French Door Refrigerator - Analysis and Buying Guide - 2023
A fridge is one of those essential appliances that you probably don't think much about until it's time to buy a new one. But not all refrigerators are created equal, and the design and layout of the compartments can make a big difference in how easy it is to organize your food and find it when you need it.
For many people, a French door refrigerator offers the practical and functional arrangement they prefer for organizing their food and cold drinks. What's more, it adds an air of attractive elegance to the kitchen that traditional refrigerators lack.
If you're thinking about buying a new French door refrigerator, we can help. At Real Indian, we rely on objective research to take a closer look at the best products on the market. We conduct lab tests, interview experts, and speak with product owners to determine exactly what information you need to make good purchasing decisions.
Ready to buy a French door refrigerator? The product list above contains our top recommendations. For general information on French door refrigerators, continue reading this buying guide.
Anatomy of a French Door Refrigerator
A French door refrigerator has a refrigerator compartment at the top and a freezer compartment at the bottom. But unlike other bottom freezer models, a French door refrigerator has side doors at the top and a single door or drawer at the bottom.
French door refrigerators are usually wider than other double door refrigerators, although the doors themselves are narrower.
Some French door refrigerators have one or more drawers between the top and bottom bins to help better organize your items.
Benefits of a French Door Refrigerator
Why do some people prefer a French door refrigerator to the other types that are available? These are some of the benefits that this appliance offers.
Space Saving : A French door fridge can save space in your kitchen because narrow doors don't require as much clearance. If you have a narrow or confined floor plan, this could be ideal.
It's Easy to Reach : Because the refrigerator compartment is at the top, it's much easier to reach foods that are used most often in a French door refrigerator. What's more, you don't have to bend down as far to access your drawers.
Energy Savings : With a French door refrigerator, only one door is opened to access a particular item, and cold air escapes from only half of the refrigerator. As a result, some energy is saved, as the fridge doesn't have to work too hard to maintain its internal temperature.
Flexibility : A French door fridge usually offers more flexibility when it comes to storing food. Shelves can span the full width of the fridge, or can be split down the middle for a different configuration.
Questions to Ask Before Buying
You'll have an easier time choosing a new French door refrigerator if you know ahead of time what you want and don't want. If you are considering a particular model, find out the answers to the following questions before making your decision.
- Does the Fridge have the Storage Capacity you Need?
Refrigerator capacity, or interior space, is measured in cubic feet. French door refrigerators have a capacity of between 15 and 30 cubic feet.
In general, a refrigerator that provides 19 to 22 cubic feet of storage capacity is large enough to accommodate a household of four.
However, if you buy groceries in bulk, you may prefer an appliance with a 30-cubic-foot capacity.
- Does the Refrigerator Fit into your Kitchen Space?
French door refrigerators are typically 30 to 36 inches wide. They average 69 inches tall and 26 inches deep.
Use a tape measure to determine the width, height, and depth of the area where you plan to put the fridge to make sure the model you're considering will fit.
When it comes to depth, you may prefer a cabinet or counter depth French door refrigerator. This type of refrigerator has a shallow profile that will not extend beyond the edge of the counter or cabinets.
- Does the Refrigerator have the Type of Finish you prefer?
French door refrigerators typically come in three finishes: stainless steel, black, and white.
Stainless steel is a particularly popular choice, and it works with a variety of kitchen colors and design schemes. The only downside to stainless steel appliances is that they tend to show fingerprints easily. If you want a stainless steel refrigerator, you can choose one with a stain-free finish.
Black is an ideal finish if you have a modern kitchen, and white is compatible with a wide variety of kitchen décors.
- Does the Refrigerator offer the Degree of Temperature Control you Want?
While all French door refrigerators offer some type of temperature control, some offer more precision than others.
For the most control, choose a refrigerator that allows you to select a specific temperature instead of a general setting.
You can also look for a model that provides humidity controls to prevent produce from wilting.
- Does the Refrigerator include Extra Drawers?
Some French door refrigerators have one or more extra drawers between the top refrigerator compartment and the bottom freezer compartment. These extra drawers can help boost your organization. Also, you can save a little energy by keeping frequently used foods in the drawer. This way, you don't have to open the entire refrigerator compartment just to access a bottle of ketchup.
- Does the Refrigerator have Adjustable Shelves?
If you like the idea of customizing your refrigerator setup, choose a model with adjustable shelves. You can opt for shelves that span the entire appliance, or you can create shelves that are divided into sections on each side. You can also adjust the height of the shelves to accommodate taller items like soda or juice bottles.
- Does the Refrigerator have an Ice and Water Dispenser?
Many French door refrigerators have a water and/or ice dispenser built into the door. This is convenient as ice and water can be obtained without opening the door. Notably, the components may take up some storage space inside the refrigerator.
If you buy a French door refrigerator with an ice and water dispenser, we suggest looking for one with a built-in water filter.
Additional Characteristics
If you want a premium French door refrigerator, you can find models that have a variety of useful features.
- Door to Door Storage
A refrigerator with door-to-door storage gives access to a special storage area inside the door itself. It usually opens with the push of a button, so you can easily grab items like drinks, condiments, and other snacks without having to open the main compartment of the cooler.
- Built-in Coffee Maker
If having an ice and water dispenser isn't enough, you can also find French door refrigerators that have a single-use coffee maker built into the door.
- Sparkling Water Dispenser
Some models have a built-in sparkling water dispenser, so you can get fresh sparkling water from the refrigerator whenever you want.
- Wi-Fi/TV
For the latest high-tech, you might want to consider a French door refrigerator that has WiFi and/or a TV built into the door. Via WiFi, you can control the fridge via an app on your smartphone or tablet and receive alerts when there are potential problems. You can also create shopping lists and stream music through a WiFi-enabled refrigerator.
Tips
Play with the height and section of your shelves. One of the main benefits of having a French door refrigerator is the adjustability it has.
Keep the condiments in the doors. Since the doors are the hottest part of a French door refrigerator, that area is a good place to store your ketchup, mustard, and other items that won't be adversely affected by the slightly warmer temperature.
Store dairy products in the back of your French door refrigerator. Milk, yogurt, sour cream, and similar items will benefit from this location, which is the coldest part of the refrigerator.
Add accessories to your refrigerator with storage bins and baskets. Because a French door refrigerator offers so much storage space, it's a good idea to add bins and/or baskets to the shelves for even deeper organization. Frequently used foods are ideal candidates for the bins, because you will be able to reach them easily.
FAQ
Que. Isn't a French door fridge the same as a side by side fridge?
Ans. Not quite. Both French door and side-by-side refrigerators have two doors. However, a French door refrigerator has a freezer compartment at the bottom of the appliance with a separate door or drawer. Side-by-side refrigerator doors encompass the entire appliance, with one door covering the refrigerator compartment and one door covering the freezer compartment.
Que. Can a French door refrigerator work in a small kitchen?
Ans. A French door refrigerator is usually wider than a side-by-side refrigerator; widths range from 30 to 36 inches. Therefore, this type of refrigerator will not work in every kitchen. However, the doors do not require as much space to open, which allows them to fit into some tighter layouts.
Before you buy a new refrigerator, measure the area of your kitchen where it will go. Make sure the appliance you buy fits within the available dimensions.
Que. What is the benefit of a French door refrigerator with extra drawers in the middle?
Ans. Additional drawers provide additional storage space that allows you to better organize your groceries. The center of the refrigerator is an ideal place to store frequently used items. You won't have to open the largest compartment of the refrigerator all the time, thus saving a bit of energy.
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