The GE 4.4 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator easily handles our (main) fridge overflow

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It's not always easy to find enough refrigerator space during special events, Holidays or when we're stocking up for the onslaught of summer guests. We also usually run out of space in the kitchen refrigerator when harvesting our small veggie garden, regardless of our stacking expertise.

Since trading our regular refrigerator for a larger unit is not an option in our small kitchen, the best solution for seasonal fridge overload is a compact refrigerator.

I had been on the hunt for a compact fridge for several months, but I had trouble deciding between a 3 or 4 cu. ft. capacity. And then there was the decision whether to buy a compact refrigerator with a small freezer or not, plus the two-door versus the one-door models.

Thankfully, we received this GE compact refrigerator as a gift which was a bonus. I'm glad the decision was literally taken out of my hands because this model turned out to be the best choice for us; a smaller one would not have been adequate.

Product Description:

GE GME04GLHLB 4.4 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator

4.4 Cu. ft. capacity (fresh food 3.93 cu. ft. )
ENERGY STAR®
CleanSteel™ exterior (also available in white and black finishes)
Reversible door; recessed handle
3 Glass shelves
In-the-door can rack
0.47 cu. ft. freezer capacity (chiller style; two-thirds the width)
Manual defrost; drip tray below freezer
Mini ice tray
Three temperature settings: Low, Medium, Max
2 Front leveling legs
Dimensions: 33-7/8" H, 19-5/8" W, 21-1/4" D
Limited 1 year warranty

Learn more from the manufacturer
MSRP: $240

How the GE 4.4 Cu. Ft. Fridge Performed:

We love the capacity of this compact refrigerator - it gives so much more flexibility when it comes to accommodating larger items, than you would get with a three cubic foot model. That's because you can remove the three shelves if need be. Though I haven't tried it yet, I expect that I could get a small turkey or a ham in this fridge if I had to.

The interior of the door has a good assortment of storage options including a can rack for sodas or frozen juice tins. You can also store one quart or liter beverage packs in the door too. The bottom of the fridge gives you 7-1/2" of height to work with and you can get another similar space by removing one glass shelf. Note that the third shelf and bottom of the fridge is only half-depth, but still very usable.

I set the temperature to Medium, which is working well for the main cooling area. Note that exactly what is best for you will depend on the room's temperature which can affect how well the fridge will cool on a given setting. But I would recommend starting on Medium and adjusting up or down from there. It does cool reasonably quick when setting up.

The freezer compartment is very small, not closed off well from the main cooling area and I would not freeze anything in it, since temperature fluctuations makes it totally inefficient. Ice cubes left overnight only half froze. The drip tray is positioned below the freezer so easy to get at and handy when defrosting. In the interim, this is still a useful cooling area for flat, thin items.

As for maintenance, it doesn't take long to defrost this unit, the tray does a good job of catching the ice. As noted in the manual, use a little baking soda in water to wipe the fridge's interior. Note that when the fridge is set to Off, it does turn off the cooling, but does not cut power to the appliance, so it's best to unplug it off season. Remember to keep the door open. Read more tips about shutting down a refrigerator.

Overall, with the exception of the freezer compartment, I love the way this small refrigerator is designed with food storage options. That freezer area might have been more useful if the space was for additional cooling room, instead of for frozen foods.

The stainless-look exterior looks good and doesn't show fingerprints. A simple wipe and dry buffing is all that's needed to keep it looking nice. In fact, it's a shame we had to place it in a utility room, it would look nice in a recreation/family room, mud room or the home office.

I'd recommend this GE compact fridge to anyone looking for a small unit to supplement their kitchen refrigerator, or for a small office cooler. For those buying a compact fridge for a seniors residence, I'd recommend a two-door model which would be more practical with usable freezer space. The price of this compact fridge offers very good value.

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