When to replace a refrigerator

[GiveMeAVowel]

Originally Posted By: Wolf359


The problem with most reviews is that the only ones who really complain are the ones that have a problem. There were 8 million refrigerators sold last year. Even if just 1% of the people complain, that's 80,000 negative reviews. And 80k is a lot. So now you'd think that all new ones suck, but think that the older ones are great, but there's no reviews on them because they pre-date the internet age.


If you look at some of these stories these units have serious design flaws that affect EVERY single one of the units produced. These aren't sample defects that are what you might have expected a couple of decades or more ago on a few isolated units. Not only that the design flaws are SERIOUS, VERY SERIOUS, and not only can they make the item unsuitable for the intended use, but are actually DANGEROUS, and cause result in fires, or serious personal injury.

Quote:

Remember, they're still designed to last 13-19 years no matter what people may say.


These units built today are NOT designed to last anywhere near that.
I figure you either work for the industry, or are having a good laugh at the consumers expense.

 

[dishdude]

A kitchen appliance should only be around 10 years, after that they get disgusting and outdated looking. New ones are more efficient, have more features and look more modern.

 

[aquariuscsm]

What I wouldn't go anywhere near,are those with all the touchscreen and plastic bling trash all over them. I'd go to a restaurant supply house and get the most basic built like a tank fridge I could get my hands on. I detest bells and whistles on anything.

 

[GiveMeAVowel]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
A kitchen appliance should only be around 10 years, after that they get disgusting and outdated looking. New ones are more efficient, have more features and look more modern.


Big companies love clueless consumers that think like this. LOL
It's like fishing with a shiny new lure, oh so many gadgets flashing lights and touch panels. ohhhhh.

Reminds me of this....

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: GiveMeAVowel

Big companies love clueless consumers that think like this. LOL
It's like fishing with a shiny new lure, oh so many gadgets flashing lights and touch panels. ohhhhh.


Looks lovely.

 

[hattaresguy]

Newer fridges are more efficient, in the landlord world 10 years is about the replacement schedule.


Appliances are actually pretty reliable, if you add up all of mine and my uncle's kitchens that are in service it has to be around 100, and failures are not really common.


Internet amplification!


As a caveat to that I have seen the high end stuff like Viking built in refrigerators that seem to fail more than the less expensive units. Typically with appliances if you stick with the mid range volume models they are pretty reliable. If you venture down market you get what you pay for, up market and its like buying anything high end it can break.

 

[GiveMeAVowel]

Originally Posted By: dishdude

Big companies love clueless consumers that think like this. LOL
It's like fishing with a shiny new lure, oh so many gadgets flashing lights and touch panels. ohhhhh.


Quote:

Looks lovely.



I notice you didn't post a picture of a basic white side by side from the late 70s in a typical white modern kitchen...

Of course not because that fridge if not abused and taken care of is just as functional as a brand new one that is similar, and even if the older one uses more energy it will probably outlast the brand new model that is similar to the 70s unit.

 

[dishdude]

White appliances are outdated. They're perfectly fine for a garage, basement or apartment but not for a modern kitchen.

 

[GiveMeAVowel]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
White appliances are outdated. They're perfectly fine for a garage, basement or apartment but not for a modern kitchen.



Nonsense, they are timeless. Plenty of folks with basic white kitchens around they are still placing them in spec homes today, and that white fridge looks perfect there. The nice thing is that when white fridges become "trendy" once again you'll still have that classic one in YOUR home.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: GiveMeAVowel

Big companies love clueless consumers that think like this. LOL
It's like fishing with a shiny new lure, oh so many gadgets flashing lights and touch panels. ohhhhh.


Looks lovely.

I love those green appliances!! I actually love that entire kitchen! Only thing I'd change would be to put some stone tile down.

 

[GiveMeAVowel]

Lets post this video about expensive trendy appliances again...Lets see do I want trendy and expensive and endlessly troublesome, or timeless and reliable?

 

[dishdude]

You can keep posting that video as my trendy appliances continue to operate silently and efficiently. Don't you need to go refill your ice cube trays and defrost the Norge?

 

[GiveMeAVowel]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
You can keep posting that video as my trendy appliances continue to operate silently and efficiently. Don't you need to go refill your ice cube trays?


Yes, it has been reliable for the past few years.
Talk to me in another five or six years, IF it makes it that long.

The electronics will likely be the death of your trendy new
flashy fridge.

I URGE folks to watch the CBC video I posted here, it tells the dirty secrets about appliances.

 

[zzyzzx]

I'm still using the same refrigerator that I bought in October 2003. It's a pretty basic Frigidaire, and I have replaced the defrost timer twice now. The last one I bought off eBay for less than $10 (a defrost timer is something that you can wait on). Other than that, it's seems pretty good. I do not recommend built in ice makers, since they seem nothing but trouble, unless you do proper plumbing with a real shut off valve (not a stupid pinch valve).

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: GiveMeAVowel
If you look at some of these stories these units have serious design flaws that affect EVERY single one of the units produced. These aren't sample defects that are what you might have expected a couple of decades or more ago on a few isolated units. Not only that the design flaws are SERIOUS, VERY SERIOUS, and not only can they make the item unsuitable for the intended use, but are actually DANGEROUS, and cause result in fires, or serious personal injury.

These units built today are NOT designed to last anywhere near that.
I figure you either work for the industry, or are having a good laugh at the consumers expense.


You can say the same thing about the car industry and look at how many recalls Toyota has of late. However I'd take a car built in the last few years over any built in the last few decades.

I'm not in the industry although I am an engineer. Many people just don't understand technology nor statistics and are not good at logic or reasoning. All I'm saying is to do the math, don't rely on anecdotal evidence which is not at all reliable and which everyone using to prove their point.

As for the length of time they're designed to last, that just came up in a quick google search. Amazing how a couple simple key strokes makes someone look like they're in the industry know to some people.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: Wolf359


You can say the same thing about the car industry and look at how many recalls Toyota has of late. However I'd take a car built in the last few years over any built in the last few decades.

I'm not in the industry although I am an engineer. Many people just don't understand technology nor statistics and are not good at logic or reasoning. All I'm saying is to do the math, don't rely on anecdotal evidence which is not at all reliable and which everyone using to prove their point.

As for the length of time they're designed to last, that just came up in a quick google search. Amazing how a couple simple key strokes makes someone look like they're in the industry know to some people.


The Vowel would say the same thing about cars, but that's fine. While he is fumbling for his keys, I'll take my push button start, 900 watt stereo, nav and ventilated seats. He can stick with his crank windows, tweed seats, noisy interior and sloppy handling. Seat belts? Just more stuff to break. Good drivers don't need fancy gadgets like that.

 

[ram_man]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: Wolf359


You can say the same thing about the car industry and look at how many recalls Toyota has of late. However I'd take a car built in the last few years over any built in the last few decades.

I'm not in the industry although I am an engineer. Many people just don't understand technology nor statistics and are not good at logic or reasoning. All I'm saying is to do the math, don't rely on anecdotal evidence which is not at all reliable and which everyone using to prove their point.

As for the length of time they're designed to last, that just came up in a quick google search. Amazing how a couple simple key strokes makes someone look like they're in the industry know to some people.


The Vowel would say the same thing about cars, but that's fine. While he is fumbling for his keys, I'll take my push button start, 900 watt stereo, nav and ventilated seats. He can stick with his crank windows, tweed seats, noisy interior and sloppy handling. Seat belts? Just more stuff to break. Good drivers don't need fancy gadgets like that.


I think there's a balance. Some new tech is down right terrine the dual clutch trans for instance has not had a good go of it. But other things like stability control and lane assist work great. I think you have to look at each thing individually. Notice a lot of the refrigerators they showed that were problem prone were very nice too end residential refrigerators where as the middle of the road more commonly made one is probably a lot better

 

[dishdude]

Anything like a Whirlpool/GE will serve you well. They're also easy to service and parts are readily available, not so much with the Samsung/LG units that are starting to flood the market. Personally I like Whirlpool, they're the last American owned appliance manufacturer.

 

[Turk]

I have a RUNNING Frig in the garage from 1956.

1956!!

It won't stop running!!

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Turk
I have a RUNNING Frig in the garage from 1956.

1956!!

It won't stop running!!

Have you tried unplugging it?