Farewell to My Freezing Fridge: Hello, New KitchenAid Adventure (and Extended Warranty Dilemma)

 

Happy New Year! So…how is your year kicking off? Mine started with a bang... or rather, a mysterious chiming sound from the kitchen on New Year's Eve. Turns out, it wasn't one of my beloved Westminster clocks; it was my refrigerator. Hmmmm. That’s new. For the past two months, items in the fridge section kept freezing (on the plus side, frozen milk lasts long past its expiry date), and the blower was cycling like it was training for a marathon—sometimes every 20 seconds. When the water dispenser was hesitant to dispense, I decided it was time for an upgrade. 

This is my current, much loved fridge, that served me well for 13 years.

  Gone are the glory days of marathon shopping sprees with my best girlfriends in high school and college, or later with my mom (my ultimate shopping buddy), and then with the late Mr. O-P. We'd hit the department stores bright and early—back when they had actual departments: notions, fabrics, a built-in bookstore, stationery, candy, bakery, the works! We'd shop all day, break for lunch and dinner, and stagger home laden with treasures. Sigh... stores just aren't the same anymore. These days, I do all my shopping online, from cars to kitchen countertops, sight unseen. So far (knock on wood), I've had great luck—no major regrets.

 

I'd been eyeing refrigerators for a while, so I knew roughly what I wanted. I'm a sucker for gadgets, and that door-in-door feature really tempted me—I loved the idea of grabbing a beverage without opening the whole fridge, plus it would force me to keep things tidy behind that glass panel. But it adds a bit of protrusion, and in my slightly clumsy dotage, I worry about bumping into it, caroming off into the stove and onto an open flame. Pass.

 

I couldn't live without: an exterior water and ice dispenser, and upgrading to a four-door model from my old three-door. I'm partial to KitchenAid, so that's what I ordered—online from Best Buy. Pro tip: I clicked through Rakuten first and scored $90 cash back. If you're not using Rakuten, you're missing out—I've earned over $6,000 in cash back over the past decade. Seriously, sign up; it's free money! Click here. I mean it! Vow to save money this year, and there is no easier way to do it.

 

Now, the nail-biter: Will it fit? When I remodeled the kitchen, Joe built a custom cabinet above the fridge space (previously just open air). My precise measurements show the new one will clear it by a mere eighth of an inch. Fingers crossed! Delivery is set for January 9th—I'll keep you posted.

 

One thing my neighbor suggested: an extended warranty. I'm torn. My dad was firmly against them—called them a waste. My son Andrew jokes that manufacturers install "kill switches" to zap appliances right after the standard warranty expires (he swears he's kidding... I think). 

 

So, what do I think? Extended warranties on appliances are a hot debate. Many experts, like those at Consumer Reports, say skip them—modern appliances are reliable, and repair odds during the extended period are low. Repairs often cost less than the warranty premium anyway. On the flip side, refrigerators (especially with ice makers and dispensers) can be prone to issues, with repairs running $200–$700 or more. Some sources suggest they're worth it for complex or high-end models if the plan is from a reputable provider with good service.

Since this is from Best Buy, it'd be their Geek Squad plan—reviews are mixed, but many praise quick fixes and even food spoilage reimbursement. Peace of mind might be priceless, especially for a gadget-loving gal like me. I'll probably mull it over until delivery. What about you? Extended warranty yay or nay? Drop your experiences in the comments—I'd love to hear!

 Here's to a fresh start in 2026, with a fridge that doesn't chime alarms or freeze my lettuce. Cheers!