Buzz
Selecting the ideal refrigerator can be quite challenging, especially when many look alike. Choosing the right side-by-side fridge for your needs is crucial to avoid disappointment or the dreaded experience of spending a fortune on a product that doesn't meet your requirements.
1. Tips for Choosing the Perfect Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Let us guide you through the process of selecting a side-by-side refrigerator that will leave you and your family satisfied for years to come.
Side-by-Side Refrigerators, though pricier than traditional top-freezer ones, are gaining popularity among urban households for their elegant design, numerous features, and spacious capacity.
Explore the luxury and functionality of side-by-side refrigerators, a favored choice for modern homes.
Refrigerators have come a long way since their inception. Side-by-side refrigerators, while around since 1949, only gained popularity in the mid-1960s in developed countries like the United States and Europe. In Vietnam, however, it's only been in recent years that side-by-side refrigerators have become the favorite choice among households in major cities.
The prices of side-by-side refrigerators have seen a downward trend, but they still remain among the pricier options in the market, ranging from 15 million to over 50 million Vietnamese dong.
Named for its distinctive design, the side-by-side refrigerator features two doors, with the freezer on the left and the refrigerator on the right. This design offers the convenience of easily accessing both frequently used items and frozen foods without the need to constantly bend down. Moreover, its double-door feature makes it suitable for smaller kitchens, as it reduces the required space for door clearance.
Some users have complained about the limited space in the freezer compartment of their side-by-side refrigerator, although this is typically a result of their own choice in selecting the overall capacity when purchasing the appliance. A valid concern, however, is the lack of sufficient space to accommodate large-sized dishes. Nevertheless, such dishes are often reserved for special occasions or holidays, making this limitation easily forgivable for enthusiasts of side-by-side refrigerators.
Many consumers overlook the drawbacks of side-by-side refrigerators and opt for them over top-freezer models simply because of the convenience offered by features like water and ice dispensers through the door. While indeed a valuable feature, it requires more frequent maintenance and adds to the overall initial cost of the refrigerator.
* Below are some considerations when purchasing a Side By Side refrigerator:
Design and Capacity
Undoubtedly, the most crucial aspect of a refrigerator is its interior space for storing food. Generally, side-by-side refrigerators have a capacity of around 550 liters, but some models go up to 700 liters. Nowadays, there are even four-door side-by-side refrigerators. These are designed to save electricity by allowing you to only open the section you need instead of having to open the entire refrigerator. Depending on your circumstances and needs – such as the number of family members and the available space in your kitchen to place the refrigerator – you would choose a refrigerator with an appropriate size in terms of capacity and dimensions.
In terms of aesthetics, side-by-side refrigerators come in various finishes such as stainless steel, titanium, stainless steel cladding, or aluminum alloy casing… Stainless steel casing is regarded as the most durable and elegant. However, it does have a drawback of being prone to fingerprints, so you'll need to put in extra effort to regularly wipe the refrigerator's surface to keep it shiny.
Refrigerator Compartments
While many refrigerators may seem similar, the number of shelves, door bins, drawers… can vary significantly. Similarly, each refrigerator compartment and freezer compartment come in different forms and qualities: tempered glass, spill-proof, wire, adjustable, pull-out… Some refrigerators also feature special functions such as egg containers or shelves for beer and soft drinks.
Freezer Compartment and Features
Similar to refrigerator compartments, the freezer compartments of different refrigerator models vary significantly in terms of the number of shelves, drawers, and door bins. In addition to the freezer compartment, you should consider the ice maker. While many ice makers take up a considerable portion of the freezer compartment, high-end refrigerator models have ice makers integrated into the door, freeing up space in the freezer compartment. Other special features include noise reduction, air filtration, and advanced cooling mechanisms.
Water Filtration, Control, and Ice Dispensing
Most, but not all, side-by-side refrigerators feature special control systems such as door open alerts, child locks, and reminders to replace water filters.
Energy Consumption and Warranty
Energy consumption is one of the key factors to consider when purchasing a refrigerator. In many developed countries, regulations require manufacturers to estimate the electricity consumption of large appliances, including refrigerators, on an annual basis.
Side-by-side refrigerators in Vietnam, both imported and domestically produced, have the manufacturer's estimated electricity consumption per hour (kWh) printed in the user manual. However, many electronics stores do not have product manuals readily available, so don't hesitate to ask them to provide you with one. In the manual, you'll not only learn about the electricity consumption but also other important specifications and features to consider.
Returning to the issue of electricity consumption, you can check and compare refrigerators with the same capacity to see which model consumes less power. Models with lower power consumption tend to be more expensive, but you'll save money on electricity over the decades of using the product.
The lifespan of a refrigerator is typically 10 years or more. However, during the initial years of use, malfunctions may occur. Therefore, it's important to thoroughly check the warranty period and the terms and conditions of the product warranty, especially for fully imported refrigerators.
Here are some Side by Side refrigerator models that are currently drawing a lot of attention:
* Hitachi Side by Side Refrigerator:
