By Emily Medlock
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Refrigerator door install built in type
black fridge in kitchen - Via EcoNest Architecture Inc
modern home with mini fridge and standard fridge - Via Living Stone Design + Build
Side by side fridge
Different types of refrigerators
How to measure fridge
Refrigerator size types
fridge by utility closet - Via MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc
Counter Depth Vs Standard Depth Refrigerators
Standard kitchen fridge
Standard Refrigerator Sizes And Which Size Do You Need?
Standard refrigerator sizes are similar throughout kitchen households in the US. However, before you buy a new refrigerator, you will need to address a few key details. You will also need to apply the standard refrigerator dimensions to your kitchen space.
It’s not hard to determine the exact location of where you’ll fridge will be as homes are designed to accommodate refrigerators. Although there are many refrigerator styles like french door and side by side, regardless of the model, they’re easy to install.
History Of The Refrigerator
In 1899, Albert T. Marshall patented the first mechanical refrigerator. It wasn’t until 1913 that the refrigerator became a household appliance. Roughly a decade later, the first self-contained unit was released to the public, and soon, most homes had a refrigerator in their kitchen.
Freon would roll out a decade later, allowing for better cold food storage. And then in the 40s, when frozen food hit the market, the fridge became more essential.
Frozen foods combined with the advent of the ice maker, pushed demand for home refrigerators to new levels. Since the 60s, advanced technology has impacted refrigerators and fresh food storage.
And since the 80s, refrigerator sizes have increased their fresh foods storage space by almost 20 percent. Thanks to advanced technology, fridges offer energy-saving features like through-the-door ice and built-in water dispensers.
In 2021, the Whirlpool Corporation released its latest refrigerator design – the convertible chest freezer.
Counter Depth Vs Standard Depth Refrigerators
The size of your refrigerator hinges on your kitchen. It’s important that you consider counter-depth refrigerator space. Do you want your refrigerator to be flush with your counter edges or extend past them?
With your tape measure, take the dimensions of your kitchen space to determine what kind of refrigerator you can buy.
- Counter-Depth – Excluding door handles, a counter-depth refrigerator is between 24 and 30 inches. The ridges aren’t as popular, making a counter-depth refrigerator more expensive. Also, manufacturers use thicker, more expensive insulation materials on the refrigerator doors to maximize interior space.
- Standard Depth – Keep in mind that a standard depth fridge is between 30 to 36 inches. Kitchen countertops are 25 inches deep, which means that a standard depth fridge will extend past adjoining countertops by 6 inches or more.
What Is The Standard Fridge Size?
Standard and average sizes are not the same. For example, the average size of a house varies. The average house is just over 2,000 square feet. But the most common house size is around 1,500 square feet.
Refrigerator Sizes
There are different fridge sizes to accommodate living spaces of all sizes. From tiny homes to mansions and even RVs, before you buy a refrigerator you need to know if it will fit in your kitchen.
If you have a kitchen island, this will also impact the size of your refrigerator. Remember, use a tape measure and to measure your kitchen space before buying a refrigerator.
The main categories of refrigerator sizes:
Mini Fridge And Smaller
Mini-fridges are generally meant for single-person homes. This is a home or dorm with only one person using that fridge. They’re under 5 cubic feet and less than 2 feet wide. Mini-fridges are not meant for family homes. This type of fridge is good when you’re away from society. They can run on an extra power source and make for good backups during power failures.
One thing mini-fridges have that regular refrigerators don’t is an extra power button. Some models will allow you to turn them off and on.
Small Size Fridge
Small refrigerators are 24 inches high and 30 inches wide. They are somewhere between 10 and 20 cubic feet. These fridges are perfect for couples and single people who want a normal fridge.
Standard Refrigerator
A standard refrigerator is between 20 cubic feet and 25 cubic feet. They are also usually between 30 and 36 inches wide. As any medical professional would tell you, this size would be good for families of 4 or 5.
Large Fridge
A large fridge is made for businesses, homes with roommates, or large families. They are over 25 cubic feet and wider than 35 inches. They are quite large and take up a lot of space but are necessary for large families.
Compact Refrigerators
Compact refrigerators have a total volume of less than 7.75 cubic feet. They offer ample storage space for tiny homes and dorm rooms.
How To Measure For A Refrigerator
When should you replace your fridge? When should you buy your first one? After all, fridge dimensions that are 36 inches and 30 inches can be the same cubic feet but shaped differently.
Height
The height of the space you are going to put your fridge in should be measured from floor to ceiling. Size in this area isn’t a problem, but it’s good to make sure.
Width
You don’t need a lot of room here unless you are putting it against the wall. If you do, just make sure there is plenty of room for the door to open. If it’s between two cabinets, you only need an inch.
Depth
If your fridge is shallow, the door won’t open and it will be an awkward look. So make sure your fridge comes out a couple of inches further than your cabinets.
Don’t Forget The Door
We’re talking about the front door and every door you need to go through to get to the kitchen. If your fridge is wider than your front doorframe, you won’t be able to install your new fridge.
You can remove the doorframe, but this option would only provide a few extra inches. Removing the doors from the fridge would help, but again, that would only provide a few extra inches.
Making sure your fridge is narrower than your smallest door to your kitchen is a must.
Types Of Refrigerators
Your kitchen will impact your decision on your refrigerator size. A fridge is the biggest kitchen appliance in your kitchen, affecting the average kitchen size.
Bottom Freezer
Bottom freezer refrigerators offer more storage than top freezer refrigerators. The average size and refrigerator dimensions Whirlpool fridge is 29 to 32 inches in width, 67 to 70 inches tall, and 33 inches deep.
The bottom weight gives the fridge more balance and makes it easier to reach everything in the back. With bottom freezer models, the capacity is greater than standard refrigerator dimensions.
Top Freezer
Since 2000, top freezers have become the home standard. Whirlpool’s top freezer fridges are a little smaller with the refrigerator dimensions at 28 to 32 inches wide, 61 to 66 inches in height, and 28 to 34 inches.
Top freezer refrigerators are energy efficient but offer less freezer space than their bottom freezer counterparts.
Pros
- Greater storage and organization options.
- Trendier product.
- Minimizes overhead lifting.
- Fresh food compartment easy access.
- Food can be stacked in the freezer.
- Good for small spaces.
Cons
- Often more expensive upfront.
- Food traps at the bottom of the freezer.
- Freezer space hard to access.
- More expensive.
- Less variety.
Side By Side Fridge
A side-by-side refrigerators has two doors that stretch from top to bottom. The doors open away from one another. One side is a freezer, and one side is a fridge. The refrigerator dimensions are the largest range with 32 to 39 inches wide, 65 to 70 inches tall, and with a depth of 29 to 31 inches.
Inside, the fridge dimensions of a side by side are six cubic foot and nine cubic foot of freezer capacity. The refrigerators have an ice maker and external ice dispenser so you don’t have to open the fridge when you need ice. The double doors and extra freezer space can be a lifesaver. The models also offer adjustable shelves that make eye-level food storage easy to access.
There are different types to choose from, and Benton Harbor offers a few sleek designs. For example, a side-by-side stainless steel ice maker counter depth refrigerator is a popular industrial kitchen feature. Also, side by side refrigerators does not leave room for overhead cabinets.
French Door Fridges
French door refrigerators feature two fridge doors on top and a bottom freezer. The two vertical doors open fully and either side is the same. If your kitchen has an industrial look, you could go with a stainless steel model for added texture.
The standard refrigerator dimensions of a French door refrigerator are between 29 to 35 inches wide, 67 to 70 inches in height, and 29 to 34 inches in depth. The standard size you’ll find that’s most common is 35 inches wide.
With freezer drawers on the bottom, access to ice cream is easier for children. French door refrigerators also provide more breathing room for your kitchen space.
Freezer Refrigerators
You won’t find freezer refrigerators in kitchens. The refrigerators are installed in utility rooms or garages. With utility rooms, if you have a commercial grade residential dryer or front load electric dryer, do not install a freezer refrigerator next to either one of them.
Freezer refrigerators do not come in the french door style and are usually rectangular. With utility rooms, proper ventilation is required. The designs offer different freezer sections.
Top Freezer Refrigerator
A top freezer refrigerator is all about food preservation. They’re cheaper than bottom freezer fridges and use less energy, which also makes them cheaper to operate.
How Big Should Your Refrigerator Be?
The size of your refrigerator should be practical and complement your home. There are a few things that need to be considered before you choose your next fridge.
Kitchen Size
The first thing to consider is kitchen size. You want to leave yourself enough counter space but you also don’t want to lose any potential fridge space. Make sure you have at least twice the counter space to fridge space.
Family Size
family size is very important. On average, you will want five cubic feet per person that will be using the fridge. This includes children whose stuff in the fridge takes up just as much room as adults.
Most family homes will have a french door unit and a freezer in the utility room.
Type
Most French door refrigerators are 34 to 35 inches wide. The type of fridge matters because it affects the size of the unit and how you will use it. For example, a bottom freezer can be great or a hassle with kids. And french doors offer less fridge room and more freezer room.
Color And Style
Lastly, this doesn’t affect the size, but it’s just as important. You want a fridge that you won’t want to replace. Think about whether you want stainless steel, white, or a bright color in your kitchen.
When To Replace Your Fridge
Replacing appliances as needed is important. Just like replacing anything else in your home that might cause harm if left alone. There are many reasons to replace your fridge, but these are the most common.
New Addition To The Family
if you bring home twins, you’re going to need to upgrade. If you have a small fridge that’s almost too small and your parent comes to live with you, you will need an upgrade.
Food Is Spoiling
If your food is spoiling faster than it should, it’s time to replace your fridge. After all, it’s more than warm food that’s bothersome. You don’t want your family eating food that has gone bad.
Loud Buzzing
If your fridge is buzzing loudly, and won’t stop, then it’s probably going to die soon. Buy a fridge before this happens to save a lot of trouble. You can also contact an expert to have them take a look and advise you.
Older Than 10 Years
While some refrigerators last longer, it’s a good idea to buy a new one at least once a decade. Appliance are more energy-efficient than ever before, so why not buy the latest french door model from the Whirlpool Corporation or Benton Harbor?
Replace Hinge Side
If you have a sagging refrigerator door, it’s probably due to a faulty hinge. When one of your refrigerator doors begins to drop, you can fix it by replacing its door hinge.
How To Replace A Refrigerator Door Hinge
When your refrigerator door sags, the door will be harder to close. If the door does not remain sealed, the food inside will not remain fresh.
All you have to do is replace the door hinge. The only tools you need are a socket wrench and screwdriver.
Before you begin, unplug your refrigerator. If you think it will take you a long time, then remove the food and put it in a separate cold storage container.
- Pry off the hinge cap and loosen the hinge screws.
- Align the door with the top of the refrigerator.
- Adjust only the top hinge to straighten an upper door.
- To realign the lower door, adjust the middle hinge.
- Moving the middle hinge will affect the upper door, so you may have to adjust the top hinge afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
What Is The Shallowest Depth Refrigerator?
The most shallow counter depth refrigerator dimensions have depths of about 24 inches not including handles. The Whirlpool Corporation offers one model that has a depth of 28 ⅜ inches without handles.
Does A Fridge Use More Energy When Open?
Keeping the fridge door open while you decide what you want to eat may not seem like a big deal, but that open door accounts for 7 percent of the appliance’s total energy use. As any medical professional would advise, holding a fridge’s door open for a prolonged period as it could lead to spoiled food.
How Is A Refrigerator Depth Measured?
To determine refrigerator depth, measure from the wall to the edge of your countertop. The refrigerator dimensions should be roughly 24 to 25 inches deep.
Can A Single Door Refrigerator Be Frost Free?
Most newer freezers are frost free. The frost-free freezers eliminate frost by raising the temperature inside the freezer a few times a day, from about 0 degrees to 32 degrees.
What Is The Correct Temperature For A Fridge?
The ideal refrigerator temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These temperatures inhibit the growth of microorganisms like salmonella, E. coli, and listeria, which can cause foodborne illnesses
What Is The Standard Width Of A Refrigerator?
Although there are different types of fridges, standard refrigerator dimensions range from around 24 to 40 inches in width, 62 to 72 inches in height, and 29 to 36 inches in depth. French door and side by side refrigerators will be larger in width and height, though counter depth models are available in these two configurations.
Some models, like a side by side refrigerator, are vertical by design, and therefore do not require as much width space. While a french door refrigerator is almost twice as wide as its side-by-side counterpart.
What Size Fridge Do I Need For A Family Of four?
This depends on the type of refrigerator. First, you want one that offers some breathing room for your kitchen space. A family of four should consider a fridge with vertical doors, or a model with a few doors and drawers.
For reference, each adult needs 4 to 6 cubic feet of refrigerator space. Industry experts assess that a typical family of four needs at least 20 cubic feet of capacity to house a healthy amount of groceries.
Standard Refrigerator Size Conclusion
Buying a new refrigerator might seem hard, but it shouldn’t discourage you. There are many things to consider, like how much open space you have, before purchasing any type of refrigerator. Your fridge stores the food your family needs to stay alive, so you must be extra careful and cover all the bases.
Before you leave your home, browse online as you’ll find the occasional special offers on fridges. Most places offer an online order discount, so create a compare list to see which deal is the best.
Actual selling prices and the total price will differ between online and in-store models. You’ll need to measure the width of your space and surrounding cabinets before choosing a fridge from one of several depth models.
Create an account with an online merchant and set up your shopping cart. You might have to complete a required information generic form and provide a US zip code, but retailers have privacy practices in place. You’ll receive occasional special offers and other email marketing communications after registering.
And after your purchase a new fridge, an online support service is available and accessible on your mobile device. Whatever you decide, be thorough. Even if you overlooked the smallest detail, it would prevent you from receiving a new fridge.
