The Best French Door Refrigerator Buying Guide
Table of Contents
Top Best French Door Refrigerators Based on Reviews and Price
What Is a French door Refrigerator?
At first sight, a French door refrigerator looks a lot like a side-by-side refrigerator, but taking a closer look; you will notice that it comes with an extra bottom compartment. What makes French door better than a side by side is that foods, drinks, and other items stored are closer to your reach since they’re at eye level.
The freezer in French door refrigerators are at full length but lacking in width. Hence, foods have to be stacked on top of one another. French door refrigerator has two doors, and the swings aren’t the smartest to maneuver. You will have to shut the doors one after another rather than at once.
Why You Need a French door Refrigerator?
One thing you won’t like about the French door refrigerator is that the top compartment is lacking in width. Though the length provides enough sessions for you to group your items, it isn’t the best choice when storing large items. French door refrigerator price ranges from $500 -$2000 depending on the brand as well as size.
If you go for this refrigerator type, dedicate enough space for it to live in. The door swing at each side shouldn’t be close to a wall, and neither should it prevent free movement around the area.
How to Choose the Best French door Refrigerator?
When it comes to choosing a refrigerator nowadays, a lot of people are left in awe due to the variety of options available. Style is one criterion that enhances the aesthetic of a refrigerator since there are a lot of limitations in color and finish.
For those who want something fancy but with some depth, a French door refrigerator is an ideal option for you. Apart from spotting two openings aligned side-by-side, French door refrigerators provide several compartments for you to store your foods and drinks-making it highly versatile.
If you’re looking at getting a French refrigerator anytime soon, there are criteria you must consider in getting the right ones. I warn you that ignoring these factors will likely increase the probability of getting the wrong one.
10 Features to Consider Before Buying a French Door Refrigerator
#1 Water Dispenser
There’s nothing as good as having a refrigerator, which automatically supplies you with water once you press a few buttons on the outside. This feature makes it easier to stay hydrated without using the refrigerator door at all times.
Fortunately, several French door refrigerators come with a dispenser on the outside. This ensures you have cleaner water since there’s a filter attached to the dispenser line.
While most people prefer to go for a model with a dispenser on the outside, you should know that there is inconvenient that comes with using it. First, the cost of maintenance is high as they tend to break down very easily. Any damages to the dispenser unit might also damage other components of the refrigerator.
Secondly, the addition of ice-maker and water containers on the inside reduces the usable storage on the upper compartments. If your dispenser is located at the door of the freezer, the water containers will likely occupy the session where fresh foods and vegetables are supposed to be stored.
#2 Consider Dimension
If you’re to select any French door refrigerator, you will likely go for one that will fit into your space seamlessly. It’s important you take the width, depth, and height Into consideration given the fact that the door swing will be on both sides.
It’s essential to measure the depth of your counter as some refrigerator tends to stick out. However, if you’re looking to replace an old French refrigerator, you should go for a model that has the same dimension as the former.
Apart from depth, the French refrigerator also requires little space between it and other fixtures around the house. If you’re to install your refrigerator in the living room, you will want it to be at least 2 inches from a wall and other appliances. If you install in your kitchen, be sure that the door swing won’t have any obstacle in the form of a dishwasher when you open.
It is good to measure your entry as well. If you plan to install the refrigerator in your kitchen, you will want first to ensure the size is compact enough to pass through your kitchen door before considering other factors.
#3 Noise
Noise factor doesn’t seem like a big deal but should be considered if you like to maintain a serene atmosphere in your home. At night, the sound of refrigerators will be heard from a distance away if you go for one with noise. French refrigerator from brands like LG, Samsung, Kenmore, stands out in terms of quietness.
#4 Color
As much as possible, go for colors that will align with the decor of your kitchen. Going for a wrong color will ultimately ruin all the decoration work put in place. Along with features, selecting the refrigerator with the best exterior will add some touch of class to your home. You can decide to match the color of your refrigerator with the appliance, such as a dishwasher or range hook, around or try something different by choosing a color that stands out.
Not like wine refrigerators, since refrigerators are fixtures we put into daily use, you will also want one with a good finish. When cooking, we handle the exterior with wet or even greasy hands. All these make the refrigerator a bit susceptible to stains, which ultimately ruin the surface. Hence, it’s better to choose one that’s easy to clean and finger resistant at the same time.
#5 Door Style
Most French door refrigerators come with two doors at the top and a freezer compartment that’s shaped like a drawer. However, there are some models with four doors. In this model, the drawer is replaced by two doors. This increases space and comes with extra shelves and better organization. All of its compartments come with a different cooling zone suited to different items.
French door refrigerators with four doors are more expensive than those that come with a drawer. The four-door version offers several unique features. It’s possible to find a French door refrigerator whose temperature adjusts to the type of item placed in it, and there are others whose exterior comes with space for a water dispenser to be installed.
#6 Energy Consumption
According to studies, the kitchen refrigerator is always the appliance that consumes the second-largest amount of energy in a house. While it’s possible to save energy by using the appliance less, it’s better to put on your fridge at all times if you want the items in it to remain fresh.
Hence, it’s advisable you go for a refrigerator model that consumes less energy. Fortunately, most modern refrigerators are designed to become more efficient while consuming little energy. In the case of French door refrigerators, all its components are premium, thereby providing a superior cooling system than other refrigerator types.
If you opt for a French refrigerator, expect it to consume nothing less than 350Kwh annually.
#7 Ice Maker
Refrigerators with an in-built ice maker are easy to find and comes with added Advantages. While most refrigerators are going to come either a water dispenser or ice maker, the French door and side by side refrigerators are the only refrigerator types that are likely to possess both features.
In French refrigerators, the ice maker is located at the freezer compartment while the water dispenser is installed on the left-side door. While this feature is a bit enticing, it comes with extra cost. To reduce leakage and damages, you should go for a French refrigerator that has either a dispenser or ice maker rather than going for one that possesses both features.
#8 Ventilation
Proper ventilation is required to keep the compressor in a good state. This way, there’s an accumulation of warmth, which reduces overheating of the appliance. Different refrigerators spot different types of ventilation. While some are positioned on the rear, others are located in the front.
A good French door refrigerator should have a ventilation space of at least 200 square meters. The more ventilation space your refrigerator has, the better it’s energy efficiency.
#9 Bottom Freezer
The configuration of the bottom freezer of a refrigerator can decide your posture when picking items from a refrigerator. With a French door refrigerator, it’s easy to reach for food without bending down often. French refrigerator compartments are at waist level while that of the freezer is at the bottom.
#10 Maintenance
Refrigerator shelves come in different forms: smooth or wired. Both easy to clean. However, smooth shelves are easier to wipe than wired shelves, which will take some maneuvering. The material used on an exterior also matters. Models with white exteriors are easily stained.
Final Thoughts
French door refrigerators appeal to a lot of home-owners for its compact design and organization. It isn’t the most expensive option out there and comes with several features that make it aesthetically pleasing. One thing you will try as much as possible to avoid going for one that has a water dispenser. Not only doesn’t it reduce the refrigerator lifespan but usually require repair.
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