I have been having trouble with my Samsung 26 Cu. In. french door standard depth fridge for most of the 4 years I've owned.

It gets super cold, regardless of setting, air stops circulating, produce starts to freeze and/or mold due to condensation and things start to dehydrate after that.

I am going through a lengthy process with Samsung to get a refund under my extended warranty. Once I do, I am going to try to replace it with a similar model but a different company.

Despite all of the research I do, the ratings are deceiving. For example, while consumer reports is often helpful, they are completely upside down on refrigerators.

You can't even trust brands. Kenmore, is now using many of the LG parts that cause LGs owners problems. The 220 volt processor is a problem, for example. In other words, it is hard to buy American because many American brands aren't really using American parts any more.

I am not a tech geek, I was told all this directly by an appliance repair company. I trust them more than the internet.

Refrigerators have a way of looking very nice and then letting you down, kinda like Cal football. I was wondering if anybody has been happy with their refrigerator after owning a model like mine for at least 2 years. If so, what is the brand and model?

Thanks in advance!
If Cal beats SC, I will open that bottle of champagne that is still cold in my refrigerator!
GO BEARS!

A bit of an odd set up at my house but it was installed by previous owner who was a wannabe chef. We love it and it looks fantastic. Got to keep it organized though!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Frigidaire-Commercial-18-4-cu-ft-Food-Service-Grade-Glass-Door-Merchandiser-Refrigerator-in-Stainless-Steel-ENERGY-STAR-FCGM181RQB/205555884

Then in garage we have a freezer chest/locker

https://m.lowes.com/pd/GE-15-7-cu-ft-Chest-Freezer-with-Temperature-Alarm-White-ENERGY-STAR/1000309139?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA_ONLY-_-Appliances-_-SosFreezers-_-1000309139:GE&CAWELAID=&kpid=1000309139&CAGPSPN=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoJrfBRC0ARIsANqkS_72Iq6WWxti2x3IMLnoZBH3XOqduen0R5O3fY5bsd0BPgwPPUiGs-EaAsF0EALw_wcB

Not those exact brands but something close. Wouldn't stray from this set up in the future, it seems so much better than standard freezer/fridge we always had. And I can accept things like deer/elk meat from friends, or store large fish from trips in the chest.

I had to buy a refigerator in August after a 115-degree day destroyed my previous one.

I got this. It works fine. (The freezer has no light and there is no meat compartment, as I expected.)

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/ge-20-8-cu-ft-top-freezer-refrigerator-white/5796719.p?skuId=5796719

Refrigerators are all crap. Inhad a three year old kitchenaid with three compressor failures. Came back from Europe and all the food had rotted. Some warranty coverage. Last time had to fight wigh corporate to get something.

Was told by repairman, who didn't seem to know what he was doing, that the compressor iis too small to run both the freezer and refrigerator. All they care about is the energy rating.

Bought a Samsung as Consumer Reports rated the highest but bought an extended warranty. So far so good after about 18 months, although I do not like the mini ice cubes iit produces along with slush.

I have never liked extended warranties nut you need one regardless of what make you buy.

You could buy a sub zero which has a seperate compressor for the freezer and al 5 year warranty but be prepared to pay 5k.

Sort of like low flush toilets which need to be flushed several times

I bought a new Samsung French Door 28 CF refrigerator 6.5 years ago for out new house in Louisiana. It died completely after five years. Control board incredibly over-priced. The year before it died I had considered replacing my Kitchenaid side by side refrigerator purchased in 1999 for my San Diego house with a Samsung French Door, but didn't, so thankful I procrastinated. I also had an LED TV die, even though it was a Japanese brand, the bad LED light bar was made by Samsung. Will probably never buy another Samsung product, at least knowingly.
This last week I just installed a new dishwasher, chose a Kitchenaid model. It is a remarkable upgrade over the old GE Profile it replaced. My mother also has a Kitchenaid refrigerator of the same vintage.

Most frustrating thing for many years about Consumer Reports is that they weigh all factors equal in importance. Samsung appliances have the highest failure rate in some CR reviews, several times higher than other major competitors; yet because CR likes some of their features Samsung appliances are highly rated by CR. I remember a few years ago CR compared a domestic vehicle and a Japanese vehicle with similar failure rates. The domestic vehicle had door trim that fell off while the Japanese vehicle had transmission failures at the same defect rate. I am still waiting for the news story about the family that perished after the door trim fell off on a trip to Las Vegas; or the plucky family that drove the last 200 miles to safety after losing their transmission.

Note: Despite their high replacement price, refrigerators are not a technologically complex product like a LED TV. Most of the changes in the last 30 years are either cosmetic or downsizing compressors to run more of the time at lower energy usage. Some brands, like Samsung, do not have a service network with readily available parts and trained technicians. Without a service network, you are buying a disposable appliance; which is fine for some consumers like those who buy a new car each year, unlike me who buys a new car and keeps it for 200,000 miles or 20 years whichever comes first. Samsung, and especially LG, have bad reviews all over the internet because they do not have the infrastructure to support their products.

For me I would look at another Kitchenaid refrigerator, next choice would be a Bosch. The builder of my house installed GE Profile built-in appliances (4), of which 3 have been replaced. Yet when I upgrade my plain white GE gas cooktop (that looks like something from the Honeymooners), I will probably buy a top of the line GE gas cooktop (currently on sale); gas cooktops are pretty much differentiated by aesthetics, the technology is pretty simple. It is the only GE product I would consider as a Kitchen appliance.

oskidunker said:

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Refrigerators are all crap. Inhad a three year old kitchenaid with three compressor failures. Came back from Europe and all the food had rotted. Some warranty coverage. Last time had to fight wigh corporate to get something.

Was told by repairman, who didn't seem to know what he was doing, that the compressor iis too small to run both the freezer and refrigerator. All they care about is the energy rating.

Bought a Samsung as Consumer Reports rated the highest but bought an extended warranty. So far so good after about 18 months, although I do not like the mini ice cubes iit produces along with slush.

I have never liked extended warranties nut you need one regardless of what make you buy.

You could buy a sub zero which has a seperate compressor for the freezer and al 5 year warranty but be prepared to pay 5k.

Sort of like low flush toilets which need to be flushed several times

---

Twenty years ago almost all manufacturers reduced compressor size for energy efficiency. As a result some compressors run 80% of the time. Assume all new refrigerators need to be installed in an air conditioned space. Otherwise they will quickly fail. Unless you live in a very moderate climate. the old refrigerator in the garage can not be replaced by a new refrigerator with a smaller, compressor. For awhile Amana was still making refrigerators with stronger compressors that could function in non-air conditioned spaces, but they lost market share as a result.

FWIW I installed a new Kohler comfort height low flush (1.2 gallon) toilet four months ago in my most used bathroom. Best flushing toilet I have ever used (including older Kohlers); so far have never needed a second flush and the flush cycle is a couple of seconds; if you blink you miss it. Certainly not Archies old toilet...

offshorebear said:

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A bit of an odd set up at my house but it was installed by previous owner who was a wannabe chef. We love it and it looks fantastic. Got to keep it organized though!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Frigidaire-Commercial-18-4-cu-ft-Food-Service-Grade-Glass-Door-Merchandiser-Refrigerator-in-Stainless-Steel-ENERGY-STAR-FCGM181RQB/205555884

Then in garage we have a freezer chest/locker

https://m.lowes.com/pd/GE-15-7-cu-ft-Chest-Freezer-with-Temperature-Alarm-White-ENERGY-STAR/1000309139?cm_mmc=SCE_PLA_ONLY-_-Appliances-_-SosFreezers-_-1000309139:GE&CAWELAID=&kpid=1000309139&CAGPSPN=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoJrfBRC0ARIsANqkS_72Iq6WWxti2x3IMLnoZBH3XOqduen0R5O3fY5bsd0BPgwPPUiGs-EaAsF0EALw_wcB

Not those exact brands but something close. Wouldn't stray from this set up in the future, it seems so much better than standard freezer/fridge we always had. And I can accept things like deer/elk meat from friends, or store large fish from trips in the chest.

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We have a small house and can't do freezer separate from fridge, otherwise I would.
Honestly, we are maxed out on space, even after re-organizing several times with a professional.

Anyone have a fridge that lets you see the contents via external lcd? I always liked this because it seems so incredibly stupid. But maybe it keeps things cool for us OG Kush types that need ongoing reassurance that our Sabba Pine Nut Hummus supply is rich.

sp4149 said:

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oskidunker said:

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Refrigerators are all crap. Inhad a three year old kitchenaid with three compressor failures. Came back from Europe and all the food had rotted. Some warranty coverage. Last time had to fight wigh corporate to get something.

Was told by repairman, who didn't seem to know what he was doing, that the compressor iis too small to run both the freezer and refrigerator. All they care about is the energy rating.

Bought a Samsung as Consumer Reports rated the highest but bought an extended warranty. So far so good after about 18 months, although I do not like the mini ice cubes iit produces along with slush.

I have never liked extended warranties nut you need one regardless of what make you buy.

You could buy a sub zero which has a seperate compressor for the freezer and al 5 year warranty but be prepared to pay 5k.

Sort of like low flush toilets which need to be flushed several times

---

Twenty years ago almost all manufacturers reduced compressor size for energy efficiency. As a result some compressors run 80% of the time. Assume all new refrigerators need to be installed in an air conditioned space. Otherwise they will quickly fail. Unless you live in a very moderate climate. the old refrigerator in the garage can not be replaced by a new refrigerator with a smaller, compressor. For awhile Amana was still making refrigerators with stronger compressors that could function in non-air conditioned spaces, but they lost market share as a result.

FWIW I installed a new Kohler comfort height low flush (1.2 gallon) toilet four months ago in my most used bathroom. Best flushing toilet I have ever used (including older Kohlers); so far have never needed a second flush and the flush cycle is a couple of seconds; if you blink you miss it. Certainly not Archies old toilet...

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Thanks folks, this confirms what I have been learning and it explains my problem. It seems my problems get worse when the temperatures change. I have a thermostat but no AC. The thing is, our space is pretty cool most of the time. It seems the fridge problem gets worse when the temperature is either too cold or too hot in the house. But isn't that more of an insolation problem then a compressor problem. I need to be schooled on what a compressor does and how it relates to saving energy. Ironically I need my refrigerator to run less often, it seems. The cooling process is overworking and eventually freezes over some part inside the control panel. When they service it, they defrost it and say it's fixed, but then the problem comes back.

Now I just unplug the refrigerator overnight once in a while but the problem just comes back. I've been through this about a dozen times.

I think I'm going to try the Kitchen Aid even though some folks strongly advise against them. I really think it comes down to the luck of the draw sometimes. Getting a lemon is probably about 50% chance on fridges so I'm just going to keep trying and hope I get lucky.

KenBurnski said:

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Anyone have a fridge that lets you see the contents via external lcd? I always liked this because it seems so incredibly stupid. But maybe it keeps things cool for us OG Kush types that need ongoing reassurance that our Sabba Pine Nut Hummus supply is rich.

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I know you are making a joke, but it would be funnier if you used semantics that are understandable. For example, what is "OG Kush"?

Very good question. Here you go: https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/feminized-cannabis-seeds/149-og-kush-.html

Just tell the guy at the grow store that you are trying to grow peppers or tomatoes. They will know JUST what you need for success.

And sabarra is a brand of hummus. Hummus is a popular middle eastern dip consisting of mashed garbanzo beans and tahini. Let me know if you need help finding a recipe.

And thank you for the humor lesson. I have a strange feeling that even comedians with flawless semantics often fall below your threshold. Just a guess!

I used to work for Maytqg. At that time, it was use Maytag, Whirlpool, and Amana for laundry and refrigeration and G. E. for cooking. Whirlpool and Kitchen Aid specifically had the best dishwashers.

Maytag and Amana have always been built on reliability but, as more stuff is sourced from Asia, things change. Whirlpool/Kitchen Aid own Maytag/Jenn Air/Amana now. FYI Jenn Air made its name with downdraft Cook tops.

Good discussion

Bought new frig a few years ago and was frustrated that the quality had dropped

One thing I can suggest is having freezer in bottom drawer - so much better than on top or side

Ours has freezer in bottom drawer and what I assume are 'French doors on top

We have a sub-zero side-by-side. Works excellently, although if I had to do it over, I'd go for the one with the freezer below, since it's a more efficient use of space.

Samsung RF26HFEND: 25.5 cu-ft; french door, pull-out freezer on bottom, no in-door water or ice dispenser (less to break, we figured)
purchased Aug 2015

Had reservations about the purchase (it replaced a 20+ year old name-brand (can't remember which) that was working fine, but had some cosmetic rust and needed new seals), because there doesn't seem to be any brand/model with a reputation for durability, so I figure we're lucky if it goes 10 years.
Happy, so far. Reviewers had noted popping noises, and ours does it, too, but it's not a biggie, and there've been no functional issues with the cooler or electronics.
We've experienced two easily-replaced broken parts (cheap plastic construction):
- left-side door detente roller piece snapped, so door wouldn't stay opened (inexpensive replacement from repairclinic.com), easy fix.
- crisper slider rail broke (part provided under warranty from Samsung). Easy fix.

One weird design oddity: there's a cutout in the back of the slide-out ice bin to allow it to fit over the apparatus, and ice cubes drop out the back side and rattle down into the evap tray when we pull out the bin. Seems stupid, but doesn't cause problems.

Kitchen appliances in general are poor in quality and reliability it seems

We bought a bocsh dishwasher thinking it would be better
Mostly metal parts but still had many problems
Of worth the extra cost based on our experience

heartofthebear said:

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Thanks folks, this confirms what I have been learning and it explains my problem. It seems my problems get worse when the temperatures change. I have a thermostat but no AC. The thing is, our space is pretty cool most of the time. It seems the fridge problem gets worse when the temperature is either too cold or too hot in the house. But isn't that more of an insolation problem then a compressor problem. I need to be schooled on what a compressor does and how it relates to saving energy. Ironically I need my refrigerator to run less often, it seems. The cooling process is overworking and eventually freezes over some part inside the control panel. When they service it, they defrost it and say it's fixed, but then the problem comes back.

Now I just unplug the refrigerator overnight once in a while but the problem just comes back. I've been through this about a dozen times.

I think I'm going to try the Kitchen Aid even though some folks strongly advise against them. I really think it comes down to the luck of the draw sometimes. Getting a lemon is probably about 50% chance on fridges so I'm just going to keep trying and hope I get lucky.

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I'll try an analogy to explain modern compressor decisions in refrigerator design.

Consider designing a car that you want to go an average of 30 mph.
You can choose a motor and gear ratio that hows a maximum of 35 mph, has to be running almost all the time but it very fuel efficient.

Or you can choose a motor and gearbox than can go 90 mph, and you bring it up to speed (90 mph) and then take it out of gear and let it coast down past 30 mph and you put the car in drive and accelerate again. Much less fuel efficient.

The problem with scenario #1 is when you come to a hill and there is no more horsepower to climb the grade,
while with scenario #2 the hill is not a problem as there is plenty of horsepower available.

For a refrigerator, having an air conditioned space means that there are no hills for the compressor to climb.

To carry the analogy a little farther, cars and refrigerators both have radiators to carry away waste heat. In an air conditioned space the radiators for a refrigerator can be smaller as well (remember the coils on the back of the old fridge?) Problems arise when the space is not air conditioned and the smaller radiator cannot dispose of the waste heat and the compressor overheats, leading to failure, just like a failed car radiator leads to an overheating car engine failure..

Sansung french door refrigerators are crap. My daughter bought a new one about a year ago and it would not remain cold. The repairman said that this is a common problem with this model. There was also a class action law suit on this model..Samsung finally agreed to give her a credit, but their customer service was next to impossible to talk to. After literally hours on hold, they would hang up on you..

Check out this link. They do a real good job of laying out what you get with each brand of refrigerator, all appliances, really.

https://www.yaleappliance.com/refrigeration.aspx

My two sons and I all have the LG French door refrigerators with bottom freezers. We are all very satisfied. No maintenance problems. Good price at Costco.

Have had a Sears Kenmore for eleven years. No problems, except for the ice cube maker in the front door (didn't fix... just open door and grab cubes now). Of course, now the whole thing will go out before Xmas, lol.

My next fridge won't be a side-by-side (our freezer doesn't seem to have any room). Nor will it have the water and ice cubes in the front door (just more stuff to break, plus I needed to change the $50 filter twice a year).

HoopDreams said:

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Good discussion

Bought new frig a few years ago and was frustrated that the quality had dropped

One thing I can suggest is having freezer in bottom drawer - so much better than on top or side

Ours has freezer in bottom drawer and what I assume are 'French doors on top

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Yes, that is my preference too.

tokuno said:

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Samsung RF26HFEND: 25.5 cu-ft; french door, pull-out freezer on bottom, no in-door water or ice dispenser (less to break, we figured)
purchased Aug 2015

Had reservations about the purchase (it replaced a 20+ year old name-brand (can't remember which) that was working fine, but had some cosmetic rust and needed new seals), because there doesn't seem to be any brand/model with a reputation for durability, so I figure we're lucky if it goes 10 years.
Happy, so far. Reviewers had noted popping noises, and ours does it, too, but it's not a biggie, and there've been no functional issues with the cooler or electronics.
We've experienced two easily-replaced broken parts (cheap plastic construction):
- left-side door detente roller piece snapped, so door wouldn't stay opened (inexpensive replacement from repairclinic.com), easy fix.
- crisper slider rail broke (part provided under warranty from Samsung). Easy fix.

One weird design oddity: there's a cutout in the back of the slide-out ice bin to allow it to fit over the apparatus, and ice cubes drop out the back side and rattle down into the evap tray when we pull out the bin. Seems stupid, but doesn't cause problems.

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LOL
This is pretty much the refrigerator that is so problematic.
You got lucky, or your home has little temperature variance.

Robocheme said:

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My two sons and I all have the LG French door refrigerators with bottom freezers. We are all very satisfied. No maintenance problems. Good price at Costco.

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How long have you had them?
What models?
My current one was fine for 1 year +.
And it's possible that we didn't notice the problem until about 2 years in because we weren't on our current diet until then.

sp4149 said:

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heartofthebear said:

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Thanks folks, this confirms what I have been learning and it explains my problem. It seems my problems get worse when the temperatures change. I have a thermostat but no AC. The thing is, our space is pretty cool most of the time. It seems the fridge problem gets worse when the temperature is either too cold or too hot in the house. But isn't that more of an insolation problem then a compressor problem. I need to be schooled on what a compressor does and how it relates to saving energy. Ironically I need my refrigerator to run less often, it seems. The cooling process is overworking and eventually freezes over some part inside the control panel. When they service it, they defrost it and say it's fixed, but then the problem comes back.

Now I just unplug the refrigerator overnight once in a while but the problem just comes back. I've been through this about a dozen times.

I think I'm going to try the Kitchen Aid even though some folks strongly advise against them. I really think it comes down to the luck of the draw sometimes. Getting a lemon is probably about 50% chance on fridges so I'm just going to keep trying and hope I get lucky.

---

I'll try an analogy to explain modern compressor decisions in refrigerator design.

Consider designing a car that you want to go an average of 30 mph.
You can choose a motor and gear ratio that hows a maximum of 35 mph, has to be running almost all the time but it very fuel efficient.

Or you can choose a motor and gearbox than can go 90 mph, and you bring it up to speed (90 mph) and then take it out of gear and let it coast down past 30 mph and you put the car in drive and accelerate again. Much less fuel efficient.

The problem with scenario #1 is when you come to a hill and there is no more horsepower to climb the grade,
while with scenario #2 the hill is not a problem as there is plenty of horsepower available.

For a refrigerator, having an air conditioned space means that there are no hills for the compressor to climb.

To carry the analogy a little farther, cars and refrigerators both have radiators to carry away waste heat. In an air conditioned space the radiators for a refrigerator can be smaller as well (remember the coils on the back of the old fridge?) Problems arise when the space is not air conditioned and the smaller radiator cannot dispose of the waste heat and the compressor overheats, leading to failure, just like a failed car radiator leads to an overheating car engine failure..

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Thanks for the explanation. Ironically, my place is plenty cool, except some days in the summer. But even more ironic is that my system isn't getting warm enough and parts freeze over, cutting off air circulation. I'm not sure that is a compressor problem but it wouldn't surprise me.

Neither are ironic, semantics boy.