Please or to access all these features

Product tests

Here's where users test and review products and give their feedback. If you'd like to run a product test please email [email protected].

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

NOW CLOSED Samsung fridge freezer feedback thread

145 replies

NewGirlHelenMumsnet · 02/08/2011 09:46

This thread is for the MNers who have been testing a new Samsung G-series American-style fridge freezer.

This is the first stage of feedback, asking you for your initial impressions of the fridge freezer. The second stage of feedback will happen in a couple of months when you've had a while to get to know your new fridge freezer!

Below are some questions to get you started. Please feel free to add your own comments as well.

  1. What were your first impressions of the fridge freezer? What did your DP/DCs think? What did you like best about it? What didn't you like, and why?
  1. What do you think of the stainless steel finish? Do you prefer it to other finishes or is there a different finish you'd prefer?
  1. How are you finding the storage space available in the fridge and freezer? Are there any compartments/shelf arrangements you really like? Or any you'd prefer to be set up differently? Is there enough space to fit everything you want in it?
  1. How does the fridge freezer compare with your old one? Is there anything specific that's better or worse?
  1. What do you think of the LED display panel? Do you find it easy to use or not?
  1. And how about the cold water/ice dispenser - are you using it much? Does your family like having it or not?
  1. Where is the fridge freezer living in your home? Did you find it easy or difficult to find a space for it to fit in to?

Thanks very much for taking part,
MNHQ

OP posts:
pengymum · 08/08/2011 20:30

1. What were your first impressions of the fridge freezer? What did your DP/DCs think? What did you like best about it? What didn't you like, and why?

It's BIG and beautiful, but not as tall as I was expecting - my old fridge was a bit taller. I love the finish on the front, not so keen on the grey sides. Would have preferred the same finish as the front tbh. Don't like the handles so much, as I prefer a streamlined look and they look bulky. But they are practical as the doors are quite heavy to open. DH & DCs are most impressed as are all our neighbours and visitors. Grin

2. What do you think of the stainless steel finish? Do you prefer it to other finishes or is there a different finish you'd prefer?

I like the stainless steel finish but would have liked a choice of black or white as well as maybe a colour enamel type finish, if I were buying it to go in a new kitchen and wanted it to match. As it is, I'm not complaining at all!

3. How are you finding the storage space available in the fridge and freezer? Are there any compartments/shelf arrangements you really like? Or any you'd prefer to be set up differently? Is there enough space to fit everything you want in it?

It is actually, a slightly smaller fridge capacity compared to my 1 yr old INDESIT but still holds LOADS! I put all my potatoes and onions in as well as salad in the 2 drawers. I like this deli drawer storage space, compared to opaque deli drawer in my previous one as can see what is there easily. DCs like the can holder - they think this means we will have fizzy cans on the shopping list .... Hmm
Like the large door shelves for milk, juice etc but find the smaller and oddly shaped ones on the ice maker side a bit fiddly. Have found them useful for dressing bottles and pickle jars now, so all ok.
Didn't have the wine rack or egg holders referred to, though we don't drink so no loss but bottle rack would be useful for other drinks bottles.
I like not having to bend down to reach fridge contents though.

The freezer drawers are larger than my old fridge freezer so that is a plus but am going to have to get used having to take stuff out to get at whatever is right at the bottom. I prefer the upright freezer shelves as I think they are more accessible. But I do like the size and the different sections, it will just take some thought to organise the drawers so that don't have to empty out too often. Can't say will be using the pizza drawer for pizza - is a lolly shelf in for us Grin

4. How does the fridge freezer compare with your old one? Is there anything specific that's better or worse?
It looks much much better - my old INDESIT, although quite new, did look a bit plasticky! Don't like the sides of the SAMSUNG so much as they look plasticky would have preferred them to be stainless steel like the front.
Sizewise, there is not a lot in it - the layout is better for me, less bending to reach bottom and stretching to reach top freezer shelf. I think the icemaker etc take up quite a bit of space but this is a necessary evil. I would have preferred the ice storage area to be transparent so can see how much ice there is.

5. What do you think of the LED display panel? Do you find it easy to use or not?
Yes, looks very easy to use; have not done much with it yet though. I would have preferred it to be inside though as the fridge is in the living space and I find the light a little intrusive late at night! But then I do like things hidden away! Find the instruction manual a bit cheap looking for a top of the range model and translation is not quite up to scratch. Would have expected a glossier offering.

6. And how about the cold water/ice dispenser - are you using it much? Does your family like having it or not?
It's not plumbed in yet, as we need some bits and have been away.
Icemaker and chilled water is a big plus but I actually chose not to have one when we bought our previous fridge/freezer as I thought it would be a pain to maintain (to keep clean and fresh as I have seen them looking very sad.)
That said, the family are looking forward to having ice on demand and chilled water - though this may be a 30 day wonder.

7. Where is the fridge freezer living in your home? Did you find it easy or difficult to find a space for it to fit in to?
In the dining area of our through lounge (as was our previous one), but had to move shelves around to fit it into alcove as was too big for where we had the old f/f. Looks just fine though and is convenient for water refills when eating. We will be changing layout and putting in a new kitchen area, to have kitchen diner and won't have to move from the current position.

On the whole, I love the fridge freezer and am very grateful to have been selected - thank you MN and Samsung! My old f/f was functional but no way as attractive at this beast! Blush

WhipMeIndiana · 09/08/2011 16:23

someone further down in thread mentioned there was no door open alarm--- mine just did a lot of beeping when I left fridge door open.

swampster · 09/08/2011 16:44

Yeah, mine beeps at me all the time.

Monty27 · 09/08/2011 18:03
  1. What were your first impressions of the fridge freezer? What did your DP/DCs think? What did you like best about it? What didn't you like, and why?

Loved it straight away and thought it was most handsome, dc's love it too as does everyone else who has seen it

  1. What do you think of the stainless steel finish? Do you prefer it to other finishes or is there a different finish you'd prefer?

I really like the stainless steel finish but really don't like the side panels and had I been buying would not have chosen this model purely for that reason

  1. How are you finding the storage space available in the fridge and freezer? Are there any compartments/shelf arrangements you really like? Or any you'd prefer to be set up differently? Is there enough space to fit everything you want in it?

I love the deli drawer and the sliding shelf. I'm finding it troublesome storing tall bottles in the door though and it could have done with deeper compartments for this reason so wine is in the deli drawer Grin. I love the door system and the lighting. I'm most surprised it doesn't have a wine rack. I love the freezer drawer and the opening closing system is great, the lights in it are certainly a bonus

  1. How does the fridge freezer compare with your old one? Is there anything specific that's better or worse?

The double doors are brilliant as are the lights in the fridge bit. Old one had a wine rack but I can live with that and it seems easier to clean the finish than the old stainless steel one I had. I'm really disappointed with the brochure/instruction manual, it definitely could be better. I love the freezer drawers and the shutting/opening mechanism is lovely, the lights are fantastic

  1. What do you think of the LED display panel? Do you find it easy to use or not?

I found it quite easy, as a bit of a technophobe

  1. And how about the cold water/ice dispenser - are you using it much? Does your family like having it or not?

Not plumbed in yet sadly

  1. Where is the fridge freezer living in your home? Did you find it easy or difficult to find a space for it to fit in to?

I'm lucky enough to have a space where it looks really cool lovely

Other Comments

*The delivery men were nice enough but when I asked exactly what was missing from the plumbing I got a funny look and a mumble and was non the wiser.

The plastic was troublesome to get off and stuck in the panels

MrsKwazii · 09/08/2011 21:29

Hmmm, I've left the fridge door open a few times now and no squeaky beeping to tell me to close it. I've tried it with energy saving on and off. Maybe it's taken a vow of silence, or can't get a word in edgeways Wink

TheFrozenMBJ · 09/08/2011 21:39

Hmm... I think yours is broken

MrsKwazii · 09/08/2011 21:51

Broken! Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Likesshinythings · 10/08/2011 10:31

Don't panic! You can switch the alarm off, so you have probably done that by mistake.
I have mine switched off, as I couldn't stand the needy bleeping when I had the doors open for a longish period to put a shop away.

MrsKwazii · 10/08/2011 13:09

Likeshinythings - you are quite right. My beautiful fridge is not broken. My eyesight, however obviously is. How I could have failed to see the big 'Alarm' section of the Beam Me Up Scotty pad I do not know.

The big beauty is now merrily beeping away whenever the doors are left open.

Even though I am a bit daft, please let me keep my fridge Blush

Macaroona · 10/08/2011 14:07
  1. What were your first impressions of the fridge freezer? What did your DP/DCs think? What did you like best about it? What didn't you like, and why?

First impression was 'wow' it really is the Rolls Royce of fridges! So shiny and stylish. I like every aspect of its design, and so did DH. Struggling to think of a negative, but I guess it would be more attractive if the sides were stainless steel too - not a massive deal for me as they're mostly hidden where it is. Dh does think it's unnecessarily big, but I'm in charge of food here and I'm so used to playing Tetris with food whenever Mr Tesco comes - no more haha! I was a bit shocked to discover the cost of replacing the water filter is £75 though and to be done every 6 months! DH plumbed it in really easily but it would be great to include step by step instructions in the manual.

  1. What do you think of the stainless steel finish? Do you prefer it to other finishes or is there a different finish you'd prefer?

I really like the stainless steel - it goes really well with other appliances in my kitchen like the microwave, hob and extractor fan. I was previously eyeing up retro style fridges in pastel colours, but tbh I think for a fridge of these dimensions it's preferable to have a more classic design iyswim. Can't imagine a huge beast in pale pink or yellow somehow. It's a male fridge btw - it's mine not DH's, but it's definitely a male! It seems more gadget-y in steel too which appeals to both of us. It looks modern and without clunkiness.

  1. How are you finding the storage space available in the fridge and freezer? Are there any compartments/shelf arrangements you really like? Or any you'd prefer to be set up differently? Is there enough space to fit everything you want in it?

Tbh I don't really understand how I'm meant to be using the different compartments yet, I need to google how each sort of fridgey food should ideally be stored because I have no idea about humidity etc. I really wish it came with a decent manual - things like iPhones come with easy to use, colour, customer-friendly and attractive manuals, why can't my sexy new fridge? Sounds silly I'm sure but it would make a massive difference to my enjoyment of the fridge's capabilities - at the moment I'm just bunging food in where it fits and enjoying the look of it, rather than appreciating what it can actually do iyswim. I like the beer rack but could be twice as big, and my biggest request would be a wine section. It seems inexplicably sexist of my big beast of a fridge that it caters for beer swillers and not for wine swiggers (both me and DH). I have put several bottles in, and they're just rolling around. I don't get the sliding shelves at all, they make little if any difference to accessibility and I'm not using them atm. Likewise the pantry bit - this is when a decent manual would be good, with examples of how to use. Storage in the right door is great, I can store 3x 4 pints of milk side on which is great. Left side has some weirdy shaped sections which I guess is unavoidable with the ice/water thing. On the plus side, the height (not too tall) and satisfactory girth of the fridge make it easy to see and reach everything, and I can fit big casserole pots on every shelf height, when cooking a meal to last a couple of nights. The freezer is utterly perfect, I love it! My MiL has a big chest freezer I've always been jealous of and I actually prefer this, it's easier to find things! If the pizza thing is the thing in the door, it's far too shallow though, I get Ristorante pizzas and even out of the box they wouldn't fit.

  1. How does the fridge freezer compare with your old one? Is there anything specific that's better or worse?

It's all better, I could never go back from having the double doors and ice dispenser, and am already so used to all the extra room! Old one was fine but nothing special - new one can do everything the old one could do but better - the only issue is that I don't think I'm making full use of all the features yet because I don't know how I'm meant to use them, so apart from the additional room and the ice/water, I'm using it in the same way.

  1. What do you think of the LED display panel? Do you find it easy to use or not?

Took a while for me and DH to figure it out, manual not clear at all. Now I'm used to it, it's a doddle. I love the blue colour too and the best bit is the noises!

  1. And how about the cold water/ice dispenser - are you using it much? Does your family like having it or not?

Yes we're using it constantly! DH uses ice in every drink already - I am pregnant and have discovered the baby kicks like mad when I have icy drinks (random) so have only used occasionally or if I want a reassuring kick! I love the cold water though, so so refreshing. I've actually rearranged my drinks/bar area closer to the fridge now that we don't need to walk to the sink to get water! The crushed ice isn't entirely like crushed ice I was expecting, proper crushed ice like you'd get in a bar, but DH says it's better as the bigger chunks keep your drink colder for longer. It's a bit stressful as it goes everywhere, but I'll get the hang of it soon I'm sure, DH says there's a knack.

  1. Where is the fridge freezer living in your home? Did you find it easy or difficult to find a space for it to fit in to?

It's a tight squeeze but it's in my small galley kitchen. It looks fab though, like it's always been there. Because the steel matches the other appliances and it is so snug in its place it really looks like part of the kitchen, and I don't think it dominates it too much - it is probably the most important part of the kitchen anyway so I don't mind it taking over to some extent! We have an archway leading from the living room to the kitchen so we can gaze lovingly at it from the sofa. It lifts the whole living area!

DirtyMartini · 11/08/2011 08:25

£75 Shock every six months? Really? That's a bit of a blow. I was thinking it would be £20 or something.

Just coming back on to follow up something someone else said ... the little tray under the water and ice dispenser. It is a bit odd that water drips don't drain away anywhere. At first I thought this was a really silly feature (I hadn't noticed it when I first posted, hence not mentioning it at that point).

But on reflection, when I ponder what it would mean to have a drain/waste function with inaccessible drippy bits, and the potential it would offer for irritating problems potentially requiring fixes later along the years ... I think it's OK. It has not yet ever overflowed or had more than a few drops in it, and they just evaporate. I do wonder what the point of the fiddly little tray insert is, though.

RockinSockBunnies · 11/08/2011 10:25

Another thought about the fridge - the water dispenser angles backwards, which is fine if you're filling a glass, but if you want to fill a water bottle from the dispenser then it's virtually impossible as the angle that the water comes out from means you can't get a bottle underneath.

It might have been better if the water was angled towards you, rather than away from you.

I also agree that there needs to be a better way of storing wine.

I don't understand the deli drawer either - what exactly is supposed to go in there and on what setting? It would be great if the manual could address this point.

WhipMeIndiana · 11/08/2011 11:34

bunnies - - I said about the angled water flow earlier - agree. on the older version of the fridge the water comes out vertically, much easier to fill bottles

LemonEmmaP · 11/08/2011 12:29

Yy to angled water thing. Soaked my feet yesterday while trying to fill a water bottle. I always drink water from bottles, not from a glass so it's a pain!

Macaroona · 11/08/2011 12:50

I like the angled water - makes it possible to fill up a whole jug.

DurhamDurham · 11/08/2011 16:30

£75 to replace the water filter every six months, is that true Shock ?

If so that will be a huge negative fro me as we don't have that kind of money for a filter twice a year. It would be cheaper to just buy bottles of water like we have done in the past.

I'm going to price the filters on-line now, will report back.

TheFrozenMBJ · 11/08/2011 16:47

£75!!!!!!!

That's ridiculous. Very expensive and I think it would put people off from timeous changing of the filter. Would that be a health risk?

TheFrozenMBJ · 11/08/2011 16:50

Panic over.

I found the filters here for £27 (RRP £45) which is sort of what I expected.

DurhamDurham · 11/08/2011 16:58

Thanks TheFrozenMBJ,that's much better! That's the amount I thought and hoped it would be. I was feeling a bit sick at the thought of splashing out £75 for one filter.

WhipMeIndiana · 11/08/2011 20:26

£27 is still quite a lot...will be eeking out filter as l o n g as possible

Macaroona · 11/08/2011 20:33

Oops Blush DH googled it and came up with the £75 figure. Glad to hear can get it for less anyway!

TheFrozenMBJ · 11/08/2011 20:35

Yes it is, but it isn't that much more expensive than Brita filters over 6 months (not that we have ever bought those as I've always thought them an unnecessary expense) so not nearly as exorbitant as I had first thought.

WhipMeIndiana · 11/08/2011 22:01

did a spare filter come with it? it didnt did it.
hmmmm suggestion for danna Samsung Smile

pengymum · 12/08/2011 01:12

That filter is expensive - it just cost me £15.95 for 12 months supply of Brita filters on Amazon. I use them in my kettle for scum free tea. Was going to dump my Brita water jug but may have to hang on to it at these prices.
Confused

TheFrozenMBJ · 12/08/2011 05:19

pengy is there a specific filter you can use for your kettle or do you have to have a special kettle? I've been thinking about using something like that as I'm sick of all the limescale in my kettle and scum in my teas (especially as I drink my tea without milk.)