Replacing a fridge

[supton]

Wife thinks it's time--I know I've seen a 1987 date on it (came with the house, so it's at least 11 years old), and it's made some ominous sounds in the past. This morning it was running constantly, although I think I fixed that (first the door wasn't closing, then the seal wasn't actually sealing either). What's the typical method? Set the old one outside on an extension, plug in the new one, wait 12-24hrs for it to get to temp before moving everything over?

I'll probably move it myself; do they usually come in decent boxes that I can slip a dolly under?

I already started making measurements, to make sure I can get through the door. Unit won't be fancy, no ice maker, just a standard top freezer. Kenmore seems to have what I want.

 

[eljefino]

Good move. Did you vacuum the dust bunnies from the coils?

It all doesn't matter; the new fridge will save you money pretty quick.

ANd yeah let the freon settle.

Best thing to do is drag the old fridge into the woods and shoot it full of holes.

 

[supton]

Yeah, I did vac the coils about a month ago. Maybe two.

Shooting it would be fun, gotta admit that. [Insert bit here about being responsible and taking the carcass to the transfer station afterwards.] Little too much effort at the moment, but would be fun.

 

[Rob_Roy]

Give your local independent appliance dealer a call. The ones I deal with have competitive prices, free delivery, and superior service to the big box stores.

If your fridge is really from the 80's, replace it and don't look back. The difference in electrical consumption will be noticeable on your utility bill.

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

Bought one last year, Sears unpacked and installed it for free.

Here Duke Energy will give you $50 for the old one and remove it for free.

 

[wymi516]

Look for a store that picks up the old fridge for free when they deliver the new one, lots of places do that.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Do whatever it takes to repair (if necessary) and keep yours, or figure on a 5-7 year cycle of replacing the new one.

Still using a 20+ year old Kenmore here.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Rob_Roy
Give your local independent appliance dealer a call. The ones I deal with have competitive prices, free delivery, and superior service to the big box stores.

If your fridge is really from the 80's, replace it and don't look back. The difference in electrical consumption will be noticeable on your utility bill.


+1. The local independents often work harder for a better deal, and I enjoy working with them.

 

[Nick1994]

When I got a new fridge earlier this year I just put food in coolers while the new one was delivered, stuck everything in the new one right away. Nothing spoiled. They cool off pretty quick.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: Rob_Roy
Give your local independent appliance dealer a call. The ones I deal with have competitive prices, free delivery, and superior service to the big box stores.

If your fridge is really from the 80's, replace it and don't look back. The difference in electrical consumption will be noticeable on your utility bill.


+1. The local independents often work harder for a better deal, and I enjoy working with them.


+2. I don't mind paying more though. We have a great local hardware/appliance store

 

[Kira]

Do your "quality shopping" as best you can. Employ word of mouth, Consumer's Reports and testimony of repairmen.

Actually repairing a fridge, while quite doable, is dependent on your location. There are "technological desserts".

Mom had a 30 year old unit which worked fine. When a relative with a new fridge died we swapped the two party's fridges.

That worked super well...and not because the woman with the new fridge didn't complain. The units both looked better in their new locations due to the age of the kitchens they went into.

The new fridge is a Whirlpool and works extremely well. When the old one was loaded on the pick-up truck we blew out the coils with compressed air. It was AMAZING how much dust blew out of the coils. Mom had a Samoyed and the floating fur collected dust like nobody's business. It kept coming...an endless cloud of black.

 

[Chris142]

We just bought a Samsung one from home depot. Took 4 guys to lift it into my truck. 3 of us were able to slide it out. Then I had to take the doors off to get it into the house!

They are very heavy and something you will need help with

 

[Warstud]

I just cleaned the coils on mine last night. The vacuum alone didn't do much. You need an air compressor or leaf vac to blow the dust out of there. Then vacuum up the dust. Messy Job.

 

[doitmyself]

We wanted a very simple fridge like the Kenmore you linked and bought that model (with glass shelves) about 4 years ago. It works fine.

It is made by Frigidaire and is "Designed, engineered and assembled in the U.S.A." Frigidaire, to my knowledge, has an iffy reputation, but this no frills model seems good and its U.S.A. manufacturing ties are nice. We found some coupons/sales that we could stack together and bought ours for about $380 incl. tax. It is old school design (no circuit boards, ice maker, H20 dispenser) and diy parts and repair should be inexpensive if needed. It should be a good value if I can get at least 10 years out of it.

If you pick it up yourself, it is better to transport it upright. I've been told that if you must lay it down for transport, let it sit upright for 24 hours before starting it in order to allow the oil to drain back into the compressor.

Have fun!

 

[Vern_in_IL]

I would have gone with a bottom freezer with the swing out doors, not the stupid french/slide doors.

 

[RazorsEdge]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
We wanted a very simple fridge like the Kenmore you linked and bought that model (with glass shelves) about 4 years ago. It works fine.

It is made by Frigidaire and is "Designed, engineered and assembled in the U.S.A." Frigidaire, to my knowledge, has an iffy reputation, but this no frills model seems good and its U.S.A. manufacturing ties are nice. We found some coupons/sales that we could stack together and bought ours for about $380 incl. tax. It is old school design (no circuit boards, ice maker, H20 dispenser) and diy parts and repair should be inexpensive if needed. It should be a good value if I can get at least 10 years out of it.

If you pick it up yourself, it is better to transport it upright. I've been told that if you must lay it down for transport, let it sit upright for 24 hours before starting it in order to allow the oil to drain back into the compressor.

Have fun!


Kenmore is not made by Frigidaire,that's incorrect.They are designed and built by Whirlpool.

 

[Mr Nice]

I get a 20% discount on all GE appliances, so I buy the most basic model.

No need for a fancy refrigerator thats costs $3000 (not kidding) I saw at Home Depot last week.

 

[RazorsEdge]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice

No need for a fancy refrigerator thats costs $3000 (not kidding) I saw at Home Depot last week.

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted By: RazorsEdge
Kenmore is not made by Frigidaire,that's incorrect.They are designed and built by Whirlpool.


Click on the appropriate interior pictures and compare the freezer,temp. control, interior door shelves, and vegetable bin designs:

Frigidaire: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/frigidaire-1...&ksdevice=c

Kenmore: http://www.sears.com/kenmore-18-cu-ft-top-freezer-refrigerator-white/p-04660412000P#Imagezoom

Frigidaire:...............................................................................................................Kenmore

 

[RazorsEdge]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Originally Posted By: RazorsEdge
Kenmore is not made by Frigidaire,that's incorrect.They are designed and built by Whirlpool.


Click on the appropriate interior pictures and compare the freezer,temp. control, interior door shelves, and vegetable bin designs:

Frigidaire: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/frigidaire-1...&ksdevice=c

Kenmore: http://www.sears.com/kenmore-18-cu-ft-top-freezer-refrigerator-white/p-04660412000P#Imagezoom



I work for a manufacturer who shall remain nameless who designs/builds fridges so no need for me to click on any links.