French door refrigerator buying guide: Features and tips
With two refrigerator doors that swing outward and a freezer drawer below, French door refrigerators put fresh ingredients at eye level for easy access. They often come with generous capacities and a suite of convenient features. Explore eight key features to consider below, along with some of the pros and cons of French door refrigerators and tips to help guide your search.
8 features to consider when buying a French door refrigerator
A refrigerator often serves as the heart of the kitchen, and this guide is here to help you feel confident in finding the right model for you. From capacity and layout to organizational tools and cooling options, explore key features to consider below.
1. Capacity
French door refrigerators are known for their roomy interiors, often offering more space than side-by-side or top-freezer models. Standard-depth designs typically provide the most capacity, while counter-depth options trade a bit of space for a sleek, built-in look. Exact capacity varies by model, so it’s worth comparing specs to find the right fit for your kitchen.
For instance, Whirlpool® French Door Refrigerators span from about 19 cubic feet—like this Whirlpool® 4-Door Refrigerator—to 31 cubic feet, offering plenty of options for families of any size. “If you are searching for a big refrigerator, this French door refrigerator has our largest capacity1 in its category,” says Joao Wiese, Whirlpool Product Marketing Senior Manager, speaking of the 31 cu. ft. model. “It’s family-sized, to provide extra space; with more ice and flexible organization.”
2. Size
Find a refrigerator that fits your kitchen as seamlessly as it fits your lifestyle. French door models tend to run larger than most types of refrigerators, often falling within the range of 29 to 36 inches wide, 68 to 72 inches tall and 28 to 37 inches deep, although some models may vary.
Keep in mind that depth can vary by style. Counter-depth models offer a built-in look with shallower dimensions—usually under 30 inches—while standard-depth designs usually provide extra interior space, extending a few inches deeper.
3. Number of doors
The classic French door refrigerator layout features a three-door design, with two doors that open from the center above and a spacious freezer drawer below, like this Whirlpool® French Door Refrigerator. For even more versatility, some French door models come in a quad-door configuration, like this Whirlpool® 4-Door Refrigerator, with two fridge doors above and two freezer doors below, offering a modern take on the traditional layout. Still others offer a pull-out drawer above the freezer, such as this model by Whirlpool brand, giving you even more options when it comes to French door refrigerator configurations.
4. Color and finish
Choosing the right color and finish can tie your kitchen’s look together, and in some cases, even make cleanup easier. French door refrigerators can come in a range of finishes, from classic white and black to sleek stainless steel and black stainless steel. For a polished look that stands up to daily use, the Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel on these Whirlpool® French Door Refrigerators can resist fingerprints and smudges.
5. Organization
From adjustable shelves and bins to removable dividers and dedicated storage zones, French door refrigerators can help you tackle everyday food organization challenges in style. Think about which features would make the biggest impact for your household, whether that’s quick access for snacks, flexible space for meal prep or extra room for entertaining and large grocery hauls.
For example, select Whirlpool® French Door Refrigerators let you maximize organization and minimize clutter with smart storage and a large capacity. Six unique storage zones, including the EasyReach Zone, EasyView™ Drawers and the Pizza Pocket, make it easy for your family to store the foods they love.
“If you are searching for a great refrigerator that combines the counter depth/flush look and convenient organization features to manage your different needs, this is the one!” says Ingrid Sanchez, Whirlpool Product Marketing Director for Refrigeration.
6. Cooling features
French door refrigerators sometimes integrate uniquely designed cooling systems and features designed to help your food stay fresh, whether it’s cooling the entire interior or through customizable zones designed to help keep specific ingredients at their ideal temperatures.
Select Whirlpool® French Door Refrigerators, for instance, use Dual Cooling technology that senses conditions and automatically adapts humidity levels, so food is stored in the ideal environment. Some Whirlpool® models feature Fast Cool, which quickly chills just-bought groceries, leftovers and more. The built-in setting temporarily sets the refrigerator to its lowest temperature at the push of a button.
7. Energy use
Kitchen appliances can influence more than just your daily routine, they can also affect your energy bill. Some French door refrigerators are designed to help you reduce energy use without compromising on performance or convenience. You may find an ENERGY STAR® Certified French door refrigerator, like this model from Whirlpool brand, that exceeds government standards to help save money on your utility bills.
8. Ice and water access
If your family is constantly in the kitchen for quick water breaks, a French door refrigerator with built-in ice and water options can make every stop seamless. Some models feature extra ice production in the freezer along with an external dispenser, while others tuck the water dispenser inside for a clean, streamlined exterior.
Some models from Whirlpool brand, for example, feature the Exterior Ice and Water Dispenser with EveryDrop™ Filtration that gives you access to filtered water and ice without ever opening the refrigerator door. Other Whirlpool® models include Large Capacity Freezer Ice Storage that stores over 7 lbs. of ice with the built-in ice maker in the freezer.
Shop Whirlpool® French Door Refrigerators with various organization zones
Keep family favorites right where you need them in a Whirlpool® French Door Refrigerator. Select Whirlpool® models feature the EasyReach Zone with an adjustable divider that provides countless ways to keep tall items organized. Or, on some models, take advantage of the Flexible Temperature Drawer that lets you choose your chill with dedicated settings for wine, deli, drinks and meat.
What are French door refrigerator pros and cons?
French door refrigerators are popular in modern kitchens, but the right fit depends on how you cook and use your space. Explore possible pros and cons below to see if a French door model is the right match for your kitchen habits.
Full-width compartments: These models often offer wide shelves and drawers that easily accommodate large platters, serving trays or bulk grocery buys.
Spacious capacity: Compared to other types of refrigerators, French door models often feature more capacity on the inside to help store enough food for the whole family.
Easy access to fresh ingredients: With refrigerator shelving and drawers at eye level, you can easily unload, organize and access the drinks, snacks and ingredients you use most.
- Customizable interior: With such a wide interior, you may find that French door refrigerators often have customizable storage spaces within the refrigerator compartment.
French door refrigerator cons
Smaller freezer capacity: For those who love stocking up on frozen foods, the freezer may offer slightly less space compared to layouts like side-by-side refrigerators, depending on the model.
Large footprint for small spaces: Those with limited kitchen space may find the generous capacity of many French door refrigerators a snug fit in their kitchen layout.
- Limited freezer organization: A pull-out freezer drawer may mean less flexible shelving and bin storage options compared to side-by-side fridges, depending on the model.
French door refrigerators
Built-in storage bins let you organize with ease
Tips for buying a French door refrigerator
Beyond size, capacity, features and finish, keep these additional factors in mind before choosing your new French door refrigerator:
Measure your space: Thoroughly measure the height, width and depth of your refrigerator cutout, then keep those measurements on hand as you shop.
Shop for discounts: You may be able to find discounts on French door refrigerators at certain times of year.
Read customer reviews: Check out reviews of the models you’re considering to get a real-world sense of how they perform in everyday use.
- Consider the warranty: Warranties can vary by model, so it’s worth checking the details before you buy. Some brands offer limited-time coverage on key components like the compressor, evaporator, condenser, dryer, and connecting tubing, giving you extra peace of mind.
Explore Whirlpool® French Door Refrigerators
Find the flexibility you need to store everything on your grocery list with a Whirlpool® French Door Refrigerator. The Tuck Shelf on select Whirlpool® French Door Refrigerators makes room for tall items. The front adjusts and slides out of the way, creating space for things like a 2-liter bottle or large salad bowl. Or, opt for a Whirlpool® model with EasyView™ Drawers that let you keep oversized produce visible. Two large-capacity drawers can hold a 4-lb cabbage, two 5-ounce packages of leafy greens and a 3-lb melon at the same time.
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1. Standard depth refrigerators with no water dispensers and standard depth refrigerators with internal water dispensers.
