What Should I Consider When Buying a Compact Refrigerator?

Whether in a college dorm, an office break room or a hotel guestroom, the compact refrigerator has certainly become a very important appliance in our daily lives. A quality compact refrigerator allows us to safely store left-overs, packed lunches and cold beverages, which in turn can lead to substantial savings and less waste. What qualities should you look for when considering a new compact refrigerator? There are a number of factors which separate the best buys from the also-rans.

One important consideration when buying a compact refrigerator is energy consumption. Most appliance stores provide this information for all of the compact refrigerator models they offer. An energy usage guide usually compares the amount of electricity required to run the appliance and the efficiency of the appliance.

Some compact refrigerators use a significant amount of electricity, but provide little cooling due to poor insulation. Others may use relatively little electricity, but provide cooler air inside the box. It's all a trade-off, so look for compact refrigerators with a higher energy rating compared to price.

Another consideration is available storage space. Some compact refrigerator models do not provide very much space for common items. Look for a compact refrigerator that can hold a large container of milk or several canned beverages. If an entire office plans on using the refrigerator, it should be able to accommodate full-size restaurant containers or several frozen dinners. Check to see if shelves can be removed for additional space. Don't automatically select the smallest compact refrigerator available, since a much larger model may cost only a few dollars more.

Many compact refrigerator models are notorious for having small freezer sections. Students may want to economize on food by using frozen entrees, but the typical dorm fridge works against them. There may be a very small ledge attached to the ceiling which serves as the freezer section. There is room for perhaps one tray of ice cubes or one frozen dinner. When shopping for a quality compact refrigerator, look for one with an expanded freezer section and a working thermostat. This may not be a consideration if you only plan to store beverages or snacks, but you'll want significant freezer space while living in a dorm.

Another thing to consider when buying a compact refrigerator is portability. The traditional dorm fridge is rarely heavier than a microwave oven or TV set, but other models can require some serious muscle to maneuver up steps or through doors. The heaviest part of a compact refrigerator is the compressor needed to freeze the refrigerant.

The more powerful a refrigerator is, the heavier its compressor will be. There is also a metal grid which serves to dissipate the heat generated by the refrigerant. These elements can make a compact refrigerator a little bulky and difficult to carry. You may want to try picking it up at the store to get an idea of what you may need to do once you get it home.

A compact refrigerator may also need a companion compact chest freezer for additional frozen food storage. Look for a small freezer that could be stacked on top of the compact refrigerator or stored nearby.