Features To Look For In a New Refrigerator

Thinking about upgrading to a new refrigerator? With all of the new energy-efficient models available, there’s no better time than now to purchase one. However, energy efficiency isn’t the only factor that should influence your purchasing decision. When shopping for a new refrigerator, keep your eyes peeled for the following features.

Humidity-Controlled Crisper Drawer

If you frequently store fresh veggies and/or fruit in your refrigerator, you should invest in a model with a humidity-controlled crisper drawer. As the name suggests, this area has a separate humidity control system – usually low and high. High humidity is preferred for spinach, romaine lettuce, basil, parsley and other leafy greens, as it will prevent them from wilting. Low humidity is preferred for fruits, oranges, peppers and other produce with short shelf lives.

Automatic Defrosting

Refrigerators with this feature regularly defrost the evaporator coils in the refrigerator and freezer. This is done by using a heating element to warm the evaporators, at which point a pan collects the water. The purpose of automatic defrosting is to eliminate stubborn frost buildup of foods, which subsequently makes food packaging easier to read, improves temperature management, and reduces foul odors.

Water and Ice Dispensers

Water and ice dispensers first appeared in refrigerators during the 1970s. Since that time, they’ve become a highly sought after feature by consumers. By implementing an ice maker directly into the refrigerator, it eliminates the need to manually make ice using trays. Water dispensers are also helpful since they are typically used in conjunction with filters.

Adjustable Shelves

Foods and beverages come in all different shapes and sizes. To make the best use of your refrigerator’s available space, it’s recommended that you adjust the shelves appropriately. Most modern-day refrigerators have fully adjustable shelves that can be pulled out and moved to various heights. Make sure any new refrigerator you purchase offers this feature; otherwise, you’ll be stuck with foods and beverages that don’t fit.

A side benefit associated with adjustable shelves is their ease of cleaning. Depending on the size, you may be able to toss them in your dishwasher to remove any dirt, grime or mildew.

Rapid Freeze

One of the newer features introduced to consumer-grade refrigerators is fast freeze. This feature rapidly cools foods and beverages stored in the freezer by running the compressor for a certain length of time. Rapid freeze is particularly helpful when placing meats inside the freezer.