Buying guide for best Kenmore refrigerators
Every kitchen appliance, no matter how big or small, should cater to your lifestyle so that the time you spend preparing and cooking food is efficient and enjoyable. It certainly shouldn’t be arduous. The right refrigerator can be a boon to your home: it keeps the food you enjoy fresher longer, provides maximum storage for larger products, and works to save electricity in the process. Kenmore offers a wide array of refrigerators to suit all your kitchen needs.
A trusted name in household appliances for over 100 years, Kenmore makes refrigerators in a variety of sizes and door configurations, with specialty features designed to save you time, money, and energy.
Whether you’re shopping and cooking for just yourself or for a large family, there is a Kenmore refrigerator for your kitchen. We’re here to guide you through the options that Kenmore offers and point out a few of our favorites.
Key considerations
Size
Capacity: Refrigerator capacity is measured in cubic feet, and this is the measurement you’ll see most often in advertisements. A refrigerator with about 24 cubic feet is recommended for a family of four.
- Smaller refrigerators have around 15 cubic feet.
- Average refrigerators have between 18 and 21 cubic feet.
- Large refrigerators have 24 to 33 cubic feet.
Exterior: The length, height, and depth of the appliance are important when fitting a fridge into your kitchen. When measuring the space for the unit, add a couple of inches on the sides and back to allow for proper ventilation. Also, check that the door can open at least 90° or else you may not be able to pull out the bins and drawers.
Style
French door: Among the most popular refrigerator types is the French door, with two vertical doors that open in the middle, each with several shelves. This style also features a bottom freezer that can open like a drawer or with French doors like the refrigerator section. Some models include a refrigerated drawer as well, located between the main refrigerator compartment and the freezer. In addition to its striking appearance, this style saves energy by only exposing a portion of the fridge when a door is open. French door refrigerators tend to come in larger sizes, but medium units are available as well.
Side-by-side: In this style, the freezer and the refrigerator are next to each other, with doors opening vertically like French doors. The refrigerator, on the right, takes up more than half of the unit. Side-by-side refrigerators have convenient water dispensers in the door, but the narrower shape of the interior means that some large or wide items may not fit. These refrigerators come in medium to large sizes.
Top freezer: As the name suggests, this refrigerator has the freezer at the top of the unit. The freezer and fridge both open on the same side. These units are mainly offered in small to medium sizes.
Bottom freezer: These refrigerators have a freezer on the bottom that opens horizontally like a drawer. The fridge portion is similar to that of units with the freezer on top. Consider what items you need to store in the freezer to determine which design is better for you. A drawer may be better for long-term storage.
Compact: Kenmore also offers a selection of compact refrigerators that are about 4 to 5 cubic feet in size. These have bins and shelves, but they lack advanced or specialty features. A compact fridge is particularly useful for storing beverages or adding extra refrigerator space in another room, such as a TV room or game room.
Always store meats and other items that might leak in a separate bin or container to prevent spills and contamination.
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Features
Smart technology
With the Kenmore Smart app and Alexa, you can control the temperature of your fridge and freezer, check the water filter quality, and get alerts when the door is open. This technology is available on specific French door refrigerators in the Kenmore Elite line.
CleanFlow air filter
This trademark of Kenmore circulates the air inside the refrigerator through a charcoal filter to keep the air fresh and eliminate odors. You’ll find this feature on select French door and side-by-side models.
AirTight crisper
Another innovation by Kenmore focuses on keeping fruits and vegetables fresher longer. The AirTight crisper protects items that need to stay moist, such as leafy greens. This feature is available on certain French door models.
GeniusCool technology
One more Kenmore trademark makes controlling the interior temperatures easy and intuitive. Both the freezer and fridge can be set at optimal temperature and humidity levels. GeniusCool produces separate cooling areas by using a linear compressor and dual evaporators.
SlideAway shelves
SlideAway glass shelves can be shifted toward the back of the fridge to create space for taller items, which is far more convenient than removing a shelf entirely.
PreView Grab N’ Go door
Some Kenmore refrigerators have a tinted-glass window in the door that allows you to see inside without opening the fridge. This convenient feature saves energy by maintaining the temperature inside the fridge.
Water and ice
Some side-by-side models come with a convenient water and ice dispenser in the door, and some of these give you options for ice cubes or shards. A water filtration system eliminates 99.9% of contaminants from the water.
Some Kenmore refrigerators have an ice maker inside the fridge, with or without a dispenser in the door, that regularly produces cubes. Ice production slows if you haven’t used any in a while.
Color
While there are only a few options when it comes to Kenmore fridges, it’s worthwhile to consider how the appliance will fit in with the rest of your kitchen décor. White and stainless steel are popular options. Kenmore offers black stainless steel on newer models that have more features.
Accessories
Magnetic spice rack: Talented Kitchen Magnetic Spice Tins
Maximize the space in your kitchen cabinets by using the magnetic surface of your fridge to hold spices. These lightweight tins by Talented Kitchen seal tightly to keep spices fresh.
Food storage containers: Utopia Plastic Storage Bins
The best way to keep your fridge clean and organized is with food storage bins. This 80-piece set from Utopia is inexpensive, BPA-free, and includes a variety of sizes.
DID YOU KNOW?
Proper food storage is the key to a clean fridge and keeping food fresh. Learn what foods should be sealed, which require high or low humidity, and what temperatures are ideal.
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Kenmore refrigerator prices
Inexpensive: For under $750, you can find small to medium top freezer units from Kenmore. Smaller bottom freezer and side-by-side styles may be available at this price, but not French door refrigerators.
Mid-range: Most Kenmore refrigerators cost between $750 and $1,500. These include top freezer, bottom freezer, side-by-side, and French door models in small, medium, and large sizes.
Expensive: You’ll spend over $1,500 for large Kenmore fridges, including French door styles. These include many new and innovative features.
Tips
- Measure your doorways and stairwells. You want to make sure that your new refrigerator will fit into your house and kitchen. Also clear a path from the outside to the kitchen.
- Don’t overfill the fridge. Filling your refrigerator too full decreases the airflow and increases the chances that odors will form and food will go bad. Use the space efficiently and avoid overcrowding.
- Clean your fridge regularly. The best way to keep food and the refrigerated air fresh is to regularly clean and organize your fridge.
- Don’t store perishables like milk on a door shelf. Doors aren’t as cold. Anything you store in the door won’t get as cool as those items stored deeper in the fridge. If you must store perishables in the door, add an icepack.
Crispers allow you to control the airflow and regulate the humidity to keep fruits and vegetables fresher longer.
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Other products we considered
Kenmore makes many refrigerators, and we found a few more you might like. For those looking for a little additional space for refrigerated items in a room other than the kitchen, check out this Kenmore 99083 Compact Refrigerator. This fridge has 4.4 cubic feet, crisper drawers, and door storage to keep food and drinks cool, all at a low price. We also recommend this Kenmore 99098 Mini Refrigerator, also with 4.4 cubic feet of space. The mint green will add some retro style to your kitchen or game room. Last, check out the Kenmore Elite 79029 Bottom Freezer Refrigerator in black. It has 22.1 cubic feet and features improved airflow and humidity-controlled crispers.
FAQ
Q. How do I clean my fridge?
A. Kenmore refrigerators are easy to clean and maintain. Every few months, remove all the contents and soak and wash the drawers, bins, and shelves in a mixture of 2 tablespoons of baking soda and a quart of warm water. Use a warm cloth and the same solution to wipe the interior of the fridge. Add a bit of lemon juice to the solution and give the interior a final wipe to freshen the air inside the fridge.
Q. How often should I replace the water filter?
A. If your Kenmore fridge has an ice maker or water dispenser, it includes a water filter. The filter should be replaced roughly twice a year. Most models indicate when the filter needs to be replaced. Water filters can be purchased online and installed relatively easily.
Q. What size fridge do I need for my family?
A. Kenmore recommends allocating between 4 and 6 cubic feet of space per person, which means 16 to 24 cubic feet for a family of four, while a family of six may need a refrigerator with 24 to 33 cubic feet. This formula doesn’t really apply to two people, who may not want to get a refrigerator that’s smaller than 14 cubic feet. Think about how much food you regularly buy, cook, store, and eat at home to determine the right size. It’s better to err on the larger side to keep food fresh and minimize odors.
