Help me buy a fridge

[sauravghosh]

We have been using a Alwyn fridge for past 40 years or so. Bloody thing still works. Single door, I don't know how many litre. The only problem with it is its current consumption, which is around 100W per hour. So looking for something power efficient. We have never been able to fill this thing even half, so don't need high storage. Milk, eggs, fruits and raw veggies are the only things we keep in it, never any cooked foods as we never have any leftovers and always fresh food is made few hours before meals.

Are the double door models better in terms of keeping things fresh, I mean do they have better air circulation? Or should I simply get one of them single door 192 litre Samsing models?

Pls advise.

 

[powervgx]

Double doors are a waste of money unless you need that extra space. The freezer is too big and the main fridge is smaller comparatively so pick a single door. No, the air circulation is not better in double doors. Pick a good LG in your budget and space needs.

 

[sauravghosh]

Double doors are a waste of money unless you need that extra space. The freezer is too big and the main fridge is smaller comparatively so pick a single door. No, the air circulation is not better in double doors. Pick a good LG in your budget and space needs.

Why LG? I noticed Samsung offering some 20 year warranty compared to 10 of LG. LG perform better than Samsung?
Also, which star rating should I aim for, 4 or 5 star? Could those annual unit consumption numbers be relied upon for making a purchasing decision, or real life usage varies greatly?

 

[6pack]

Milk, eggs, fruits and raw veggies are the only things we keep in it, never any cooked foods as we never have any leftovers and always fresh food is made few hours before meals.

Get the 200 liter single door version then. Double door is for people who need really cold freezer for storing meat and fish or ice cream packs that require -18C temps. I have a similar usage as yours and sold my double door fridge. Vegetables last 2-3 days outside in winter and in summer i just buy 250gm every day or two. Eggs last 1 week even in summer if you keep it dark spot. Fridge is waste of money for people who don't have left overs or make curd or yoghurt everyday in bulk.

I remember the Alwyn fridge in my house in the 80's. It was like a cupboard and made a lot of noise.

 

[Rockfella]

OP any fridge you buy now will drastically reduce your bills! Good luck.

 

[eternoMind]

We have been using a Alwyn fridge for past 40 years or so. Bloody thing still works. Single door, I don't know how many litre. The only problem with it is its current consumption, which is around 100W per hour. So looking for something power efficient. We have never been able to fill this thing even half, so don't need high storage. Milk, eggs, fruits and raw veggies are the only things we keep in it, never any cooked foods as we never have any leftovers and always fresh food is made few hours before meals.

Are the double door models better in terms of keeping things fresh, I mean do they have better air circulation? Or should I simply get one of them single door 192 litre Samsing models?

Pls advise.

+1 to all suggestions to buy a single-door.

But OP, your electricity bills must be crazy. I remember after dumping my 2003 Sammy double-door with a similar capacity 4-star 2021 inverter model from the same brand, the monthly electricity bill fell by half and the fridge's price was paid back within 2 years with the savings in the bill amount. The older unit consumed close to 3 units per day :O and the newer one about 30% of that. Get that new fridge asap.

 

[superczar]

Double doors are a waste of money unless you need that extra space. The freezer is too big and the main fridge is smaller comparatively so pick a single door. No, the air circulation is not better in double doors. Pick a good LG in your budget and space needs.

function of usage , no?
I tend to fall short on the freezer side of my double door and considering getting a standalone chest freezer now.

Quite often, our usage patterns also change with available equipment.
back in 2010 or so, we would use the freezer only for ice and a little bit of icecream - coz thats all it could accomodate.
An upgrade to a much bigger freezer changed our buying and storage patterns altogether over a few years

 

[chetansha]

Pls look for 3 door. Top will have refrigerator, middle part normal one,and bottom silding type for veggies. Using bpl for last 25 years.

 

[powervgx]

function of usage , no?
I tend to fall short on the freezer side of my double door and considering getting a standalone chest freezer now.

Quite often, our usage patterns also change with available equipment.
back in 2010 or so, we would use the freezer only for ice and a little bit of icecream - coz thats all it could accomodate.
An upgrade to a much bigger freezer changed our buying and storage patterns altogether over a few years

Of course. Most people don't need big freezers and original poster does not need it too that's why I advised. A single door fridge has ample space, freezer and a vegetable tray which is more than enough for most.
@sauravghosh If you are getting more warranty in Samsung then definitely go for it. Get a 4 stars version because it normally costs less and saves a lot of electricity. But it depends on the price you are getting. If you are getting 5 star version at a great price then get that.

 

[blr_p]

Could those annual unit consumption numbers be relied upon for making a purchasing decision, or real life usage varies greatly?

Not in my experience. Consumption will be more but will still be less than half what you have currently.

The only problem with it is its current consumption, which is around 100W per hour.

My previous Kelvinator was like that, to the figure as well

The general rule with fridges is do not replace them unless they cannot be repaired. We went with that until it started giving us shocks. Some earthing problems occurred that could not be fixed. Had to wear slippers to open the door. That was when we thought it was time to get a new one.

Or should I simply get one of them single door 192 litre Samsing models?

Go to a shop and decide what size works for you. no way to advise unless you do that first and take the family with you or you might face violent riots at a later date.

I thought I could get away with a 250L and ended up with a larger one. In your case, that might not happen. So look for features that make it easy to use. It must feel like an upgrade in more ways than just energy saving.

Do you need a freezer at all? because these days that compartment can be converted into more fridge space if necessary.

Since this appliance will likely last a minimum of ten years if not twice as long don't go with what you need today. Try to think of adding some more space that could come in handy in the future. You could always get a second small fridge too but that requires space. So if you don't have that then try to go with something a little bigger.

 

[sauravghosh]

Thanks all. Paid a visit to two local stores, Khosla and Great Eastern, and checked the models myself. Fixing on single door 4/5 star. Was quoted 19k for Samsung 5-star. This is 190 litre one. LG was 17k or something. Samsung 20 years warranty, LG 10.
But my friend keeps telling me to not but Samsung/LG fridges as according to him they don't last long! WTF. I ask him what to buy he says premium models I've never even heard of!

 

[eternoMind]

Thanks all. Paid a visit to two local stores, Khosla and Great Eastern, and checked the models myself. Fixing on single door 4/5 star. Was quoted 19k for Samsung 5-star. This is 190 litre one. LG was 17k or something. Samsung 20 years warranty, LG 10.
But my friend keeps telling me to not but Samsung/LG fridges as according to him they don't last long! WTF. I ask him what to buy he says premium models I've never even heard of!

What's the price and power consumption difference between the 4- and 5-star models?

Also, regarding the warranty, this is on the compressor only. So, 10 or 20 years , shouldn't make much of a difference in your buying decision.

Lastly, Sammy or LG are fine. Don't sweat this one too much, just check the layout you like the most along with price/star rating and pull the plug on either brand.

 

[sauravghosh]

i just buy 250gm every day or two. Eggs last 1 week even in summer if you keep it dark spot. Fridge is waste of money for people who don't have left overs or make curd or yoghurt everyday in bulk.

This has been my routine for past few years but i cannot do it anymore since mum getting cancer. Need to cut my daily bazaar visits to one or two days a week at most. Now that you mention it, i would like to store fish after all. Forgot to mention it in OP.

@blr_p I had your post bookmarked but it slipped my mind completely. Reread. Really love that you posted the details. basically it was around 50% higher consumption than advertised in your case, 1.1 kWh instead of 0.65 kWh. Hmm. Applying the same equation for mine I think I will be able to live with the same, but that's still a rather staggering difference! BEE should do something about it!

@eternoMind I cannot say between 4 and 5 stars exactly. Shops people were insistent on 2 star and 5 star models mainly, saying that's what most people buy. I mean those who don't care about high efficiency go for 2 star and others the other one.

 

[blr_p]

This has been my routine for past few years but i cannot do it anymore since mum getting cancer. Need to cut my daily bazaar visits to one or two days a week at most. Now that you mention it, i would like to store fish after all. Forgot to mention it in OP.

Right, this is why think of a larger fridge as you don't have to shop as often. The flip side is you have figure out ways to store veg so it does not spoil and that has a learning curve. Sticking things in the freezer is much easier in comparison

Don't rush if you can. Take your time

@blr_p I had your post bookmarked but it slipped my mind completely. Reread. Really love that you posted the details. basically it was around 50% higher consumption than advertised in your case, 1.1 kWh instead of 0.65 kWh. Hmm. Applying the same equation for mine I think I will be able to live with the same, but that's still a rather staggering difference! BEE should do something about it!

Almost 100% more if calculated is 0.65 and real was 1.1

Yours won't be as much though with a smaller fridge so chances are could just be 50% more

 

[hotshot05]

Double doors are a waste of money unless you need that extra space. The freezer is too big and the main fridge is smaller comparatively so pick a single door. No, the air circulation is not better in double doors. Pick a good LG in your budget and space needs.

For single door refrigerators, does the freezer not get extra ice, which needs a manual defrost every now and then?

I am looking at buying a double door fridge only because it is frost free. (We have an old single door Voltas fridge which becomes icy in 4-5 days. It is possible that it's temperature sensor is not working. Don't single door new refrigerators become icy every few days?)

 

[powervgx]

One of my relatives has a single door fridge and it is frost free. I will ask again tomorrow to confirm though.

 

[sauravghosh]

Is Amazon safe to purchase a refrigerator from? Or like televisions they sell B grade products online and keep the A grade for offline only?
Samsung website is hilarious. Shows no results found the moment I click on 2023 models or Solid design. Wtf

 

[powervgx]

Is Amazon safe to purchase a refrigerator from? Or like televisions they sell B grade products online and keep the A grade for offline only?
Samsung website is hilarious. Shows no results found the moment I click on 2023 models or Solid design. Wtf

There is no A or B grade stuff. I bought my LG double door convertible fridge from Amazon. The fridge was absolutely pristine and it is working fine for 3 years now. I also bought a TV from Amazon last week. It is also flawless. Absolutely zero complaints. In fact it exceeded my expectations.

 

[blr_p]

Is Amazon safe to purchase a refrigerator from? Or like televisions they sell B grade products online and keep the A grade for offline only?
Samsung website is hilarious. Shows no results found the moment I click on 2023 models or Solid design. Wtf

What model have you decided on? do you have a shortlist

A double door prevents the freezer from getting exposed every time you open the door. Compared to a single door.

Since you need a freezer a double door is better.

 

[Kilroyquasar]

thanks @sauravghosh for creating this thread.

i too am required to buy a new fridge (not 'needed'), though have been putting off the idea since sometime, and @blr_p's line "The general rule with fridges is do not replace them unless they cannot be repaired" kind-of acted as reassurance, but then folks at home have been insisting on replacing the 15YO samsung one that we have whose compressor had recently conked off (for the first time since the fridge's purchase) & was replaced with a new original one which does not seem to be working optimally (or so it 'appears' to us) esp. with the changing season & rising temp., so even though i dont really want to buy a new one & believe this fridge will last us for more time to come, still, have thought to atleast select a few options/models now itself if eventually we're going to buy a new one (which looks to be rather soon/urgently), to avoid any "riots" at home..

my usage does involve frequent use of the upper freezer comptt (for storing ice, ice-packs, dry fruits, ice-creams etc.), but we also now want more storage-space. the present model we have is samsung 'silverfresh double-door model RTT23HVMS' (dont know the capacity). we do keep left-overs often in the fridge. any new useful features that i should look for into the 'current-gen' models, other than energy-saving? pls advise..

also, preference of purchase would be from croma/reliance retail outlets rather than from amazon (though i'd personally prefer the latter); or atleast would prefer to check the models at an outlet first even if were to order from croma e-store or amazon etc.