French-Door Refrigerators - I don't get it!
Apologies, this technically isn't a direct cooking or baking question, but it is kitchen related and I was hoping the formidable foodie-brain trust here could lend a hand :)
I'm at the edge of needing to order a complete set of appliances for a new home I am building... My current dilemma: All of the attention being given to French door refrigerators!
Can anyone explain the benefit of these, either direct or theoretical?
In testing them out, it seems that:
- the left door wont ever close on its own - the flap won't latch
- opening either door is too small to really browse - both are needed
- the freezer is usually way too tall
I am trying to talk myself into one because all of the innovation seems to be going on there... the single-door, bottom-freezer models are almost non-existent. And definitely not in my brand or model preference!
Anyway, would appreciate any discussion you folks want to throw at this topic ;)
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12 Comments:
The upside is that if your kitchen is narrow or a single door would somehow block traffic flow, the French doors are a better choice. And, if you're reaching in for something stored on the door, you only need to open the one. That is, if you're organized enough to put your most-used items on that door.
You've already seen the downsides.
dbcurrie at 12:01AM on 03/29/09
For me the French Door was the best option, as my kitchen is very narrow. We bought the house with a side-by-side. You can't fit a frozen turkey or frozen pizza in a side-by-side. I bake a lot, and you can't fit a half-sheet pan into a side-by-side. The doors on the French door are deep, so there's a lot of storage in the door shelves. The freezer is big enough for the two of us. It's like anything else--you just have to find something that meets your needs.
beth1 at 12:56AM on 03/29/09
French door fridge was the only option for me due to the nature of my kitchen layout. I own an LG - love it.
Saying that I don't buy that bottom freezer style fridges can't be found - Best Buy and Sears are full of them.
bravian at 1:06AM on 03/29/09
I have the Kenmore Elite trio (ours is 25 cubic and does not have the ice dispenser). http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_04678306000P?keyword=trio
There is no bar in the middle, which means big platters go right in. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this thing. I bought it sight unseen based on something I saw in a magazine in Dec 2002. I had to call Sears to get the order number and take it to my local store because they did not have it, not even a floor model. When I bought it was 2500 bucks. Now they are cheaper.
When I make big meals I pack that puppy, it has a lot of usable space. I like having more fridge since we have a huge freezer and another side by side fride in the garage. You can get one the same but with one door up top my friends did because they like it that way.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_04601095000P?mv=rr
Yes we have to open both doors, I never worry about that I am used to it by now. The freezer on my model is not so very tall but two baskets and one pulls out, the ice maker is in there too.
I would never buy any other kind.
JerzeeTomato at 2:35AM on 03/29/09
We've had all three - top freezer, side by side and now freezer on the bottom.
All 3 had their benefits and their downside. I think the newer French Door models makes the most sense.
Ribster at 7:00AM on 03/29/09
I have an LG french door with the bottom freezer and love it (except for the beeping door timer that CANNOT be turned off) and find it way more convenient than a normal side by side. I keep a lot of marinades and sauces on hand all the time, so they are in all the door shelves, leaving the main shelves for food. And, as JerzeeTomato said, it's easy to fit big platters in a French door model. Enjoy shopping!
dharmon at 7:25AM on 03/29/09
It gives a person the choice of putting often-used things on one side or the other of the fridge while still being quite large when both doors are open.
If you're a righty, you'd put milk, water, snacks on the right hand side and if you're a lefty, you'd put them on the left. There isn't as much "cold spill" as when the entire fridge door was opened if you have the option of opening one side at a time. When both doors are open - TADA! You get the whole width of the fridge in which to put a sheet cake or other wide item.
therealchiffonade at 7:58AM on 03/29/09
I think most of the good points were covered, so let me just add that the French Door fridge is the only fridge I will ever have from now on. I absolutely love the amount of space I have in the fride proper, and in the doors. The bottom freezer, well, that's non-negotiable too. I love opening the fridge and having everything right where I can see it- no stooping down to find out what is lurking in the bottom of the fridge. I think if you go with the French Door, bottom freezer fridge you will be thrilled.
ErikaWaz at 9:10AM on 03/29/09
That's it! You've all talked me into one of these! Now I just need the money to buy one. I am so frustrated with my side by side. I've got a narrow one and am tired of pulling everything out to get to something in the back. And forget about putting sheet pans in my freezer!
Time to start rolling my pennies!
kitch at 12:20PM on 03/29/09
We are all tall at my house, and not having to bend over to see what is on the lower shelves is my favorite part, not to mention all the other wonderful things.
ocarol at 11:05PM on 03/29/09
@dharmon--I also have an LG with that beeping door feature. The two grey buttons at the top of the regrigerator doors are the sensors for the door alarm. You could try taping them down to mimic the doors being closed.
beth1 at 11:34PM on 03/29/09
@beth1 - thank you SO much! That is driving me crazy!
dharmon at 6:47AM on 04/01/09