We like the look and feel of Whirlpool's GF6NFEXTQ side-by-side refrigerator, which has a smooth, contoured exterior and some great features; it is, however, more expensive than many comparably-equipped side-by-side models.

Some of the features included in the GF6NFEXTQ include a striking through-the-door ice and water dispenser with in-door ice -- which allows for more usable space within the freezer cabinet -- and several gallon-size door bins. It has a contoured door design that makes it jut out into the kitchen more than a flat door, but it has a softer and smoother appearance than typical doors.

The GF6NFEXTQ has more than enough capacity to handle the needs of even the largest family. The fresh foods compartment has a total of 15.5 cubic feet of space, while the freezer compartment has 10.1 cubic feet of space. This model is energy efficient, which is very welcome since energy costs seems to be rising all the time; it uses just 619kWh of energy each year, which means that you'll pay only about $65 annually to run this very large refrigerator.

The door of the GF6NFEXTQ has four gallon-size door bins plus a clear dairy compartment. The main fresh foods compartment has three full-width adjustable glass shelves with a spillsaver feature to contain leaks from containers. There are three drawers total, including a humidity-controlled crisper drawer, a multi-use drawer that can serve as a second crisper or a meat drawer, as well as a snack/deli drawer. The fresh foods compartment, as well as the freezer, is well illuminated and pleasantly bright.

Temperature controls for the GF6NFEXTQ are located on the top left side of the fresh foods area and are very easy to use.

Inside the freezer compartment of the GF6NFEXTQ is quite a bit of room for frozen foods, since the icemaker mechanism and ice storage bin have been set on the door rather than within the freezer compartment. There are three adjustable shelves, plus two pullout baskets. The door has four narrow shelves.

We especially like the through-the-door ice and water dispenser. The two-paddle dispenser itself is nice and bright with a deep blue light. The dispenser features a rotating faucet that allows you to fill tall glasses and pitchers without having to tilt the vessel inward. There is also a slide-out shelf that can hold shorter pitchers and glasses so you can fill them without holding them at the same time. The dispenser also has a fast-fill feature that fills containers very quickly. Water and ice are dispensed through an integral filter that is located in the base grille and is easily changed.

The GF6NFEXTQ comes in white, and is also available in black and stainless steel.

Whirlpool's GF6NFEXTQ refrigerator is a solidly built, attractive side-by-side model that has an extraordinarily well-featured ice and water delivery system. It does, however, lack some more sophisticated convenience and performance features found on other comparably-priced refrigerators.


Pros: Great in-door ice and ice/water dispenser, attractive contoured door design
Cons: Lacks some features found on other comparably-priced models

Warranty
1 year, parts and labor