I am moving into a new house in 20 days and I really want a new fridge. Since Axiom doesn't make any I will ask the family here to help me make an informed choice.

Must haves.
Stainless
2 Doors
Freezer Location ? suggest
ice maker/filtered water

Now I am brand agnostic so I would like to hear from anyone who had a bad experience with a particular brand. There are so darn many to choose from I would really like to know what is important as far a longevity is concerned. My parents bought a fridge and the paddle for the water dispenser broke and it was stupid expensive to fix since just the paddle could not be replaced. I have seen stainless fridges from 1500 on up to 4grand , I don't want to cheap out I know its better to go all in but I can only afford to go so far in LOL. I am thinkin 2500 to 3g tops.

Richard

We bought a 'Samsung' (27 or 28 cu ft if I remember correctly) about 4 years ago that would fill all of your requirements. Two upper doors (one with water/ice) with a pull out freezer drawer below. It was around 2 grand at that time.

Like anything, it isn't perfect ergonomically but it has worked flawlessly for us. It looks really impressive & classy in SS, although SS is a PITA to keep looking clean...

TAM

Richard, I had a side by side, big-as-they-get Samsung. It was the best fridge I ever had. It kept an even temp throughout the entire box. It had nice features. On its 3rd birthday the fridge side stopped functioning. The motherboard had died.

When the repairman walked into the kitchen, he groaned and said "Korean." Then, "At least it's not an LG." He said the part would take two weeks. Other brands he said took a day or two. Ten weeks, and a bunch of phone calls later (Samsung does not take individual customer calls, or didn't 5 years ago), we threw it away. Same with our "top pick" LG vacuum. No parts available.

I looked to see what brand had the fewest amount of repairs at the time. It was Whirlpool. I hate it. It freezes foods up against some walls, doesn't have great lighting, etc. It has been fine, otherwise so far. It was not expensive.

I've been told that there aren't 20-year fridges, or even 10-year fridges anymore. 5-7 years, with one repair ea., avg. People get rid of them when the 2nd repair pops up shortly thereafter. After being told that by more than one kitchen designer, I'm not going for any bells or whistles.

BTW, I always really liked Amana, but I hear they're not what they were, either. Just ask if there will be parts readily available for whatever you choose.

We bought ours at Sears. I must admit that I don't expect our unit to last more than 7 years or so. It's just the way that it is these days - planned obsolescence.

Our friends have the exact same Samsung model as ours bought about 6 months before ours. So far, it has been running without problems as well...

TAM

I did some research as well on wikipedia and really there are only a few fridge makers that pump out different brand names. I was leaning toward Samsung a bit but I will have to keep researching for a bit. My parents have a Kenmore and its 12yrs old and still goin strong but I do recall the water dispenser causing trouble and it was expensive. I am kinda torn now since it seems to be the features I want are what gives the most problems. Its a real roll of the dice it seems. Thanks for the input so far ,good to know.

Interesting site,

http://www.aol.com/article/2009/09/14/ke...daire/19160707/

They're all junk, just at different price points. Heck, a buddy's 8k sub zero is broke more than not broken.

I bought a LG 4 years ago, and it's been working fine. It's a side by side SS model with the bottom freezer. I do like that configuration. I would rather have the two drawer freezer than my single. I did have to buy a replacement ice maker for it last winter though. Wasn't hard to get parts for it. There are several on line appliance parts stores. I think finding parts is pretty simple any more. Just not at the stores.

I would suggest you get one that has an ice maker that is simple and cheap to replace, because all of them are prone to failure.

Thanks Michael, I own 2 lg tvs and one is 8yrs old and I had to replace a board in it but it was easy to do and not real expensive and another LG tv that is 5yrs old and it works great. My panisonic tv got lines in it so I gave it to my kid and bought another LG 70" led so maybe I should stay with LG. And yeah I think its just luck of the draw really.

BTW do you think a bottom drawer is better than SxS .

We've got a Frigidaire Gallery refer and love everything but the ice dispenser - the one thing you can't test in the store. Sometimes you get the right amount, sometime you wait and wait, and sometimes you get what seems like the entire bin. But, stainless door panels, grey painted sides (so magnets actually stick! - actually they stick to the fronts, too...) but for a grand, almost disposable compared to our last Kitchen Aid. So far 3.5 years in ad no trouble.

Mine has the twin S x S upper doors and one large lower freezer door. I would rather have two smaller, bottom freezer doors. That is a newer option that wasn't readily available when I bought mine. Mine does have a plastic second drawer in the freezer, but it doesn’t hold much.

Totally agree with Scott on the ice dispenser. Fortunately, mine dispenses pretty good.

Thanks micheal, I will see what is available to view around town but given the vast range of choices and this is such a small town I don't think there will be a whole lot to view.

I've been happy with my LG, but I do wonder what kind of experience I'll have when I need any repairs. I went with the LG I went with because it seemed to be at the sweet spot of price, look (went with black instead of stainless steel, though, simply because everyone does say stainless steel is more of a hassle to keep looking good), french doors with bottom drawer freezer... and they were touting how quietly it operates, which I wanted since my living space is all open besides the bedroom and bathroom. I will say I almost never hear it. But my model doesn't dispense water or make ice. I figured a Brita pitcher was fine, and if I want ice, ice trays give me more options for shapes/sizes.

Thanks CV good to know you are happy with your LG. I have ready where many other brands have complaints about compressor noise and that is important. I can see especially in your situation where you have the open floor plan. I have 2 Brita pitchers and they always seem to be empty or warm LOL . Cold water from a dispenser would be a huge luxury for me. I know the ice portion can be noisy but that's to be expected.

Richard

I haven't posted because I don't have much to add.

Still don't, but...

We bought a white Kenmore Elite (Made by LG) three years ago that has been problem free. It is French doors with a bottom freezer drawer, water and ice.

I've been happy with it and would buy another.

We've got a 3 yr old Samsung w. the freezer on the bottom. It had a couple of issues in the first year the main one being the control board which was replaced under warranty. It developed a small tear in the seal on one of the double doors with only moderate use. As a sidenote, we have an LG washer/dryer combo of the same age that has had issues too...close your eyes and pick a brand.

I agree on the "pick your poison" mentality to appliances, so I can only offer that the features of ice and water were something I also wanted in a new model.

After going through the trouble of buying a S/S with ice and water a few years back (and having the water supply run for it), I found those features to be utterly frustrating and useless. So much so that the next purchase was stand alone fridge and freezer combination and have been happy ever since!

So far I see that everyone is echoing the same thing, buy and try and god be with ya LOL> Kinda risky given that 2to 3 grand is not chump change.

I'm not looking forward to the day when it fails & is sent to the dump or recycler - still looking pristine & magnificent in its SS jacket. They just look too good to throw out...

TAM

We have the Samsung like TAM and Adrian - it's been really good so far (knock on wood).

NEXT TIME, we're buying a commercial refrigerator-only thing and getting a separate ice maker. We already have a freezer in the garage. Totally serious. Don't care if it's loud. One big door, baby.

yeah I feel ya. I hate opening the fridge door while staring at the freezer door. Side by side next best thing.