What French Door fridge options are available for my space?

This guide will hopefully help you narrow down your options when it comes time to looking at the fridge options in today's market. 

Please note this guide is to help with the most popular style of fridge on the market which is the bottom mount fridge, meaning the freezer is on the bottom sometime referred to as a French Door fridge.  Let's clarify some lingo to help you through this process:

• 2 Door Bottom Mounts: has one freezer drawer or swing door and one fridge door.
• 3 Door Bottom Mounts: has one freezer drawer and two fridge doors.
• 4 Door Bottom Mounts which has 1 freezer drawer, 1 optional drawer either fridge or freezer on some models and 2 fridge doors again in a French door design.
• 4 Door Bottom Mount Luxury - which has four doors, 2 fridge, 1 freezer, 1 optional with a fridge or freezer setting, this is the newest style to hit the market.
• Counter Depth: The fridge depth is decreased so the fridge doesn't protrude out from the depth of your counters, it provides more room in your kitchen area if needed especially popular with fridges in front of islands, they are typically less in cubic foot and higher in price but offer a good solution for space if required.

Below are the questions our sales associates would ask to help you narrow down your selection.
Once you go through this work flow at the bottom we have created what 2015 offerings are from some of the more popular manufacturers: GE, GE Profile, Frigidaire Gallery, Electrolux, Whirlpool, Maytag, LG and Samsung.

Question 1:  Are you looking for a 2 Door Bottom Mount - 3 Door Bottom Mount or 4 Door Fridge.

If answer to question 1 is 2 Door Bottom Mount:

Question 2: What is the width of your opening. This style you need a 30" or 33" opening.

Question 3: Do you want a swing door or pull out door freezer?
Swing doors will be cheaper.

Key Note: If you want to fill a 36" space this style doesn't offer any model 36" wide.
See below file for 2 Door Bottom Mounts with those answers in mind.

 

If answer to question 1 is 3 Door Bottom Mount: This is most popular choice see file below for model options.

Question 2: What is the width of your opening? You have 3 choices 30", 33" or 36"

Question 3: Do you want a counter depth fridge?

Question 4: Do you want external ice and water dispenser?

Key Note: Most selection will be in a 36" width, there is some selection at 33" and less at 30"
For counter depth almost all offerings are in 36" width.
See below files for Counter Depth - 3 Door with Dipesner - 3 Door with No Dispenser.

 

If answer to question 1 is 4 Door Bottom Mount:
Question 2: Would you like to look at a luxury design or basic 4 door fridge?
Based on above answer look at files below for: 4 Door - Luxury  or  4 Door - Basic.

Key Note: You need a 36" wide opening for this fridge but if it's 33" you have one choice.

Also in the luxury section you will see reference to a new 5 door fridge available from Whirlpool.

First of it's kind to hit the market, May 2015.

We always like to start with fridge selection if you require multiple kitchen appliances, this will help you narrow down ranges/dishwashers especially if you prefer to keep your appliances all the same brand.

 

We hope this has been helpful in narrowing down which products to further research in your journey to find the right fridge for you.

  


2 DOOR BOTTOM FREEZER:

COUNTER DEPTH:

3 DOOR - NO DISPENSER

3 DOOR WITH EXTERNAL DISPENSER: 

4 DOOR - LUXURY

4 DOOR - BASIC



Next Time I Purchase an Appliance: I Will Not Get a Smoothtop Range because....

I am going to start sharing comments we get from customers based on past experiences of appliance purchases.  I think it is great insight and it can be hard to know what you like and will not like if you haven't purchased an appliance in a long time. Hopefully other  experiences can help you towards a decision.

Recently a customer came in and was looking for an electric range, she had a bad experience with a glass top range, this is the smooth top surface that dominates the market when it comes to electric ranges.  She had an issue with spill overs while cooking and didn't like how difficult it was to clean?  (See How To Clean a Glass Top Video)

What options are available if you find yourself with the same opinion?

1) You can revert back to the coil elements, and although this can be more economical I don't think it really solves the ease of clean issue.  Pulling apart the drip bowls isn't all that much fun either.

 

2) You could see if adding a gas line is an option for you so you can move to a gas range.

3) Think about INDUCTION - with this technology just the pan/pot is heated and the area around it does not heat up like a traditional glass top electric range.  Therefore should a spill over occur while cooking it doesn't 'cake' onto the stove top.   There are many advantages to this technology however the price comparison vs standard glass top ranges would be something you would want to explore to see if the technology holds value for you.

Notice how the chocolate that isn't in the pan doesn't melt. Without the metal contact there isn't any heat generated on that area of the cooktop.

 

WHAT COMPANIES OFFER THIS TECHNOLOGY?

* There isn't a manufacturer that offers induction in a colour other than Stainless Steel, most companies have this option in a cooktop and below are the available models if you want a range with induction.

 

Free-Standing Ranges:

30" Width - Controls are on a back panel.

Frigidaire - CGIF3061NF - typical market price $1699

Samsung - NE597N0PBSR - typical market price $1599

Whirlpool - YWFI910H0AS - typical market price $1699

Electrolux - CEI30IF4LS - typical market price $1799

GE Profile - PHB920SFSS - typical market price $2199

 

Slide-In Ranges: 30" Width - Controls on the front, no back panel, typically chosen when you want to show off a backsplash or like the safety of not reaching over the burners to the controls.

Frigidaire - CGIS3065PF - due out in April 2015, anticipated market price @ $2299

Electrolux - EW30IS8CRS - market price @ $2899

Samsung CHEF - NE58H9970WS - market price $2799

 

Double-Oven Free-Standing Ranges:

Whirlpool - YWFI925C0BS - typical market price @ $1899

Samsung - NE599N1PBSR - with Flex Duo Oven, this allows you to create two oven spaces in the oven cavity or use as one big oven, a very cool feature- typical market price @ $1799

Buying Guide for Ranges with Double Ovens

Free standing ranges with two ovens is growing in popularity, almost all manufacturer's now make a range with this configuration.

The main advantages are:
1) Pre-Heating the oven is quicker because often it is a smaller cavity on the upper oven.
2) Trying to cook two different things that require two temperatures is ideal
     i.e the ever so popular chicken fingers and fries for the kids, it's my go to.

One major concern some people have is the size of the lower oven isn't large enough to roast a turkey.  Perhaps for the largest of birds this is true but I can tell you the oven sizes are just fine for the majority of turkeys.

I will talk quickly about the major brand offerings using their high end models so the comparison is on an even playing field but note some brands do offer scaled down models in double oven ranges.
The chart at the bottom will do an overall quick comparison on price among other things.

LG (Model: LDE3037ST)
More Details

 


It's unique feature is that it offers an Infrared Grill, very cool if you like your chicken moist. The technology prevents any of your food from drying out as much. The look is great and our service department likes dealing with this company should something go wrong.  They offer a gas model but it only comes in Stainless Steel.  Availability can sometimes be an issue.





GE (Model: PCB950SFSS)
More Details



This company redesigned the look of their entire line up recently where you can now match their GE brand products with their Profile brand products.  This model is a Profile which indicates it comes with a high feature set.  They have one of the best oven sensor technologies in the industries which for those of you who bake understand that maintaining an accurate temperature in the cavity is ideal.  Service requires a phone into a 1-800 number or doing an online service request which then redirects them back to us which isn't ideal but they are getting better but it's been a work in progress.




MAYTAG (Model: YMET8820DS)
More Details

Maytag was one of the first companies to offer a double oven range so they have done well building off the original Gemini series models.  A great feature is their 10" - 3200 Watt Power Element with Power Boost, this is great if it's the dead of winter and you want to sear your steak inside. Warranty is also excellent with 10 Years on certain parts of the range.  Under the Whirlpool umbrella their service is very easy to deal with.




WHIRLPOOL (Model: YWGE755C0BS)
More Details

One of the few companies to offer their high end product in the colour white as well.  A defining feature is their Rapid Boil element on the cooktop, it's quite effective.  Whirlpool makes the Maytag product and differentiates the two companies primarily on look with Maytag of a more commercial design and Whirlpool more of a designer look.  Service is good on both these brands.





FRIGIDAIRE GALLERY (Model: CGEF306TPF)
More Details

Although they are revamping this model I wanted to mention this brand as they offer a unique symmetry oven set up, meaning the top oven and lower oven are of the same capacity.  The also have the unique feature called Smudge Proof Stainless Steel, they put a plastic coating over the stainless so the look isn't sacrificed and makes cleaning an easier process. 





SAMSUNG (Model: NE59J7850WS)

Coming in March of 2015, Samsung is bringing something new to the table, it is offering a double oven range with a warming/storage drawer at the bottom.  So oven size is sacrificed a little bit but solves the issue where some still like to store their cooking sheets in the drawer of the oven with the added bonus of having a warming drawer when preparing larger meals.

 

COMPANY	MODEL	MSRP	Some Past Promo Pricing	OTHER OPTIONS	COLOUR OPTIONS	Warranty
LG	LDE3037ST	$1,999	$1,599	Gas Model	SS	1 Year Parts & Labour
GE	PCB950SFSS	$2,199	$1,799	Gas Model, Slide-In Model	SS	1 Year Parts & Labour + 4 Years on Elements
MAYTAG	YMET8820DS	$1,999	$1,599	Gas Model	SS	1 Year Parts & Labour + 10 Years on Cooktop, Elements
WHIRLPOOL	YWGE755C0BS	$1,999	$1,599	Induction Model	SS & White	1 Year Parts & Labour
FRIGIDAIRE	CGEF306TPF	$1,999	$1,499		SS	1 Year Parts & Labour
SAMSUNG	NE59J7850WS	$2,199	New Product, No Promo History		SS	1 Year Parts & Labour

Is a Gas Range right for me?

If you live in Southwestern Ontario this is a question you probably face when looking at a range purchase. But is gas the right choice for your cooking needs? Let's look at gas versus the other types of cooking, electric and induction.


Gas Positives vs. Electric:

1. Gas is almost always a cheaper energy source to operate.
2. People who love to cook love the versatility of a heat flame which allows for quicker boiling but   provides a simmer temperature for sauces.
3. The heat from a gas flame heats the sides, as well as the bottom, of pans, cooking food faster.

Gas Negatives vs. Electric:

1. Oven Baking: temperatures are hotter at the top so baking requires rotation and placement farther from heat source. Gas also gives off moisture when cooking, creating a humid heat rather than the dry heat required for effective roasting.
2. There are some obvious dangers to having gas in your home so care should always be taken especially with children.
3. Gas ranges are typically a higher cost than an equivalent electric range.
4. There are added costs for gas technician hook up services and further if a gas line has to be run to the area.

There are some other options if you want to combine the best of both worlds, the first being a dual fuel range where the cooktop is gas but the oven is still electric, these often carry a higher price tag but can be a great solution.  Also there is the not so new technology of induction, the prices of these ranges continue to fall as they become more popular and more manufacturers start to offer it.
An induction range offers the versatility of the heat flame with a much safer cooking experience and the oven is still electric so you get the better baking experience. 

In the end gas, electric, induction will all get the job done you just need to determine what features are most important in your home.

How Induction works?