Looks good, keeps things cold: what else do you need?
Pros:
Attractive, counter-depth, takes up less room, works well
Cons:
Freezer has no solid base
The Bottom Line:
Great for singles and couples or for those with small kitchens. Water filter and freezer are efficient and well-placed. Maybe not for kids with sticky hands.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
I chose this fridge for my new home partly because I have a relatively small kitchen, partly because I was sick and tired of bending over to get the milk, and partly because this model was on sale.
It works very well. Cold cuts, produce, butter, and cheese are all kept at the right temperature, and the freezer keeps things frozen. What I especially like about it is that the water dispenser is inside the refrigerator and not mounted on the door; door-mounted dispensers collect dirt, dust, and kitchen grease and are often difficult to clean because the plastic is easily damaged by grease-cutting cleansers. The stainless steel is easy to keep clean, but if I had small children I might find the fingerprints a bit much to clean.
The fact that this is a counter-depth refrigerator (24 inches deep not including the door) means that it has a smaller capacity than other refrigerators of the same height and width. It does however take up less space both when the doors are open and when they are closed, a blessing in a small one-person kitchen. It also uses much less electricity per month than my old top-freezer refrigerator (a Whirlpool, so the same overall brand). Having the freezer at the bottom isn't just convenient, it may also be why I'm saving $8.00 a month on my electric bill.
The filters for the built-in water dispenser cost roughly the same as filters for any other water dispenser - I think the difference between these filters and the ones for my sink is something like 83 cents per filter. (The filters should be replaced twice a year, according to the manufacturer.) This is more expensive than a few brands but much cheaper than LG.
The major drawback I've had is that there is no solid base to the freezer compartment. Anything that drips inside the freezer will drip on the floor (and perhaps on your feet) when the freezer is opened. I don't know how this is going to work for defrosting, if the freezer actually requires it.
One caveat: in order for the ice maker and water filter to work, the fridge needs to be connected to the cold water system. I hired a qualified plumber (as I didn't have the tools or the knowledge or, honestly, the patience to complete the task myself), but anyone with the right tools and a bit of experience with plumbing matters could do it themselves.
I recommend this refrigerator for anyone who wants a shallower appliance and who doesn't want to be constantly cleaning out a greasy exterior water filter.
Not related to this review: KitchenAid's Canadian website is extremely useful and was one reason why I bought from this company. Being able to easily and quickly print out user guides and other information and determine which models were in production is important. Good job, KitchenAid.
