Some tricks to help you find your way among all those fridge sizes

There's a good reason why the refrigerator takes up such an important place in the Canadian kitchen. When it’s well-stocked, this appliance contains a thousand promises of delights and good times yet to come. But knowing how to choose the proper refrigerator can sometimes be a sizeable problem.

It’s time to buy a new fridge, but there are so many different fridge sizes on the market that knowing which one to choose can be rather puzzling. Of course, a furniture and appliance store associate will be able to help you determine your needs. Along with his or her help, here is some advice that will give you the knowledge to make an informed decision.

To make the best choice from among the multiple fridge sizes on the market, first you need to consider the following factors.

• The available space in your kitchen. Of course, before you begin your quest, you’ll have to measure the height, width, and depth of the space intended for the new fridge. You don’t want to go through all the bother only to realize that the one you’ve had delivered is too big.

• The cupboards. If you’re thinking about installing kitchen cabinets above your fridge, choose a standard-sized refrigerator. Keep in mind that pre-fabricated kitchen cabinets often come in limited sizes.

• Doorways. The new fridge won’t magically appear in the kitchen. Measure every doorway through which it will be passing if you want to avoid nasty surprises at the time of delivery.

Before going fridge shopping, there are several other space requirements to keep in mind. For example, a single person won’t need the same size refrigerator as a family with four children. How often you shop for food and prepare home cooked meals should also be determining factors.

Also, plan to buy a fridge with a freezer section that’s large enough for all the frozen food you buy. The main factor is to find a fridge that matches your appetite in size.

Volume is very important; it may be annoying to have an appliance that’s too small, but too large an appliance will cost unnecessary energy. Generally speaking, you should calculate for a basic storage space of 100 litres and add 50 litres per additional person. For the freezer, you’ll need approximately 50 litres per person in storage volume.

At the end of the day, the available space in your kitchen and the number of people in the household are the main criteria in selecting a suitable model from all the fridge sizes available. Whether it’s a side-by-side, a built-in, or one with the freezer on top or on bottom, each has its advantages and its inconveniences.

The appliance store is where you’ll find out which model best satisfies your weekly grocery reserves and fits in with your home decor. Grab your measuring tape, and 3-2-1, go!