What is a French Door Refrigerator?

There are four basic refrigerator/freezer categories. They are:

1. Top-mount. This unit has the freezer on the top and a refrigerator below the freezer compartment. Doors are hinged to side swing from either the right or left.
2. Bottom-mount. Bottom-mounts or bottom freezer configurations have the refrigerator on the top and a freezer below. The refrigerator door is hinged like the top mount, but the freezer may be either a side swing or a slide-out drawer.
3. Side-by-Side. Side-by-Side refrigerators are a very popular configuration that have the freezer compartment on the left and the refrigerator compartment on the right. The doors are hinged on either side.
4. French Door. These are bottom freezer refrigerators with a split-door in the refrigerator compartment that allows the refrigerator to be opened from the center. They have become increasingly popular in recent years.

History of French Door refrigerators

Some industry veterans may recall the short-lived appearance of a French Door model refrigerator from Whirlpool back in the '80s. It did not take with consumers, and was soon dropped.

The Amana brand is well-known for its refrigeration and has been a leader in bottom freezer refrigerators for many years. In the late '90s Amana launched the first successful French Door refrigerators. Amana was acquired by Maytag in 2000, and shortly thereafter Maytag's premier Jenn-Air brand introduced a counter-depth French Door model which was a big hit. Soon all the major U.S. manufacturers had French Door refrigerator models. Not surprisingly, the Korean brands were quick to chime in with their own copies.

Today, French Door refrigerators are available in nearly every conceivable configuration including dispenser and non-dispenser versions, built-in models, and others with a variety of doors and drawers, and with capacities over 30 cu.ft.

GE has opened a new facility in Louisville for French Door refrigerators and launched a new series of models with new features coming from this factory. There are now 3 factories in the U.S. manufacturing French Door models: The GE plant, Whirlpool's factory in Amana, Iowa and a new line of refrigerators from SubZero built in Arizona.

Dual Evaporator models. Several manufacturers have added dual evaporator systems to their line. Essentially, this provides consumers with separate airflow to the refrigerator and freezer, enhancing food preservation. Sub Zero has dual compressors as well.

Extra drawers. Maytag has added an extra refrigerator pantry drawer which provides a convenient pull out drawer for quick access. KitchenAid also has a French Door model with a pull out refrigerator drawer.

42″ Built-In. Jenn-Air has a 42″ built-in French Door refrigerator that can accomodate cabinet panels for a fully flush and fully integrated appearance. The unit can literally disapper as it looks just like the surrounding cabinets. This is the largest built-in French Door model in the industry.

For the best selection and lowest prices contact the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center.

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center
12025 Ventura Blvd. Ste B-105
Studio City, CA 91604
PH 877 696-2987
facebook twitter

The French Door Refrigerator is a Refrigerator/Freezer with the freezer on the bottom and split refrigerator doors on the top. Just about all the major manufacturers offer versions of the French Door Refrigerator. Some are standard depth, some are counter depth, and some are even built-in. Some French Door Refrigerators have water and/or ice dispensers either internal or external, and some offer multiple bottom (horizontal) drawers of freezer and pantry configurations.

GE has a new French Door Refrigerator manufacturing facility in Louisville, Kentucky where it is producing a state-of-the-art line of French Door Refrigerators. Loaded with convenient features like a hands-free dispenser, the new GE refrigerator(see pictures) also has innovative Twin-Chill evaporators to give separate cooling of refrigerator and freezer optimizing freshness and eliminating odor transfer.

Click on the link below to search the French Door Refrigerator selection at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center:
UAKC French Door Refrigerators

For help with your questions about French Door Refrigerators call or visit the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center:
Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center
12025 Ventura Blvd. Ste B-105
Studio City, CA 91604
PH 877 696-2987
facebook twitter