MArooned: Figures...

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Figures...

In the file under "S" for "Sh!t I don't need right now", having to buy a new refrigerator is right up near the top. Our ten year old Amana needs a new compressor, which as far as I can tell is made out of cold-pressed latinum, given that it costs almost as much as a new refrigerator (est. $500, new fridge of comparable size is $800 - $900).

So... Anyone know anything about good refrigerators, like ones that last longer than ten years?

That is all.

13 comments:

Bob S. said...: Jay G.

I'm not sure what refrigerator to recommend, but I can provide a suggestion on how to buy one.

In the retail business, as you know, the mark up is incredible. I would recommend you check the stores "scratch and dent" inventory. A minor scuff of the paint, a small ding on the door yields major discounts to the consumer.

Same refrigerator can be had fr anywhere from 20% off or more.

Just a suggestion; July 18, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Borepatch said...: Ugh.

For what it's worth, we have a GE which is 12 years old. I think we're living on borrowed time, though.

Also, with the economy how it is, I'd think that shopping around would pay.

Sorry, not a very helpful comment. :-/; July 18, 2009 at 10:52 AM
jimbob86 said...: +1 to what Bob S. said.

If you are willing to take what others won't (because it has a scratch or dent), you can save a couple hundred bucks.... worked for me.......; July 18, 2009 at 11:04 AM
wolfwalker said...: Does Maytag make refrigerators?; July 18, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Kevin said...: Don't get a KitchenAid. We got one based on a mild recommendation from our appliance repair person (and no he does not sell them) and have not been happy with it. It hasn't died in the 5 years since we bought it, but that's 'cause it doesn't work real hard. It has had trouble keeping up in the summer from the day we bought it and has a tendency to ice up which restricts air flow from the freezer to the fridge. We've had it looked at and everything is working. It just appears that the cooling system is undersized or poorly designed.; July 18, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Mark said...: At the back-up house (Family retreat in event of hurricane) we have an old frigidaire, I mean 1950's old, that is still running. We paid 30 dollars for it at the flea market. And it runs off my small generator too.; July 18, 2009 at 1:02 PM
ZerCool said...: I have no advice on refrigerators. I'm sincerely hoping to not replace ours anytime soon.

However, the trek-geek in me forces a correction...

It is *G*old-pressed latinum. :); July 18, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Jay G said...: Heh. Y'know, I did that on purpose - it's a pun (refrigerator/cold).

Knew I'd catch at least one geek who couldn't resist the urge to set me straight...; July 18, 2009 at 7:47 PM
doubletrouble said...: Buy any one you can find, preferably GE, from 1933 or so. Yeah, the compressor's on the top so's you can see it work, & if it's still working now, well, there you go.; July 18, 2009 at 8:41 PM
ASM826 said...: Designed to fail. All of them. Designed by the finest engineers to have a 8 year life span. It isn't just cars, every appliance is built to help you need another one.

I think about that sometimes when I take an eighty year old rifle to the range. Why is it that you can make a rifle to last indefinitely, but when you get a toaster it has some cheap hear sensitive plastic part in it designed to crack and fall off in tree years?; July 18, 2009 at 10:39 PM
jimbo86 said...: "Why is it that you can make a rifle to last indefinitely, but when you get a toaster....."

Uhhhhmmmm ....errr... 'cuz if the rifle fails, it goes all splodey, and if the toaster fails, you get..... burnt toast? It's a lie-billatee thang, Ahm a guessin.; July 18, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Anonymous said...: Whirlpool, or one of the Kenmore (Sears) units built by them. Our current unit is 10 yrs old, previous lasted over 20.; July 19, 2009 at 12:10 AM
Anonymous said...: The problem is that those new wonderfuilly energy efficient refrigerators have compressors that have to run at higher pressures because of - that's right - the new non-polluting(HAHAHAHAHA) gas used in them. So none of them last very long anymore. Old refrigerators that used the low pressure gases ran forever.
I've have purchased refers two at a time for the last couple of decades. I just go to Sears(now K-Mart) and buy what fits where the old one went - figure that I'll be doing it again in about seven to eight years.
Almost forgot hit a Sears scratch and dent store if they have one in your area. Probably save $100 or so.
emdfl; July 19, 2009 at 3:03 AM