Pros: Overall design, easy opening freezer drawer, excellent use of space, interior lighting.
Cons: Ice maker would probably be inadequate for larger families. Dispenser takes some getting used to.
The Bottom Line:
We love the unit, although large families might find the ice maker inadequate. Kids could have difficulty with dispenser. In summary, it's a terrific fridge for us.
We're husband and wife, who occasionally entertain, and are visited regularly by children and grandchildren.
My last refrigerator purchase was in 2003, for a rental unit ... piece of cake. It took all of ten minutes ... but I did notice a sign of things to come. Electronics manufacturers were getting into the appliance business! I couldn't fathom the connection at first (when I open my fridge door, will my computer automatically boot up?), but after a while, it did make a bit of sense. Cars are hi-tech machines, although their intended purpose remains the same ... so why not refrigerators? If it cools, feeezes, makes ice, and dispenses water more efficiently (and while looking as if it belongs on the Starship Enterprise), they may have something there.
Having grown tired of virtually emptying our side-by-side's freezer compartment when looking for something (and one shelf at a time ... at our ages, who can remember where we put anything) we began our quest for a replacement, while clearing a space in the garage for the old-timer (the fridge, not either of us). We had just investigated computers and automobiles, and figured that our choice of refrigerator would be relatively easy ... yeah, right! We visited the big-box and department stores, and must have opened and closed over 100 doors. Further confusing was the fact that only a handful of manufacturers make just about every brand out there. After reading so many reviews and seeing dozens of models, we concluded that we'd probably be happy with just about any of them ... it all boiled down to price.
One of our stops was a regional appliance chain's clearance center, where we spotted this refrigerator. It was there because of damage to a side (scratch ... would be hidden by our cabinets) and a small dimple on the freezer drawer (unnoticeable except from a certain angle ... and if you're not looking for it, you can't see it). After being reassured that it was a new unit under full warranty (everything inside was still wrapped) we negotiated a price of $1579 delivered ... that's about a $1000 savings! So who cares about a dimple!
We've been very pleased with its performance. It runs quietly (literally had to place my ear against it), and the interior LED lighting could probably illuminate our entire kitchen. The exterior control panel is a snap to operate and set. We love the French doors. Every bit of space is utilized, and whatever the shape of the item, it fits comfortably somewhere in there. The body of the interior is cavernous, and can be configured to accommodate just about anything. We especially like being able to lie large platters down ... very handy when entertaining. The freezer opens and closes easily in comparison with other models, and we like the fact that the top shelf is easily accesible, since it "trails along" when the door is opened. Overall, it's an excellent product.
As noted in some reviews, the ice maker isn't the quickest, and the ice falling into the container can be heard from a bit away ... but it's not an issue for us, given our lifestyle. Larger families could have a problem, and should consider the newer model RFG298, which actually has two ice makers (one in the fridge, one in the freezer). The in-door dispenser works a bit differently from most. It's at an angle, so a glass will not fit under it ... but there's method to their madness. The design allows for larger continers to be filled directly from the dispenser. The downside is that you really have to watch it. The angle can fool you, and overflowing can occur more readily ... but we got used to it in a day, and we're fine with it.
The manufacturer's service (or lack thereof) is criticized often in other reviews, and certainly would have been a consideration for us ... but our merchant is a Samsung-certified, and employs its own technicians, so we don't anticipate anything out of the ordinary. We also purchased an extended warranty through Square Trade (look them up ... they're fabulous), five years beyond the manufacturer's guarantee for $120. Given what we paid, we're still way ahead of the game.
What sold us was the price we paid ... but we're very happy with our decision, and recommend it to folks in our situation. If you're huge ice consumers, you'll probably be a little disappointed, so go for the one with the twin ice makers.
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