Take the chill out of buying a fridge

Buying a refrigerator can be a chilling experience. When you think about it, it is a pretty big investment of time, money and effort. With so many brands and features to choose from, selecting the right appliance can be daunting. You can make it a more pleasant venture by getting educated about the variety of options before visiting your local appliance retailer.

Size does matter

Before heading out to purchase your refrigerator, be sure to measure the space you have available. Most standard refrigerators measure about 65 to 70 inches high, 29 to 36 inches wide, and 24 to 32 inches deep. You should also decide how much space you will need inside your refrigerator to accommodate your weekly grocery list. The basic rule of thumb is to take the number of people in your household, multiply that by five and you'll have the number of cubic feet you should look for in a refrigerator.

Practical styles and finishes

Next, decide if you are looking for a top freezer, a side-by-side or a bottom-freezer refrigerator. Top freezers provide a traditional look and are usually a little easier on your pocketbook. Side-by-side refrigerators are a great choice if you have depth limitations in your kitchen because these refrigerators can be as low as 24 inches deep, while other models tend to be quite a bit more. Bottom-freezer and French-door bottom-freezer refrigerators are quickly becoming the most popular options because they are not only stylish, but also put food you use most at eye level.

"Our research shows the average consumer uses the refrigerator section seven times more often than the freezer, which helps explain why the bottom-freezer is growing in popularity," said Richard Heckathorn, Amana senior category manager.

Amana was the first to introduce the bottom-freezer refrigerator 50 years ago. It also was first to market with the side-by-side refrigerators.

"We're proud of our heritage for helping make consumers' lives easier by offering a range of appliances with common sense features," said Heckathorn.

Once you choose the style of refrigerator, you should then consider the finish. Most models come in white, bisque, black and stainless steel. Be sure to select a finish that complements your kitchen.

Sensible options

Do you entertain friends and family on a regular basis? Do you like your beverages really cold? Are you looking for ice and water in your door? What about a bottom-freezer option?

These are questions you should consider before making a refrigerator purchase. No matter how many bells and whistles a refrigerator may have, make sure the refrigerator meets all your needs, providing practical features that will support your lifestyle.

"Finding the right refrigerator is a highly personal decision," said Heckathorn. "Amana's Ice and Easy French door bottom-freezer refrigerator offers a wide variety of space and capacity options. A beverage chiller keeps milk and other beverages up to four degrees colder than the rest of the refrigerator and this is very important to some consumers."

Amana refrigerators, models ABB1921DE and AFD2535DE, have been rated as best buys by a leading consumer magazine. For more information, visit www.amana.com. Amana appliances can be found at Fry's Electronics or at your local independent retailer.

Courtesy of ARAcontent