2022’s Top 7 Counter Depth Refrigerators

Considerations Before Purchasing the Goods

Refrigerator Types

Counter depth refrigerators protrude no farther forward than the depth of your countertops, keeping the appliance in line with the rest of your kitchen’s equipment.

Since they include broader shelves, door storage bins, and freezer drawers, French door refrigerators provide easier access to food. Since you don’t have to lean down as much as you do with a French door refrigerator, side by side refrigerators are simpler to retrieve frozen goods.

Top or bottom freezers are often smaller versions. They may be more energy efficient and take up less space in the kitchen. These freezers often do not have an ice maker or a water filter.

There are also freezerless or tiny refrigerators, which are great for adding additional cold storage to your house without taking up too much space.

A Refrigerator’s Operation

Refrigeration consists of five major components:

• the cooling agent
• a compressor to regulate refrigerant flow
• the refrigerator’s condenser coils
• a valve or expansion device
• refrigerator evaporator coils

The refrigerant in the refrigerator is compressed, and as its pressure increases, it turns into a gas, which the compressor pushes into the condenser coils on the refrigerator’s rear.

The gas in the condenser coils becomes a liquid when it comes into contact with the colder kitchen temperature outside of the coils. This high-pressure liquid passes through an expansion valve, which restricts the flow of the now-cooling liquid as it flows through the evaporator coils within the refrigerator and freezer.

This refrigerant absorbs heat within the fridge, cooling the air, and when the refrigerant evaporates to a gas, it flows back to the compressor, restarting the cycle.

Putting in a New Refrigerator

Most of us store our refrigerator in the kitchen, but even there, we need take care to keep it out of direct sunlight and away from any heat-producing equipment.

The user handbook will specify the specifics, but most refrigerators need at least an inch of room at the rear to enable air to flow. Some manufacturers may additionally specify the required space clearance around the sides and on top.

If you want to install your refrigerator in your garage or utility room, be sure to verify the appliance’s working temperature range, particularly if you live in a hotter or colder area, since not all appliances can function correctly in more severe situations.

A water filter. or water filter, it should be no more than 6 feet away from your water supply, and you may need to acquire a separate plumbing kit to connect the ice maker. If your new appliance has an ice maker,

After you get your new refrigerator, you should keep it upright for at least four hours to enable the refrigerant to settle. Consider spending part of this time unpacking it, inspecting it for cosmetic damage, and giving it a light clean down. Many have reversible doors that can be opened in either direction, so have a screwdriver handy in case you need to switch the door around.

After the refrigerator is installed and connected in, it normally takes a couple of hours to achieve the desired temperature.

Refrigerators that use less energy

Refrigerators that are energy efficient are often labeled as Energy Stars. This implies the refrigerator has been independently validated to conserve energy while maintaining functionality and features. Even if your new refrigerator does not have an Energy Star certification, the yellow and black EnergyGuide label will give you an indication of how much energy it will consume.

Disposing of the old refrigerator in the garage and purchasing a new one may reduce your home energy use and save you roughly $50 per year in energy bills while also lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Chilling leftovers before putting them in the fridge or freezer is also an excellent energy-saving practice to develop, since rising the internal temperature of the refrigerator forces the compressor to work harder to cool it down, using more energy.

Surprisingly, it takes less energy to keep a full refrigerator cold than an empty one, so you may either raise the temperature (if necessary) or load the refrigerator with bottles or drink cans to save electricity. Similarly, you may want to try stocking your empty freezer with ice packs.

Food Storage That Is Safe

• The temperature in your refrigerator should be between 37F and 40F, and the freezer should always be set at 0F. If your refrigerator does not have an in-built thermometer, you should consider purchasing one, since it serves as a reminder to change the temperature up if it is too cold and down if it is too hot.

Check the expiry dates on food in the refrigerator on a regular basis; if in doubt, throw it away!

Cooked food, as well as raw meats and fish, should always be covered in the refrigerator and kept separately. The top shelves of the refrigerator are normally ideal for uncooked items, the middle shelves for dairy, and the bottom shelves for your well-wrapped raw meats and seafood. Once opened, jellies, jams, and condiments should be stored in the refrigerator.

If you spill anything in the refrigerator or have a drop, wipe it up promptly to help decrease Listeria bacteria growth and avoid cross-contamination, particularly from raw to cooked items.

Fruit and vegetables may be placed in the bottom crisper drawers. While the temperature swings the most on the door shelves, this is acceptable for items that include natural preservatives, such as juice and sauces. Softer dairy products, such as butter, may also be stored on the door shelves.

Refrigerator Power Failure

If you notice a power outage warning, you may want to manufacture your own ice packs (water in quart bags) and store them in the refrigerator and freezer before the power goes out fully.

When the power goes out, try to remain away from the fridge and freezer to keep them cool. Check your thermometers before consuming food from possibly dangerous refrigerator storage. If the fridge is still at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or has been over 40 degrees Fahrenheit for less than two hours, the food should be safe to consume. If you are unsure how long it has been over 40 degrees Fahrenheit, do not dispose of it.

Refrigerator Service

Freezers should be defrosted on a regular basis according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

You should also verify that the drain is running smoothly and unclog it if required. Water accumulating at the bottom of the refrigerator is an indication that the drain is clogged. Refrigerator surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis using a suitable cleaner.

Many refrigerators now use charcoal filters in the air circulation systems to keep aromas at bay, but if yours does not, you may desire to buy specific refrigerator deodorizers, or a small dish of baking soda may help lessen unpleasant scents. Utilizing airtight containers for goods like garlic or blue cheese may also help keep odors at bay.

Be on the lookout for odd odors in the refrigerator, especially a whiff of ammonia, since this might indicate a refrigerant gas leak that must be addressed immediately.

Condenser coils might be more difficult to clean on a daily basis, but they do need cleaning on occasion since dirt can prevent them from performing as well. Cleaning the coils using the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner is probably the simplest method to do it at least once every six months.

Cold air escapes, causing the refrigerator to malfunction. A fast test is to close a piece of paper in the door; if you can easily take it out, it may be worth having the seals examined by an expert. While cleaning the freezer after defrosting or wiping the refrigerator, take a minute to inspect all of the seals on the doors, as any cracks in seals might enable chilly air to enter.

Why Refrigerators Need Safe Disposal 

CFC (Chlorofluorocarbon) refrigerant is often found in older refrigerators and freezers manufactured before 1995. CFCs and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are both classified as ozone-depleting chemicals, or ODSs.

ODSs are halogen-containing compounds that deplete the ozone layer in the earth’s upper atmosphere. CFCs, like other greenhouse gases (GHGs), contribute to climate change.

Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) is the refrigerant used in refrigerators and freezers manufactured after 1995. While HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer, they are still greenhouse gases.

ODSs are also found in refrigerator foam insulation in older appliances, leading to climate change and ozone depletion.

According to the Clean Air Act, CFCs and HCFCs must be collected and recycled by an EPA-certified technician.

Other risks in refrigerators include the oil in the cooling circuit, which might be polluted with ozone-depleting gases (ODS), refrigerant components containing mercury, and certain older units containing PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls).

As a result, all refrigerators should be disposed of securely and in accordance with EPA guidelines.

Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) is a non-profit organization that works with states, retailers, manufacturers, and other organizations to dispose of refrigerated appliances in the most environmentally friendly way possible. This reduces the discharge of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), greenhouse gases (GHG), and hazardous compounds including mercury, PCBs, and used oil.

RAD may be able to pick up appliances directly from your house or may collaborate with your local public works department. Some electric providers may offer a turn-in or bounty program for old refrigerators, so it’s worth investigating your best disposal choices before purchasing a new refrigerator.

Some may be resold if they are still functional after disposal, but the vast majority are recycled. Recycling recovers the refrigerant and any other risks before allowing the recycling of other components like as glass shelves and metal pieces.

Conclusion

While much has changed in the world of refrigeration since the first food was chilled over 2000 years ago, there are still certain factors we consider when purchasing a new refrigerator, such as size, design, and color. Many of us are increasingly considering energy efficiency not just to help battle climate change, but also to help reduce our energy costs.

We hope you found our review useful and that you will consider some of our suggestions when deciding on the finest counter depth refrigerator for your house and family.