The Basics: Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators

The bottom-freezer refrigerator -- a unit that has the fresh foods compartment on the top and the freezer on the bottom -- is growing in popularity. The freezer-on-the-bottom configuration takes some getting used to for some homeowners, who are accustomed to opening the top door of the refrigerator for ice cream and frozen dinners instead of for milk and fruit. More and more homeowners, however, are discovering that refrigerators with this configuration make sense for their lifestyles and needs.

Bottom-freezer refrigerators have many benefits that equal or surpass those of models that feature different designs. For instance, of the three major refrigerator-freezer configurations -- top-freezer, side-by-side and bottom-freezer -- the bottom-freezer models are generally the most energy efficient. This is because warm air rises and in these models, the warmer part of the appliance is located on top. Bottom-freezer fridges are also more convenient. Since the main compartment of a bottom-freezer fridge is at eye level, it's easier to store and access foods in this compartment than it would be in a top-freezer model, where you might have to stoop to store items. And because the main compartment runs the full width of the appliance, it's easy for you to store large items like party trays and pizza boxes with ease, while it is difficult -- and often impossible -- to store these items in a typical side-by-side refrigerator.

How to Shop

As with the other refrigerator-freezer configurations, manufacturers of bottom-freezer fridges constantly strive to make these appliances more energy- and space-efficient and provide more conveniences for the user by introducing new styles and features. Each year, it seems that these models get more sophisticated, easier to use and more attractive.

Among the most exciting recent innovations in bottom-freezer refrigerators is the new three-door -- or "French door" -- configuration. Several manufacturers have released bottom-freezer models that have two doors, instead of only one. This is more convenient and energy efficient, since the homeowner doesn't have to open the entire fresh foods compartment to store or select an item, and can be more familiar to those who have had side-by-side refrigerators in the past. This model is also ideal for those who don't have a lot of space in their kitchens, since the doors don't swing open as widely as a typical bottom-freezer model's doors would swing.

Freezer door styles are also evolving. While most manufacturers produce bottom-freezer models with freezers that open like doors, some manufacturers are making these refrigerators with freezers that open like drawers. Amana, for instance, has its "Easy Reach" bottom-freezer refrigerators, which allow a user to easily pull out the frozen food compartment and store and retrieve items without having to stoop down to get a better look at the freezer interior. Pull-out freezer drawers typically are made with two levels of white wire freezer baskets. Some manufacturers, like Amana, feature tiered storage in the freezer; when you pull out the drawer, the baskets are pulled open at different levels to showcase all items inside.

While factory-installed automatic icemakers have become standard -- or at least commonplace -- on most bottom-freezer refrigerators today, water dispensers are a relatively new feature. Some manufacturers feature a water dispenser built into the fresh foods compartment as an interior dispenser. Most manufacturers pair the water dispenser with a replaceable filter so that the homeowner can get clear, fresh water.

Other new features include a full-width drawer above the crispers. These nifty drawers can hold large deli platters or party trays, or can store several small items in a shallow space so you can see them easily and quickly. The only drawback of these drawers is that you have to open the refrigerator door almost completely in order to pull the drawer out and see its contents.

Although there are many benefits and new convenience and performance features in bottom-freezers, there are also some drawbacks to this style of refrigerator. For instance, there are fewer bottom-freezer refrigerators on the market than side-by-side and top-freezer configurations, so you will find fewer models from which to choose. Additionally, these models tend to have capacities ranging from about 18 cubic feet to 22 cubic feet, so they are best suited to small- to medium-sized households. Some manufacturers, however, have introduced larger versions with up to about 25 cubic feet of space.

Generally, bottom-freezer refrigerators will cost you more money than top-freezer models with the same or similar capacity. You will, however, be able to recoup the extra money you spend over the life of the appliance, since bottom-freezer models are generally much more energy efficient then their side-by-side and top-freezer counterparts.

Shop for bottom-freezer refrigerators at home centers, department stores that have appliance departments, warehouse stores and appliance dealers. You can also shop online for a bottom-freezer refrigerator. If you don't see the model that you'd like in your local store, ask if the retailer might be able to order it for you. A knowledgeable sales associate also may be able to help you evaluate the various features and functionality of particular models.