Top and Bottom or Side by Side

Kindle · Post by **Kindle** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 1:46 am

Which would you prefer?

We were looking at refrigerations today, just to get an idea of prices and what different combinations they have.

Many have the freezer on the bottom now. I'm not sure I like this idea. Everything you need that is frozen needs be selected by stooping down or bending over to find what you want from items stacked one upon the other.

I'm thinking I might like the side by side. Since we are older, and it's just the two of now, we are trying to make things more comfortable and convenient for ourselves.

What do you have? What have you found works the best for you? Do you know of any drawbacks regarding one over the other?

Post by **spot** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 2:06 am

Why do you want in integrated unit? My preference would be for a stand-alone chest freezer, mainly for the extra efficiency. The upright fridge unit needn't have a freezer compartment at all but it's nice if it has two doors.

Victoria · Post by **Victoria** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 3:50 am

I agree with spot on this one. Ive had the unfortunate situation of having a fridge/freezer fail on me then you really are stuffed.

I like my upright freezer and separate fridge unit (no freezer section) Stand them side by side if you like but separate is best IMO.

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:00 am

we've had a side by side with ice/water dispensers in the door for years now and it's my favorite.

I was intrigued with the ones that have the freezer drawer on the bottom but I checked some out recently and it just didn't seem that convenient to me.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:07 am

I dont care for the side by side doors.

I dont like the narrowness of the fridge part on these units. You use the freezer less than the fridge so logically you wouldnt be bending at all anymore when using the fridge and only when you use the freezer and if you organize when you put stuff in there it should be a snap.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:28 am

for us, the freezer must be on top, just so much simplier to access, no stooping or bending down.

and one door only...........the two door ones leaves really leave you little space in width, hate those ones.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:34 am

Odie;1052478 wrote: for us, the freezer must be on top, just so much simplier to access, no stooping or bending down.

and one door only...........the two door ones leaves really leave you little space in width, hate those ones.

Clearly we need to do a study on the percentage ratio of freezer door openings vs fridge door openings then come to some conclusion based on our findings.

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:35 am

Nomad;1052480 wrote: Clearly we need to do a study on the percentage ratio of freezer door openings vs fridge door openings then come to some conclusion based on our findings.

well, not all of us need to store a whole moose in there or whatever you people up north do with your fridges....:p

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:37 am

I actually went from a side by side, to a Whirlpool with the freezer on the bottom. I love it all the drawer pull out for easy access and it is so much bigger and easier to use then a side by side(which have very little room) unless you get a huge one, which I didn't need. Top freezers are just difficult to reach in and organize and you can't see the back, not so with the freezer on the bottom.

My reasons for switching to a bottom freezer was access you can see everything. Your main refrigerator compartment is at eye level for everything that isn't frozen. I'm not tall 5 feet 4 inches tall so it works great for me. Side by side are hard to organize as its a narrow space, and everything falls out if not in just right.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:39 am

sunny104;1052482 wrote: well, not all of us need to store a whole moose in there or whatever you people up north do with your fridges....:p

Thats Alaska sunshine.

We store buffalo.

mikeinie · Post by **mikeinie** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:43 am

sunny104;1052445 wrote: we've had a side by side with ice/water dispensers in the door for years now and it's my favorite.

I was intrigued with the ones that have the freezer drawer on the bottom but I checked some out recently and it just didn't seem that convenient to me.

I have the same, love it.

shelbell · Post by **shelbell** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:11 am

I've had a top freezer as long as I can remember. Only one bottom door for the fridge of course. I'm sure you've heard the phrase "you can't teach an old dog new tricks"....well, they're talking about me. :wah::wah:

Kindle · Post by **Kindle** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:35 am

spot;1052229 wrote: Why do you want in integrated unit? My preference would be for a stand-alone chest freezer, mainly for the extra efficiency. The upright fridge unit needn't have a freezer compartment at all but it's nice if it has two doors.

We have a chest freezer in the garage, which is currently unpluged as we longer stock large quanities of food. Fridge and freezer in one unit, but with separate doors, is the standard in the US. Separate wouldn't work for me as I wouldn't have room for two units in the kitchen and walking up and down the stairs for frozen items would be a killer. It is bad enough I have to run up and down the stairs when I do laundry.

Two levels in a house, when you get older, can be a challenge. If our location wasn't so lovely, I would really want to move to a home with everthing on one level so that the "golden year" :rolleyes: could be less daunting.

Kindle · Post by **Kindle** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:38 am

sunny104;1052445 wrote: we've had a side by side with ice/water dispensers in the door for years now and it's my favorite.

I was intrigued with the ones that have the freezer drawer on the bottom but I checked some out recently and it just didn't seem that convenient to me.

I've wondered how efficient these were. My concern has been if it stopped working I'd be stuck with a repair bill or a nonfunctioning dispenser.

Good to know you've not had any problems.

Kindle · Post by **Kindle** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:42 am

Nomad;1052458 wrote: I dont care for the side by side doors.

I dont like the narrowness of the fridge part on these units. You use the freezer less than the fridge so logically you wouldnt be bending at all anymore when using the fridge and only when you use the freezer and if you organize when you put stuff in there it should be a snap.

My thought with the side by side was that with only 2 people the narrowness would not cause a hardship. As I am no longer employed outside our home and there are numerous grocery stores near my home, I now shop for a shorter span of time.

Kindle · Post by **Kindle** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:45 am

CARLA;1052483 wrote: I actually went from a side by side, to a Whirlpool with the freezer on the bottom. I love it all the drawer pull out for easy access and it is so much bigger and easier to use then a side by side(which have very little room) unless you get a huge one, which I didn't need. Top freezers are just difficult to reach in and organize and you can't see the back, not so with the freezer on the bottom.

My reasons for switching to a bottom freezer was access you can see everything. Your main refrigerator compartment is at eye level for everything that isn't frozen. I'm not tall 5 feet 4 inches tall so it works great for me. Side by side are hard to organize as its a narrow space, and everything falls out if not in just right.

I've always had a freezer on the top. But what you say about the bottom freezer seems very logical to me. I'm 5'1-1/2 so this might be best for me too.

Kindle · Post by **Kindle** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:46 am

Nomad;1052488 wrote: Thats Alaska sunshine.

We store buffalo.

Ours has paint rollers.......................

Kindle · Post by **Kindle** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:49 am

Thank you everyone. Your input is very helpful. I'll be mulling on this so that, when we do begin remodeling the kitchen, I'll have a firm idea of what is best for our needs.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:13 am

Kindle;1052708 wrote: I've wondered how efficient these were. My concern has been if it stopped working I'd be stuck with a repair bill or a nonfunctioning dispenser.

Good to know you've not had any problems.

I know ice dispensers do break down.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:18 am

Kindle;1052738 wrote: Thank you everyone. Your input is very helpful. I'll be mulling on this so that, when we do begin remodeling the kitchen, I'll have a firm idea of what is best for our needs.

Late again but here's mine anyway :-

Whilst a chest freezer is a lot more efficient it does take up a lot of floorspace which can be better used in the kitchen - if you're happy to keep the freezer in the garage then fine, otherwise stick with the upright.

For as long as you remain floorstanding you will have to bend so you want the unit you go into most often on top so we have fridge over freezer.

Having said that, in the flat I have a worktop freezer and it works well for me but would not be big enough for a family.

G-man · Post by **G-man** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:42 am

I just purchased a GE Profile PSB48LSRBB fridge with side by side doors and 29.6 cu. ft. total capacity. Plus I have a seperate freezer in the basement and smaller refrigerators in the basement and bedroom. There's plenty of space for storage in the nearly 11 cu. ft. freezer, but if you need more freezer space, just get a stand alone freezer.

I used to like the slide out freezer drawer on the bottom before I got this refrigerator, but this one is so much more convenient. They now make them with the television on the refrigerator side, too. :p

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:55 am

Kindle;1052223 wrote: Which would you prefer?

We were looking at refrigerations today, just to get an idea of prices and what different combinations they have.

Many have the freezer on the bottom now. I'm not sure I like this idea. Everything you need that is frozen needs be selected by stooping down or bending over to find what you want from items stacked one upon the other.

I'm thinking I might like the side by side. Since we are older, and it's just the two of now, we are trying to make things more comfortable and convenient for ourselves.

What do you have? What have you found works the best for you? Do you know of any drawbacks regarding one over the other?

Can i just say, what an interesting thread! Your now talking 'Oscar Language' which is SHOPPING.

I have a side by side fridge/freezer and i thought they were a little olde worlde. Our kitchen is an odd shape and the side by side means i get extra work top space. I don't think the capacity is any less than an upright double decker. We do have a back up freezer in the dog's room for excess but that's just because we love food :wah::wah:

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 2:00 pm

I pretty much like all the positions.

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 4:10 pm

YZGI;1053144 wrote: I pretty much like all the positions.

We were waiting for you, YZGI, to say something like that.

:wah:

guppy · Post by **guppy** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 4:23 pm

I prefer the side by side regrig and freezer combo..i would like the freezer on the bottom refrig but it would seem to be alot of work to bend down to get stuff out of it..and the freezer on the top always had stuff sliding out of it when i opened the frig..:wah: