The placement of a refrigerator is crucial for its performance, safety, and efficiency. However, it is important to consider the distance between the unit and the wall before purchasing. Only refrigerators specifically designed for outdoor use or models with weather-resistant features should be placed against a wall. Improperly placing the refrigerator next to a wall can result in structural issues, such as condensation and moisture accumulation due to restricted airflow.
In some cases, a refrigerator against a wall is the best option since the door cannot block any pathways. If you choose to place your refrigerator against a wall, make sure to leave 2 1/2 inches of space between the door and the wall. Placing the refrigerator next to wall spaces that are too close in proximity can hamper airflow and prevent the heated coils from cooling down. Dirty condenser coils can contribute to hotter-than-normal freezer walls.
When placing a refrigerator outside, it must be designed for outdoor use. Outdoor refrigerators are built to withstand elements like direct sunlight, but appliances left outside in extreme cold temperatures can create serious problems such as cracking pipes, water pumps, valves, and drains. The area where the refrigerator doors meet is vulnerable to condensation because the cold air inside the refrigerator often comes into contact.
In conclusion, while a refrigerator can be placed against a wall or window, it is essential to consider the optimal distance between the unit and the wall for optimal performance, safety, and efficiency.
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Buying new refrigerators these days can be a daunting process. With so many different configurations how will you know which …
How far should a refrigerator be from the wall?
To ensure the optimal performance of your refrigerator, it is crucial to maintain a proper distance from the wall. A minimum of two inches should be left at the rear, with the upper and sides requiring the least space. This will prevent the refrigerator from overheating and malfunctioning, ensuring its longevity. Additionally, proper circulation of air is essential for the compressor, which cools the refrigerator.
If there isn’t enough room for air to flow, the compressor will overheat and stop working. A packed refrigerator can also lead to food spoilage. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure your refrigerator operates efficiently, as it is one of your home’s largest energy consumers.
How much ventilation does a fridge need?
A fridge should have a minimum space of 1-1/2 inches on the top to dissipate heat, and 1-2 inches on the back for proper air circulation. Newer models have coils at the back, so leaving space is crucial for ventilation. Sides should have 1/2-1 inch for easy cleaning and movement. The fridge should also have enough space for easy door opening and closing, and be placed in a location that allows for free movement in the kitchen. Planning your kitchen accordingly and ensuring clean areas of clearance are essential for the smooth functioning of your refrigerator. This will help ensure a comfortable and efficient kitchen.
Can I put a refrigerator on an outside wall?
Outdoor refrigerators are designed to withstand elements like direct sunlight, rain, and fluctuating temperatures, making them suitable for outdoor use. They must be electrically safe, properly ventilated, and protected from harsh temperatures. Proper placement is crucial, avoiding areas that receive excessive sunlight or are prone to pooling water. Outdoor refrigerators are not created equal, and their differences are significant and tailored to their respective environments. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for making an informed decision for your outdoor space, as they serve the same basic function of keeping food and beverages cool.
Do refrigerators need space on the sides?
To ensure proper air circulation and ventilation, it is essential to have 1-2 inches of space on the back of the fridge, especially for newer models with coils. Sides should have 1/2-1 inch of space for easy cleaning and movement. The fridge should also have enough space for easy door opening and closing, and be placed in a location that allows for free movement in the kitchen. Planning your kitchen accordingly and ensuring clean areas of clearance are essential for the smooth functioning of your refrigerator.
Can refrigerators be placed on their side?
Transporting a refrigerator on its side is not advisable but can be done if the move is short or distance-related. The unit should rest on the side opposite from the compressor lines, such as the left side of the compressor. The refrigerator should remain upright for up to 24 hours before reconnecting and running it. Once back to the upright position, it should rest for twice the length of time it was in the flat position.
Tilt the refrigerator back with help from a helper, ensure it is evenly balanced on the dolly, and set it down gently. Take stairs one at a time, keeping the dolly at a 45-degree angle. The other person should be below the fridge to guide it. Carefully guide the dolly and refrigerator to the moving truck, using a ramp for easier loading. Walk backward and pull the load up the ramp, with help from the opposite side of the dolly. Leave the unit strapped to the dolly if not needed to move other appliances. Secure the dolly and refrigerator with moving straps around its top and sides and fasten to the truck.
Should a refrigerator be hot on the outside?
The cooling process in a refrigerator involves removing heat from the inside, transferring it to the sides and top to reduce condensation buildup. Heat is also applied to the door frame and between doors to prevent condensation buildup during humid days. The condenser, a black radiator, heats up in the rear as the cold inside the fresh food or freezer section cools. On hot days, the condenser works harder to remove heat from the refrigerator.
Do refrigerators need side clearance?
It is necessary to ensure that refrigerators are installed with a minimum of 1/8″ to 1″ clearance on each side, 1″ on the top, and 1″ to 2″ in the back. Once the aforementioned requirements have been satisfied, no further restrictions or limitations are imposed with regard to the location of the refrigerator. It may be installed in conjunction with a dishwasher, range, or wall oven.
Why is it not advisable to put a refrigerator on a wall or near the wall?
Adequate ventilation is crucial for a refrigerator to prevent overheating and deterioration over time. Issues may include insufficient cooling, unusual or loud operation, excessive energy costs, compressor or compressor issues, system failure, frequent repairs, and more. Refrigerators today are larger due to increased capacity, side-by-side design, and larger freezer space. To ensure proper ventilation, measure the refrigerator with side clearance of one-half inch to one inch on both sides, rear clearance of one to two inches for proper airflow, and top clearance of one-half inch to one inch on the top. Older homes may not fit new appliances into existing openings or leave enough space surrounding the unit.
How close can a refrigerator go to a side wall?
The refrigerator should be installed with sufficient space for air circulation to ensure efficient operation, avoid overheating, and extend its lifespan. Minimal clearances are recommended, with 2 inches from the back wall, 1 inch from the top cabinet, and 1/4 inch on either side. Manufacturers have specific recommendations, so it’s essential to consult the user manual or contact the manufacturer directly for specific measurements.
For optimal energy efficiency, a 2″ gap should exist between the side walls and the refrigerator’s side, allowing proper ventilation. If the space is too small, the refrigerator will work harder to cool itself, resulting in higher energy bills. The recommended heights are 1″ on top, 2″ on back, and 2″ on side.
Where should you not put a fridge?
Traditionally, refrigerators should be placed away from an oven and direct sunlight to prevent energy waste and maintain coldness. However, modern refrigerator designs have integrated cooling systems and stronger insulation, making them better protected if placed near or exposed to heat sources. Cabinet space should be provided to separate the refrigerator and oven, creating a divide and cooling between the two appliances. This allows for better protection and efficiency in maintaining a cold environment.
Is it safe to put a refrigerator outside?
Outdoor refrigerators can handle extreme temperatures but should be kept to a minimum to enhance their performance and lifespan. They should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from the elements, and the surrounding area should be free of debris. Outdoor refrigerators are best suited for areas with mild winters, as they cannot regulate temperature and may shut down once it drops below the interior temperature. Indoor refrigerators should not be stored outside due to their design for outdoor operation.
However, labeled outdoor or indoor/outdoor refrigerators can be used in the right environment with safety precautions. For temporary storage, indoor refrigerators can be placed undercover if there is a safe outdoor electrical connection and no extreme weather. To keep a refrigerator safe, shield it from wind, sun, and rain, allow adequate airflow, purchase a dedicated outdoor refrigerator, and regularly inspect and clean the appliance.
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Aww thanks for the shout out! Did a great job on the article, especially with the data. VERY interesting seeing Beko in dead-last. Ouch! One thing about the data set you had: it’d of been interesting to see warranty calls on all brands with and without icemakers (since we’ve both mentioned it), then service calls by freezer placement (top-mount, bottom-mount, side-by-side). We don’t do many new units + warranty calls so my sample size is pretty limited, but if you ever do a follow up on this, that’s something I’d be interested in. Same thing goes for an even larger company like, say, Yale.
I have a 1947 Hotpoint refrigerator which was left behind in the basement by the previous owner in 1979. It is virtually silent in operation as there are no fans for the evaporator and condenser. It is still running to this day. The door gasket is shot and needs replacement. That’s it. There’s truth to the old saying, ‘They don’t make them like they used to’.
EXCELLENT article and information! I just retired after 42 years in the appliance service industry and I am so glad to hear someone else speaking the truth about today’s appliances! Ashley is spot on with this evaluation! Simplicity usually equals reliability, hence why the good old top mount refrigerators are the most reliable. The more complicated anything gets, the more there is to go wrong. I heard all the same things she mentions from customers. Not that you shouldn’t buy a French door ice & water dispenser model if you like that, but just understand that it has far more potential to need repairs than that simple top freezer unit. She has the statistics to illustrate this. I so agree with the fact that LG and Samsung are fine for TVs and mobile phones, but in reality they are the ‘new kids on the block’ in the white goods arena. In 1988 I started a job as a service manager for Frigidaire International and traveled to Korea to train Samsung engineers on our U.S. built side-by-side refrigerators that they were buying! At that time, the largest refrigerator they manufactured was a 16 cubic foot three door top freezer model. They had nothing like our ice and water side-by-sides. Same with LG. They both also made ‘twin tub’ top load washers then . . . a far cry from the front load washers they build today. So realistically, they’ve been in the major appliance business for around 30 years . . . while in comparison most U.S. manufacturers harken back to the early 1900’s!
I have a 4 year old LG and it works perfectly. I have lived in Ecuador for 12 years and Everything I purchase in South America seems to last longer. Even cars. Almost everything now is produced in South America. LG is popular in South America with the least problems. Before I purchased this last refrigerator, I went on line to see what was most purchased and best and I got back LG. So I emailed LG in Seoul, Korea and asked for all LG models sold in Ecuador. I picked what I wanted and then asked LG where I could find a distributor with that model. Turned out to be a place I knew well and purchased many items over the years. Had my new refrigerator in 3 days and am totally pleased with it an md and it does have the smart inverter.
I am on my 3rd refrigerator since 2013. The first one was a Frigadare which lasted a little over 4 years. The second was a Whirlpool that lasted 3 and 1/2 years and I am currently on the 3rd one which is a GE. Both of my failed units had leaking evaporators that cost too much to repair. This is TOTALLY unacceptable. This GE make some odd noises and it is a little over a year old and there are some flaws in the finish. We are getting totallY JUNK appliances while the CEOs of these companies making them are making millions a year along with the big box retailers. We need to start raising hell with congress. I don’t care how much energy they don’t use if they don’t even make it 5 years without needing to be replaced
Had a GE for close to 30 years, replaced it 13 years ago with a Whirlpool S/S that is still going strong today. I actually have a fullsize Westinghouse in my basement that the handle broke off of but it still works perfectly otherwise – it was my parents fridge IN THE LATE 50s!! Almost 70 years old! I keep it stocked with beer… always keeps it nice and cold. I painted it red by the way. True story!
several years ago, I purchased a Samsung french door refrigerator, with, supposedly, a 10 year warranty on the compressor. I bought it at Lowes. After a year and a half, it stopped running. I called Samsung, and they said they wouldn’t repair it. I called a refrigerator technician out to repair it — he told me that that model’s compressor was a notorious failure, and that it would cost $800 to replace it, but with the same compressor, as they had not made a new compressor which wouldn’t fail, and the replacement would simply fail again after another year or so. I asked Lowe’s if it was under warranty, and they said they could not and would not repair it after 1 year. I decided then and there never to buy anything Samsung again, nor ever to shop at Lowe’s ever again. Fortunately, I had an old Westinghouse refrigerator in my workshop which my dad had purchased in 1947, which ran just fine — it had never had a service call. I moved it into my house, (that was 3 years ago) and it still just cranks cold air out day in and day out. Had Lowe’s had a minimum of customer satisfaction in their operation, I wouldn’t have not put them on my “s” list — but now, they’ll never get off it, nor will Samsung.
We bought my mom an $800 GE fridge at Lowe’s about a year ago. After 8 month, it stopped working, ruining a few hundred bucks worth of food. Still under manufacturer warranty, so we had to call for GE service, instead of Lowes. It took over an hour to get an appt scheduled, and that appt was 2 weeks out. The day arrives, as does the repair guy. What, need to order parts? Another 2+ weeks til the next appt. Fixed? Welll…. it ran… constantly, and the freezer was freezing and thawing, freezing and thawing, and the fridge part didn’t really seem cold, even cranked up. 10 months in, they gave up on it and just bought a new LG that seems to be working fine so far.
I learned a lot 10 years ago when I purchased my new refrigerator. Absolutely avoid ice makes in the upper part of the fridge, exclude water, if you can. Stay away from high tech refrigerators with touch screens and so on. The simpler, the better. I purchased a Maytag double door with a bottom freezer and ice maker in the bottom freezer. Best decision ever. Still running great, never serviced in 10 years and looking for many more. When it comes to buyer a refrigerator (and other appliances) SIMPLICITY will keep you out of trouble.
LG hmm our lasted 15.5 years with 2 icemakers replaced. I don’t call that a bad fridge. Samsung, we’ve had it 7 months now we’ll see how it works out. I see GE had higher service calls in what you posted and you don’t even mention that as being worse than LG and Samsung.. Thanks I’ll stick to my research and product selections.
I got a new Samsung gas range & french door refrigerator. Consumer Reports listed them as their #1 pick. The range: knobs that are heavy and look like metal are actually plastic in the middle. I’ve already had to order new knobs. Sometimes the oven does not want to heat up. Once it took 1 1/2 hrs. for the oven to reach 350*. I did have a Bosch electric wall oven for a back up. Then all of a sudden the Samsung started working again. We’ll see if it lasts. Also the stainless is cheaper than the ones on my other appliance brands and very hard to cleanand stains easily and the painted parts (stove top) chip really easy. The refrigerator (french door model) has the ice maker in the door and another one in the freezer. I’ve had to take the upper ice maker apart once to get it going. Then a year later it’s doing the same thing and I can’t even get it apart this time. At least the bottom one is working and the water still works in the door. My opinion of Samsung products: NEVER AGAIN!
My LG 23.8 cu-ft LTCS24223W has been running since 2014. It does not cool the freezer adequately unless I set it to max cooling, though. It is a top freezer model, with an ice maker inside the freezer. I did not set up the ice maker. As with all top freezer models, I suppose, getting at stuff in the bottom of the refrigerator section is a nuisance. I suspect roll-out bottom freezers would be easier to reach down into than crawling around on the floor to reach into the low refrigerator shelves.
When my wife and I got married in December 1977, her parents gave us their first refrigerator. It was an early 1950’s Philco. The style then was a latch to open the fridge. Then, a separate compartment inside for a tiny freezer. In 1989, it developed a refrigerant leak. It would have been very difficult to repair as the coolant lines for the freezer were embedded in the freezer floor. That’s where it was leaking. Didn’t quite make it to 40 years old.
I love this article! As others have said, it feels refreshing to hear straight talk, backed by stats! Each salesman I talk to has a different opinion, but no solid stats because most of the breakdowns don’t get back to them directly. I think for today’s market the key to a fridge, is, sadly, getting a GOOD extended warranty, assuming something might go wrong. PS: I’m replacing a Beaumark that has been running, I think, since the 1908s!
I’m needing to finally replace my `1992 Kenmore top freezer fridge. It lived through many electrical brown outs. I see the Zephyr and Crossly as having the least repair %. I have never heard of either brand. So, does the chart account for the actual number of possible refrigerators to repair? In other words, is the low repair incidence due to the brand being a much smaller portion of the refrigerator population?
In 2016, we went all in with Samsung in our kitchen remodel. All 6 appliances failed within 5 years. The oven and refrigerator ice maker failed within warranty. The refrigerator needed constant after market fixes. It was the worst and most costly. The worst item was the dishwasher. Although I could repair it myself. I had to blow on a pipe every 6 months, even after changing our washing habits. Turns out the Frigidaire we got to replace it doesn’t get anything dry, so we aren’t just po pooing Samsung. Bottom line use Samsung for tvs screens and phones – not kitchen appliances! The applicance that lasted the longest was the microwave. But the turntable broke. Samsung is junK.
Have a Whirlpool fridge that’s 10+ years old. Ice maker works, water dispenser stopped a few years back but that’s ok because I could see mold all around the dispenser. We have reverse osmosis water anyway. Also have a 21 year old oven/stove by Whirlpool and a 15 year old dryer. In my mind Whirlpool makes decent products – maybe it depends on the assembly line.
You’re right that LG is unreliable. I’m extremely unsatisfied with my LG refrigerator I bought about a year ago. I got the internet-enabled version, which I thought would be useful so that it could notify me in case something goes wrong before I loose all my food. Unfortunately, it was a false hope: The refrigerator ices up (even though it is supposed to defrost itself), and the ice blocks the cold air flow into the lower (refrigerated not frozen) section, leaving my food at 60F until I realized my food is warm and going bad. It will stay at 60F all day, even though the self-diagnostics says nothing is wrong and advises that the defrost cycle is on. However, the defrost isn’t clearing the ice, and this refrigerator is downright dangerous unless I monitor the temperature with a thermometer daily, instead of depending on the internet-enabled fridge to tell me what is wrong. I think the reason the self-diagnostic feature lies is that they don’t want me to request warrantee-recovered work.
Currently I have my original 1985 Whirlpool top mount refrigerator. It works fine… how much longer can it make it? It is beautiful bisque color with fingerprint hiding grain. It matches the original 1985 Whirpool drop in range I’m also still using. I did have to change the oven element though. One time. The clock still works as well.
I have a Kenmore french door fridge with bottom freezer that is over 10 years old. I am VERY happy with my fridge and would NEVER buy a fridge with ice and water available in the door. I don’t want a filter that must be changed often. My ice maker in my freezer works very well for me and I hope I will never have to buy another fridge.
Pro tip from a former luxury appliance salesman (Former NKBA member). The more basic the refrigerator, generally the more reliable it is. No ice maker is reliable, especially external dispensers. You sacrifice quality for convenience with external ice dispensing. Internal ice makers are the most reliable automatic icemakers, the most reliable is an ice cube tray. Mechanical refrigerators (only top freezers) are the best for reliability (typically Frigidaire or GE/Haier). Look for internal cooling dial controls, not digital temp controllers.
Great informative article, thank you for taking the time to do this. I had purchased an LG 5 drawer refrigerator 10 years ago, and had nothing with issues after one year. LG ended up almost replacing everything because they didn’t know what the actual problem was. I was advised by a sales person at the store we purchased this product that LG knew there was problems with this new model but launched it anyway. I will never again buy any refrigeration products from LG.
We bought a new LG French door frig years ago. It went out within a year. Took LG a week to figure out the error code FF, freezer fan. Took almost 2 months to get the part from the other side of the world. There were no $10 freezer fans anywhere in the US. Got it fixed then we got rid of it. Never again. Great article by the way !!
Honestly think, a lot of the problems on these newer style fridges have more to do being plugged directly into the wall with no surge protection. You get surges in storms and whatnot and then you end up having problems. My fridges that have died, did so shortly after a big storm. Something to think about. I wouldn’t dare plug a tv or computer, etc into the wall without a battery backup or at least a good APC surge protector. Think about it.
I agree. Mom dad had the same fridge for close to 15 years. Mom decided to “upgrade”. It was just a basic fridge. They got French door fridge with screen,matching washer and dryer. Not even a year the washer leaks, the fridge broke twice. 10 grand down the tubes. I have a basic fridge,and washer and dryer.
Over the years companies like GE and Whirlpool had some of their top end refrigerators (and other appliances) made for them by Samsung or LG, so it is not always easy to judge the reliability of entire brand, because they have so many different models, some of which may be made for them by other companies. This is especially true for the high end models. So while GE has been fairly reliable over the years, the top end models (including Profile) have been made by other companies and may not be as reliable, largely because they have more complex technology (including variable speed compressors).
I have an LG refrigerator that is still going strong after 16 years. But the key factor in reliability is the number of complicated features that a refrigerator has. The more complex the design and the more features it has, the less reliable it is likely to be. Same thing usually applies to energy efficiency. Variable speed compressors are more energy efficient, but notorious for breaking down. Same with variable speed compressors on AC units.
Thanks for making this article. I am at the beginning of remodeling my kitchen and picking appliances for the kitchen designer to make plans and I picked an all fridge (no freezer) by Frigidaire and a standing all freezer by Frigidaire as well. No ice maker, no bells or whistles, no ice maker. Your article confirms my choices, which eases my mind.
I bought a wide two-door Jenn-Air only because it matched my other appliances, but I’m very sorry. The ice maker arrived broken, and Jenn-Air never provided any customer support. They explained that the parts were not available. It is also poorly designed with drawers that catch items inside or allow them to fall behind. The temperature adjustments also don’t work. I’ll go back to SubZero because they have a much better product overall.
My mother got an LG back in 2017, two years later, the compressor died, both LG and the Store never replied, after $800 for the new compressor and $300 for the repair, the technician said “If it dies again, throw it out”, it died again in 2023, so she got an old school (Non-Inverter) GE fridge, it’s handled power surges and blackouts like a champ.
I’m a tech. Most technicians won’t touch LG or Samsung, unless it’s manufacturers warranty. They take a risk because the parts are very likely to fail again within a year, especially if using OEM parts. Aftermarket is surprisingly higher quality, but won’t work with all of the electronics that they throw into the mix. That’s why you can’t find AM parts for Korean refrigerators. If we’re talking any other appliances, you’re in luck, big time. AM is far superior to OEM with anything else. Just don’t ask for microwaves. Most techs won’t even touch MW. The high-voltage is too much of a concern. 2500 V+
I got all kenmore elite appliances that have been working great. Got them in 2013 and finally fridge compressor failed last year, not bad for 9 years. Got that replaced and working fine. Also last year the microwave magnetron failed, replaced that and been fine as well. Dishwasher and oven had no issues.
How things change! My aunt bought a Sears French door with the bottom freezer, and it was the best Sears had to offer in 1963. She kept an extended warranty on it all through the years. Every couple years Sears would send out a technician to clean the coils and check the operation. After 40 years, it finally quit in 2003. The Sears tech responded in 24 hours, and he determined there were no parts available to repair it. Instead, he gave my aunt a Sears brochure of refrigerators to select any model she wanted. He gave her a voucher to purchase the most expensive French door with freezer on the bottom model. I went with her to get the new one that afternoon. It was delivered in a couple hours, and they took away the old one. No tax was charged on the new refrigerator because it was a direct exchange.
Appliance serviceman for 44 years here. Worst refrigerator brand: LG. When an LG has a problem it’s too often a major problem. Appliances these days are cheap and chintzey because when it comes to appliances, most Americans want 2 things: cheap and glitzy. If more Americans wanted quality, they wouldn’t shop at a big box store that doesn’t have parts or service.
I had a Frigidaire for around 20 years and never had a problem with it until for some reason it stopped defrosting and the freezer just had a big chunk of ice at the bottom and pretty much stopped cooling food in the main part of the refrigerator. So I bought a new refrigerator that turns out to be a Whirlpool. Which I have had for around 15 years. I didn’t even pay attention to the brand, I just liked how it looked and it was bigger than the Frigidaire. So good to know that Whirlpool is one of the most reliable brands
Great article! Well, my Sears Kenmore lasted 30 years from 1983-2013. I then bought my first Whirlpool – basic design, top freezer and I declined hooking up any water features since I don’t need ice cubes. The compressor died right after the 5 year mark so it was out of warranty. I thought it had to be a fluke so I bought another basic Whirlpool, model WRT311FZDW in 2018. Now here I am again 5 years later with a fridge failure! At least this time, it malfunctioned while still within the sealed system warranty. The tech came yesterday and will come back next week to replace the compressor & evaporator. Not only is the compressor weak at .5amps but the refrigerant is leaking as well. I pray this repair will buy me at least 5 more years but I will never buy another Whirlpool. At least I have a 40yo Norge refrigerator in my garage to save me from these breakdowns!!👍
Our house came with a Sub-Zero fridge. After a couple of years the evaporator froze over. The problem was the drain tube was clogged causing moisture to condense and freeze on the evaporator. It was easy to diagnose and fix because 30 years ago they made really simple refrigerators. My brother has an LG with a linear compressor. The cheap poorly engineered compressor broke after a year and a half. LG gave him a list of repairmen but they all refused saying LGs are no good and they don’t provide the needed parts. So he called LG back and they forced a repairman to fix his fridge (while griping about LG).
Right now I”m very happy with my portfolio of Whirlpool brands. My gas range (6 mo.) and dishwasher (1.5 yr) are both Maytag. They look great, perform great, and I think strike a great value. Same with my french door fridge from IKEA, made by Whirlpool, and feature-wise seems to split the difference between similar Maytag and Kitchen Aid models.
I wish I saw this article before I purchased my LG refrigerator 6 years ago, HomeDepot salesman told me LG has better quality compares to other brands, I trusted that guy. Only 6 years later the compressor went dead a week ago, called a LG licensed repairman and was told it can’t be fixed, to replace the compressor I might need to pay up to $1000, that is insane! no more LG.
Never ever will I own another Frigidaire refrigerator. We had 18mos of chaos dealing with multiple issues. When a fridge goes down, there are few options as a substitute. A stove goes down, grab a small appliance to get you through. Washer/dryer on the fritz, go to a laundromat temporality. Fridge dies, well try and live out of coolers. I agree that the less bells/whistles is best. I want the appliance to work and not look like a article game. Keep it simple. During our Frigidaire fiasco, our appliance guy also told us to stay away from LG & Samsung for the exact reasons stated in this article; it is hard to find anyone willing to fix them. I keep a list of brands recommended for when I am in the market.
Thanks for the info. Our son has had his LG French door fridge for over 11 years with not a moment’s problem. We’ve had ours 2 1/2 years and so far so good! I don’t doubt what you’re saying, but there are always exceptions. I do agree that a fridge should be to preserve your food and all those extras are totally unnecessary for most of us. Again, thank you for sharing your expertise!
Frigidaire warranty is terrible!! I had a Maytag “wide-by-side” that had lasted 15+ years, but the ice maker quit working. Due to the age I decided it would be prudent to buy a new fridge rather than put money in the old one. Gave the Maytag to a friend for a garage fridge and bought a Frigidaire. The ice maker began having problems within 3 months. Had numerous service techs out and the problem persisted. Several of the service techs told me that the issue was a known problem with “Frigicrap” and that they would keep giving me the same runaround. So called Frigidaire and told them that due to the number of service attempts I wanted to return it. They said they would not honor a return but I could exchange it. What good would that do? I will never buy a another Frigicrap” in my life and spread the word anytime I can. Whirlpool or Maytag for me. BTW, the Maytag is still going strong in my friend’s garage…
If a fridge only lasts 3 to 5 years, to say it is junk is an understatement. I had to buy a new stove, in just over 3 years, the oven does not work properly and was not used a whole lot. It is a Frigidare. Takes forever to get to temp and is unable to keep to the temp. LG and Samsung should not be allowed to make aplliances.
Big Box stores are the worst places to buy appliances. We always look for smaller appliance stores, last move cross country, did same and were told outright that if we chose a Samsung or LG no repair people would be found! I even called around repair services in my research. Though against my nature I did spring for the extended warranty which has saved us twice, and yes, the ice maker was the culprit twice!!
No Samsung or LG for me, it’s always been a garbage. My 15k double door Monogram fridge been working in my kitchen for 18 years, I only had to change pump on it ones and that was $180. My Miele dish washer made in Germany been in my kitchen for 9 years and no problems. And my Bosch washer is still working for 15 years now. My Sony TV is still working, it’s been 12 years! I saved a lot of money by buying an expensive appliances.
Been through 2 compressors on my $3k LG. Fortunately, the company covered the replacements despite it being out of warranty. Fridges used to last 20,30, even 40 years, but now they last 6-8. Manufacturers need turnover and they make their units just a bit more reliable than the average and hope for good reliability ratings from CR and YT.
Great info, you reassured me that I made the right choice. I just replace my 14 year old Samsung 18.9 cubic ft. fridge, bottom freeze with a 18.3 cubic ft Frigidaire, top load freezer with a no bells and whistles. The Samsung was a good fridge but unfortunately the computer inside had failed and as a result I loss all my food in the freezer portion. My mom and dad in 1953 bought a Frigidaire, it was about 5 ft or so tall with a small freeze in the top, the freeze door was aluminum, not plastic. To open it you would pull down on the level and it would unlatch the door. It was small compared to the fridges of today. Anyway, That fridge stayed upstairs in the kitchen until late 80’s when they bought a new fridge, yup, another Frigidaire with a top load freeze. I think it was a 18 cubic ft. The old Frigidaire was moved to the basement and plugged in and stayed there until they sold that home in 2011. Us kids gave that little Frigidaire the nickname of Little Stubby. It was used as the spill over fridge when the grocery load would not fit into the upstairs fridge. One thing to note, it was a noisy little guy when the compressor kicked in but it was in the basement, lol. I thought I would share this info.
Your chart at 3:35 is useless… to be a fair somewhat useful comparable chart, the age of the units serviced, and the number of customers with each type of unit is necessary. If there are only 7 Thermador in your service area then they would be the worst as all 7 needed service. Or, if the average life of a refrigerator before service was 4 years, well Midea has been in US market for only 4 years so again probably fewer Midea in your service area. Without basic unknown variables, you are only saying that you serviced 513 units and X percentage of units you serviced was made by Y brand. This is false and non-beneficial information in the long run. Sorry
We purchased an LG last year after multiple Whirlpool / Maytag issues and failures on multiple fridges. My best friend has had an LG for over 17 years with no issues, my MIL for 9 years and many others I know are in similar situations. I did a lot of research and spoke to local repair areas and while they hate dealing with LG if there is an issue, they all noted they were very reliable and were thankful they didn’t get many calls. Hopefully we don’t end up with the issues you guys have seen.
No mention about fridges using the newer R-600 refrigerants vs using the older R134/R34A refrigerants? No mention about single vs dual evaporators? I’ve heard to stay away from all LG and Samsung fridges, period. I currently own an LG model fridge and have had nothing but problems. In addition, I’ve heard to stay away from any fridge with R-600 and those with dual evaporators. Decades ago, all appliances and machines were built to last. Now, everything is designed for ‘planned obsolescence’ or ‘built to fail’ in order to maximize profits. So sad!
Agree with this article completely. So when we bought our house, 7 years ago, I really wanted all matching appliances. We got all LG appliances. The dishwasher was the worst. It was always a problem and being worked on. It finally died and we replaced it with a Bosch. No problems ever with the Bosch. We’ve also been having issues with the LG fridge. It freezes everything in the back of the fridge. Our LG washer and dryer however have been work horses. No problems with the LG microwave yet but honestly we don’t use it that much.
Great article with very accurate information. I couldn’t agree more with all the facts you listed in the article. I bought a Samsung French door style refrigerator with ice maker about 6 years ago. It looks pretty in the kitchen, but the Ice maker caused so much trouble I had to force defrost every other week last couple of years already, and now I just turned it off completely. If I buy another refrigerator I’ll go back to buying Whirlpool or Amana without any fancy features. As you’ve said so correctly, at the end of the day we need a fridge that does its job without fancy features. Thank you.
Just had a repairman in today who condemned my less than 8 year old Samsung. The compressor is shot.. Told him that it had required more maintenance than any refrigerator I’d ever had. He told me to stay away from Samsung and LG. Recommended Frigidaire and GE. Also said go for inexpensive and simple. Basically the same advice this article offers.
Samsung makes good tv’s, but our washing machine (samsung) bit the dust after 7 years. Appliance tech said reason was because of the way ALL of them are built today. We had to replace the handles on our samsung gas stove/oven. Metal on the outside, but plastic where it matters. Luckily, we found some on Amazon that were built like samsung should have. I have had really good reliability with whirlpool products.( dishwasher, washer/dryer, 30 yr.old side by side fridge)
My Whirlpool 27 Cubic Foot refrigerator with ice and water dispenser in door purchased through Costco last year July 2022, compressor failed last month November 2023. That is only 17 months normal use. Now it is middle of December, warranty repair still have not been done. It is 3 weeks we are without refrigerator. Will never recommend Whirlpool to even my enemies. Previous one was a Kenmore that lasted over 32 years.
Refrigerators are junk now compared to the past because the compressors are small for efficiency and are made in China. I had a 30 year old upright freezer with a large American made compressor and it’s running like the day I bought it. If you want to make your modern refrigerator to last long, open and close the door quickly….don’t leave the door open.
Don’t purchase Whirlpool. Bought one brand new from Lowes,it ran for 2 months. They would not let me return it and Lowes said I had to take it up with the company that manufactured it. In they sent a repair man out 3 times as it sat unused for 6 months,but even the repairman said it was like putting a band aid on a broken leg
My South Asian parents bought a direct cool 300 liter fridge in 1975. Only minor problems like spring to the freezer door. Then entitled interests hijacked the 1982 Montreal meet to declare that “HC, HCF and HF coolants are destroying the ozone layer”. The fridge continued to work without problems, till 2017, until I was told that replacement HC, HF, HCF coolants would not be available. I reluctantly scrapped the still working fridge and bought a modern plastic based Frankenstein. Sob! I still miss my 300 liter 1975 direct cool, minimum electriciy consuming champ! I bet the new owners have found a way to recharge it with coolant and extend its life indefinitely!
Why are so many people commenting/humble bragging about their 20+ year old frige that still runs great??? I mean…like… good for you, I guess? Maybe if everyone could could get in a time machine to travel eons ago to buy a well made appliance, that would temporarily help for now, but unfortunately that is not realistic. Sadly, a vast majority of people have to settle for the garbage that is being sold now. What are future generations going to do when Grandma and Grandpa’s old frige eventually stop working? They wont be able to rely on a hand me down, then what? The solution is not buying or finding an old fridge that has worked 50+ years. We, the consumers need to hold these greedy corporations accountable for selling overpriced junk in the name of profits and “efficiency” for their bottom line.
I recently had to buy a new fridge. The supplier warned me away from Samsung sayings that they are not as reliable as Frigidaire. This is bourne out by my brother and several friends. My brother has a small apartment building and he bought some Samsung fridges and has already had to replace them. So that means that your message backs up our experience. Valuable information.
Wouldn’t you think with the climate hysteria that the leaders could at least be consistent…. We as consumers need to be more climate friendly, right? So then why is it OK for manufacturing to cut corners where the appliance itself will last far less time than it used to… Sure, they save more energy… but if we keep throwing them away and buying new it’s completely defeating the purpose of the energy it saves. My next fridge is going to be a plain top freezer model…
I wish I would have seen your article 6 months ago! I purchased a Frigidaire side by side. What a poor excuse of a fridge! I’ve had a repairman here 4 times becuz the fridge part was freezing my food. Thought it was repaired & just the other day discovered the cheese had frost on it 😤. Now, have been waiting to have the ice maker replaced! OMG, WHAT NEXT!!!
My brand new LG had SEVENTEEN service calls in the first 2 years. The 10 month old LG microwave blew up 10:30p.m. Christmas Eve! NEVER have one of their products again and will tell anyone in the market what product to stay away from! Finally tossed the refrigerator out after 5 years…the microwave went that nigh!
Great article. Just had our frenchdoor Samsung fail in three months got rid of it after waiting weeks with no support and all the food spoling. No support from The Brick or Samsung. Replaced it with a Maytag/Whirlpool side by side not from the Brick. Samsung makes good phones (with bloatware) and decent TV’s thats it. Buyer beware…Samsung appliances are total junk with no support.
My parents bought their first home when I was two years old in 1949. They bought a new Fridigaire refrigerator and stove at that time. My father replaced the stove with a Roper about 1964 because he got tired of replacing the heating elements on the Frigidaire stove. The Frigidaire refrigerator was replaced around 1974, mainly because it didn’t have the storage capacity of newer models. Sadly, Frigidaire, although one of the better brands still, no longer makes products that will last that long.
My LG fridge has the linear compressor. Died after 3 years. Repair man came out and said he works in LG more than any other brand. But he did tell me that once the compressor was replaced with a generic compressor he rarely had to go back to fix them again. So I guess it’s fine? LG covered the cost but only because it was part of an LG class action. Would I buy another LG fridge? probably not.
It’s scary purchasing a new fridge. I look in the comments section of different ones and you get ” Great fridge!!”,5 stars. And then, horrible, 1 star. Our Samsung auto ice maker, side by side fridge is probably 7 years old now. We’ve had no problems. Thinking of replacing with a Westinghouse, French doors, bottom mount. Two reasons, the fruit bin is broken, and all the door storage bins. And I can’t find replacements. From what see it’ll be at least $200-300 for those if we can. Plus I don’t like the side by side, you can’t fit a platter or tray on the shelves. Plus the refillable water container takes up a lot of space on one shelf. It’s seems there’s not enough space. We have a freezer, so a smaller freezer space is preferable. We are retirement age so we want something very reliable,not costly problems. 🤷♀️
I have a Samsung refrigerator that has had ice maker problems almost since day one and finally the dealer said that Samsung won’t pay for anymore ice maker repairs and I was also able to find out that a class action suit was filed against Samsung for the ice maker problem but Samsung won and left all of us holding the bag. I have “owned” to 2 Samsung driers which both seem to have issues with the heating element burning out in a little over a year, I have also “owned” a Samsung washer that needed a shaft seal as I was repairing this myself but this seal which maybe would cost $20.00 was not available instead you have to purchase this $200.00 sub unit so after finding this out the washer went out for the trash pickup. PS- also the last Samsung dryer went out for the trash man. We need a new refrigerator and I am happy without the water and ice in the door but my wife and grand kids want this so I guess that we will pay the extra $1000.00 for this and i also saw a LG that made round ice cubes and it was about $3500.00. My neighbor just got a new refrigerator because the linear compressor went out on the old one and it was over a $1000.00 to replace it.
Regardless of brand on the label most of the components are made by two Chinese companies which actually may be one in the same. Design of units may different but if you break in down to primary pieces they are the same. This is true for most all appliances anymore as China makes nearly everything even items produced in many other foreign countries are China owned.
Hoping I don’t jinx myself but I bought a Hisense slide out bottom freezer / one door top refrigerator that had zero options. Condenser is in the skin so no cleaning fans and condenser. 3 years in its operated flawlessly. Cost $800 out the door including tax. If the ice maker quits working that means I died since I’m the one who fills the trays. Couldn’t go the top freezer bottom fridge, hated the thought of stooping everytime I needed something. Sales lady told me that was #1 in reliability, with my configuration being #2. Advised avoiding the fridges that were option laden.
If you want to get to the nitty gritty, jump to 5:23. I agree that overall the list would go something like Whirlpool, Frigidaire, GE, LG/Samsung. Notes: Amana is just a Whirlpool brand. I don’t know how you can separate that out. I lump LG/Samsung together because they have chronic quality issues that have not been rectified by their manufacturers for the USA market. For Samsung that would be freezing behind the evaporator cover, and leaking out of the drain onto the floor of the refrigerator. For LG, that would be compressors that need to be replaced when practically new. GE increasingly requires proprietary technology to fix their machines, and not all servicers have that. As for rest of the list, there are the exotics like Bosch and possibly Asko, and the ultra exotics like everything else. Just remember that getting parts and quality service in America for the ultra exotics is multiples more difficult than for the American brands. Keep in mind that experience will differ within a brand. An LG refrigerator is a non-starter, but an LG front load washer is up there with Whirlpool.
Would it be a valid assumption that you get the most service calls for Samsung and LG just because majority of people get them? It’s like saying that statistically flying is safer than driving a car, but well it’s not, cuz factually you just don’t have as many planes in the sky as cars on the roads..
It seems French door design refrigerators seem to be the most problematic. How is it that nobody has found solutions to the problems? I think one of the first issues is to have a couple more temp monitors in place and more fans where the evap is to ensure there is no cold spots. Lastly they maybe need an air dryer somewhere? It seems that most of the issues are likely due to the evap freezing up due to too much moisture getting in the fridge, or there is just not enough air flow near the evap coils to keep from moisture build up, or something. The other possibility is to have a defrost cycle for the evap without killing the temp in the rest of the fridge. So maybe some little windows on the back panel that can close and then fans go on turbo with an exhaust door that opens to suck moisture and heat out while maybe a heating element on the coild defrosts it rapidly? There has to be a solution here. Every time the evap coil freezes over it puts stress on the compressor in an attempt to properly cool when it can no longer emit colder air and have it blow around the fridge.
Our 2007 Maytag side-by-side has been issue-free (hope I didn’t jinx us), including the ice maker and freezer door ice and water dispenser. We sold our first house with the Frigidaire top freezer ridge…was trouble-free the 7 years we lived in that house. When this Maytag goes, I’ll be looking at another Maytag or Frigidaire, with the fanciest feature being an ice and water dispenser on the freezer door. I keep thermometers in the fridge and freezer that transmit to a digital display on the countertop.
I have a Kenmore Chest Freezer my parents gave me when they moved to a retirement village. It is huge and has been in the storage room running for over 50 years now. The stove in our kitchen is a GE that was given to my parents as a wedding present in 1955. It has four burners and two ovens. We still use it daily and would not get anything new unless the old girl completely dies. The Big Oven on her will hold a huge roasting pot and it fits a 20 pound turkey in it. The smaller oven does a great job and will hold an 8 x 12 inch Pyrex dish for stuffing, mac & cheese, etc…
LG had a bad batch of linear compressors in the early to mid-2010s but, at least replacing the compressor is still cheaper than replacing the refrigerator. My parents had a Kitchenaid refrigerator Side-by-side with a top-mounted compressor basically it’s almost like a rebadged Subzero Refrigerator. It lasted 20 years and had an amazing warranty.
I’ll stay with my older top mount GE Hotpoint as long as I can. Only had to replace the original evaporator fan once, sadly soon after the cheap replacement fan failed, so I put a basic single phase motor in it I took from a small space heater… been working great ever since. I do not like the newer appliances, especially when I’m forced to buy one like my new whirlpool washer. Hard telling how long it’ll last, more likely won’t be 20 plus years like my old one did. They intentionally design nearly everything to break down now, make it hard to repair so you’ll have to buy new junk again and again.
Be careful with Whirlpool fridges. The Freezer door has wires at the bottom for the freezer door controls. Just opening the door can pull the wires apart, it is a manufacture defect. I have Whirlpool sending someone this morning to repair it and no I don’t have warranty on it. Thank you BBB. Solution: When you first buy it take off the bottom front plate and pull some of the wiring out. There is plenty of wire, they just did not leave enough to open the door.
We have a 1944 G.E. refrigerator that has the freezer inside a compartment in the refrigerator itself. It has a big chrome metal latch handle outside and it continues to work as it should. We have to defrost it but that is the only inconvenience about it. It uses 2.4 amps, has no defrost, no fans or other features and is as quiet as a mouse. Its a wonderful second refrigerator that we use for beverages and bulk items from the warehouse grocery stores. Its going to continue to run for as long as we are around.
Wow so interesting. I had a Whirlpool side by side fridge and it was the worst. It kept breaking down. Thankfully I bought extended warranty and had it fixed 3 times but kept breaking down. I said never again. I bought a Samsung French Door/Drawer and it was amazing lasted 10 years, we moved and sold it with our house still in excellent shape. In our new house we bought all LG French Door/Drawer. Sticking with the premium models. So far so good.
Hi,everyone, I’m an appliance tech,with many years of experience,and I can tell you, it’s so sad to walk inside a customer house, and find out they have a fridge that only lasted around 4 to 5 years,and tell them, they have to spend around 800.00 to repair their fridge, due to a bad compressor (inverter compressor are very efficients,but fail so often!!). Old compressor are not so “energy savers “,but they stand strong and running longer than inverter compressor. At the time to buy any appliance, my advice is just like life THE SIMPLE THE BETTER !!
I need to change my 13yr old french door Maytag fridge. Ice maker died after 2 years of use. I’m looking into the LG LBNC15231V or the GE gbe17hyrfs bottom freeze with swing door. I’ve researched and some reviews a good and terrible for both fridges. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
My Samsung French door refer lasted for 14 years without a single issue until the day it died. Not worth repairing according to the experts. I ordered a GE Profile to replace it. Supposedly one of the few still made in America. What happened to appliance warranties? New one is only 1 year unless you buy the extended warranty for a ridiculous amount.
Bought a Kenmore in January 1977. Kept in the kitchen until August 1993 when we moved. At our new home we put the Kenmore out in the garage as a second unit and bought a GE. Both worked great until we moved again in 2012. Sold the Kenmore (mistake) despite the fact it still worked great. Bought an LG at our new home (mistake #2) and moved the GE to the garage. Didn’t like the LG due to the noises it made while making ice. Had to move again in 2014 so we sold the LG and kept the GE as the garage unit. At our new home we bought a new set of kitchen appliances, all Frigidaire Gallery models; a dishwasher, a gas stove, a microwave, and a French door refrigerator. Since then we have had to repair the dishwasher once, the microwave gave up the ghost after nine years of use, the gas stove is doing OK, and the refrigerator is getting close to junk. The ice maker no longer makes ice or dispenses water. Seems the lines are frozen in that they run right past the freezer unit. There is a block of ice around the lines on the back of the unit. The paper ‘wrapper’ on the back has been eaten through, the metal underneath is rusting out, and water runs down to the control unit near the bottom of the unit which I have been told is a potential short circuit issue. I’ve had three repair companies out to look at it and all three say the same thing; it is a design flaw and Frigidaire knows it is a problem but keeps making them that way. All say it cannot be repaired. Frigidaire tells me the refrigerator out lasted its 7 year warranty, therefore there is “no problem”, call a repairman.
Sub zero is the best. I have been using mine for 18 years with NO problems. We bought the fridge column and freezer column separate to make a side-by-side and that prevented the ice maker from being inside of the fridge, which seems to cause most repair issues according to the experts. In my previous home, we acquired a sub-zero from the former owner. We sold the house to a relative and they continued to use that same fridge. That model had the ice maker inside of the fridge and that is the only repair issue they had.
Very useful article! But you really need to work on how you perform/read the script hun. You look and sound very “stiff”, being very obviously reading from a script, not very natural, etc, which makes for a bit of a difficult watch. Maybe you just need more practice in-front of the camera and you’ll be less nervous and more confident, etc. “Practice makes perfect”, as the saying goes! 🙂 All the same, I am Subscribing 🙂
Don’t know who made it but after about 20 years with a GE, moved into a bigger house and needed a larger unit. Bought a Kenmore from Sears and it’s still going strong over 30 years later. I have replaced the icemaker myself twice. Had to replace the door cams a couple of times, real easy and cheap. It’s the side by side and we love it.
Refrigerators from 50 years ago lasted longer than the one’s being built today. Statistically and otherwise, true. If you are old enough you know of friends and family that owned refrigerators that lasted for many many years. So the data is empirical as well as statistical. Use of cheaper materials is the main reason. Design, not so much. Plastic pistons in compressors rather than steel. More use of plastic and lighter fan motors, etc all contribute to less durability. And some brands even have awful engneering to boot. Ice makers today are more trouble prone than a few decades ago. Personally, I’ve gone through 6 refrigerators in 9 years. They just don’t last. And they are designed to be replaced rather than serviced. We have yet another new one heading our way this week due to failure of the last one after only 9 months. Now the manufacturer did buy back the 9 month old one which was under warranty but not without a hassle. We now consider that we’ll have to replace after a short time as being normal.