Just bought my first house and we need a fridge. We're leaning towards a bottom freezer style, but since they're a little more expensive than the traditional side-by-side models it's not a sure thing.

LG is standing out as the best choice but their higher cost is making me curious about the other big manufacturers like Samsung (similar to LG, but cheaper), GE, Whirlpool and Frigidaire.

Having a built-in water system with a replaceable filter is our only must-have. Some of the GE bottom-freezer models have the water tap on the inside, which we like a little better because it keeps the front of the fridge cleaner looking.

What say you?

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

If I had the money, I'd get a Sub-Zero.

But I don't Even if it's a little more money, go for the bottom freezer type - generally they use less energy, and accessability to the fridge items is great. (unless you go into your freezer several times a day, in which case you ought to get a chest freezer)

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

There is also a hybrid between the two. Its a side by side, with the bottom being wider for the freezer and the top wider for the fridge. Only a couple companies make them.
http://www.maytag.com/mths/products/apl_family.jsp?family=Wide-by-Side+Refrigerators&domain=Refrigerators&cs=0&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

I saw one of those at Sears today. Looked weird, but I guess it's cool b/c it gives both sides some wide storage space.

The efficiency of the bottom freezer style is looking to be more important than the need for a water filter setup, so LG is suddenly looking in our price range.

To get a bottom freezer style, with water filter/tap in the fridge, GE looks to be the best buy at around $1400...a little too much for us.

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

ok, heres what i know-think.
I have a brand new fridgidair side by side, with ice and water.

my sister, upstairs, has a brand new kitchenaid bottom freezer w/ ice maker and water inside.

the bottom freezers can be fairly crowded, especially with an ice maker in there.

having the water tap inside, if you use it often, will probably offset energy savings because you stand there with the door open, waiting for that glass to fill- they're all slow. if you have kids, they will get water all the time, cause its fun.

having filtered water & ice rocks.

the narrow freezers on S+S means frozen pizzas have to go in sideways. in the same since, a pizza box wont fit in the fridge.

the feezer on mine is pretty big. lots o room.

overall, I like the S+S better.

have you checked the scratch and dent store? most chains will have one location in a large metro where they liquidate all that stuff at. know what your lookin for, and see what's available. you can save hundreds of $ just because there is a dent on the side, where no one would ever see it in your house.

maybe you'll find that perfect unit.

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

we have a side by side with outside water. we like it.

the bottom freezer might be harder to access for an older person.

we have a huge chest freezer in the basememt.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The style of machine is more personal taste than anything else.

The most economical machines are the top freezer models. You can buy them at a fraction of the cost of the bottom freezer or side by side. Personally, I cannot figure out how the SOB's charge $1200 for the bottom freezer, more than 50% over the cost of a top freezer model.

The side by sides are the largest machines available but, they consume significantly more power.

I always wanted to dump my top freezer and get a bottom freezer. No way in hell I was giving them $1200. So, I found a fellow on e-bay that was selling a pristine Kitchen-Aid machine........about 10 years old. Gave him $120. for it...........I was the only bidder. Bet it gives me another 10 years.

DO NOT BUY A SUB_ZERO!!!!!they're called that for a reason....ask me how I know.cheaply assembled,failure prone compressors and dryers on top,poor quality hinges and the CHEAPEST resistance wire defroster tube that only lasts a year or 2 before it fails and ices up,Like Jaguar and Rolls Royce,an owner's headache and a serviceman's dream.

I eventually restored the SO2{Sulphur Dioxide}Kelvinator "walk in"system installed in the '20's,nice quarter-sawn oak under years of paint.

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Cripes !!!! Our refrig achieved room temperature yesterday,,, so here we go too. We have a top freezer GE that has been with us about 20 years. Hope it can be fixed, but if not looks like I'm gonna be shopping.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

I have one word for you,Sport. Backed by years of rental experience...Kenmore,Extended warranty..............

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........or Whirlpool........same difference........

You said it Sport,Kenmore's the same damn thing with less bells'n whistles.What appliances do you favor your tenants with?

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My favorites are found on e-bay and the used appliance shops. You'd be shocked at how little an 18 cu. ft. machine, only two years old, will go for on e-bay.

The problems with transportation of a refrigerator will generally exclude most buyers. It's a terrific deal if you've got a van and a good hand truck. Naturally, you've got to be able to coax the machine out of it's current location and into the van by yourself.

I bought a 2 year old machine in Brooklyn for $150. recently for a tenant.

Also found a brand new 20" electric Welbilt stove for $170. at one of the used appliance places.

Like everything else.........the deals are out there..........

I have a friend that remodels kitchens from the floor up and makes it his life to know everything that goes into them. When I was ordering my fridge he cursed at me for ordering the Sub Zero and told me the Samsung (LG) is is cheaper, more reliable and has every bell and whistle allowed on a fridge.

I did get the Samsung and I agree that it is a great fridge the widgets like the cooling drawer come in handing when I need to get beer ice cold in a hurry.

Well now, the only decent,relatively maintenance-free reefers are old Traulsen commecials.have one in a bodega I rent in Huntington Station,whole area's changed from black to central american,with some Social Services holdouts.I actually prefer them as tenants rather than Salvadoran "bachelors"who sleep 4 to a room and trash the place as well.

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