 door French Door
options. Many of these choices will be determined by the type of food you
typically put in your refrigerator and if you have a secondary freezer that may
make your freezer space less important.
Other factors to consider are water and ice dispensers that are
available on the door, inside, or you can choose units without any dispenser.
Most if not all, French door units
have an ice maker in the freezer, if it doesn’t have one on the door. Most side-by-side units will have a dispenser
on the door only a very small amount of those do not. Counter depth units will decrease capacity by
about 20% with a maximum of about 24 Cu. Ft.
Some full depth models of French door and four or five door units can
get up to about 33 Cu. Ft. inside. One
thing to be very aware of is what you would determine as usable space for what
you would put in your refrigerator which may be different from someone else.
For instance, a 27 Cu. Ft. side-by-side might not be able to handle platters of
food for someone who likes to entertain often. If you do like to entertain
often you may want to look more into a bottom mount fridge, French door, or
four or five door. Also to consider is
that most people use their refrigerator 85% versus their freezer 15% of the
time.
