# Refrigerator Died -- Need Advice Fast **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 5, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-died-need-advice-fast/595232 "2011-09-05T04:37:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-died-need-advice-fast/595232/21 "2011-09-06T12:22:57Z")
> [@hvac\_two](#): > > Hey…DINGBAT…you all are pushing way too much. I have several fluke meters that read AC, DC, Capacitance, resistance, and so on…and yes the average homeowner can get one at Sears… > > I would not assume that b/c she is a woman or a homeowner that she doesn’t know how to fix something but I rather give advise that one can use…and they are welcome to ask me for further clarification if needed. > > PS: I am sure that many here, INCLUDING WOMEN, are very technical however you and some others seem to be more apt to be a nuisance more than anything else. Tell me…why do you have to follow me around like a little child and simply start a fire everywhere you go? Do not call people names or throw personal insults around in General Questions. This is a formal warning. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-died-need-advice-fast/595232/22 "2011-09-06T13:35:37Z")
> [@hvac\_two](#): > > Hey…DINGBAT…you all are pushing way too much. I have several fluke meters that read AC, DC, Capacitance, resistance, and so on…and yes the average homeowner can get one at Sears… That’s a _multimeter_, you specified that the OP use a _voltmeter_. A voltmeter cannot read ohms. > [@](#): > > I would not assume that b/c she is a woman or a homeowner that she doesn’t know how to fix something but I rather give advise that one can use…and they are welcome to ask me for further clarification if needed. > > PS: I am sure that many here, INCLUDING WOMEN, are very technical however you and some others seem to be more apt to be a nuisance more than anything else. Tell me…why do you have to follow me around like a little child and simply start a fire everywhere you go? Who said anything about the OP being a woman? I suggested that she’s going to need better advi_c_e based on what she said on the OP. And yes, you’re right, I was following you around. But I wasn’t starting fires, I was putting them out. ETA, I see he’s banned, so, nevermind ---
**Author:** ![Zulema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/db5fbb/32.png) [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-died-need-advice-fast/595232/23 "2011-09-06T14:10:00Z")
It could possibly start working again after a one or two day warm up. If the auto defrost stopped working it could have built up ice in the interior of the walls which would cause the thermostat to think everything is cold enough and the compressor will not run. This could give you time to look for a new fridge. When measuring, if the fridge is next to a wall that sticks out farther than the depth of a cabinet watch out for a fridge that will fit in the space but has deep doors or a handle that sticks out. The corner of the door will hit the wall and prevent the door from being opened all the way, or the handle will hit the wall. I would not recommend a side by side unless you’ve already owned one and know you like them. Worst fridge we ever had. It was very annoying to use. The new french door/ bottom freezers are nice, or a wide one top door/ bottom freezer if you have a wall problem. Don’t expect your new fridge to last 20 years so adjust your spending as if it will only last 10. ---
**Author:** ![FeAudrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7feea3/32.png) [@FeAudrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FeAudrey)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2011, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-died-need-advice-fast/595232/24 "2011-09-06T23:32:16Z")
Why am I not surprised that a question about a refrigerator can generate traffic that culminates in a mod’s official warning … :smack: Anyway, yet another thanks to all posters! 🙂 I bought a Whirlpool 10 cu ft plain vanilla box with a top freezer, very like the one that just died after over twenty years of good service, via phone and internet from ABT, in Glenview – recommended by friends who have actually bought appliances there. Got a good deal – their standard free delivery and haul away/recycling, a “Labor Day” sale price ($40 off), and another $10 off that I think the salesman threw in as a consolation prize for my not qualifying for any of the other discounts, rebates, premiums for opening an account, etc. The ice and water stuff sounds nice, but the prospect of running a water line from the risers across a doorway to the refrigerator slot was a deal-breaker. It has a “humidity controlled crisper drawer”, which I don’t know what is, but sounded good for the fresh fruit and vegetables that are staples for me. Other features pretty standard, like frost-free. The manufacturers’ website has pictures of the insides of their products as well as the outside – very nice for those of us who can’t get to the showrooms in person. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![FeAudrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7feea3/32.png) [@FeAudrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FeAudrey)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2011, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-died-need-advice-fast/595232/25 "2011-09-09T01:22:57Z")
> [@Zulema](#): > > … Don’t expect your new fridge to last 20 years … Now that I have the new fridge, I can appreciate this heads-up. Yeah, not quite as solid. And lots more moving parts. The “humidity controlled crisper drawer” feature turns out to be a little sliding vent that allows you to seal or unseal the vegetable compartment. The new box is about the same exterior size size, but with a smaller total capacity, nearly all of it out of the refrigerator compartment (freezer nearly the same size, which is good). The awkward thing is that the need to leave space around the air vents in both refrigerator and freezer compartments cuts down on the amount of usable space. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2011, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-died-need-advice-fast/595232/26 "2011-09-09T01:31:03Z")
Good one on going with Abt - I ended up using them to buy a large refrigerator-only unit (to use as a medication fridge) for my department in the medical center I work in here in Chicago. I asked around about where you get a regular fridge, not a high-end precise lab-quality unit, and was finally told to just check prices at Abt and order from there. Oh, and get a brush to clean out those coils now and then, to knock down the dust buildup. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2011, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-died-need-advice-fast/595232/27 "2011-09-09T04:25:07Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > That’s a _multimeter_, you specified that the OP use a _voltmeter_. A voltmeter cannot read ohms. > Who said anything about the OP being a woman? I suggested that she’s going to need better advi_c_e based on what she said on the OP. > And yes, you’re right, I was following you around. But I wasn’t starting fires, I was putting them out. > > ETA, I see he’s banned, so, nevermind I just wanted to say that the exchange between you and the dear departed in this thread is comedy GOLD. “Unplug the fridge and take volt readings” Gee, every singe reading that I take I get the same voltage. All the readings are zero. Is that bad? Does that mean I need a new fridge? 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refrigerator-died-need-advice-fast/595232.md?page=1)