| A refrigerator is a necessity in every home and | | | | The bottom mount is the latest design in the growing |
| kitchen. It is important to choose the right kind of | | | | line of refrigerators. It gives you a complete blend of |
| refrigerator that meets your requirements, budget and | | | | style and technology. This model has the freezer |
| taste, as well as compliments your kitchen's decor. | | | | located at the bottom of the refrigerator section. You |
| What should I look for when buying a refrigerator? | | | | can easily locate your food items as they are in your |
| Before stepping out in search of this appliance, write | | | | line of sight. However, you will have to bend down in |
| out your needs. What size is most appropriate for | | | | order to access the freezer. If storage is your |
| your kitchen? Do you want an energy efficient model? | | | | concern, then go for bottom mount models. They are |
| What kind of shelves do you need? Select a fridge | | | | more spacious than other designs. |
| based on your highest priorities. | | | | Adding to your options are French door fridges that |
| Capacity Required: | | | | are similar to bottom mount models. They only differ |
| One of the major considerations when buying a new | | | | with respect to the door ergonomics. Rather than a |
| fridge is the size of the appliance. The size should | | | | single door, they offer separate doors for easier |
| depend upon the number of people in your family, your | | | | access to the freezer. These refrigerators, with two |
| lifestyle and how often you shop for fresh food. A | | | | doors, keep energy costs down. |
| family of two should opt for a small to medium sized | | | | Others |
| fridge. If you have a big family, extra large models that | | | | Is your kitchen small? Choose from the following types |
| are 20 to 29 cubic feet in size are a better choice. | | | | of fridges. Built-in fridges can blend into your cabinets. |
| Buyers in the habit of hosting large parties and | | | | However, these are expensive and difficult to replace. |
| gatherings should get a refrigerator that can hold large | | | | You can also try a compact fridge. Though they do |
| trays and comes with spacious vegetables bins. Does | | | | not have much storage capacity, they are just perfect |
| your family dine out frequently? Then choose a small | | | | for bedrooms, dorms and under counter spaces. For |
| capacity refrigerator. | | | | enthusiasts, wine storage refrigerators and coolers are |
| Space: | | | | becoming widely available and some are even |
| The refrigerator you want to buy should fit the allotted | | | | vibration free to protect your wines. |
| space you have available. Measure the height and | | | | What features should be considered while purchasing |
| width of the place you have chosen and cross check | | | | a refrigerator? |
| with the size of the refrigerator that you intend to buy. | | | | Features may vary from model to model. There are |
| Style and Color: | | | | some common features along with certain specific |
| The color and style should be trendy but should also | | | | features that cannot be overlooked when buying a |
| gel well with your kitchen decor. Generally, refrigerators | | | | refrigerator. |
| have attractive exteriors with smooth metallic finishes. | | | | Automatic Defrosting |
| The stainless steel look is popular and goes well with | | | | Initially, ice was removed by turning the refrigerator off. |
| other stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, like | | | | Today, many fridges are frost-free. You can |
| ovens and dishwashers. Sateen refrigerators are | | | | automatically defrost the fridge by the mere press of |
| great alternatives to stainless steel. They have the | | | | a button. |
| look of stainless steel but are less expensive. | | | | In-door Ice and Water Dispensers |
| Refrigerators are available in black, blue, emerald green | | | | Now-a-days, refrigerators come with in-door water |
| and antique white. If you are unsure about the color | | | | dispensers. With this feature, you need not constantly |
| you want, it is always safe to go for neutral shades. | | | | open the fridge to access cold water. Most ice |
| Budget: | | | | dispensers dole out cubed and crushed ice. |
| Cost should be another major concern when buying a | | | | Drink Hatch |
| refrigerator. Fix your budget and then select your | | | | Some fridges feature a mini window attached to the |
| fridge. Search through the Internet for cheap | | | | main fridge door where you can place your frequently |
| refrigerators and freezers or go through consumer | | | | consumed refreshments. This feature allows you to |
| magazines to get information on the latest models and | | | | reach in and easily access those items rather than |
| their prices. Want some additional features like an | | | | repeatedly opening the door. |
| in-door ice maker or a gleaming finish? Then be ready | | | | Spill-proof Shelves |
| to pay a little extra. Buying direct from the | | | | Spill-proof shelves have replaced the traditional wired |
| manufacturer or importer can save you a good | | | | ones. These shelves are designed to stop leakages or |
| percentage. | | | | spills. They are easy to clean and maintain. You can |
| What are the different types of refrigerators? | | | | create space for pitchers or other large items with |
| There are mainly three types of fridges on the market | | | | adjustable shelves. Some refrigerators even have |
| today, side-by-side, top freezer and bottom mount. | | | | sliding shelves which can be pulled forward so you can |
| Side-By-Side | | | | reach the items at the back. |
| This design has a freezer and refrigerator located | | | | Humidity Controlled Crisper |
| next to each other. Your food and beverages are | | | | Fruits and vegetables can be kept fresh for longer |
| easily accessible because both the freezer and | | | | with a humidity controlled crisper. There are also |
| refrigerator are full-size. Generally, this type of | | | | drawers with separate humidity controls that can be |
| refrigerator comes with a single compressor or dual | | | | adjusted based on the food you are storing. |
| compressors. Choose a unit that provides two | | | | Door Alarms |
| separate compressors, one for the fridge and one for | | | | Do you often forget to close the refrigerator door? |
| the freezer. This seals the segments off, thereby | | | | Door alarms alert you if the door is left opened for a |
| preventing any chance of taste or odor exchange | | | | long period of time. |
| from one compartment to the other. Side-by-side | | | | Antibacterial Protection |
| refrigerators do have some pitfalls. This unit does not | | | | Select a refrigerator with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial |
| have enough space to fit bulkier items, such as pizza | | | | coatings for a clean and hygienic environment. |
| boxes and pitchers. | | | | Built-in Beverage Holders |
| Top Freezer | | | | A built-in beverage holder helps you to neatly arrange |
| The top freezer model is the traditional refrigerator you | | | | your cans and bottles. |
| have seen for years. It has the freezer mounted on | | | | Interior Lights |
| top of the refrigerator. This unit has either a single door | | | | Refrigerators today offer multi-level interior lights. If you |
| or two doors, one for the freezer and another for the | | | | like to snack at night, you should choose a model with |
| fridge. Top freezer models do not sport heavy price | | | | good lighting. |
| tags. If you want to save space, go for these models | | | | Power |
| as they have a compact design and can fit into most | | | | Go for refrigerators and freezers with the best energy |
| corners. | | | | rating. An Energy Star rated fridge consumes less |
| Bottom Mount | | | | power and operates at maximum efficiency. |