If you have a large family, you know food flows in and out of your home faster than you can keep up. You will come home with boxes of snacks and different lunch options, only to face an empty refrigerator a few days later. How is it that you need a large refrigerator to feed your family, but your kids and significant other do their best to empty it?
Fortunately, there are ways to maximize storage and better preserve food, so it doesn’t go bad. This means you can store more food that lasts longer — reducing the amount of time you spend at the grocery store. Consider these options if you are searching for the best refrigerator for a large family.
Understanding Refrigerator Capacities
Before you can find the best refrigerator for a large family, it helps to know how refrigerators are measured. You will find storage capacity is reported in cubic feet. This showcases exactly how much a refrigerator can fit. You can calculate the cubic feet of a refrigerator by emptying it, measuring the internal length, width, and height, then multiplying the three numbers together.
It’s unlikely that your refrigerator will ever be at full capacity — where every cubic inch is full — but this metric is a useful guide for comparing larger refrigerators against smaller ones. A larger refrigerator might be wider, allowing you to store party platers comfortably. It’s also taller, which means it has more shelves or wider spaces in between the existing ones.
As you shop for refrigerators, check the storage capacity as well as the length and depth measurements. You want to make sure your new appliance fits comfortably in your home.
What size refrigerator do I need?
Once you understand cubic feet, you can get an idea of the right size refrigerator for your needs. Refrigerators are developed with the lifestyle needs of the customers who buy them. You can find smaller refrigerators for single people or couples and family-sized appliances.
If you are a single person or couple, you likely only need 4–13 cubic feet. For a family of four, you will need at least 14-24 cubic feet. In comparison, a family of five or more will need an appliance that is larger than 25 cubic feet.
Fortunately, you can easily find refrigerators today that exceed 29 cubic feet, which is ideal for large families. Here are a few top options to consider.
1. LG 29.5 Cu. Ft. PrintProof™ Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator
If you are searching for a large size refrigerator, start with this model by LG. This appliance can store almost 30 cubic feet of groceries and ice. This is a four-door model with two French doors in the refrigerator, a middle drawer, and a pull-out freezer drawer.
The two French doors are especially useful if you have a large family. If you have kids and adults constantly opening and closing the refrigerator all day, the cold air will get out. Your refrigerator will have to work hard to stay cold (driving up your electric bills), and your food might spoil faster (driving up your grocery costs). However, with two French doors, you can cut the amount of exposure in half. You only have to open one side to get the items you need. This keeps more air inside your refrigerator to protect your food.
This is the best refrigerator for a large family. Depending on your design preferences, you can order it in PrintProof™ stainless steel or standard stainless steel. This appliance starts at $3,400.
2. Samsung 28.0 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator
Another brand to consider in your search for the best large-capacity refrigerator is Samsung. This company offers multiple large refrigerators with different features and price points. This particular model also has four doors — two for the refrigerator, one for the freezer, and one in the middle.
The middle section is known as the FlexZone Drawer, and it is built to accommodate your lifestyle. You can set multiple different temperature levels for this drawer to perfectly preserve different food items. You can make this space a dedicated drinks drawer to keep your kids hydrated or store party platters in this section to keep veggies crisp and charcuterie meats and cheese fresh. This drawer comes with a Smart Divider to stay organized.
Like many Samsung appliances, this refrigerator can connect to WiFi for easy temperature management. It comes in fingerprint-resistant stainless steel with black and Tuscan options as well. Prices for this appliance start at $3,200.
3. Samsung Bespoke 30 Cu. Ft. Matte Gray/White Glass 3-Door French Door Refrigerator with Family Hub™
Another popular Samsung option as you search for the best large-capacity French Door refrigerator is the Bespoke model. This refrigerator actually hits 30 cubic feet and maximizes interior space while still using modern technology to preserve your food. The Twin Cooling Plus™ independent refrigerator and freezer control systems keep food fresher so you can enjoy it longer.
This model is useful because it comes with the Family Hub™ designed by Samsung. This is a smart screen that can be used to manage the day-to-day needs of your busy family. You can share photos on this screen, leave notes for your kids, check the weather, and even stream music while cooking. This system can also sync with your outdoor doorbell to see who is on your porch before you answer the door.
This is the best refrigerator for a large family because it provides a space for the family to communicate as well as food storage.
4. Frigidaire® 28.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator
You can also look into buying a large-capacity French Door refrigerator by Frigidaire®. This model offers close to 29 cubic feet of space and is still only 36 inches wide. Frigidaire specializes in its food preservation technology. It strives to offer the best solutions to make your groceries last longer.
One feature of this appliance is the CrispSeal® Crispers, which prevent premature shriveling by blocking dry air from the refrigerator. It also has an EvenTemp™ Cooling System that maintains a steady temperature no matter how often your kids and other family members open the door.
Speaking of doors, do you find that some people in your family forget to close the refrigerator door all the way — instead, they leave it wide open to let the cold air out? This model comes with auto-close doors, which take over when the door is five inches or less from closing. This ensures your refrigerator is always sealed shut. You can take home this stainless steel model for $2,400.
5. Whirlpool® 28.5 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Side-by-Side Refrigerator
You can choose the best large refrigerator for your needs without having to invest in an appliance that has French Doors. This large side-by-side refrigerator is an affordable model for families who need a large refrigerator that can last. Whirlpool uses Accu-Chill™ technology to prevent cold air from escaping, returning your refrigerator to its ideal temperature once you close the doors.
With this model, you can enjoy In-Door-Ice® storage, so you don’t waste space by storing ice within your freezer. There are also adjustable gallon door bins so you can set up your refrigerator in the best way possible for your family. Every household is different. Find a refrigerator that can accommodate your particular grocery storage needs.
This refrigerator comes in four different colors. Along with fingerprint-resistant stainless steel, you can opt for black stainless steel, black, or standard white. These refrigerators start at $1,700.
FAQ
How are refrigerators measured?
Refrigerators are measured and marketed to customers in terms of cubic feet. You can calculate this number by multiplying the internal length, depth, and height of a refrigerator. If you are looking at an appliance with multiple sections, find the cubic feet of each section and add them together.
Should small families buy large refrigerators?
A large family can’t live with a small refrigerator, but can a small family use a large one? Buying a large refrigerator for a small family can be a waste of money. You won’t have enough food to fill it up, and the appliance will use more energy to keep the space cool. Use buying guides to understand the right size refrigerator for your needs.
Why Trust Spencer’s TV & Appliance?
Since 1973, Spencer’s TV & Appliance has grown to 10 locations throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The secret to our longevity is simple: personal service. Customer satisfaction has always been the focus of our business, and throughout the years, we have been able to work hard with our suppliers to bring you the best prices. After all, getting customers the best price and personal attention is how we compete with big-box stores, day in and day out.
Not only do we offer top-rated appliances, name-brand electronics, and the best mattresses on the market but we also provide water treatment solutions and perform kitchen design services. Stop by your nearest Spencer’s and see what you’re missing!
Shop Refrigerators for Large Families at Spencer’s
At Spencer’s TV & Appliance, we provide high-quality, name-brand products at great prices — check out our catalog to shop refrigerators for large families online today. Your friends in the business are always happy to help you find the best refrigerator for a large family. Call us, or better yet, stop by at one of our locations in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale regions. Visit us today!
Learn More: Our Favorite Large-Capacity Fridges for Big Families