French door refrigerator

Demystifying Refrigerator Types: Choosing the Perfect Fit for Your Home

Exploring Refrigerator Types: A Comprehensive Guide

Navigating the realm of refrigerator options can be a daunting task. With a myriad of choices available, from top freezers to French doors and column refrigerators, the decision-making process can feel overwhelming. In this article, we strip away the complexities of features and hone in on the fundamental types of refrigerators, each suited to different needs and lifestyles. Join us as we explore the diverse landscape of refrigeration options, offering insights into which style might best complement your household requirements.







When you have a ton of options, it's not always easy to compare different refrigerator types. Not only do you need to look at how the refrigerator is put together but you also have all of the various features that you have to pick and choose from. We are putting aside the features in this article. Instead, we're looking at just the different types of refrigerators that you can purchase and what they might be best for.





Top Freezer

The top freezer is straightforward, just with the label says. You have your freezer on top and a larger refrigerated cabinet underneath.

Pros and cons for a top freezer

Pros

Basic

Easy to find

You don’t need a ton of space

Cons

Very bare bones in design

Rarely comes with additional features

A top freezer is great if you need to have a refrigerator yesterday. Or if you are looking to add an extra refrigerator to your household but it doesn't need to be the main refrigerator. You may want one for a guest house or for the man cave you're putting together. A top freezer refrigerator is great when you need something simple.





Bottom Freezer

A bottom freezer is what happens if you take a top freezer and put it on its head. Voila, bottom freezer. Typically, the bottom freezer will be a drawer rather than just a door opening the way a top freezer is .

Pros and cons for a bottom freezer

Pros

Has more space than a top freezer

Costs less on average than other fridge options

Cons

Hard to keep organized

Fewer shelves or compartments

A bottom freezer, in our opinion, is the best if you're looking to expand your storage. Maybe you now have teenagers in the house, and they eat a lot. You may be combining households and you need a way to store all of the extra food. Whatever the case, bottom freezers are fantastic for maintaining your sanity and adding storage. 













Side by Side Refrigerator



A side-by-side refrigerator is the same dimensions as a standard refrigerator but with a split all the way down. This separates one side as a freezer and one side as a refrigerator.

Pros and cons for a side-by-side refrigerator

Pros

No stooping for items in your freezer

Has a lower door clearance

Lots of organization options

Cons

Fridge and freezer are thinner than standard

Difficult to store wide objects like sheet pans

Due to design, many will have issues with temperature differences between the top and bottom of the fridge side.

This is dangerous for items up top if the fridge is too full.

We think a side-by-side refrigerator is a good first step if you're looking to move beyond that first dorm room fridge. You want something a little nicer but you're not ready to go for some of the other models just yet. Or if you don't need to store a ton of food, a side-by-side is great.







French Door Refrigerator

A French door takes a bottom refrigerator and combines it with a side-by-side You have the larger refrigerator compartment but the ease of opening only one door at a time. You also have a lovely large bottom-drawer freezer. 

Pros and cons for French door refrigerators

Pros

Full size or larger fridge and freezer

Most common variety of freezer

Manufacturers make them with lots of different feature options

Has better temperature control than other varieties

Cons

Most will have drawer freezers

Often are wifi enabled by default

This is great if you've got a large family. Not only do you have the larger space of your refrigerator, but you also have more features and better temperature control, which means your food is going to last longer. It's also great for those times when “but I don't know what I want” ends in leaving one door open for ages, staring at the food. 





Column Refrigerators

Finally, we have the ultimate in customization, the column refrigerator. You can choose whatever you want it to be and almost any size. Whether it's a refrigerator, freezer, or wine cellar, it's all possible. The difference is that each column will be an individual unit. It's not a two-in-one.

Pros and cons for column refrigerator

Pros

Built-in

Concealed behind panels

Can be modified for whatever you want

You can control the temperature, humidity, and even vibration

Cons

Customizability = price hike

You have to have at least 2, one for a refrigerator and one for a freezer

We see more and more clients leaning towards the column refrigerator because they are so very customizable. If you want the ultimate in refrigeration, this is what you're going to be looking at.


Finally, we want to touch on a few different terms.

Counter depth 

This isn't actually a type of refrigerator, it's more of a feature. What it means is that you have an open enclosure in your kitchen it will slot in and be flush with your counter, not counting the doors and handles. If this isn't something you specifically need though, we advise not bothering. They're fantastic if you're looking for an aesthetic. But they really cut down on the amount of space that you have.

Freestanding 

A free-standing model is all about versatility. These are the ones where you go to a store and pick out the exact features you want. Depending on how much food you need to store, you might choose a counter-depth one or a full depth. They're designed to be relocated as needed and are chock-full of features so that you do become attached to them.

Pros and cons for a freestanding refrigerator

Pros

Lots and lots of features

Some customization

Can have counter-depth or full depth

No need for professional installation

Less expensive

Width options, up to 36”

Door style options

Easy to relocate

Cons

Shorter lifespan, compared to built-in

36” in width isn’t always enough

Even if you get a 24” depth refrigerator, due to the doors and handles, it won’t actually be flush with your counters.

Built-in 

Built-in refrigerators, on the other hand, are any type of refrigerator that is built into your kitchen. Your cabinets, your counters, all of these wrap around your refrigerator and make it extremely difficult to remove. But if you're building your dream home and you have no intention of moving, then the mobility of the refrigerator doesn't matter much.

Pros & Cons for a built-in refrigerator

Pros

Typically taller

Fully Customizable

Cons

Doesn’t move if you do

Only 24” deep to match your counters

Costs far more

Must be professionally installed

As you weigh your refrigerator options, remember that Appliance Rescue Service is here to support you beyond the selection process. Whether your appliance is in need of repair, maintenance, or restoration, our team specializes in servicing a wide range of major appliances. With our expertise and dedication to quality craftsmanship, we ensure that your appliances remain in optimal condition, serving your household for years to come. Don't hesitate to contact us today to schedule a repair appointment or visit our website for more information on our services. Trust Appliance Rescue Service to keep your appliances running smoothly.



Additional Reading
Frigi-Know: Your Guide to Refrigerator Troubleshooting

An In-Depth Look At Refrigerators