With a refrigerator, do you prefer a bottom freezer, top freezer, or side by side?

[Bella]

I'm pretty much stuck with a bottom freezer. Our house came with a huge built-in refrigerator and I recently had to replace it. Only a couple of models fit the space and they both come with a bottom freezer. However, the freezer has an extra drawer in it and holds loads of food.

I ran into the same problem. When I remodeled my kitchen several years ago, I built in the fridge. When I had to replace the fridge last year, I wanted a top freezer model, but there weren't any models that would fit the built-in space. In fact, there were very few models that would fit the space at all.

 

[papa tiger]

A side-beside worked well with the space between the Counter / Sink cabinet and the Wall. It was a snug fit with
The connection for the freezer water supply needing some space in that wall. It has been a great asset too.

I had dealt with fitting a fridge into a Camper and new the difficulties to fit a top freezer electric into a camper LP fridge.

 

[WheatenLover]

We had a huge french door refrigerator with a huge bottom drawer freezer. I loved it with a passion because the fridge had space to hold all the food for a family of 6, and the freezer was big enough so I didn't have to go to the basement frequently to replenish it from the upright freezer there.

 

[jujube]

Top freezer.

 

[Aunt Bea]

It doesn’t make much difference to me but I think a bottom freezer drawer with a single top refrigerator door makes the most sense to me.

 

[Jules]

I ran into the same problem. When I remodeled my kitchen several years ago, I built in the fridge. When I had to replace the fridge last year, I wanted a top freezer model, but there weren't any models that would fit the built-in space. In fact, there were very few models that would fit the space at all.

That’s what happened with us. We built for an all-fridge. Darn, I loved that thing until it broke and couldn’t be replaced. While shopping for a replacement that fit the space I overheard another woman needing a specific size too. The salesperson said it’s a common problem, one that I’d never thought about.

 

[seadoug]

I ran into the same problem. When I remodeled my kitchen several years ago, I built in the fridge. When I had to replace the fridge last year, I wanted a top freezer model, but there weren't any models that would fit the built-in space. In fact, there were very few models that would fit the space at all.

Yes, it is a curse. When we moved to Dallas in 2006, houses were relatively cheap and we thought we had hit the lottery when our house had a Kitchenaid refrigerator, Bosch washer and dryer and Thermador cooktop and oven. Boy, were we naive. The more expensive the appliances, the more expensive to replace them.

The cooktop and oven are still like new after 26 years but the washer and dryer have been replaced and the refrigerator has been replaced twice. The Bosch washer and dryer are front-loading, under the counter and if the washer goes out the dryer has to be replaced as well so it is megabucks. The first time the refrigerator was replaced, I replaced it with French doors for over $10k! When it went out this last time I replaced it with one solid door. Still over $8k. There is really no alternative since it is built-in and is a specific size.

I would actually love to go back to our previous house where we had a cheap top-loading washer/dryer and an average refrigerator with water/ice in the door. Our current home is a "money pit" but it is well-built and is appreciating in value so we will stay here as long as we can.

 

[Fritz]

Idk as I've only ever had a top.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

Sounds like a clogged or frozen defrost drain line. Im surprised your guy didnt know this.
There are YouTube videos on how to unclog it with warm water and a turkey baster.
If he had the door open for a while it probably melted some and thats why it worked.

Or. You can just unplug it for a day or two and leave the door open. It will melt and drain. I looked at the videos and decided this was easier. Truthfully I dont like to take things apart. Sometimes you cant get them back together.
I have two refrigerators so I just relocated for a minute.

And I prefer top freezers. No ice maker. No water in the door.

Thanks for your input.

I saw the Youtube videos, each suggesting different approaches. I didn't want to deal with any of it personally, so I called the repair service and he said his fee would be $75.00 if no parts were involved. He also stated it was likely a clogged line. His first step, in fact, was to clean the line, then he took the back panel off and cleaned the coils, he disassembled the component inside the refrigerator compartment that houses the lighting and controls, and cleaned the tray and everything in it, then reattached it. I have no icemaker or other features. After his work, it was fine for 2 weeks, then the occasional drip returned.

If a man who works on refrigerators couldn't get a permanent fix, it is certain I could not, nor would I try anything more on an old refrigerator. For now, I have a bowl in the spot where the occasional drip occurs. If the unit stops cooling or the drip worsens, the refrigerator will be replaced.

I also prefer top freezers, but that's not what my next one will be.

 

[Rae]

I have always had a top freezer and now have the ice maker, too in the freezer. It works well for us.

 

[Michael Z]

I like the top. You tend to just stuff the freezer randomly with items. I don’t want to be stooping down to the floor to try and find something or sort things out in the freezer.

To go with a side by side, I would have to do a bit of remodeling to make the opening big enough. I just wasn’t up to doing that when our current frig went out this spring.

 

[oldman]

Side by Side. That’s the type we have used for 40 years.

 

[Veronica]

Thanks for your input.

I saw the Youtube videos, each suggesting different approaches. I didn't want to deal with any of it personally, so I called the repair service and he said his fee would be $75.00 if no parts were involved. He also stated it was likely a clogged line. His first step, in fact, was to clean the line, then he took the back panel off and cleaned the coils, he disassembled the component inside the refrigerator compartment that houses the lighting and controls, and cleaned the tray and everything in it, then reattached it. I have no icemaker or other features. After his work, it was fine for 2 weeks, then the occasional drip returned.

If a man who works on refrigerators couldn't get a permanent fix, it is certain I could not, nor would I try anything more on an old refrigerator. For now, I have a bowl in the spot where the occasional drip occurs. If the unit stops cooling or the drip worsens, the refrigerator will be replaced.

I also prefer top freezers, but that's not what my next one will be.

Darn. Im sorry that didnt work out for you. I did the turkey baster with hot water but I didnt take mine apart.
Mine didnt unclog till I unplugged it. Its fine now. I did the bowl for a while too. If it helps my fridge still worked fine. I just got tired of emptying the bowl.

If you do decide to dump your old one make sure you check with your electric company to see if they have an appliance recycling program. If they do they will give you cash and haul the old one away.

 

[GoodEnuff]

The side-by-side fridge/freezer that was in this house when I bought it had water/ice in the door. It hadn't worked in years. Several different repairmen had come, never was it fixed. The last one said the entire freezer door would have to be replaced, over $1000. I hate the side-by-side models; anything large (turkey, watermelon, etc.) won't fit. I decided to keep things simple and bought a smaller GE model, two door with freezer on top. No bells/whistles. No ice maker, no water in the door. Nothing additional to break. Love it. Six ice trays and a container in which to dump them. Works for me as a single person. Cost $700.00.

Living by KISS principle.