Refrigerator shopping can be daunting so use these tips
Putting in a new refrigerator? Better be prepared, though, because your refrigerator is a big investment and a big part of your home and life. You’re talking about your three meals a day that is, in many parts, dictated by the Ole fridge. So here’s some tips you’ll want to keep in mind for the shopping process.
Make sure you measure first! And make sure you measure the width, depth and height. After you make your first measurement then measure again just to be sure.
Plan the spot where you’ll be putting it by its usage and activity around it. Think about how doors are opened and what, if any, impediments that will cause. Think about the foot and cooking traffic that will happen next to it, around it and when using it. You don’t want it blocking or being an obstacle to work around.
There are four basic styles of refrigerators that you need to know to help make your choice. There’s the side by side that the doors open outward with the freezer on one side and the fridge on the other. There’s the french door style that the doors open outward with the freezer on the bottom. Then there’s the freezer on top and the freezer on the bottom.
The most important consideration is its use. Are you single or divorced, on the go, depending on frozen food? Make sure you have the freezer to accommodate. Do have kids with different tastes and needs? That usually means you need a refrigerator with a combination of adjustable shelves. Do you eat a lot of fresh produce? You may want one with many different compartments with different temperature adjusters.
What kind of cleaning will you prefer. The wire shelves can be a little more difficult than the full shelves. And the ability to remove the shelves and compartments easily to clean in the sink that makes it easier, quicker and more thorough.
Just to re-emphasize that the two most important considerations for getting that new refrigerator will be your eating habits and size/space that will dictate the style and choice.
Then there’s the price. Refrigerators can range from $600 to $2500 just for residential. So you need to assess your four different payment options. Cash is the best if you have it but for most us that’s unrealistic so think about rent-to-own places vs credit card. Then there’s used ones as well. If you’re going used, try rent-to-own stores first. They have fridges being returned frequently thus the store needs to get rid of those barely used ones to put the new ones on their showroom floor so can offer the best deals out there.
And, make sure you google refrigerator reviews. There are dozens of sites like good housekeeping and consumer reports that help tremendously.
Just another ShopRTO good kitchen tip.
