Why Choose Frigidaire?
Some brand names dominate markets so completely that they become the terms people use to describe a whole range of products, and Frigidaire is one of them. Most Americans used the word Frigidaire to describe any refrigerator in the 1920s and 1930s, and the term is still a synonym in France, Canada, and many other French-speaking countries. Frigidaire earned this distinction by inventing the home refrigerator and developing manufacturing techniques that made it affordable for the average consumer. That pioneering spirit lives on today in the company’s latest standard, Gallery, and Professional model lines.
History
The company that we know today as Frigidaire was not always a manufacturing giant. Its story began in the early 20th century when two engineering geniuses found an innovative use for existing technology, and its journey is marked by milestones, breakthroughs, and industry firsts. Frigidaire developed the world’s first room air conditioner and all-in-one laundry center, but we will focus on the company’s contributions to refrigerator and freezer technology.
Founding and Milestones
The first step on Frigidaire’s remarkable journey was taken in 1916 when Alfred Mellowes and Nathaniel Wales attached an electric refrigeration system to a wooden cabinet to create the world’s first self-contained refrigerator. Before this leap in technology, the only way to keep food cool was to place it inside an icebox. Mellowes and Wales were brilliant engineers, but they did not know very much about production lines. Their Guardian Refrigerator Company took an entire week to make just one appliance, and it was soon burdened by crushing debt.
In 1918, William C. Durant, who was one of the founders of General Motors, took an interest in the company. He was convinced that every American home would have a refrigerator within a few decades, so he invested his own money in the Guardian Refrigerator Company and renamed it Frigidaire. He then sold the business to General Motors and moved its headquarters and manufacturing hub from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Detroit, Michigan.
Production was shifted again in 1921 to Dayton, Ohio, and this move proved to be the springboard for decades of success. Assembly-line production techniques and cost-cutting strategies introduced by GM helped to reduce the price of a Frigidaire refrigerator from $775 to $468 in just six years, and a range of ice cream cabinets, soda fountains, and freezers were soon added to the company’s product line.
Lower prices and a more diverse range of products kept the Frigidaire factory busy even during the depths of the Great Depression, and the plant employed more than 20,000 workers when the 1930s drew to a close. This growth during challenging economic times was fueled by creative solutions, and the fruits of these ideas can still be found inside every modern Frigidaire. The long list of this brand’s refrigerator firsts includes:
- Hydrolene: The linings of early refrigerators were not very efficient. Frigidaire addressed this problem in 1921 when it started to line its refrigerators with hydrolene. This metal alloy provided much better insulation, which allowed Frigidaire refrigerators to keep food cold while using much less electricity.
- Cabinets and drawers: The first refrigerators were just wooden cabinets with no drawers or shelves. In 1926, Frigidaire introduced a refrigerator with shelves, dairy cabinets, and ice cream drawers that gave consumers far more storage options.
- Steel and porcelain-on-steel refrigerators: You may be surprised to learn that early refrigerators were made out of wood and built by cabinet makers. Frigidaire changed all that in 1926 when it unveiled the first refrigerator made entirely of steel. That design was a great success, so the company followed it up with the first porcelain-on-steel refrigerator.
- Ice dispensers and crisper drawers: No modern refrigerator would be complete without crisper drawers, but these storage compartments were unheard of until Frigidaire introduced them in 1937. That was also the year when the company unveiled the first ice dispenser.
- Auto defrost: Defrosting refrigerators was an unavoidable and tedious task for decades, but that changed in 1952 when Frigidaire introduced an appliance that took care of this chore automatically.
- Frost-free refrigerators: Frigidaire made life easier for consumers again in 1958 when it brought the first frost-free refrigerator to the market.
- Colored appliances: People who wanted to add a dash of color to their kitchens were delighted in 1954 when Frigidaire introduced a range of appliances available in finishes other than white, and the company moved the goalposts again in 1956 with its “Sheer Look” streamlined designs.
Production and Manufacturing
Frigidaire products are known for being extremely well-built and crammed with imaginative features. This is largely the result of the company’s research and development efforts and attention to detail, so let’s take a look at what Frigidaire refrigerators offer, how they are made, and what sets them apart.
Products
The latest line of Frigidaire refrigerators and freezers includes standard models at affordable prices, Gallery models with more advanced features, and Professional models that are designed for use in commercial kitchens. If you’re shopping for Frigidaire freezers and home refrigerators, you can choose from these styles:
- French door refrigerators: Frigidaire French door refrigerators are available with capacities ranging from 17.6 cubic feet to 28.8 cubic feet. Features that you can expect to find in these models include humidity-controlled crisper drawers that can be placed side-by-side or stacked on top of each other, and water and ice dispensers that filter 99.9% of cysts and 99.3% of lead from tap water.
- Side-by-side refrigerators: Frigidaire side-by-side models have the refrigerator on the left and the freezer on the right. They are not quite as big as the largest French door refrigerators, but they still have useful features like stainless-steel finishes that resist fingerprints as well as shelves that can be moved and configured in several ways.
- Top-freezer refrigerators: If you are looking for a more traditional refrigerator, a Frigidaire model with a top freezer could be a good choice. These refrigerators tend to cost a little less than French door or side-by-side designs, but they offer an incredible array of features for their relatively modest price tags. These features include flexible storage bins that can be used as additional crispers and ventilation systems that optimize airflow to provide even cooling.
- Single-door refrigerator: Frigidaire’s refrigerator with a single door is ideal for people who need a lot of cooling capacity but don’t have enough space for a large French door or side-by-side appliance. This model offers 19 cubic feet of cooling space. It has an optional trim kit, and you can place the refrigerator and a freezer together or apart to suit the layout of your kitchen.
- Compact refrigerators: Frigidaire’s smaller models have compact dimensions but still offer up to 4.5 cubic feet of cooling space. They also have storage bins big enough to accommodate gallon containers, full-width freezer zones, and adjustable glass shelves.
- Upright freezers: Frigidaire’s line of upright freezers offers capacities of up to 20 cubic feet. Its features include alarms that let you know the door is open plus seals designed to keep food frozen even during power outages.
- Chest freezers: Those who need the kind of capacity that only a chest freezer can provide will find plenty of choices to pick from in the Frigidaire line. You won’t have to rummage around to find food in one of these freezers, as they have adjustable baskets that slide, and they also feature color-keyed locking handles.
If you would like more information about Frigidaire’s large line of kitchen appliances, you will be able to find what you are looking for on our main refrigerator and freezer page.
Manufacturing
Frigidaire freezers and refrigerators had been made in factories in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, but everything changed in 1986 when the company was acquired by the Swedish manufacturing giant Electrolux. In order to ensure that Frigidaire maintained its reputation for product quality and innovation, the company’s production and research and development operations were moved to a new state-of-the-art facility in Anderson County, South Carolina. The plant opened in 1988, and it now employs about 2,000 people.
In November 2020, Electrolux announced that it would invest a further $250 million to update and improve the Anderson facility. The money will be spent to build a larger production center and convert the old factory into a warehouse. The plant is filled with some of the most advanced manufacturing technology currently available, including machines that can diagnose problems and repair themselves. The Anderson facility produces about 2 million refrigerators and freezers each year, and its research and development center employs more than 100 scientists and engineers.
Key Facts
Modern appliances contain parts and materials sourced from countries all over the world, and some of these countries have less than stellar human rights records. Frigidaire and its parent company Electrolux are well aware of this, and they have taken steps to add transparency to their supply chains. Frigidaire has a zero-tolerance policy toward involuntary, trafficked, or forced labor anywhere in its business or supply chain.
Frigidaire is committed to protecting the planet by becoming climate neutral by 2050, and these efforts seem to be paying off. In 2021 alone, the company reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by 8% and achieved 78% of its Scope 1 climate targets. Frigidaire is also taking a proactive approach to a looming distribution crisis. The American Trucking Association predicts that the logistics sector will soon face a dire shortage of truck drivers. To make sure that their appliances continue to reach consumers in a timely manner, Frigidaire has partnered with Embark and Ryder to deliver refrigerators using autonomous trucks. These are vehicles that can drive themselves, but a human operator should always be on hand to monitor how they perform. Frigidaire has stated that human drivers will remain in the cabs until the technology has proven to be completely reliable.
Warranty Information
Frigidaire backs its refrigerators and freezers with a one-year parts and labor warranty, and the company offers service plans that can extend this coverage for up to an additional five years. If a Frigidaire appliance needs repairs that are covered by the warranty, they are completed by factory-trained technicians using genuine Frigidaire parts. The warranty covers appliance owners against defects in manufacturing or materials, but it does not apply when problems are caused by accidents or misuse.
Frigidaire encourages its customers to register their appliances, but this is not required to receive warranty coverage. Those who wish to register can do so on the Frigidaire website in a few minutes, and they will receive several benefits when they do. They will have a chance to win a $1,000 gift card, they will receive customized appliance tips, and any warranty claims they submit will be expedited. Registration can also be used to prove ownership when making insurance or warranty claims.
Frigidaire Refrigerator/Freezer Parts
If you purchase a Frigidaire freezer or refrigerator and need to source parts for it, you will be able to find what you need on the company’s dedicated parts website. Just click the “Frigidaire Refrigerator Parts” link in the menu, then look for your appliance’s model number.
The parts Frigidaire offers all meet the company’s strict quality control standards, and descriptions of them are accompanied by photographs and a wrench icon that lets you know how difficult they are to install. The Frigidaire parts website also lets you know if the components you need are in stock for immediate shipment.
Check Out More Frigidaire Content From RefrigeratorHQ
This look at Frigidaire’s history, products and manufacturing facilities is just one of the resources RefrigeratorHQ has to help you find an appliance that fits your budget and meets your needs. If reading it has encouraged you to consider a Frigidaire freezer or refrigerator, here are some links to other pages that could help you to narrow down your search.
Frigidaire Refrigerator/Freezer Reviews
Our product reviews are what you should read if you want to make informed buying decisions. They include detailed specifications, so you can be sure the refrigerator you’re considering will fit in the space you have available. They cover all the bells and whistles so you can decide for yourself whether you will use the features that are included. Our reviews also compare the appliance being scrutinized with similarly priced models from competing manufacturers, and they let you know if people who have bought them are happy. If that’s not enough, our reviews finish with a list of pros and cons and links to retailers that offer great deals.
Frigidaire Refrigerator/Freezer Roundups
Reviews are great when you have narrowed down your choices to one or two models and need some comprehensive information, but what should you do if you have just started looking at appliances? That’s where our product roundups come in. This is where you can find basic information about several Frigidaire refrigerators or freezers that you can use to whittle down your list of options. After giving you a list of important specifications and features, our roundups finish by listing pros and cons and letting you know about features that make the appliances really stand out.
Frigidaire Retro Mini Fridge Reviews
Frigidaire Refrigerator/Freezer Press Releases
The Frigidaire refrigerator and freezer ranges include dozens of models, and the company makes minor changes to features and specifications all the time. When existing Frigidaire models are improved or new refrigerators or freezers are introduced, retailers may keep this information quiet until they have moved all their old stock. If you want to make sure to spend your money on the best and latest appliance available, check our press release pages before you make your final decision. This is where you will find news about product announcements, rebate programs, and special deals.
Frigidaire Recalls
Frigidaire appliances are made by skilled workers using quality materials, so they are not recalled very often. When recalls are announced, you can rely on RefrigeratorHQ to provide you with all the important details. Our press release pages will let you know what kind of problem prompted the recall, which models are covered, and what the manufacturer is doing to correct the problem.
Where To Buy
Once you have settled on the appliance you wish to buy, RefrigeratorHQ can help you to find the best deal. We watch the major online retailers, so we always know where the best prices can be found. We do our homework to make sure that we only recommend sellers that back up their low prices with quick delivery, easy return policies, and excellent customer service. If you are ready to buy a Frigidaire refrigerator or freezer and want to save some money, check out these links:
Deals
Our press release pages let you know about rebate programs and other incentives, and our links connect you with retailers that are offering special deals. If you want to make sure that you are saving the most money possible, check out our content and follow our links. Here are some deals that are currently available:
Similar Brands
Frigidaire builds some of the most sophisticated and reliable refrigerators and freezers on the market, but they are not the only good choices for consumers looking for quality and savings. If you want to broaden your search, you may find some of our other reviews helpful. Other manufacturers we cover include:
Online Presence
Most appliance research today is done online, so it goes without saying that Frigidaire has a major internet presence. In addition to a main website and a parts website, the company is active on all of the most important social media platforms. Here are some useful links:
Contact Information
The Frigidaire website does not have an online form that visitors can use to ask questions or send messages, but it does offer a live chat option and lists the company’s toll-free telephone number. Operators are standing by to answer calls or engage in chats between 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday.
- Customer Service Number: (800) 374-4432
- Live Chat