<p>“Ours also has the water filter that needs to be changed every six months. ($35 each). But it does make a difference in the taste of the water!”</p>
<p>Or you can get a box of Brita filters for $20 and it will last a year. And Brita jugs fit nicely into those large door shelves :)</p>
<p>I hate my fridge with a burning passion, but I dread the moment I when will have to shop for one. Occasionally I look at the fridges in appliance stores, but I have not yet seen anything I liked! Not even a Subzero. :(</p>
<p>BB…I’m with you. I didn’t exactly love any of the fridges…so I just bought one. It’s fine. Keeps the food the right temp. That’s all that matters. And it looks fine.</p>
<p>For us, we also freeze a lot and each shelf in my sxs freezer has a purpose. And I can fit different shaped items on different shelves if needed (eg, boxes vs tubs.) But we also need plenty of space for fresh things and drinks. Having trouble seeing myself rooting in the bottom freezer if thing are stacked. We have 33 inches of space and the kitchen size and configuration mean a large door would be a pain. I’d love one with the separate deli/cheese drawer across the width. The one thing I know is I won’t go deeper than 30". There is a way you can cut out wall space behind the unit, move 2x4s, to keep the proper wall support and thus buy about 4" more for a deep unit. Just not in my future.</p>
<p>Yikes!! I just googled and found out the sad news - only a handful of makers provide fridges that would fit my current fridge space. And those are the fancy ones!!! $6K for a fridge is still cheaper than a kitchen re-do. </p>
<p>Yes- keep this thread going for when I actually get to replace the yucky side by side. Can’t wait until the current one shows any sign of problems or my mother-in-law visits and we can look at models together and gang up on H (love her- a foot shorter than I am and Indian but we share some of the same sensibilities H doesn’t- is it the male gene?). Several comments on posts. </p>
<p>One reason there is space around those shelves is for airflow to keep things cold. I know you are not supposed to keep the milk on the door- but we do and have no problems. Perhaps if they invented a convenient way to keep the jug on the inside where it could easily be reached and never needed to be moved to get at stuff behind it… </p>
<p>Water through the refrigerator depends on climate- as previously noted 55 or 72 degree water coming out of your tap. We don’t need to change our filter since we use so little water- only two of us. </p>
<p>Consumer Reports ratings include a noise factor. Wish libraries could get the online version cheaply as the print version contains less and less good info and is behind in the available products.</p>
<p>Anyone notice how refrigerators are increasing in size recently with lower energy used? Twenty some years ago we bought a 25 cubic foot top freezer model- the largest of the standard ones of any configuration available at the time. Now, with just the two of us and plenty of varied items plus leftovers, I can see getting a larger refrigerator. Would save energy over the current one. btw- some reviews comment on some over 30 cubic feet models that are hard for short people to reach into the backs of upper shelves.</p>
<p>Will opt for stainless steel since good stove/microwave are that and the trend seems to be long lasting. Shake my head over the house hunters on TV who diss a whole house because of the appliances. Could also wonder- what were they thinking with harvest gold and avocado?</p>
<ul>
<li>Or dismiss a house because of a wall color in one room or some wallpaper. But that’s tv. I am not so sure SS is the lasting resale edge it was ten years ago. At least, in my area.</li>
</ul>
<p>People have been saying SS is on its way out for 10 years, and still it’s probably one of the most requested items, (along with granite counter tops) of prospective home buyers. </p>
<p>Having done some house hunting recently, granite countertops are definitely out. Phew. I can’t remember the surface of the appliances but I think they were usually stainless steel. It seemed more subtle though, since cabinets and backslashes tend to be white or off white. </p>
<p>The house we chose had a kitchen redo in the early '90’s apparently. There are cabinets with that awful pinkish stain and the refrigerator is probably the oldest side by side that is still alive!</p>
<p>Hmmm… we need a new thread on countertops. I’ve been hoping granite would be on decline. DH likes it, I don’t… and we are due for a kitchen remodel. </p>
<p>I’m not crazy about SS, but it seems here to stay. Almond was a neutral too, but it lost its appeal. </p>
<p>I’m one of the fans of side-by-side, IF wide like ours. I measured it today:
- 36 in wide (approx 15in freezer door, 21in fridge door)
- 31 in deep… plus coils… sticks out from the counter (ok in our corner position) </p>
<p>I must be the only one on the planet who loves my granite counters. I think around here, many folks are opting for quartz. We looked at it…but didn’t get it.</p>
<p>My granite looks great with my white appliances!</p>
<p>My sister, who was a kitchen designer at one point, told me if I wanted a color not found in nature to go with quartz, otherwise to go with granite. Imo, if you go with any natural stone material you should be fine. I don’t think any natural stone counters will go out of style. </p>
<p>My cousin went with a carrara marble on her counters and her island. It looks beautiful but she is so nervous about stains - especially from red wine, she covers the island with a table cloth when she entertains. </p>
<p>I got a pale quartzite, and went with SS appliances. Much to my relief, they are not hard to keep clean. I would have chosen bisque if still available. Shiny white didn’t fit, and the ss is a neutral, as previously mentioned.</p>
<p>Thread has detoured. When deciding between granite and quartz I asked the realtors which would be best for our area and was told it didn’t matter here. Went with granite- ours doesn’t show the crumbs et al (good and bad news) and has an interesting look you can gaze at. Avoided Corian in the kitchen part because of possible heat damage but love it for the desk area and bathrooms with integrated sinks. Renovated entire 1987 house that was essentially pink- laminate cabinets and countertops, wallpaper and carpet (mauve). Formica and Corian can be abused by my H- think heat and knives. Otherwise I like the softer surfaces.</p>
<p>Another aside- NUMBERS HAVE APPEARED! Now we can refer to past posts!</p>
<p>Back to refrigerators. So glad didn’t have to spend over a thousand dollars a few years ago to replace the old house’s refrigerator. Waiting to make my move in this house. New energy standards (again) for 2014 so I’m waiting for the brand new models to become older and therefore cheaper stock. I also have noticed reliabilities of LG have improved since I was looking way back when I last had old house refrigerator repaired. Also noticed the doors that met in the middle no longer available. </p>
<p>Try closing/slamming doors (like H and kids are likely to do) and see if they close all the way… Also figure out if all of your sizes of jars and bottles will fit in the door bins. There are some creative ways of claiming space. How many inch wide containers do you have? Or very short ones? Consumer reports also gives their useable space in a column compared to manufacturer’s stated sizes.</p>