Is your kitchen feeling a little cramped, but you still need a refrigerator that can hold a feast? You’re not alone. Many homeowners face the challenge of finding a refrigerator that fits their space perfectly without sacrificing storage. The 36-inch wide refrigerator is a popular choice, offering a great balance of capacity and a standard fit for most kitchens. But with so many brands, styles, and features, how do you pick the one that’s just right for your family’s needs and your kitchen’s layout?
Choosing the right 36-inch wide refrigerator can feel overwhelming. You want it to keep your food fresh, look good in your kitchen, and not break the bank. But sifting through all the different models can be a headache. You might worry about getting one that’s too noisy, doesn’t have enough freezer space, or uses too much electricity. This guide is here to help you sort through all those worries and find the best 36-inch wide refrigerator for your home.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll have a clear understanding of what makes a great 36-inch wide refrigerator. We’ll break down the most important features to look for, discuss different types like French door and side-by-side, and even touch on energy efficiency. Get ready to discover the refrigerator that will make your kitchen life much easier and your groceries stay fresher, longer.
Our Top 5 36 Inch Wide Refrigerator Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 36 Inch Wide Refrigerator Detailed Reviews
1. Kenmore 46-51805 Counter-Depth Side Refrigerator/Freezer with Stainless Steel
Rating: 9.0/10
The Kenmore 46-51805 Counter-Depth Side Refrigerator/Freezer is a stylish and practical addition to any kitchen. This 36-inch, stainless steel appliance offers 20 cubic feet of space, perfect for families. Its counter-depth design gives your kitchen a sleek, built-in look. You can enjoy refreshing filtered water and ice right from the dispenser. This refrigerator is designed to keep your food fresh and your kitchen quiet and efficient.
What We Like:
- Its fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish looks great and is easy to clean.
- The filtered ice and water dispenser provides convenient access to cold drinks.
- Accela Chill helps cool your food quickly.
- The factory-installed ice maker makes up to 3 lbs. of ice daily, in your choice of cubed or crushed.
- The Multi Flow air system ensures all your food stays evenly chilled.
- A deep gallon-sized door bin offers extra storage for large containers.
- Clear crisper drawers keep your fruits and vegetables fresh for longer.
- Adjustable glass shelves let you customize the space for taller items.
- It’s ENERGY STAR Certified, saving you money on electricity bills.
- The quiet inverter compressor provides efficient and silent operation.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it has good capacity, some larger families might need more space.
- The counter-depth design means slightly less interior space than a standard-depth model.
Overall, the Kenmore 46-51805 is a fantastic choice for those seeking a modern, efficient, and stylish refrigerator. It offers great features for everyday use and is designed to be a quiet and energy-saving appliance in your home.
2. Kenmore 46-75515 Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator/Freezer with Fingerprint-Resistant Stainless Steel
Rating: 8.6/10
The Kenmore 46-75515 Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator/Freezer is a stylish and modern addition to any kitchen. Its 20.3 cu. ft. capacity offers plenty of space for all your groceries. The fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish keeps it looking clean and new. This refrigerator is designed to maintain the perfect temperature for your food, keeping it fresh longer. It’s also very energy efficient, saving you money on your electricity bills.
What We Like:
- STYLISH, MODERN LOOK: The French doors and fingerprint-resistant stainless steel give it a sleek, modern appearance.
- EXCELLENT TEMPERATURE CONTROL: Accela Chill and the Multi Flow air system ensure your food stays at the ideal temperature.
- SMART STORAGE SOLUTIONS: Gallon door bins, a full-width pantry drawer, and humidity-controlled crispers make organizing easy.
- CONVENIENT ICE MAKER: It comes with a factory-installed ice maker that makes crescent-shaped ice.
- ENERGY EFFICIENT AND QUIET: ENERGY STAR certified and features an inverter compressor for quiet, energy-saving operation.
- CUSTOMIZABLE SHELVING: Adjustable glass shelves let you fit taller items easily.
What Could Be Improved:
- CAPACITY MAY BE SMALLER FOR SOME: While 20.3 cu. ft. is good, larger families might need more space.
- COUNTER-DEPTH DESIGN: This design looks great but might offer slightly less internal storage than a standard-depth fridge.
This Kenmore refrigerator is a fantastic choice for those seeking both style and functionality in their kitchen. It offers smart features and an energy-efficient design that makes it a great value.
3. Forno Moena 36″ Inch W. Refrigerator and Freezer with 19.2 cu.ft Total Capacity – French Door Counter Stainless Steel Freestanding Fridge with Ice Maker
Rating: 9.0/10
The Forno Moena 36″ French Door Refrigerator and Freezer is a stylish and functional addition to any kitchen. With a generous 19.2 cu.ft. total capacity and a sleek stainless steel finish, it offers ample space for all your food storage needs. The counter-depth design ensures a seamless fit, and the freestanding configuration gives you flexibility in placement. It boasts an automatic ice maker and convenient touch controls for easy operation.
What We Like:
- Ample fresh food storage with 3 adjustable glass shelves and gallon door bins.
- Spacious freezer with two drawers and large door baskets for organized storage.
- Automatic ice maker with a heater element for reliable ice production.
- Child safety lock and door opening alarm for added security and peace of mind.
- Quiet operation and an E-star energy rating for efficiency.
- Includes an installation kit, water filter, and thermometer for a complete package.
- Comes with a 2-year factory warranty for parts and labor.
What Could Be Improved:
- The product net weight is 233 lbs, which might make it challenging to move during installation.
- While the exterior is stainless steel, the door panels are described as VCM (silver or black), which may not be all stainless steel.
This Forno Moena refrigerator offers a great balance of style, capacity, and features. It’s a solid choice for families looking for a reliable and modern appliance.
4. Kenmore 33 in. 20.5 cu. ft. Capacity Refrigerator/Freezer with Full-Width Adjustable Glass Shelving
Rating: 9.4/10
Meet the Kenmore 33-inch Refrigerator/Freezer, a smart choice for any kitchen. It offers 20.5 cubic feet of space, fitting easily into a 33-inch spot. This means you get lots of room without taking up too much floor space. Its modern look is enhanced by a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish. Inside, you’ll find adjustable glass shelves that let you move them around. This helps you fit tall bottles and organize your groceries better. It’s also Energy Star certified, saving you money on your electricity bill.
What We Like:
- The 33-inch width is great for smaller kitchens.
- Full-width adjustable glass shelves make organizing easy.
- Humidity-controlled crispers keep your fruits and veggies fresh.
- The fingerprint-resistant stainless steel looks good and stays clean.
- It’s Energy Star certified, which is good for your wallet and the environment.
- Clear door bins, including gallon-sized ones, help keep things tidy.
What Could Be Improved:
- An icemaker is an optional add-on, not included.
This Kenmore refrigerator is a practical and stylish addition to your home. It offers good storage and helpful features for everyday use.
5. Kenmore 33 in. 20.5 cu. ft. Capacity Refrigerator/Freezer with Full-Width Adjustable Glass Shelving
Rating: 8.7/10
Meet the Kenmore 33 in. 20.5 cu. ft. Capacity Refrigerator/Freezer in classic white. This appliance offers a great balance of storage and a space-saving design, making it a solid choice for many kitchens. It boasts smart features to keep your food fresh and your energy bills low.
What We Like:
- The 33-inch width is perfect for fitting into standard kitchen spaces without sacrificing much storage.
- You get a generous 20.5 cubic feet of space to hold all your groceries.
- Adjustable, full-width glass shelves let you easily store tall bottles or large platters.
- Humidity-controlled crisper drawers keep your fruits and veggies crisp and fresh.
- A dedicated dairy compartment keeps butter and spreads at the right temperature.
- Clear door bins, including ones large enough for gallon jugs of milk, help keep things organized.
- It’s ENERGY STAR Certified, which means it uses less electricity and saves you money on your energy bills.
- The LED lighting inside is bright and energy efficient.
- An optional icemaker can be added to make up to 3 pounds of ice daily.
What Could Be Improved:
- The white finish, while classic, might show smudges more easily than other colors.
- While the footprint is space-saving, some might find the internal capacity limiting for very large families or heavy entertainers.
This Kenmore refrigerator is a practical and efficient appliance that will serve your household well. It offers thoughtful features designed to simplify food storage and maintenance.
Your Guide to Finding the Perfect 36-Inch Wide Refrigerator
A refrigerator is a big helper in your kitchen. It keeps your food fresh and your drinks cold. When you’re looking for a new one, a 36-inch wide refrigerator is a popular choice. It fits well in many kitchens. This guide will help you pick the best one for your home.
What to Look For: Key Features
Capacity
Think about how much food you usually store. Do you have a big family? Or do you mostly cook for one or two people? Refrigerators come in different sizes inside. A 36-inch wide fridge usually has between 20 to 28 cubic feet of space. More space means you can buy more groceries.
Style and Configuration
There are a few common styles for 36-inch wide refrigerators:
- French Door: These have two doors for the refrigerator part on top and a freezer drawer on the bottom. They look fancy and give you easy access to the fridge.
- Side-by-Side: The fridge and freezer sections are next to each other. This is good if you want to grab things from both easily.
- Top-Freezer: The freezer is on top, and the refrigerator is below. This is a classic and often more affordable style.
- Bottom-Freezer: The refrigerator is on top, and the freezer is a drawer below. This makes the fridge section very accessible.
Energy Efficiency
Look for the ENERGY STAR label. This means the refrigerator uses less electricity. It’s good for your wallet and the planet.
Smart Features
Some fridges have cool tech! They might have Wi-Fi, touch screens, or even cameras inside. You can check what’s inside from your phone or get recipe ideas. But remember, these can cost more.
Important Materials
The outside of your refrigerator can be made of different materials:
- Stainless Steel: This is very popular. It looks sleek and is strong. It can show fingerprints, but some have special coatings to resist them.
- Black Stainless Steel: This is also stylish and can hide fingerprints better than regular stainless steel.
- White or Black Enamel: These are classic and usually less expensive. They are easy to clean.
Inside, you’ll find shelves made of strong glass. Crisper drawers help keep your fruits and vegetables fresh. Door bins are great for storing bottles and jars.
What Makes a Fridge Great (or Not So Great)
Quality Boosters
- Good Temperature Control: The fridge should keep food at the right temperature everywhere.
- Quiet Operation: A noisy fridge can be annoying.
- Durable Shelving: Shelves should be strong and easy to adjust.
- Good Lighting: Bright LED lights help you see everything inside.
- Water and Ice Dispenser: Many people like having easy access to cold water and ice.
Quality Reducers
- Frequent Frost Buildup: If your freezer gets a lot of frost, it’s a problem.
- Uneven Cooling: Some spots in the fridge being too warm or too cold is bad.
- Cheap-Feeling Parts: If drawers or doors feel flimsy, it might not last long.
- High Energy Use: A fridge that uses a lot of power costs more to run.
User Experience and Use Cases
A 36-inch wide refrigerator is perfect for families who cook often. It has enough space for a week’s worth of groceries. The French door style is great for people who like to entertain or who have trouble bending down. Side-by-side models are good for those who use both the fridge and freezer a lot.
For smaller kitchens, a bottom-freezer or top-freezer model might be a better fit if space is tight. People who love technology will enjoy the smart features. If you just need a reliable place to keep food cold, a simpler model will do the job well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the average capacity of a 36-inch wide refrigerator?
A: A 36-inch wide refrigerator typically offers between 20 to 28 cubic feet of storage space.
Q: Are 36-inch wide refrigerators energy efficient?
A: Many 36-inch wide refrigerators are energy efficient, especially those with the ENERGY STAR label. They use less electricity.
Q: What is the difference between French door and side-by-side refrigerators?
A: French door refrigerators have two doors for the fridge on top and a freezer drawer below. Side-by-side refrigerators have the fridge and freezer sections next to each other.
Q: How do I clean a stainless steel refrigerator?
A: You can clean stainless steel with a soft cloth and a cleaner made for stainless steel. Wipe in the direction of the grain. Some models have fingerprint-resistant finishes.
Q: Are smart features worth the extra cost?
A: Smart features can be useful if you like technology, but they are not essential. A basic refrigerator will keep your food cold just as well.
Q: How much space do I need around a refrigerator?
A: Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations. Usually, you need a few inches of space at the back and top for air to circulate. This helps the fridge work better.
Q: What is a good temperature for my refrigerator?
A: The ideal temperature for the refrigerator section is between 35°F and 40°F (1.7°C and 4.4°C). The freezer should be at 0°F (-18°C).
Q: How do I know if my refrigerator is cooling properly?
A: You can use a refrigerator thermometer to check the temperature. If food is spoiling quickly or is frozen when it shouldn’t be, it might not be cooling correctly.
Q: What are the benefits of a bottom-freezer refrigerator?
A: Bottom-freezer refrigerators make the main refrigerator section very easy to access because it’s at eye level. This means less bending over.
Q: Can I install a 36-inch wide refrigerator myself?
A: It’s often best to have a professional install your refrigerator, especially if it has a water line for an ice maker. They can ensure it’s set up correctly and safely.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
Hi, I’m Scott Fischer, the voice behind SliceItRight. My passion for food started in my grandmother’s kitchen, where I learned the art of slicing, dicing, and creating delicious meals. Over the years, I’ve explored everything from the perfect kitchen gadgets to mastering culinary techniques, and I’m here to share all of it with you. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced home chef, my goal is to make cooking easier, more enjoyable, and a lot more fun. So, let’s slice it right and cook up something amazing together!