Freezer On Bottom

More recently manufacturers have placed the freezer on the bottom of the refrigerator, rather than the top. The reasoning behind the geography switch? Generally people spend significantly less time in the freezer section than in the main compartment, so the freezer is in the more inconvenient bottom. More frequent daily duties, like checking on the head of iceberg lettuce in the veggie drawer take place at an easy viewing eye level. However, when you do access the freezer, either by door or drawer, you may find yourself burrowing to the back and bottom looking for the elusive frozen chicken wings. So although you will be bending less, when you have to bend, it could be more arduous exercise than you care for. Bottom mount freezers cost a tad more than their traditional sisters, offer comparatively less usable storage space and are not as energy efficient. However, they come out in front when compared to the side by side. Prices range from $675 to $2,000.

French Door Refrigerators

French door refrigerators with the freezer located on the bottom in a pull out drawer have become the newest thing on the refrigerator market. They are like side by sides in keeping down door clearance requirements but since the two doors open to a full size refrigerator, allow storage for larger items. You can find a French door refrigerator from $1700 on up, a significant increase in price from the more traditional top mount fridge.