How to Buy a Refrigerator

Refrigerators come in many sizes and shapes, so if you’re buying a new refrigerator, you have a lot of options. You need a refrigerator that fits your needs (and your kitchen!), so keep these pointers in mind when you go refrigerator shopping:

• If you use the freezer a great deal, get a top-mount fridge where the freezer compartment is on the top at eye level.

• Make sure that the doors open in the most convenient way for your kitchen. You don’t want your fridge door to be blocked by your counter, for example.

• Check the door compartments to see how they use space. Is space available to place a bottle upright? Also, the door shouldn’t be cluttered with little compartments that just eat up space.

• Choose glass shelves rather than wire. The glass ones help prevent a mess if something spills or drips.

• Built-in water and ice dispensers on the door are convenient because you don’t have to open and close the door.

• Consider sliding shelves. Some shelves pull them out so you can reach into the back easily. Others slide from side to side to accommodate tall items.