Can anyone recommend a reliable refrigerator?

[callous taoboy]

I bought a POS Samsung from Sears 3 years ago and it is a lemon. Looked into a Kenmore Elite as a replacement but see in the comments section that 11 people call it a lemon as well.

[Renew Deal]

1. Can you get Sears to do anything for you?

Are you looking for a certain size or features?

[callous taoboy]

5. Sears wants to sell me another lemon at a 40% off.

They want to sell me the Kenmore Elite, but the reviews are horrible even though consumer reports rates it highly. They can take a flying leap. I was hoping to get the bottom freezer, French door top but after reading the comments here I am tempted to go back to a very basic, no ice maker, freezer on top. Dang it.

[CottonBear]

8. The bottom freezer/French door top style is nice.

I would love one so I would not have to get down on the floor to get stuff out of the fridge.

However, I really would worry about quality and long life of any new makes or models.

[CottonBear]

2. My refrigerator repair guy owns a 1994 Kenmore.

He keeps it it good repair. He said new refrigerators are generally not built to last. He hopes he does not have to buy a new one anytime soon.

I own a mid 1990s Kenmore as well. I've had it serviced once since 1995 ( for a clogged freezer drain line.) It is a basic model with no ice maker or water dispenser.

I chatted him up about new appliances while he was repairing the 2011 ice machine, which is in the cafe that I manage, for the third time.

He said to buy a basic model if you have to purchase a new one.

My in-law's mid 2000s LG with all the extra features was constantly needing repair. BIL said he would not buy another one.

[callous taoboy]

6. My folks still have a 1970 Kenmore

that they use as a beer fridge. But even out in a very hot garage that sucker is cranking and it has ice cold beer. Serviced once to add Freon.

[CottonBear]

7. That is amazing!

My family had a similar garage fridge from the late 1960s that was still working great when mom sold her home 12 years ago. She sold it with the house!

[Turbineguy]

3. According to my colleague

All appliances these days are designed by engineers with MBA's. However, the basic refrigerant loop is difficult to design to fail when the warranty runs out. So a basic refrigerator without icemaker and gadgets is the way to go. Our Gibson freezer has been running since 1985. But it uses R-12 so eventual disposal will be a problem.

[CottonBear]

9. That confirms my repair guy's recommendation.

He said it is the electronics and digital devices that fail.

[TygrBright]

4. The Kelvinator in my Gran's basement lasted nearly 70 years... n/t

[Hassin Bin Sober]

13. They don't make them like that anymore.

[Lugnut]

10. I've had good luck with GE.

We replaced a 1974 GE with a new GE in 2010. So far, so good.

[callous taoboy]

11. What model / style is it?

I am going over to Sears tomorrow to try to work something out and I think they carry GE. Thanks.

[Lugnut]

12. I'm not sure.

I'll have to look for the paperwork in the morning. It's a top freezer smaller sized model because of the cabinetry. We just don't have the room for a large fridge.

[johnmeto]

14. Whirlpool and KitchenAid

Whirlpool and KitchenAid are two more brands that would be a good option.

[LaydeeBug]

15. I have a huge Samsung (and I really need a smaller one)

and all of the door shelves have broken. They are pretty cheap to replace, and, luckily, I have never had any problem with any of the electronics. It freezes super fast. It's a side by side model with water/ice dispenser. This one:

http://mans.io/item/Samsung/RS267LASH