Refrigerators

[Lamar Mundane]

My 14 year old fridge is making some ominous noises. It has made noise for a while now but this is new and it doesn't sound good. It might be time to get a new one.

I'm not going to spend 4 grand on a Sub-Zero, so save that suggestion, but I'd like so sugestions. I like the look of the side-by-side models, but what is their inherant advantage? They occupy the same space, so what makes them better? I would like to get one with an ice and water dispenser in the door. I'm willing to spend up to $1000 or thereabouts if it is worth it.

Any help?

[Chefguy]

Here's (http://www.consumersearch.com/www/kitchen/refrigerator-reviews/fastanswers.html?source=adwords) one site that rates Kenmore as two of the top units. Also, check this site (http://products.consumerguide.com/reviews/category.epub?sectionId=12) and click on the appropriate link.

[belladonna]

Side by sides are not a good choice if you keep your fridge full, IMO.
If you're the type to have a carton of eggs and a hunk of cheese and not much else they'd probably be great, But the shelves are just so narrow that stacking is unavoidable, and once there's more than a few things in there they quickly become lost in the clutter.

[Zebra]

Pull the fridge out and take a vaccum cleaner with a hose and remove the dirt on the coils.

That may stop the bad noises.

[Dewey Finn]

Go to Home Depot, Lowe's or Sears and take a look at the refrigerators. You can open up the side-by-side models and others to see the amount of interior space. Also look at the freezer on top and freezer on the bottom models (some have a freezer drawer on the bottom). There are a couple of side-by-side models where the doors are not straight, but have a wider part and a narrower part for both the refrigerator and freezer.

And icemakers and water dispensers are ubiqutious; it's hard to find a model without them.