Today's refrigerators offer a wide range of advanced (and just plain practical) features designed to accommodate very specific food-storage needs. Carefully review what's available and determine what's most important to you before beginning your search for the perfect fridge for your family.
INTERIOR FEATURES
Shelving and storage options:
Sliding shelves make it easier to place and retrieve foods in the back of the fridge. Removable, adjustable, foldable or retractable shelving offers enhanced flexibility to hold a wide variety of different items.
Spill-proof glass shelves have raised edges that help contain accidental spills for easier cleanup. They also improve visibility, making it easier to find hidden items.
Gallon or gallon-plus door bins provide plenty of room for large containers. Bins can often be repositioned vertically to customize door storage, and some slide in and out for easy access.
A full-width deli tray lets you store large platters of meats, cheeses and hors d'oeuvres.
Built-in beverage holders keep bottles and cans organized and easily accessible. Dedicated wine racks are also available as an internal feature.
Chill and climate-control options:
Built-in automatic ice makers eliminate the need to refill and store plastic ice trays. Door-mounted icemakers preserve more space in the freezer for food storage.
Multizone cooling systems provide discrete control over temperature and humidity to keep particular foods (like dairy, meats, fruits and vegetables) as fresh as possible. Certain models feature entirely separate cooling systems for the refrigerator and freezer compartments, preventing airflow between them for reduced odor-sharing.
Sensor-based temperature- and humidity-regulation systems keep refrigerators efficiently functioning at optimal temperatures to keep food fresher while limiting energy usage.
Quick-cooling compartments provide a dedicated area that's colder than the rest of the fridge (or freezer) to quickly chill or freeze your party favors when time is of the essence.
Other internal features:
LED lighting is more energy-efficient than traditional lighting. It also improves overall visibility in the refrigerator and lends the interior an elegant glow.
Antibacterial coatings on interior surfaces help to retard mold growth and keep your fridge fresh.
Internal deodorizer compartments replace that ubiquitous box of baking soda to keep your refrigerator smelling fresh and clean.
EXTERNAL FEATURES
Child locks prevent little ones from raiding the fridge without your permission and provide an extra measure of safety for peace of mind.
Temperature/door alarms alert you when the door has been left open for more than a few minutes.
Filtered ice & water dispensers provide easy access to clean, fresh water and ice — and because you don't need to open the freezer, they also save energy. Various options are available, including ice in selectable shapes, a fast-fill feature for larger containers, receptacles that can accommodate extra-tall vessels, and locks to prevent curious children from making a wet mess.
Filter-change indicators let you know when it's time to replace the water filter — before the water and ice get stale.
Refreshment center compartments and drawers permit convenient access to high-demand snack foods and beverages via a smaller, inset door or dedicated external drawer in the main refrigerator compartment. They help to save energy by limiting the amount of cold air that escapes in the pursuit of these items.
