New Fridge Discussion

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Shindig

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#306487 28-Jul-2023 07:47

In the market for a new fridge.

I have used a Haier one for 7 years, as it was the only make\model that would fit into the space; its rubbish!

Now we can go large, double door etc.

Canstar suggest Panasonic as the best brand to go for?

Any pointers to brands to avoid?

What features to have?

Is a water filter, chiller necessary or do they clog up?

Budget $4000

Thank you

The little things make the biggest difference.

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#3108940 28-Jul-2023 08:19

From what I've read / seen Samsung kitchen appliances seem to be poor, unlike their electronics. A quick look at Consumer, they seem to rate LG, F&P, and Mitsubishi highly - among others. You can pay for the article / a membership if you would like the details.

The F&P I purchased about 15 years ago still works well. The vege bin lid broke after a small number of years, I didn't bother replacing it. It has nothing fancy like water chillers, I don't need anything like that. It makes odd noises at times, which you can only hear if the room is quiet, but at 15 years old that's not unexpected.

jamesrt

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#3108942 28-Jul-2023 08:24

Is a water filter, chiller necessary or do they clog up?

Careful, the water supply pipe can split and spray water all round the back/base of the machine, near the electrical parts like motors etc, with associated risk of suddenly discovering it's a live water puddle; particularly when it happens to a spouse who's unsure what to do when you're in the office a good hours drive or so away....

(semi-fortunately, this wasn't actually me, but a work colleague!)

BlargHonk

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#3108952 28-Jul-2023 09:00

The F&P RF522's are excellent and bombproof

vexxxboy

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#3108957 28-Jul-2023 09:07

For what it is worth i have had my Mitsubishi Fridge /Freezer for 20 years or so and it is still going strong , . The seals look like new.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

trig42

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#3108959 28-Jul-2023 09:10

We're on our third F&P Ice/Water fridge Freestanding Refrigerator Freezer, 63.5cm, 403L, Ice & Water (fisherpaykel.com) (third house, and as they're plumbed, we've always left them in the house we've sold).

Our space is limited (90s built house, when they built gaps for pretty much only F&P fridges) and this one is the only one with plumbed ice/water we could get for here. I would have got a F&P French Door if it would have fit.

Parts are easy to get if you need them (last fridge was well over 10 years old, I'd replaced a couple of door shelves and a freezer bin).

We have an LG at work, seems to be a good fridge too - nice fast cool down.

Handsomedan

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#3108975 28-Jul-2023 09:29

We've got a compact F&P and it's the noisiest, least efficient fridge we have ever had.

Next fridge will be pretty much anything but F&P.

Our LG dishwasher has been great, so I am tempted to go down that route next time.

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Shindig

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#3108991 28-Jul-2023 09:56

Noticed on the F&P website, their premium fridges are 2 star energy efficiency.

The Panasonic's are up there with 4.5 stars.

The little things make the biggest difference.

alasta

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#3108996 28-Jul-2023 10:07

My LG has been really good but it's coming up to 12 years old now and I'm wondering when is the right time to replace it.

On one hand, I would rather replace it before it fails as a sudden unexpected failure would be extremely disruptive.

On the other hand, I don't want to replace it if it has a few years of life still left in it as fridges are an environmental nuisance when disposed of.

jonathan18

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#3109000 28-Jul-2023 10:12

Handsomedan:

We've got a compact F&P and it's the noisiest, least efficient fridge we have ever had.

Next fridge will be pretty much anything but F&P.

Our LG dishwasher has been great, so I am tempted to go down that route next time.

I really like Love our LG fridge/freezer; it's been brilliant, and a breath of fresh air after a couple of decades of F&P (we looked at their current models when buying the LG, and they really hadn't changed that much in that time.) Note, ours isn't a double-door style one, just the largest standard fridge/freezer we could fit in the space we had! But, yeah, at this stage I'd be looking first at LG again next time.

Just checked Consumer ratings; for 'extra large' fridges (over 526l), the recommended models are from (in order): LG, LG, LG, LG, Mitsi, Electrolux; also, here is their reliability survey:

cddt

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#3109005 28-Jul-2023 10:17

For the last several years we have been using a Westinghouse which we inherited from my grandmother. Date of manufacture: 2004. Still runs flawlessly.

However we have recently shifted that into the granny flat of our new place and have purchased a new Samsung. Much larger and so far no problems, fingers crossed. Friends and family discount was extremely good and we couldn't pass it up.

turtleattacks

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#3109009 28-Jul-2023 10:20

I would just say to avoid Samsung. We've had terrible experiences with our Samsung fridge and their rubbish customer care.

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cddt

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#3109011 28-Jul-2023 10:22

jonathan18:

Just checked Consumer ratings; for 'extra large' fridges (over 526l), the recommended models are from (in order): LG, LG, LG, LG, Mitsi, Electrolux; also, here is their reliability survey:

Now you've got me worried! A man can't win.

cddt

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#3109013 28-Jul-2023 10:23

turtleattacks:

I would just say to avoid Samsung. We've had terrible experiences with our Samsung fridge and their rubbish customer care.

Any specific problems you have had which I need to watch out for?

turtleattacks

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#3109016 28-Jul-2023 10:25

cddt:

turtleattacks:

I would just say to avoid Samsung. We've had terrible experiences with our Samsung fridge and their rubbish customer care.

Any specific problems you have had which I need to watch out for?

The quality of the plastics is terrible and prone to crack. https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=48&topicid=289748

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jonathan18

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#3109018 28-Jul-2023 10:26

cddt:

Now you've got me worried! A man can't win.

I'm in the same boat, though; while our fridge/freezer is LG, our upright freezer is Samsung; we've had it about four years and luckily it's not had any problems (other than some dodgy drawer runners). That said, based on anecdata and actual data I'd not be buying a Samsung again, for sure, not when there are other brands that don't have their reliability problems and can also be really well-priced (the LG was a bargain compared to other options at the time).

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