Introduction
When choosing a major household appliance, you can never be too careful — and the refrigerator is no exception. In Filipino households, the refrigerator is at the heart of daily food storage and preparation, a cornerstone of keeping meals fresh and delicious. Among various fridge designs, the side-by-side refrigerator has gained popularity due to its user-friendly features and sleek design.
But before you set out to buy one, it's important to understand what to look for and the best features to consider, ensuring it fits seamlessly into your family's lifestyle. This is where Western Appliances comes in. We provide this guide to help you navigate the different features of side-by-side refrigerators in the Philippines.
What Are Side-by-Side Refrigerators?
Side-by-side refrigerators are equipped with two outward-opening doors: one for the refrigerator space and the other for the freezer. As a result, these refrigerators provide refrigerator and freezer compartments that span the entire unit.
It's easy to mistake them for French door refrigerators, but they are actually two distinct types. French door refrigerators have the refrigerator compartment on top and the freezer at the bottom. Unlike side-by-side refrigerators, the compartments in French door models do not extend the full height of the unit. Additionally, French door refrigerators can have more than two doors.
In the Philippines, side-by-side refrigerators are particularly suitable for families seeking fridges with spacious interior storage, as they offer taller but narrower compartments. They are also an excellent choice for buyers who prefer a modern, sleek design that complements their contemporary kitchens.
Best Features of a Side-by-Side Refrigerator
While there are many types of refrigerators available in the market, side-by-side refrigerators stand out for their practical qualities. Below are a few reasons why side-by-side refrigerators are preferred by many, specifically Filipino households.
Large Storage Capacity
One of the main advantages of this fridge is its large storage capacity. It’s the perfect choice if you have a growing family or you just prefer a refrigerator that'll enable you to store more items later. The large capacity is also a great convenience when you want your fridge to maintain a neat look each time you open it; after all, more space means more breathing room and less clutter inside the refrigerator!
Conversely, if you can’t help but buy a lot of food items, large-storage refrigerator designs can help you locate the things you need inside with relative ease, even if you've stuffed it with multiple things. Moreover, side-by-side refrigerators also have a larger door storage capacity, allowing you to conveniently store taller items, such as long jars of condiments and beverages, and still have enough space.
Adjustable Compartments
It's comforting when you open your fridge and see items placed in a well-organized manner. However, organizing its contents can give us a headache sometimes, especially when we need to store chunkier and oddly shaped items. The good thing about side-by-side refrigerators is that they help you organize contents more easily because of their adjustable compartments.
It has adjustable shelves and door racks, letting users customize its interior depending on their needs. This is helpful since there are times when we will need to store bulky items. Without adjustable interiors, you may have extreme difficulty trying to fit your products properly.
Convenient Design
Convenience is crucial for an appliance you use daily, like a refrigerator. What's great about side-by-side fridges is that their refrigerator and freezer spaces span the full height of the unit from top to bottom, which allows users to store the items they frequently use at eye level. In other words, there's no need to bend down or reach up to get these items.
Conversely, you can place the items you don't often take out in the lower or higher levels of the fridge. This option is handy when you have items in your fridge you don't want your children to reach, such as alcoholic beverages.
Bigger Freezer Space
Suppose you're mainly after a refrigerator with a spacious freezer space so you can freeze more produce to consume later or reap the benefits of freezer cooking. In this case, getting a side-by-side fridge in the Philippines is a good idea because the freezer makes up about half of the unit's body.
This design lets you organize your freezer items more conveniently since you have more shelves due to a larger freezer door. There's also no need to rummage through your frozen goods to get what you need since you can easily see what you have stored in your freezer space.
Exterior Ice and Water Dispenser Features
Another notable feature of side-by-side refrigerators is the exterior ice and water dispenser you can find in some models. With this feature, you don't have to open your refrigerator to get cold water or ice, which we often do, especially in the hot summer months in the Philippines.
Furthermore, having an exterior ice and water dispenser lessens the number of times you need to open your fridge to get ice or water. This helps your fridge to retain its internal temperature. Conversely, when you frequently open it, warm air enters and lowers the interior temperature, prompting your fridge to work harder to bring the temperature back to normal.
Affordable and Reasonable Pricing
Budget is always a factor you should consider when buying appliances. The good news is, if you're torn between a French door and a side-by-side fridge, the latter usually starts at a lower price point. Plus, you may find a side-by-side door refrigerator with almost the same features and storage capacity as French door refrigerators, but at a more affordable price.
Here at Western Appliance, we offer some of the best side-by-side refrigerator prices in the Philippines. You can also take advantage of our frequent discounts, in-store or online shopping, and multiple payment options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Side-by-Side Refrigerators Cost?
Side-by-side refrigerator prices in the Philippines vary depending on the size, model, brand, and features. The most affordable ones can cost around ₱30,000, while higher-end models with icemakers and water dispensers go for around ₱100,000.
Whichever you choose, you can avail side-by-side refrigerators at an even cheaper price with our exciting discounts and promos! We also offer installments via our financing (hulugan) options, so payment does not have to be a big burden. Check out our available payment methods now!
Why is My Side-by-Side Refrigerator Not Getting Cold?
There are several reasons why your side-by-side refrigerator might not be getting cold, even when you try to set it at the coldest temperature. One reason may be poor ventilation. For your refrigerator to properly “breathe” and achieve efficient cooling, it is important to put the unit in a room where there is enough space on its back and sides.
Another reason is dirty condenser coils, which prevent your refrigerator from releasing heat, therefore overworking itself to cool itself. When left uncleaned, your refrigerator may ultimately break down and stop cooling.
Does a Side-by-Side Refrigerator Consume More Electricity?
Side-by-side refrigerators’ energy efficiency typically does not fare well compared to top and bottom freezer refrigerators, since they have a larger interior that needs cooling. Worry not, though, because nowadays, there are already a lot of inverter side-by-side refrigerators available in the Philippines. These models boast inverter technology, which provides a great mix of cooling efficiency and energy-saving capabilities.
How to Organize a Side-by-Side Refrigerator?
Organizing a side-by-side refrigerator can be a bit tricky, especially with multiple shelves, racks, and compartments to work on. Different models have different interior layouts, too, so there is no one way to organize the items you need to put inside. However, here are a few tips to help you.
- The doors are a bit warmer than other parts of your refrigerator, so it is ideal to put more stable items there, such as condiments and jams.
- Put items that can be easily spoiled near the freezer area, since this is the fridge’s coldest spot. These include milk, eggs, yogurts, and other perishable items.
- Keep crisp items like vegetables and fruits in the compartment with the least moisture. Most side-by-side refrigerator models have separate crisper drawers to keep these kinds of food items fresh.
- Invest in organizers or clear containers. These will help you sort your food items and essentials and find them quickly when you need them. You can also put labels for easier access.
- Check expiration dates. Items that are near expiry should be placed on the front so you can consume them immediately. It also ensures that you can minimize food waste.
Conclusion
When choosing appliances, it's always a good practice to research their best features to see if they would be worth your money and benefit you in the long run. Side-by-side refrigerators definitely do not fall behind when it comes to beneficial qualities, thanks to their large storage capacity, customizable compartments, and huge freezer space, among others.
As a trusted supplier of some of the best side-by-side refrigerators in the Philippines, Western Appliances can be your go-to appliance retailer for your next fridge purchase. And if you have any questions or concerns, our friendly customer support staff is always available to answer you. Shop online or in-store today!
