Recommend a refrigerator brand?

So would I, along with Kitchen Aid that they also make.

Do ya think maybe Consumer Reports might have some info on that, do ya, huh?

Considering the contempt for CR expressed by many here, the OP probably was smart not to mention that publication even if he had consulted it.

Perce

I have a Whirlpool ES5PHA 26 cubic ft. side by side that we bought at Lowes. We paid 1300 3 years ago and have never had a problem with it. Works and performs exactly as advertised.

I've worked on many refrigerators. Whirlpool has always been simple, effective, and inexpensive to repair.

I'd recommend the same, or GE, or one of the relabels of those two. Whirlpool seems to be slightly more highly recommended (I just went through the same purchasing decision recently so did lots of research and yes, asked here; I was leaning Whirlpool/Kitchenaid on reliability but ended up with a GE because of the layout of the freezer - we wanted a bottom-freezer model and the GE had more usable space. So far it has been fine albeit pricey, but it's only been in something like a month? I think?)

nate

Probably not, actually. Their most recent refrigerator comparo recommended an LG model, which I wouldn't put in *your* house. yes, I looked (at the library, so I didn't have to give CU any of my money.)

nate

I would talk to people that own GE appliances, especially refrigerators. The highest breakdown and repair record. They have more recalls than General Motors had on it's cars.

My highly unscientific research shows that they are still WAAAAY better than LG or Samsung. In the interest of domestic harmony we got the fridge with the freezer she liked best. The place that sold it also services them and due to the poor track record of ALL french door/bottom freezer fridges we popped for the extended warranty - it actually seemed like a good deal (they refund your money if you don't use it. Don't ask me how they make money on that deal, I'm not arguing with them.)

nate

Our 10 year old refrigerator is a Maytag. When we bought it, we first had tried two Amanas but they couldn't install them because the floor was not perfectly level and they said the frame on the Amana flexes so much that it required a perfect floor but that the Maytag had a more rigid frame and could be leveled easily.

So far so good, though we had a scare a couple of nights ago.

Now Maytag is owned by Whirlpool.

"Highly reliable" is hard to determine. You can get lucky and have a compressor work for 20 years or be unlucky and have it fail in 2 years.

As is Amana. And KitchenAid. And Jen-Air.

Sanity:

thank you, exactly the kind of recommendation I was looking for

My parts house calls them "Generally Expensive".

Just plan on the icemaker breaking. Most of the time the Whirlpool icemaker will need a new "head". That is the timer plate assembly, 3 screws and $40. There are really only 2 types of icemaker GE and Whirlpool. The reason there are a couple dozen part numbers is the accessories and mounting hardware. (different wire bails and such)

I chose Amana, simply because this model had the thickest walls in the store, plus it was a scratch and dent.

If they do, just steer clear of whatever CR recommends. -Dave

Whirlpool isn't bad. They'd be my second choice. I'd go Whirlpool only if I couldn't find something I like (unlikely) made by Frigidaire / lectrolux. -Dave

Frigidaire used to be a customer of mine. I'd not buy anything from them. They ere good many years ago, but I see the cheap crap they are putting in there stuff now. Cut cost is their goal.

Same could be said for every major brand. I've bought some frigidaire appliances lately. I'm happy with them. But I've been buying their stuff since the 60s with no problems. -Dave