BUYING GUIDE: REFRIGERATORS

Refrigerator Buying Guide

Your kitchen is the heart of your home - it’s where you begin your day, prepare every meal and gather with friends and family. There will rarely be a day that goes by without multiple trips to the kichen. With that in mind, it’s important to make sure this space suits your needs, and one of the most essential steps is choosing the right refrigerator.

The Brick’s refrigerator buying guide is here to assist you in selecting the ideal fridge. Read on to find all the information you’ll need to help make that final decision.

Choosing the Right Size

The first step in selecting a new fridge is to figure out what size will fit best in your space. Break out that measuring tape and complete the steps below to ensure a smooth installation process.

Getting started, make sure your new fridge will fit through your exterior door, interior doors, archways, hallways and any other space on the pathway to your kitchen. Keep in mind that you can gain extra wiggle room by removing doors, knobs and latches if necessary. This often-overlooked first step is crucial to a quick, painless delivery.

On to the kitchen itself, measure (if required) between the island and the opposing cabinets to ensure the fridge can clear this space before moving it to its final location.

Width, Height and Depth Measurements

Not all fridge alcoves are perfectly square or level, so be sure to take the following measurements from the back, middle and front of the alcove to ensure a proper fit.

  1. Measure the space from the bottom of the cabinet to the floor. Take into consideration the fridge’s door hinges, which can add an extra inch to the overall height.
  2. Measure the width of the opening from side to side. If one side of the frige will be next to a wall, you’ll want to leave about four inches between the fridge and the wall so the door can be opened 90 degrees.
  3. Measure the depth of the opening from the back wall to the front edge of your counters. Keep in mind the amount of clearance required for the fridge to open fully once it’s installed.

Afterwards, consider the necessary clearance around your fridge. Most manufacturers recommend keeping at least 1/8” of space on wither side of the fridge, one inch along the top and two inches between the rear of the fridge and the back wall for proper ventilation.

Once you have the measurements for a refrigerator that will fit into your space, you can determine which installation depth will provide the best fit and appearance.

Standard-Depth Standard-Depth

One of the most popular options available, French-door refrigerators offer the largest capacities on the market, plenty of door bins and wide shelving for excellent storage capabilities. They feature bottom-mounted freezer drawers, and certain models offer a temperature- and humidity-controlled counter-height middle drawer for even more flexibility. Shop Now One of the most popular options available, French-door refrigerators offer the largest capacities on the market, plenty of door bins and wide shelving for excellent storage capabilities. They feature bottom-mounted freezer drawers, and certain models offer a temperature- and humidity-controlled counter-height middle drawer for even more flexibility. Shop Now

Counter-Depth Counter-Depth

One of the most popular options available, French-door refrigerators offer the largest capacities on the market, plenty of door bins and wide shelving for excellent storage capabilities. They feature bottom-mounted freezer drawers, and certain models offer a temperature- and humidity-controlled counter-height middle drawer for even more flexibility. Shop Now One of the most popular options available, French-door refrigerators offer the largest capacities on the market, plenty of door bins and wide shelving for excellent storage capabilities. They feature bottom-mounted freezer drawers, and certain models offer a temperature- and humidity-controlled counter-height middle drawer for even more flexibility.Shop Now

Capacity

Now that you've figured out the dimensions, it's time to decide what capacity will work best for you. Do you often host dinner parties? Is your family going to be expanding? Consider the following points when choosing the best refrigerator capacity for your lifestyle.

  • Each adult in a household should have at least 4 - 6 cu. ft. of fridge space.
  • If more cooking is done at home, a capacity of at least 18 cu. ft. for two people is more fitting.
  • A typical family of four requires at least 20 cu. ft. to properly store groceries, however a larger capacity will likely be needed. For families of more than four, consider a capacity of at least 25 cu. ft. These models are only available in French-door or side-by-side configurations.

Style

Next on the list is choosing a style that suits both you and your kitchen. Let's take a look at the wide variety of refrigerator styles and finishes available today.

French-Door French-Door

One of the most popular options available, French-door refrigerators offer the largest capacities on the market, plenty of door bins and wide shelving for excellent storage capabilities. They feature bottom-mounted freezer drawers, and certain models offer a temperature- and humidity-controlled counter-height middle drawer for even more flexibility. Shop Now One of the most popular options available, French-door refrigerators offer the largest capacities on the market, plenty of door bins and wide shelving for excellent storage capabilities. They feature bottom-mounted freezer drawers, and certain models offer a temperature- and humidity-controlled counter-height middle drawer for even more flexibility. Magasinez

Bottom-Freezer Bottom-Freezer

Similar to their top-freezer counterparts, bottom-freezer refrigerators tend to offer no-fuss cooling. However, these models are typically larger and provide more freezer space in a pull-out drawer design. These models are a great mid-size choice for couples or smaller families. Shop Now Similar to their top-freezer counterparts, bottom-freezer refrigerators tend to offer no-fuss cooling. However, these models are typically larger and provide more freezer space in a pull-out drawer design. These models are a great mid-size choice for couples or smaller families. Magasinez

Side-by-Side Side-by-Side

Side-by-side refrigerators place the fridge and freezer compartments directly beside each other, creating excellent organization options. Thanks to this intuitive design, you can store your most-commonly used items at the top of each compartment for easy access. Shop Now Side-by-side refrigerators place the fridge and freezer compartments directly beside each other, creating excellent organization options. Thanks to this intuitive design, you can store your most-commonly used items at the top of each compartment for easy access. Magasinez

Compact Compact

Often referred to as a “mini fridge”, compact refrigerators typically feature an interior capacity of less than 10 cu. ft. They are a great addition to dorms, game rooms, offices and home bars. Some models have both a fresh food and small freezer section located behind a single door. Shop Now Often referred to as a “mini fridge”, compact refrigerators typically feature an interior capacity of less than 10 cu. ft. They are a great addition to dorms, game rooms, offices and home bars. Some models have both a fresh food and small freezer section located behind a single door. Magasinez

Top-Freezer Top-Freezer

The classic top-freezer refrigerator offers a timeless look with no-frills cold food storage. These models tend to be smaller and more budget-friendly than other options on the market, and typically forego features such as ice makers and water dispensers. The design of a top-freezer refrigerator keeps frozen food and the upper rack of fresh food at eye and chest level. Plus, they make an excellent choice for use as a second fridge for extra storage. Shop Now The classic top-freezer refrigerator offers a timeless look with no-frills cold food storage. These models tend to be smaller and more budget-friendly than other options on the market, and typically forego features such as ice makers and water dispensers. The design of a top-freezer refrigerator keeps frozen food and the upper rack of fresh food at eye and chest level. Plus, they make an excellent choice for use as a second fridge for extra storage. Magasinez

Finishes

Once you've found your ideal design, it's time to decide on a finish that will work best with your decor. Stainless steel, black stainless steel, white, black, slate and more - The Brick carries a large selection of finishes, so you're sure to find something to suit your style.

Features

What’s inside matters, especially when it comes to your new fridge. Modern appliances offer some incredible features to make your day-to-day life easier, so consider the following when deciding what’s most important to you.

Ice Maker

In-Freezer: This cost-effective option is contained within the freezer compartment. It typically features a larger capacity than in-door options but can also take up usuable space in the freezer.

In-Door: This ice maker is built into the door of your refrigerator and sends ice to your glass with the touch of a button on the exterior control panel.

Dual Ice Maker: Some models offer dual ice makers - one in tthe freezer and one in the door - to provide plenty of stock.

Water Dispenser

External: The external water dispenser is the most common type and allows you to access fresh water without opening the fridge door. Plus, it’s usually combined with an ice dispenser.

Internal: If you don’t like the look of an external dispenser, an internal dispenser is a great alternative. These spouts are typically located on an interior wall and take up minimal space.

Beverage Centre: Certain refrigerator models offer an in-door beverage centre, which allows you to use either an internal dispenser or a built-in pitcher that automatically refills.

Adjustable Storage

Temperature Zone: Some French-door models feature a drawer – either located between the fridge and freezer or integrated into the fridge compartment – that acts as an adjustable cooling zone to store deli meats, chilled wine, seafood and more.

Folding Shelves: These handy shelves allow you to store taller items such as gallon containers or bottles by pushing the front half of the shelf underneath the back half.

Door-in-Door: On select French-door models, you can access frequently used items without opening the entire refrigerator thanks to a shallower hidden compartment that sits behind one of the doors.

Smart Capable

Many new refrigerators provide the option to connect with your smartphone or tablet so that you can monitor and control conditions from anywhere. Plus, select models feature exterior monitors that can act as a recipe book, calendar and more – all in one convenient place.

Fingerprint Resistant

Featured on various stainless steel and black stainless steel models, a protective coating works to reduce smudges and fingerprints while also making them easier to buff away.

Energy Efficiency

ENERGY STAR® certified refrigerators are about 9% more energy efficient than the federal standard to help you save both electricity and money off your energy bills.

When shopping for a new refrigerator, look to the attached Canada EnerGuide label. This label lets you know how much energy a product uses. If a refrigerator is ENERGY STAR certified, the ENERGY STAR symbol will appear at the bottom of the EnerGuide label.

On the EnerGuide label, you will find important information regarding the product and its energy consumption:

  1. Annual energy consumption of the model in kilowatt hours (kWh).
  2. Energy consumption indicator, which positions the model compared with the most efficient and least efficient models in the same class.
  3. Type and capacity of models that make up this class.
  4. The model number.

Financing

Turn big purchases into small payments that suit your budget - The Brick offers convenient financing options so you can get what you need without breaking the bank.

Delivery, Installation, and Removal / Recycling

Let us do the work for you! We offer delivery, installation and the removal of your old appliance for a hassle-free experience.