New Model Refrigerators

What is with the new model iceboxes? There are intervals to change both water and air filters. Some of the replacement filters are pricey. Is this a money grab? On models equipped with the plumbing for the ice-maker, I can see the need for the first filter as during assembly and transit there would be a chance that debris could get in the lines. I used to make my own ice with trays and tap water, oh, so long ago.

Rexedgar said:

What is with the new model iceboxes? There are intervals to change both water and air filters. Some of the replacement filters are pricey. Is this a money grab? On models equipped with the plumbing for the ice-maker, I can see the need for the first filter as during assembly and transit there would be a chance that debris could get in the lines. I used to make my own ice with trays and tap water, oh, so long ago.

Click to expand...

I still do. I treat appliances just like cars...

The more gadgets, the more there is to fail and eventually fix. I lament the death of the crank window.

Rexedgar said:

What is with the new model iceboxes? There are intervals to change both water and air filters. Some of the replacement filters are pricey. Is this a money grab? On models equipped with the plumbing for the ice-maker, I can see the need for the first filter as during assembly and transit there would be a chance that debris could get in the lines. I used to make my own ice with trays and tap water, oh, so long ago.

Click to expand...

People today, especially young people are afraid of their shadow. More filters of water and air to keep those chemically made foods cold.

Rexedgar said:

What is with the new model iceboxes? There are intervals to change both water and air filters. Some of the replacement filters are pricey. Is this a money grab? On models equipped with the plumbing for the ice-maker, I can see the need for the first filter as during assembly and transit there would be a chance that debris could get in the lines. I used to make my own ice with trays and tap water, oh, so long ago.

Click to expand...

Most refrigerator models are available without ice makers, an option. Air filters make sense for both freezer (defrost) and refrigerator compartments, tho an open box of baking soda will accomplish the same. More important is to keep the lower air intake clean, as well as the back air exhaust, for both efficiency and life expectancy. You might want to shop restaurant grade machines, which without consumer frills tend to be more efficient and less costly for what you get. We recently bought a 1 year old stainless steel exterior Turbo Air freezer/refrigerator (freezer underneath) which sells new at about $2,200 from a liquidation auction for $840. No frills, but easy open doors, easily replaced door gaskets, 18.5 cubic feet of storage, 20 year life expectancy, if not longer in a home as opposed to a high traffic restaurant. No ice maker, no filters. Self defrosting that can be timed, manual setting thermostats in the front of both compartments, and comparative low power usage (Energy Star, 2.5 amps). Plus it is mounted on 4 casters, enabling easy cleaning in the rear, and a self diagnostic system for temperature testings and compressor wear. Restaurants and bodegas go out of business all the time. The used equipment market is active.

I don't need no stinkin' smart refrigerator to talk to Alexa, Siri or any other marketing gimmick AI. The grandkids call ahead to make sure there is enough ice cream. And I always keep two pitchers of ice water (from the tap) in rotation, and a pitcher of iced tea.

OldFatGuy said:

Most refrigerator models are available without ice makers, an option. Air filters make sense for both freezer (defrost) and refrigerator compartments, tho an open box of baking soda will accomplish the same. More important is to keep the lower air intake clean, as well as the back air exhaust, for both efficiency and life expectancy. You might want to shop restaurant grade machines, which without consumer frills tend to be more efficient and less costly for what you get. We recently bought a 1 year old stainless steel exterior Turbo Air freezer/refrigerator (freezer underneath) which sells new at about $2,200 from a liquidation auction for $840. No frills, but easy open doors, easily replaced door gaskets, 18.5 cubic feet of storage, 20 year life expectancy, if not longer in a home as opposed to a high traffic restaurant. No ice maker, no filters. Self defrosting that can be timed, manual setting thermostats in the front of both compartments, and comparative low power usage (Energy Star, 2.5 amps). Plus it is mounted on 4 casters, enabling easy cleaning in the rear, and a self diagnostic system for temperature testings and compressor wear. Restaurants and bodegas go out of business all the time. The used equipment market is active.

I don't need no stinkin' smart refrigerator to talk to Alexa, Siri or any other marketing gimmick AI. The grandkids call ahead to make sure there is enough ice cream. And I always keep two pitchers of ice water (from the tap) in rotation, and a pitcher of iced tea.

Click to expand...

All that and your Belgian oven, gotta be bazillion dollar kitchen there, OFG!

:mrgreen:

Rexedgar said:

All that and your Belgian oven, gotta be bazillion dollar kitchen there, OFG!

:mrgreen:

Click to expand...

That Belgian oven cost me less than $18k with all sorts of modifications of the unit and my kitchen. It was purchased from an estate sale. A new Miele oven, made in Belgium by a German company, with the same capabilities, dual ovens, dual broilers, a builtin grill, 6 burners, oven, broiler and grill temperatures of up to 800 degrees, bought at the same time would have cost me $36k, today $82k, plus installation. I do admit spending, over the past 40-50 years, more than another $50k on pots, pans, other cooking and baking utensils, dinner ware, and so forth, often bought used at estate sales and restaurant liquidations. However I still wash dishes, pots and all the rest by hand in the sink. No more room for a dishwasher.

Now, tho you find this humorous, consider this. I have published 7 cookbooks, after many failed kitchen experiments, and the royalties not only paid for my kitchen many times over and everything in it, but I'm still enjoying royalties. An avocation not only financially rewarding, but a pleasure for family and friends that keeps repeating. We eat very well. As do my dog and cat. I bake most of my own breads, daily. Entertain, health permitting, with multi course dinners and desserts few can imagine enjoying. I've had my share of kitchen disasters, but overall, it has been fun and tasty.

You're here complaining about the costs of filters for new refrigerators, I've given you a potential solution. 18 cubic foot quality consumer refrigerators start selling at about $5-600, as much as $2,600, for a few dollars more than the base I showed you how to do much better. You owe me a thank you, not derision.

Keep laughing, and keep whining. Tonight, I, my wife and grandkids will be enjoying a terrific dinner in about 30 minutes. Been cooking all afternoon. Fresh baked multi grain bread, Irish butter, roasted beets with pineapple and leeks, fresh home made pasta with a fresh basil and mint olio pesto, grilled grouper steaks with olive oil and paprika, a simple arugula salad, assorted olives, and fresh strawberry shortcakes topped with brandied creme fraiche and a side of jarred peach halves (courtesy of Trader Joe's) for desert. Red tea is the beverage of choice for this evening. When was the last time you enjoyed a strawberry shortcake? Eat your heart out.

OldFatGuy said:

Most refrigerator models are available without ice makers, an option. Air filters make sense for both freezer (defrost) and refrigerator compartments, tho an open box of baking soda will accomplish the same. More important is to keep the lower air intake clean, as well as the back air exhaust, for both efficiency and life expectancy. You might want to shop restaurant grade machines, which without consumer frills tend to be more efficient and less costly for what you get. We recently bought a 1 year old stainless steel exterior Turbo Air freezer/refrigerator (freezer underneath) which sells new at about $2,200 from a liquidation auction for $840. No frills, but easy open doors, easily replaced door gaskets, 18.5 cubic feet of storage, 20 year life expectancy, if not longer in a home as opposed to a high traffic restaurant. No ice maker, no filters. Self defrosting that can be timed, manual setting thermostats in the front of both compartments, and comparative low power usage (Energy Star, 2.5 amps). Plus it is mounted on 4 casters, enabling easy cleaning in the rear, and a self diagnostic system for temperature testings and compressor wear. Restaurants and bodegas go out of business all the time. The used equipment market is active.

I don't need no stinkin' smart refrigerator to talk to Alexa, Siri or any other marketing gimmick AI. The grandkids call ahead to make sure there is enough ice cream. And I always keep two pitchers of ice water (from the tap) in rotation, and a pitcher of iced tea.

Click to expand...

Seriously. I always wondered who was so anal that they had to go on line to check their refrigerator temperature.

chuckiechan said:

Seriously. I always wondered who was so anal that they had to go on line to check their refrigerator temperature.

Click to expand...

Restauranteurs need be concerned. A few degrees can mean the difference between expensive spoilage and angry ill customers, as well as health inspectors. I've learned summer months require a few additional degrees of coolness compared to winter months. A mere 2 degrees for lower freezer temperature can translate as less humidity, less stress for the compressor and defroster units with longer rest periods between runs, less overheating. Temperature variances can also indicated a need for cleaning vents and air intakes. In a home situation I can't understand why anyone would check temperatures more than once every three months or so. But then I have a friend, a senior partner at a major WS brokerage house, who pulls up the carpeting on his stairs at home to clean with a toothbrush once per month. He also has a laughable reputation for interfering with his office staff as he vacuums, dissatisfied with the nightly cleaning crew. I think he's relieving stress without drugs. People do strange things at times, often for unrelated reasons impossible to discern.