Dual evaporators are better than one.
Written: Jun 12 '07 (Updated Jun 13 '07)
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Pros: Attractive design. Very quiet. Great cooling performance. Good value.
Cons: Limited shelving adjustability. Small freezer compartment.
The Bottom Line: If you are looking for a bottom-mount refrigerator you won't find a better value.
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| mobius8's Full Review: Samsung RB215LASH (20.5 cu. ft.) Bottom Freezer Re... |
Purchase date: OCTOBER 2006
Review date: JUNE 2007
Model purchased: RB215LASH "Platinum" Stainless look
Note: RB215LA is the model, SH is the color.
So if you wanted this unit in black it would be RB215LABP
Purchased at: Lowe's Home Improvement
After changing my range, and then dishwasher from Almond to Stainless, my refrigerator was next on the list.
I was replacing an old Whirlpool that was still working fine, I just wanted to change colors.
My kitchen had a limited opening for the refrigerator, so a Side-By-Side wasn't really an option. Plus I just don't much care for the limited storage width in a Side-By-Side. So I considered top-mount (freezer on top), and bottom-mount (freezer on the bottom). I really liked the bottom-design due to the obvious fact that you use the refrigerator section more frequently than the freezer.
Most of the bottom-mounts that I liked were a bit out of my budget. Then I found the SAMSUNG, and it was an easy choice.
First, it fit in my opening! (30.3"W x 68.9"H)
Second, it was a great value at just under $1,000
Third, it has a very nice appearance
Now, here are a few good things about this refrigerator.
-Dual Evaporators
Independent cooling for the freezer and refrigerator compartments means more optimal humidity conditions for both areas. And no air or odor transfer. If you put fish in the fridge you don't get fishy ice. If you slam the fridge door it won't force air into the freezer and make it pop open.
-Electronic Temperature Controls
Easy to set to the ideal temperature with ACTUAL temperature settings. That means if you want your refrigerator at 38 degrees then you set it at 38 degrees. You don't set it at number 4 and hope that the number four setting is around where you want the temperature to be, which is how most refrigerators are.
The controls are located on the front of the refrigerator and do not take up any storage space inside the unit. They provide an interesting design focal point that most refrigerators don't have. You either like it or you don't. I like it.
The control board has 6 buttons.
Super Cool - Quickly cools your refrigeration compartment.
Super Freeze - Quickly cools your freezer compartment
Refrigerator Temp - Press to adjust temp
Freezer Temp - Press to adjust temp
Ice Off - Press to turn icemaker off/on
Child Lock - Prevent unwanted/accidental changes to controls
-Door Alarm
I haven't seen this feature advertised anywhere, but it's a nice feature. If you accidentally leave the door open, it beeps to remind you to close it. Simple feature, but nice.
-QUIET!
I was blown away with how quiet these refrigerators are. You have to be actively listening to try and identify when the compressor cuts on.
-Freezer Light
Seems like a simple feature. But take a look. A lot of refrigerators don't have one.
-Attractive Appearance
Available in a glossy black or the stainless-look "Platinum" that I chose. It matches well with my other appliances that are real stainless. But I don't have to clean any fingerprints off. It also has color matched sides. So the sides are silver in color, not black like most models with a stainless or stainless-look on the front.
Also, I like the integrated handle design.
I have a range with a stainless handle and I didn't want a refrigerator with a black plastic handle as most have, it just would not have looked right. There are some refrigerators with stainless handles, but they are usually kinda pricey.
-Easy To Clean
Shelving is spill-proof, meaning the edge of the shelf is sealed as to reduce/prevent liquid spills from escaping the shelf and dripping onto lower shelves.
The fridge compartment has rounded corners at the bottom which means no little crevices to have to figure out how to clean. Everything wipes up easy.
Again, the door bins are removable for cleaning. As is the ice storage bin.
-Factory Installed Icemaker
Icemaker can be switched off from the front mounted control board. The ice storage bin is large and should be ample for most families.
And here are a few bad things about the refrigerator.
-Limited Shelving Adjustability
The shelving in the refrigerator compartment is full-width and supported by small ledges on the side of the refrigerator walls. There are only a couple of options for the placement of these shelves. Compared to other units that offer rear-supported cantilever style shelves you don't have as much flexibility.
Same with the door bins. Some models offer door bins that are adjustable. This unit has fixed door storage.
There is a top shelf with one elevation option & a snack drawer attached to the bottom
There is a middle shelf with three elevation options.
There is a bottom shelf which also serves as the top of the 2 humidity controlled crisper drawers.
There are a total of six door storage bins.
They are all removable for cleaning, but their elevation is not adjustable.
-Small Freezer Compartment
If you buy a lot of frozen foods and don't have a secondary storage place for them then the freezer compartment may not be enough for you. Particularly if you purchase frozen pizzas. It will easily hold a few dozen microwave dinners, which is pretty much all i need. The large frozen pizza boxes just don't fit. Not a big deal for me, when I get pizza it's always delivery.
The freezer has a side swing door which opens to reveal 2 slide-out baskets for food storage. These are not on rollers but simply rest on a support that is integrated into the freezer side wall. (((correction, there are rollers on the freezer drawers)))The ice storage bin slides out and is on rollers. Or you have a clear plastic door that you can lift up to access your ice.
-Reversible Doors
Yes, they are reversible. They are just the most difficult to reverse of any doors I have ever seen. And I have reversed many refrigerator doors.
But heck, you only have to do it once.
In conclusion.
I think this is a very good refrigerator for the money.
I am very pleased with my purchase as it fits my needs perfectly, but review the points that I mentioned to make sure it will fit your needs.
Given the opportunity I would purchase this, or another Samsung refrigerator again without hesitation.
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-Some Specs
Overall Storage: 20.5 Cu. Ft.
Refrigeration Storage: 14 Cu. Ft.
Freezer Storage: 6.5 Cu. Ft.
Energy Star: NO
Energy Usage: 559kwh/yr (approx $46/yr)
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 998.00
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Epinions.com ID:
mobius8
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Location: Georgia, USA
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Me buy stuff. Me review. You buy...or not.
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