Refrigerator - Paradise Found

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum Members,

I wanted to write in and report I had found an acceptable,

inexpensive, and readily available refrigerator/freezer. It is the

Whirlpool Model ET4WVLXVQ, available from Lowe's. It is smaller at

14.4 cu. ft., $428. (There may be a larger version of this type

available. I don't know yet.) I liked it because it has the heat

dissipation coils exposed on the back (like old timey ones). And

the drainpan is more readily accessible (and removeable with a socket

wrench) from the back. The drainpan sits right atop the compressor

to gain maximum heat for drying. It is metal, with enamel or

porcealin coating. It is very easy to get to, and could be wiped

out without removal. No heat dissipation coils run into it, as with

many models now. The rest of the innards were also easily

accessible and cleanable. And it seems to have good rollers so it

can be moved easier.

A Sears Kenmore Item # 65802, 18.2 cu. ft., $499, was also good.

But it seemed to have cheaper rollers/ did not roll as easily, and

while it too had the exposed heat dissipation coils on the back, the

drainpan is pinned in place by a section of the heat dissipation

coil. It cannot be removed, though cleaning should not be too much

of a challenge in place. Just not as easy as the Whirlpool mentioned

above. I should also add that, models with heat dissipation coils

on the back do not have a fan. I think this is advantageous, as it

does not stir up respirable particles as much.

One other model had a drain pan that would be removable to someone

with a dremel tool and a flare for Jerry rigging. But I had to

remove a panel to view it. In addition, the coils on this one were

underneath, hard to access, and very densely packed. Cleaning them

in any normal manner would be... difficult in my mind. I'm not

going there. I think most models are like this now. The coils are

underneath, small, densely packed, and hard to access. On the other

hand, models with the coils on the back are freely accessible for

cleaning, so long as the unit is easily rolled away from a wall. Or

you may want to just leave it out in the open. Also, the more

modern, sealed expanding foam insulation contained inside galvainzed

sheet metal is worlds better than the old open sheets of dust

catching fiberglass; and I observed no runover catching, mold

fostering, sponge under any of the drainpans today. So there is

some positive progress being made in the world, thankfully.

I was very pleased to discover this model, and plan to write

Whirlpool a positive letter about it, while describing the potential

impact of refrigerators on human health/indoor air quality. I hope

others might take the time to do the same, esp. the professionals

here. It seems like such an important, yet often overlooked issue.

Best,

Todd in Tenn.