Help us choose a refrigerator

I'm starting to toy with buying a new refrigerator.  We have made due with our ridiculously small one for years, but it's getting difficult now that DH's business requires using fridge space.  I always feel intimidated buying new appliances as it's a big investment if something goes wrong.

Anyone have ideas or recommendations?

I have a Which? membership if you want me to look some up for you. Are you looking for a fridge freezer or just a fridge?

If you are looking for a side-by-side "American style" fridge, I can suggest the one we have - three of our neighbors have purchased it since we did and everyone seems very happy with it (as happy as one can be with a fridge, I guess)

If you are looking for a side-by-side "American style" fridge, I can suggest the one we have - three of our neighbors have purchased it since we did and everyone seems very happy with it (as happy as one can be with a fridge, I guess)

Wow! That's a refrigerator and a half. Good if you have the room, I guess. We used to have a reasonable sized fridge/freezer and a separate freezer. The freezer still lives in the cellar but empty lo these many years. The fridge died and DH wasn't going to replace it at all but I talked him into getting one of the titchy ones at least. Does anyone ever put them on top of a counter -- I practically have to get on my knees to see what's in there. 

We bought one of these a year or two ago: http://www.lg.com/uk/fridge-freezers/lg-GB7143A2PW1-fridge-freezer

It was the largest (volume) fridge we could find that would fit in the space we had. It's great, the fridge portion is about twice as big as the last one.

I think the shelve spacers could be laid out better as there is limited door space for large bottles because of the water dispenser and it would have been nice to have slightly wider shelf gaps, but all in all we are definitely pleased with it. Would buy again.

We have had a Liebherr under the counter fridge and a Zanussi chest freezer for 7 and a half years with no problems.  The fridge currently lives in our shed and the freezer in the garage.
When we moved into our house we bought a Beko fridge freezer.  The freezer part is frost free and so far (2 1/2 years) haven't had a problem.  It does make some strange noises from time to time though. 

If you are looking for a side-by-side "American style" fridge, I can suggest the one we have - three of our neighbors have purchased it since we did and everyone seems very happy with it (as happy as one can be with a fridge, I guess)

I believe that's the same one we have, only ours is white.

I looooove having crushed or cubed ice and filtered water on hand all the time! The only issue is that the ice maker takes up some of the freezer space but, for us, it was worth the trade-off. You may prefer more freezer space and be OK doing without ice.

Samsung makes excellent quality fridges, so that's something to keep in mind.

we bought an Indesit TAN6FNFS last May, and I couldn't be happier.

http://www.tesco.com/direct/indesit-taan6fnfsi-fridge-freezer-a-70-silver/475-1552.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=475-1552

Which? rated it very highly, which gave me a bit of peace of mind since it's a major purchase. I wanted more refrigerator space, which this has, but the freezer is more than enough for us as well. Frost free and energy efficient.

Prices vary a lot, and Curry's was the most expensive.

Look at Samsung for large US style fridge freezers. Comet will have some brilliant deals at the moment as they've recently gone into administration and have just started a liquidation sale. In store only though.

We have bought a few fridges as we have moved a lot (houses and countries). As we have never had a fridge or freezer breakdown or die, and most friends and relatives have had the same experience, we always buy the cheapest one in the desired style and size.

I have my eye on this one, if we have room in our next rental:

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/daewoo-drs30smi-american-style-fridge-freezer-silver-12424922-pdt.html

Courtney, I'd love it if you'd look in Which for me.  I didn't want to pay for a membership, but wondered what feedback they'd have.

I'm leaning towards the American-style ones for size, however, I don't really like the side to side models.  I like having the option of putting wide dishes or trays in, and you lose that with the side by side models.  I would also like it to be frost free.

Thanks all for feedback and ideas.  I'm probably going to check out Costco and Currys as well as looking online.  I appreciate any feedback.

I don't like side-by-sides for the reasons you mention; they are deceptive w/r/t actual space. That's why we went for the Indesit top mount. And it i frost free, on rollers, and was very affordable. We paid £349 delivered, and had we decided a week prior, could have had it for £324; Curry's price was £434! Huge difference!

Our side-by-side is frost-free. I think most higher-end fridge-freezers are these days, aren't they?

Our side-by-side is frost-free. I think most higher-end fridge-freezers are these days, aren't they?

I thought so, but in the last couple days of looking on and off, I've been surprised how many decent quality ones were not.

I thought so, but in the last couple days of looking on and off, I've been surprised how many decent quality ones were not.

That is surprising! Our Samsung definitely is.