Units: About 46,000 (1.6 million units were previously recalled March 2009)

Manufacturer: Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa

Hazard: An electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received 23 additional reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including 4 reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage.

Description: The recall includes certain Maytag®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand side-by-side and top freezer refrigerators. The affected refrigerators were manufactured in black, bisque, white and stainless steel. They have model and serial numbers printed on a label located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner and have the following model and serial number combinations:

Refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Department and appliance stores [...]

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The new 42-inch French Door fully flush refrigerator from Jenn-Air belongs to the recently introduced collection of high performance built-in refrigerators that marries seamless design with thoughtful functionality. Other flush refrigerator models include 36-inch bottom-freezer and popular 42- and 48-inch side-by-side door refrigerators. The new JF42NXFXDW is the industry-first 42-inch French door bottom-freezer refrigerator offering the widest interior space available in any fully flush refrigerator currently on the market and bringing the clean, seamless and refined look to your kitchen. One of the important design features is the hidden articulated hinges that allow for minimal gaps, no larger than that of surrounding cabinetry, making the refrigerator virtually disappear in its environment. The completely integrated look of the Jenn-Air refrigerator is all about aesthetics, yet functionality and performance are not sacrificed but further enhanced. Thus, the thinner exterior door provides a flush fit with custom cabinetry for a seamless exterior, while the interior offers even greater usable cubic space than similar flush refrigerators and a faster temperature recovery time after the doors are opened. High performance vacuum insulation panels help maintain energy and keep food fresher, longer. The articulated hinge is equipped with [...]

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Carpenters live by the adage, Measure twice. Cut once. The same advice can apply to ordering appliances and equipment for a kitchen remodel, says one New Jersey homeowner who recently undertook a top-to-bottom makeover of the 300-square-foot kitchen at her 1960s Cape Cod house.

Because Helaine W.’s new kitchen includes a bank of windows on the exterior wall, the plans called for an island vent hood—a wall-mounted hood with through-the-wall venting wouldn’t fit the design. What’s more, the hood had to be 24 inches deep or less so it wouldn’t overhang the counter.

To find the right-size hood, Helaine, her kitchen designer, and a salesperson from a local appliance store searched the Web sites of several major manufacturers and found the Franke FDF 367 1XS 36-inch-wide island hood. The Franke site indicated a depth of a little more than 19 inches, ideal for the application. An order was placed for the unit.

When the hood arrived four weeks later, the contractor notified Helaine that the Franke FDF 367 1XS was deeper [...]

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The stunning De Dietrich DKP837B looks impressive and is cleverly designed. This 60cm wide black refrigerator with bottom freezer offers 315 litre capacity and weighs just 74kg, so you can move it around your kitchen with ease while considering where exactly its sleek black mirror finish gives the best light and shadow play. Or put it in your living room. We seriously think that the only problem you ever have with this ‘A+’ rated bottom freezer refrigerator is how to fit it in your existing decor. You may be forced to get the whole new appliance set, in black that is. The freestanding refrigerator has anti-bacterial interior and brings No Frost technology to avoid the build up of ice inside. Its refrigerator section offers 249 litre net volume, open-door alarm, multilevel neon lighting system, 4 glass shelves, 4 door bins, a door shelf and auto defrost. The 66 litre, 4-star freezer bottom freezer maintains freezing temperature for up to 13 hours in case of power failure. It comes with temperature alarm, SuperFreeze function, 3 drawers and ice tray. And this black refrigerator also has LCD touch control screen, reversible door and is extremely [...]

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The large Liebherr WTes4677 Vinidor is the capable wine refrigerator that stores wines at three different temperatures from +5°C to +20°C or +41°F to +68°F. This state-of-the-art wine refrigerator holds up to 143 bottles in three separately controlled temperature zones and enables both long term and serving temperature storage. This allows you to store champagne, red wine and white wine each at its optimum temperature without undermining the quality of wines produced by different grapes, prolonging the flavour and aroma and longevity. Liebherr equips this refrigerator with a dimmable LED display for accurate temperature monitoring. A carbon filter fitted to each zone purifies the incoming fresh air for purity. Even the hand made, untreated wooden shelves contribute to optimum wine storage. Refrigerator humidity is maintained between 50% and 80%, guaranteeing ideal conditions to ensure the corks do not dry out. The WTes4677 also allows wines to be stored long term, with the UV light repellent door keeping harmful light at bay while the motor, housed in an isolated environment, ensures a vibration free environment. This triple temperature wine refrigerator from Liebherr retails at approximately £2,850. Also, wine storage [...]

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The fully integrated Miele wine refrigerator has three unique cooling zones with independent controls permitting you to store or temper champagne, white and red wines at their ideal conditions within 40°F to 64°F range. The environment is maintained by Miele MasterCool controls that protect wine bottles from any temperature changes, controlling it precisely for long-term wine storage. To protect your collection further, Miele equipped this wine refrigerator with the proprietary RemoteVision system that uses wireless local area network technology and unique application software developed by Miele for its Independence Series, enabling the cabinet to connect to Miele monitoring center. If there is a significant change in temperature or other conditions, the center notifies you for further action.

The humidity levels are controlled with the help of dynamic cooling system ensuring that corks are kept moist to effectively seal the bottles. The fully integrated wine storage refrigerator guarantees an even circulation of air and constant humidity so your wines always give a perfect bouquet for the enjoyment of family and friends.

Specially designed LED illumination system of this Miele wine refrigerator doesn’t affect the [...]

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Combining a spacious refrigerator, freezer and microwave in a single unit, a MicroFridge appliance is perfect wherever space is limited and there’s a need for food and refreshments – including hotels, college residence halls, assisted living residences, military housing, offices and at home too. The compact MicroFridge refrigerator features over two cubic feet of storage space, while the separate freezer boasts a 0.75 cubic foot capacity. For food preparation, there is a fully programmable 700-watt microwave oven. The refrigerator’s Smart Store Door allows the upright storage of two-liter bottles or half-gallon containers to eliminate leaks and spills that can result when storing tall containers on their side. And the roomy zero-degree freezer ensures that items like ice cream stay perfectly frozen.

The microwave features three, distinct “Express Cook” settings, along with pre-programmed recipes for soup, beverages, pizza and popcorn; the beeper volume [...]

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A fridge is one of the most important appliances in your home, influencing your eating habits and ensuring food hygiene and taste.

Refrigerators are available with different door configurations, with either the doors side-by-side, or with one door on top of the other, or as drawers.

In a top/bottom unit the freezer can be on either the top or the bottom. In a side-by-side configuration the freezer is on one side.

Some are available as built-ins, which can be disguised to look like just another cabinet. Others are the same depth as the countertop to mimic the built-in look.

Prices start at around $300 and can go up to $7000 or more for commercial or built-ins.

Top/Bottom Layout

Capacity (about 25 cubic feet) is not as much as a side-by-side

With the freezer on top you may find yourself bending down a lot to get to items on the lower refrigerator shelves.

A bottom freezer style is becoming more popular as the most accessed area (the fridge at the top) is also the most accessible.

Side-by-Side Layout

Capacity is more than a top/bottom, about 30 cubic feet.

These have narrower double doors, which is important if opening [...]

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