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Original poster

American style fridge freezer? Which one?

25 replies

MrsCampbellBlack · 30/08/2016 13:53

Kitchen designer has recommended a fisher and paykel one and I don't know which to get.

Any recommendations? Am spending a lot on the kitchen so want a decent one - ideally brushed stainless steel.

Are ice makers good? Water dispensers etc?

Budget is flexible but ideally not more than £2k. And less would be good

thank you!

OP posts:

MimsyPimsy · 30/08/2016 14:28

Rather than an American style, we have a "French door" one. (Is that what they're called?) The fridge is above the freezer, rather than side-by-side, and the doors open out like French doors, so you can see into the fridge really easily. We don't have to bend down to access anything, because the fridge is all at eye level. We've got a Sharp one, which has been very good.

You still have to bend down to access the freezer, obviously, but that's all in drawers, and you don't do that nearly so often.

We didn't go with the ice maker. On ours (and probably most modern ones, but it was new to me at the time!) you fill the ice trays, then turn the knob to empty the ice cubes into a drawer in the freezer. Our teenage children sort all that out, because they use the ice more often than I do, so it's been no hassle for me! When they leave home, I may be kicking myself for not having an ice dispenser.

I don't really get water dispensers, as we just use the tap, which is quite cold here, and the water tank took up lots of space in the fridge freezers we looked at.

Thelovecats · 30/08/2016 19:10

I thought the water and ice dispenser would be a total gimmick, but we use it every day. It means my kids get their own drinks as they can reach it. It does take up space in the freezer though I agree.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 31/08/2016 11:15

I don't understand why anyone needs water dispensers in this country, when you can get clean, cold water out of the tap all year.

If you live anywhere where it gets really hot in summer, like many parts of the US, it's a different matter. When we lived in the Abu Dhabi desert we had warm brown water out of the tap - had to filter it, then boil it, and then put in bottles in the fridge to keep cool.

That was many years ago but I'm still grateful for clean, cold water out of the tap.

whatsthecomingoverthehill · 31/08/2016 11:37

We've had a samsung one for about 4 years and it's been fine. I got one with the ice dispenser (so dispenses water as well). Having ice like that is great, and we use it every day. I guess one without the dispenser would look sleeker.

The Fisher and Paykel ones do look a bit fancier but not sure how much of that is the name, looking on John Lewis they don't get amazing reviews.

reallybadidea · 31/08/2016 11:41

Our tap water tastes vile so we use the water dispenser for everything, including hot drinks.

whatsthecomingoverthehill · 31/08/2016 11:41

Having said that, it is a fair bit for the filter for the ice/water. Supposed to be changed every 6 months and £30 a go I think. If you're not that bothered about having ice on tap then I wouldn't go for it. As GETTING says, there's nothing wrong with tap water in this country.

whatsthecomingoverthehill · 31/08/2016 11:42

Ha, cross post, yes assuming your water tastes ok.

wowfudge · 31/08/2016 12:03

Well we have some old lead pipework in our house and the filter in the fridge freezer reduces any lead content.

Butterpuff · 31/08/2016 12:07

We have a hotpoint one and its been a nightmare since we got it. The ice regularly goes on strike, the draws fall off the rails in the freezer as they are just a tad too small. Shite heap of crap. Id not get a hotpoint again.

Do love having an ice dispenser though, hate it when its on strike. Our kitchen tap has hot, cold and filtered water so we probably don't need it on the freezer. I do like the filtered water though, we live in a hard area and it seems to stop the kettle fuzzing up so quickly.

Original poster

MrsCampbellBlack · 31/08/2016 12:19

Thank you all.

DH who has literally no opinion on anything about our house renovation has said he would like water/ice dispenser. It is plumbed straight in so hoping that means not too much space is lost.

We use a brita water filter at the moment as it really does improve the taste of the water and also means coffee machine etc don't get limescaley.

Just so many decisions to make.

OP posts:

Clutterbugsmum · 31/08/2016 13:13

We have a LG one, with plumbed water.

We use the water and Ice all the time.

I'm not sure about new ones as ours is 13 years old. I think it now beginning to show it's age and will need replacing in the next year or so.
I'm thinking about one with the fridge on top and freezer on the bottom next time.

AnotherTimeMaybe · 31/08/2016 13:15

Changed two samsungs in 5 years... Steer clear!

Original poster

MrsCampbellBlack · 31/08/2016 13:19

this is the one I am considering.

People do seem to either love or hate them.

OP posts:

KittyKrap · 31/08/2016 13:21

We've got a Siemens one and love it. We thought the water/crushed ice/ice cube dispenser would be a novelty. It's used all the time and the DCs have never drank so much water! We had a Smeg, everything went wrong with it and the engineer explained it was made by Beko - the coding on the inside explains it.

KittyKrap · 31/08/2016 13:22

Oh and measure up! Ours had to be unwrapped outside, taken through the garden gate and through two open conservatory doors!

ThatsWotSheSaid · 31/08/2016 13:23

We have this Fisher paykel fridge freezer. It's fantastic. The ice is in the freezer so you don't lose space in the fridge it self fills and we always have a big draw of ice. The filter water comes out the front.

American style fridge freezer? Which one?

ThatsWotSheSaid · 31/08/2016 13:24

Haha cross post.

Original poster

MrsCampbellBlack · 31/08/2016 13:29

Ooooh, I am glad you like it ThatsWotSheSaid!

Kitty - many walls are coming down so getting it in won't be a problem. Just paying for it all

OP posts:

InformalRoman · 31/08/2016 15:36

I'm another one that's had problems with a Samsung - wouldn't get another one.

whatsthecomingoverthehill · 31/08/2016 16:53

Oh dear, hope I haven't jinxed my Samsung now...

SingingTunelessly · 31/08/2016 17:20

We've got a Samsung as well. Does ice, water and sparkling water. Love it.

Thelovecats · 31/08/2016 18:09

Oh no, I have a Samsung too!

clerquin · 01/09/2016 01:51

I have a Samsung one (4 yrs old now) and we use the crushed ice/cubed ice dispenser plus filtered water loads. We have IKEA larder units either side and a cupboard over the top. Great for your G&Ts. Filters are cheaper than the one for the boiling water tap (another great must have).

Qwebec · 01/09/2016 02:51

I have nothing to add besides that I had a stainess steel fridge and was glad to go back to white.
The stainess dented easily, got rust spots (!), and looked clean for 2 seconds.

user1471451684 · 01/09/2016 03:03

We have a Maytag one, it's great but don't use the water dispenser Much. We checked out new ones in Best Buy and they also have a soda stream built in

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