apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Also, clean the gaskets around the doors. Grime there can reduce the efficiency of the seal as well.

That's the frig I'd LOVE to have !!

I got a bottom freezer fridge this year (replacing a worn out old clunker with a nice new Energy Star rated model). I love having the regular fridge at eye level and the freezer in a drawer. It rocks!

I rent and I've found that the gaskets to the fridge are worn - What can I do to get the landlord to help me fix/replace them? They don't care about electrical usage, etc...

Cook's Illustrated has an article about the temperature variations within the refrigeration compartment, it's very interesting.

The meat compartment is the coolest portion of the fridge, perfect for, you guessed it, meat.

The middle shelf on the door and the front of the bottom cabinet shelf are the warmest spots, so not so good for storing easily spoiled things like milk and eggs.

Having a lower drawer unit freezer as opposed to a swing-open door is also more efficient. Cold air sinks, so there is no where for it to "fall to" when a drawer is pulled open. However, the warm air above and around it will still heat it up.

Just a note on the fourth suggestion--it's absolutely important that the temperature remains at 40 degrees or below, otherwise food can start to harbor disease-causing bacteria.

I have this fridge, it's a Liebherr fridge, and we absolutely LOVE it, the energy efficiency is definitely a bonus!

When I look at that fridge I see my fridge--hinged opposite.

Thanks for the reminder to vacuum the coils!

which liebherr is it and where did you get it? i'm having a hell of a time finding this one in the NYC area (plus i want it in black, which i'm thinking might be impossible). sigh.

i know Liebherr is top of the line, but we purchased a Summit commercial fridge - CP171B - in black, and its amazing. There is actually nothing commercial about it, and its compact size works amazingly in our small city kitchen. its dimensions are 24"w x 24"d (counter depth) x 79.5"h, the extra height does not make it inconvenient, i also find it wonderful to have regular food at eye level rather than frozen food, and we've noticed a drop in our electricity bills! plus, it's a LOT cheaper than Liebherr.

To fill up your fridge: chill lots of water. Or beer.

On the suggestion to put an appliance thermometer in a glass of water and then stick it in the freezer--someone correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't the lowest temp reading for the thermometer by around 32 degrees, as the ice freezes around it and keeps it from getting any colder?

I want a (small) vintage fridge. Are those at-all energy efficient? I have heard from some that they are, and from others that they are energy leeches.

@Shawn: Water *turns* to ice at 32 degrees F, but ice can most definitely keep getting colder than that...

@SydneyBristow,

Smeg has vintage fridge replicas which come in a million different colors.

http://www.coolhunting.com/archives/2007/08/smeg_fab28_refr.php

They will for sure be energy efficient.

Aimi, yes of course it does. But it does so slowly. Overnight? It seems like you'd get an inaccurate reading by placing the thermometer in water, because the ice is going to cool much more slowly than the surrounding air. So shouldn't you just place the appliance thermometer directly in the freezer?

edgertor,
Fagor makes a black refrigerator. It's a beauty.
It is tall and narrow with freezer on the bottom.
Go to there website www.fagor.com

my fridge is, like, 30 years old. no joke. i do not like it.

i got a Haier compact refrigerator/freezer. i think it's 4.6 cubic feet. it's fantastic! i have new shelf space now since it only goes up to my waist. and it stores all the food i need.

downsizing is great for the environment and the space in your probably already-too-small kitchen.

if you're wondering if a compact refrigerator is the right size for you (for space or storage/lifestyle reasons), place your regular amount of food in just half of your normal-sized refrigerator. if all fits well, downsize!

HI Art, Those SMEGS look pretty cool, but I'm sure they will be pricey.