The Ultimate Whirlpool WRT311FZDW 20.5-Cu. Ft. Top-Freezer Refrigerator Review

If you are looking for a new refrigerator and the space you have available was designed to accommodate a traditional top-freezer design, you will probably come across consumers recommending the Whirlpool WRT311FZDW when you start reading reviews. This popular fridge seems to check all the boxes with its spacious interior and array of useful features, but is it as good as people are saying? This review will answer that question.

You don’t buy a refrigerator very often, and you expect years of trouble-free service when you do. To help you make a wise buying decision and avoid costly mistakes, our Whirlpool WRT311FZDW review will cover all of this model’s specifications and features. It will also compare this Whirlpool refrigerator with other popular models and let you know what consumers who have purchased the WRT311FZDW have to say.

Want to skip the details? See a summary of the Whirlpool WRT311FZDW refrigerator here.

Whirlpool WRT311FZDW 20.5-Cu. Ft. Top-Freezer Refrigerator Review

Google’s Rating 4.2

Description and Specifications

The Whirlpool WRT311FZDW is a top-freezer refrigerator with dimensions that will make it a good fit for almost all kitchens. Most of the WRT311FZDWs made by Whirlpool are white, but this durable refrigerator is also available in biscuit, black and both monochromatic and fingerprint-resistant stainless steel.

This refrigerator offers an impressive 14.4 cubic feet of storage space, and its freezer adds another 6.1 cubic feet of capacity. The WRT311FZDW has three glass shelves, and two of them are adjustable. It also features two clear crispers with humidity controls. One of this refrigerator’s most innovative features is a Flexi-Slide Bin that glides from side-to-side to make accommodating tall items like soda bottles a lot easier. There are also three adjustable storage bins on this refrigerator’s door that are each large enough to accommodate a gallon of milk.

This top-freezer does not come with an ice maker included, but its freezer features an EZ connect that makes installing this optional extra a snap. This model is shipped with a door that swings out from the right, but this can be reversed if you prefer a left-hand door swing.

Construction

Whirlpool is known for making extremely sturdy appliances that run reliably for years, and the WRT311FZDW lives up to this reputation. This sturdy refrigerator is constructed out of durable metal, and its lightly textured door surfaces are designed to resist stains and be easy to clean. Whirlpool engineered the WRT311FZDW to make it possible for consumers to reverse its doors if they wish. This is a job that really requires two people, but it can be completed in about half an hour.

The interior of the Whirlpool WRT311FZDW was designed with functionality and convenience in mind. Its glass shelves are frameless to accommodate more food and make cleaning easier, and its Flexi-Slide deli bin can be moved from side to side with a single finger. The WRT311FZDW’s refrigerator shelves are made out of tempered glass, and its clear storage bins are constructed out of impact-resistant plastic.

The Whirlpool WRT311FZDW also offers the following convenience features:

• Humidity control: The Whirlpool has two humidity-controlled crispers that can be adjusted with a simple left or right movement. This restricts or improves airflow to either help produce ripen or allow moisture and gases to escape.
• Temperature control: You won’t have to move groceries out of the way to adjust the internal temperature of the WRT311FZDW because Whirlpool has placed a large and clearly marked dial right at the front.
• LED light: The Whirlpool WRT311FZDW’s large LED light lasts longer and uses a lot less energy than an incandescent bulb.
• Large door bins: Each of the WRT311FZDW’s clear plastic door bins are large enough to hold a gallon of milk, and cleaning them is easy because they are also removable.
• Quiet motor: Nobody likes a loud refrigerator, so Whirlpool as engineered the WRT311FZDW’s motor to be as quiet as possible.

Freezer and Refrigerator Capacity

The Whirlpool WRT311FZDW can accommodate the food storage needs of even large families with a refrigerator that boasts a storage capacity of 14.4 cubic feet and a freezer that adds an additional 6.1 cubic feet of space. These capacities make the WRT311FZDW one of the most cavernous top-freezer refrigerators on the market.

This Whirlpool refrigerator makes the most of its internal space with frameless glass shelves that provide wall-to-wall storage and can be removed easily and placed in several positions inside the cabinet. That means you will never have to place a soda bottle on its side because it is too tall to fit standing upright. The Flexi-Slide deli bin can also be moved from side to side when you need more space. Beneath the adjustable shelves is a fixed frameless glass shelf and two clear plastic crispers with individual humidity controls.

Whirlpool WRT311FZDW’s door has three large clear plastic storage containers that can be removed for cleaning and a dairy bin designed to keep butter and cheese fresh and easy to access. The WRT311FZDW’s top freezer has a fixed wire rack that divides the space evenly and two door shelves to help keep frozen foods organized. The wire freezer rack cannot be adjusted, but it can be removed.

Dimensions and Weight

Whirlpool has packed all of this storage space inside a top-freezer refrigerator that should fit into just about any kitchen. The WRT311FZDW is 32.75″ wide, 66.25″ tall and 32.88″ deep, including its handles. Like virtually all top-freezer refrigerators, the Whirlpool WRT311FZDW will protrude a few inches beyond most countertops. The Whirlpool WRT311FZDW weighs 209 lbs., which is about average for this kind of appliance.

Installation and Maintenance

Installing this Whirlpool 20.5-cubic-foot top-freezer refrigerator should be a fairly straightforward job as long as you have a power outlet, a water line and enough space. If you plan to install this refrigerator, here are a few things you should bear in mind:

• The Whirlpool WRT311FZDW should only be plugged into a grounded three-prong appliance outlet.
• If you connect the optional icemaker, you will need a supply of cold water with between 30 and 120 psi of pressure.
• You should leave at least 1″ of space behind the refrigerator and .5″ of space on top and on each side to ensure proper ventilation. If you connect the optional icemaker, you will have to leave a little more space at the back to make room for the water connection.
• You should make sure that you will have enough room to open the refrigerator and freezer doors.
• The WRT311FZDW can operate efficiently in environments as hot as 110 degrees Fahrenheit, but you should place it in a cooler area if possible to save energy.

This Whirlpool top-freezer refrigerator arrives fully assembled, so you won’t have to worry about aligning its doors or making any other adjustments when you install it unless you plan to reverse its doors. However, you should place the refrigerator on top of some thick cardboard when you slide it into place to avoid damaging your kitchen floor.

Once the Whirlpool WRT311FZDW is installed and running, not much maintenance will be required other than regular cleaning with a non-acidic cleaner. The refrigerator’s bright LED light will last for years, and this Whirlpool top-freezer refrigerator defrosts automatically. Reviews of the WRT311FZDW indicate that most consumers had no problems when they installed the refrigerator and find it easy to live with.

Annual Energy Consumption and Temperature Control

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the Whirlpool WRT311FZDW uses about 436 kilowatt-hours of electricity and costs about $52 to run each year. That figure is based on a price of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour, so you could pay more or less depending on energy prices in your area. The Canadian government arrived at a different set of figures when they tested the WRT311FZDW. According to them, the refrigerator uses only 388 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, which makes it a Type 3 appliance according to their rating system.

The information you see on EnergyGuide labels should be considered as useful estimates rather than absolute facts, and the amount you will spend on electricity to run this refrigerator or any other appliance will depend on a number of factors. The most important factor will be how much you pay for electricity, but where you place your refrigerator and how you use it can also affect how much energy it uses.

Ice maker and Defrost Type

Like most modern refrigerators, this Whirlpool 20.5-cubic-foot top-freezer refrigerator never needs to be defrosted because this is done automatically. The WRT311FZDW does not come with an icemaker from the factory, but installing one is a breeze using Whirlpool’s EZ Connect icemaker kit. The kit comes with everything needed to complete the installation, which involves little more than tightening a couple of screws and connecting a lead.

If you do install the icemaker, you will need to make sure that your refrigerator is hooked up to a water supply. Whirlpool also makes a kit for that. Once it is connected and working, the Whirlpool icemaker will make crescent-shaped ice cubes that will fit in virtually any glass.

Certifications and Warranty

The WRT311FZDW is UL Listed, which means it has been tested and certified by Underwriters Laboratories, and it is ADA compliant, which means that it meets all of the standards laid down by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Whirlpool WRT311FZDW is backed by a 1-year limited warranty. Consumers who purchase Whirlpool refrigerators are not required to register for warranty coverage, but they are encouraged to. Registration ensures that Whirlpool appliance owners are notified about product recalls quickly, and a registration can also act as proof of purchase in insurance claims made by people who no longer have their original receipts.

Whirlpool’s warranty protects consumers against defects in materials or workmanship, but it does not cover damage caused by accidents, abuse or improper installation. When defects covered by the warranty require attention, Whirlpool sends out a technician to complete the repairs. This means that you will not have to worry about removing, shipping and then reinstalling a Whirlpool refrigerator if it develops a problem.

Common Problems and Parts

Consumers who purchase a Whirlpool WRT311FZDW rarely report having any problems with it. Some people have complained about doors that will not remain closed, and they often blame this problem on weak door seals. This is a common complaint with refrigerators, and the problem is usually the result of refrigerators that are not level. When a refrigerator tilts forward even slightly, it places a strain on door seals that they are not designed to handle. If you run into this issue with a refrigerator made by Whirlpool or any other manufacturer, a spirit level will probably indicate to you what is causing the problem.

Whirlpool keeps a huge inventory of parts in stock for all of their appliances to handle warranty and out-of-warranty repairs. If you need parts for a Whirlpool product, you can find them by visiting the Whirlpool website and clicking on the Parts and Accessories tab. This is where you will be able to find replacement shelves, seals, bins and crispers as well as more complex parts like power supply units and compressors.

Additional Features

The main features of the Whirlpool WRT311FZDW can be summed up as follows:

Price

The Whirlpool WRT311FZDW has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,029. This may seem a little high, but, like most refrigerators, this model is rarely sold at its MSRP. Whirlpool usually discounts the WRT311FZDW by at least $200, and popular retailers like Amazon, The Home Depot and Best Buy generally sell this refrigerator for between $825 and $830.

That kind of price tag makes the WRT311FZDW far more affordable, and it is what you can expect to pay for a top-freezer refrigerator in this class. The price of this Whirlpool refrigerator seems even more reasonable when you consider how well it is built and how many useful features it offers.

What Are Consumers Saying About The Whirlpool WRT311FZDW?

Reviews of the Whirlpool WRT311FZDW are overwhelmingly positive, and the most common thing consumers notice is how quiet this refrigerator is. Reviewers were also surprised how much they could fit inside this Whirlpool refrigerator and how easy it is to adjust the internal temperature.

Some consumers pointed out that the freezer compartment does not have a light, but this is a feature rarely found on top-freezer refrigerators. Several reviews mentioned superficial scratches that may have been caused by careless installations, and one reviewer said that the removable glass shelves seemed too flimsy for heavy items.

Based on hundreds of reviews, the pros and cons of the Whirlpool WRT311FZDW seem to be:

If you still have questions about the Whirlpool WRT311FZDW after reading this review, you can check out the following links:

Is the Whirlpool WRT311FZDW for You?

The Whirlpool WRT311FZDW is a spacious, sturdily built and dependable top-freezer refrigerator that is packed with features, but that does not mean it’s right for you. If you have a large family and need to pack a lot of groceries in your refrigerator, Whirlpool’s Flexi-Slide bin and adjustable shelves could really come in handy. However, if your refrigerator is rarely filled and you don’t really care very much about maximizing storage space, a smaller appliance with a lower price tag may be a wiser choice.

If you want to invest in a reliable refrigerator that will run reliably year after year, this Whirlpool could be a good option, but it’s not for everyone. Technophiles may be disappointed because this refrigerator lacks smart home connectivity, and people installing custom kitchens may be unhappy with the limited selection of colors and finishes.

Why Choose Whirlpool?

Whirlpool’s story began in 1911 when an insurance salesman named Louis Upton started a machine shop with his uncle. Upton obtained a patent for a manual clothes washer, and he asked his uncle if he could improve the design by adding an electric motor. Over the course of the next hundred years, Whirlpool grew to become one of the largest and most successful appliance manufacturers in the world. Whirlpool Corporation is now a Fortune 500 company that employs more than 78,000 people and has annual revenues in excess of $20 billion.

Whirlpool has always been known for both product and marketing innovations. The company introduced the world’s first automatic washing machine in 1948, and it revolutionized appliance marketing in 1957 when it unveiled the Miracle Kitchen on national television. The products on display in the miracle kitchen were so revolutionary that they inspired a frank discussion between U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet General Secretary Nikita Khrushchev that became known as the Kitchen Debate.

Whirlpool continues to lead to this day. The company has won more than 20 CES Innovation Awards, and it also supports several prominent humanitarian causes, including Habitat for Humanity. Consumers gravitate toward Whirlpool products because they offer excellent value and have a reputation for reliability as well as innovation.

This success has allowed Whirlpool to acquire several other notable appliance brands, including KitchenAid, Maytag and Hotpoint, which has given the company access to some of the brightest minds in the industry. If you want a top-freezer refrigerator that will run for years and was designed to make your life easier, Whirlpool is a brand that you should definitely consider.

FAQs

Still undecided about the Whirlpool WRT311FZDW? Here are some answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.