Dorm Refrigerator Buying Guide
Choosing the Right Compact Refrigerator for a College Student
Looking for a mini refrigerator for your dorm room? Here are some things to look for when you shop for a small refrigerator.
When a college student puts together a list of dorm room necessities, a compact refrigerator is probably high up there on the list. There's something about these convenient mini refrigerators that make a college dormitory seem more like a home. After a long day of studying, it's great to be able to pull out a glass of orange juice or a special treat. Small refrigerators can also save students money by allowing them to stock up on items like soda and milk (we won't mention beer) that cost more when purchased individually.
Dorm room fridges have come a long way. They used to be simple and generic. Now, you can spend hundreds of dollars on mini refrigerators that come in stainless steel and have all kinds of options. So what should you look for when purchasing a dorm refrigerator? Here are some criteria to keep in mind
1. Cost. New mini refrigerators can be purchased for as little as $50 and as much as $300-- and some super-deluxe models can run over $1000. When deciding how much money to spend on a dorm fridge, an important question to ask is this: how much use will this refrigerator get? If you're going to rely mostly on a meal plan and just use the fridge for a few leftovers and drinks, a cheaper one will do. However, if you're going to eat lots of meals in your room and plan to live in the dorms for multiple years, a more expensive one may be worth the investment.
2. Size. Compact refrigerators range in size from about 1.7 cubic feet to about 6.0 cubic feet. How big should your fridge be? Keep in mind that dorm rooms can be plenty small, and that it's good roommate etiquette to use a little space as you can. At the same time, small refrigerators can be stacked and stacked upon, so they maybe more space efficient than you think. Again, think about how you're going to use it. Try to buy the smallest possible fridge that will accommodate the amount of food you plan to keep. When considering space, look carefully at the design of the fridge. A well-designed mini fridge may hold more food than one that's significantly larger but poorly designed. Adjustable shelves can be helpful, as they allow you to maximize use of space based on what you've got in there at the time. And you might want to choose a fridge that isn't too heavy, as you're going to have to move it!
3. Features. Mini fridges come with all kinds of features, some of which are important and others which are very cool but not necessary. Consider what features are important for you. Some of the features you might find in a compact fridge include:
- Large freezers
- Ice shelf with ice tray
- Automatic defrosters or frost-free designs
- Can racks or vertical can dispensers
- Stylish stainless steel or black exteriors
- Gallon door storage
- Spill resistant shelves
- Tops that can double as a counter top
- Vegetable crispers and other food separators
- Reversible door hinges
4. Energy efficiency. Here's a green college student tip: Look for small refrigerators with the Energy Star label, because these are more energy efficient. Make sure the refrigerator has an air tight seal. Consider buying as small of a fridge as you can. After purchasing the fridge, you can maximize its energy efficiency by keeping it out of direct sunlight and, of course, by keeping the door closed as much as possible.
Related articles:
Handy Things for your Dorm Room
Should You Live in a Dorm Room?
