- Twin Cooling Plus System with Surround Air Flow
- Power Freeze and Power Cool
- Cool Select Pantry and Cool Tight Doors
- External Digital Display and Control
- Energy Star Certified
...since this replaced a 17+ year old General Electric unit that hasn't missed a beat since day one (and continues to serve in the garage). So the bar is set high for long-term reliability: it needs to meet the "zero service calls in 17 years" standard to compete with the unit it replaced!
Pros:
-Appearance: sleek stainless front (non-magnetic...this will cut down on some of our visual kitchen clutter!) and grey sides. The stainless will show fingerprints, so be aware if kids are frequent users.
-French (dual) door refrigerator area. Doors can be opened separately if you know what side your stuff is on.
-Two produce drawers with independently adjustable humidity controls.
-Full width "pantry drawer" with separately adjustable temperature control. Accommodates a deli tray, a pizza box (a Domino's large box fits easily) or whatever.
-Left door exterior has an ice maker (cubed or crushed) and chilled water dispenser.
-Quiet operation.
-Easy to use LED control panel for ice, water and temperature options; also provides notification of water filter status.
-Good volume (23 cubic feet) in a smaller "counter depth" footprint (although it still extends approximately 3" beyond our the edge of our counters).
Cons:
Please note that these aren't inherently issues with *this* refrigerator, but things to consider if your kitchen is smaller or house is older.
-Water line access. Our old refrigerator did not have an ice maker, so the ease (or *not*) of running a water line to it was not an issue. It became one when it came time to prepare the kitchen for the arrival of this unit. Our cabinetry did not allow easy access from the kitchen sink supply, and access in the basement was restricted by finishing work completed several years ago. If you don't already have an established relationship with a reliable plumber: you'll want to get one! You'll also want to add something extra to your budget if yours is going to placed where there isn't already a water line.
-Height: although this is "counter depth", it is a very tall machine. It's 67 7/8" overall (for the hinge enclosures) and 69 1/8" from the hinge enclosures to the rear of the machine. This did NOT provide clearance under our existing cabinets, so the installer had to remove the cabinet and trim the bottom. As with our old refrigerator, the two-door cabinet directly overhead is essentially lost for use. In addition, the hinge enclosures on this extend more than six inches back...even though there is clearance under the cabinet, there is not enough room for the cabinet doors to clear the hinges. Similarly, between the overhang of the cabinet and the extent of the hinge enclosures: forget about putting anything on top of this refrigerator if its under a cabinet. We made our purchase from a local appliance store. They were happy to remove, trim and reinstall the cabinet. They were also happy to take a separate check for this service. Again: not a problem with the refrigerator, but a consideration for your upgrade planning...and your budget.
-Water filters: Samsung replacement water filters are rated for about 300 gallons or six months of service. At around $30 apiece, you'll be spending an additional $60/year for consumables (in addition to the energy costs).
-Energy: this refrigerator ranks at the upper range of ENERGY STAR ratings for similar sized units: electricity estimates for this unit are 537 KHW/year in a class of refrigerators that consume from 457 to 539 KHW. While it comes at at 20% under the Energy Star standard (673 KHW), I'd suggest that any long term savings from its Energy Star certification will likely be offset by the cost of water filter replacement. This also is not a direct complaint about the refrigerator, but something to plan for in its ownership life cycle.
Nice looking, full featured...assuming it works without problems over the long haul, a nice piece of work from Samsung.We needed a cabinet depth refrigerator with ice and water through the door, preferably a french door model. Samsung makes the largest for this price. Electrolux has some but they are much pricier and do not have the rep for reliability. We bought ours locally from an appliance dealer during Columbus day weekend. Just had it delivered January 5th. We got it earlier than needed for the price and the dealer had no problem holding it for us.
Since plugging it in it has worked flawlessly. Keeps the freezer and refrigerator temps where set. Water out the door is cold and has a good taste due to the filter. Makes a lot of ice. No problem in that regard. Runs almost silently. the stainless front panel is beautiful.
We moved down in size from a Kitchen Aid 27 cubit foot side by side so there were some adjustments. On the cabinet depth models that are 36" wide you don't get as much door storage as you would like but that is not a fault of the machine. Just a fact.Something you need to consider.
Update 7/21/2012:
After a year and a half still working flawlessly. So quiet I don;t even know it's running. For just the two of us it is a perfect size. If you have a larger family a counter depth may not be large enough. Keeps the temps just right. Can't say enough about how good this machine has been.We bought this fridge in March 2010. I did an enormous amount of research before deciding on this model, went and looked at the floor models in department stores, and decided on this one because it's stylish, counterdepth, and had good reviews. It has worked without a problem since installation. We bought it on line for the best price we could find (about $1800 including shipping and handling and tax). No problems with the dispenser (although bigger jugs don't fit), and it can hold quite a lot of stuff of all shapes and sizes. In the heat of the summer, it doesn't make enough ice, so I just dispense and freeze ice when I remember to have some on hand for big pitchers of iced water. Very happy with it.
Update December 2011
Well, we've had the fridge for 21 months now. We haven't had any issues with it at all. All bits and bobs are still functioning, nothing is broken.
My only grumble would be that it's not configured for a large number of tall items (milk jugs etc). I have to move a few things around to usually get a pizza box in but it does fit in! Still very happy with it
Update MArch 2013
Still works, nothing wrong, nothing broken. No issues, no repairs. Had for three years now.Purchased this refrigerator aproximately three months ago. The refrigerator was installed into a custom designed cabinet specifically for this model. At the time of installation the french doors would not align properly and the compressor was exceedingly loud. I contacted Samsung who authorized a service call. The service technician could not align the doors because the entire refrigerator exterior was mis-manufactured. The technician took pictures and measurements and sent them back to Samsung.to validate his observations. Samsung's response was to declare my warranty invalid, refuse to fix the refrigerator and close off any further communication. The final words from the the supervisor in Executive Customer Relations was that she was the final say, the ultimate authority and that there is no further recourse within Samsung. Needless to say I am headed to court.
Pros It does make cold air and have pretty blue lights.
Cons Non-existent customer service
Extremely loud when ice drops into the hold area from the icemaker
Interior configuration limits the amount of items that can be easily placed into and accessed
Compressor extremely loud (at least on mine)
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We bought this Samsung refrigerator a few years ago due to its nice features and design. Since then it leaked and ruined our hardwood floors, the ice maker is not working properly and ice is forming in the back causing the cooling fan to make noises. My dad bought the same fridge and their ice maker quit working. Wow. No more Samsung for us.
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