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Any experience with Northstar refrigerators?

16 years ago

If anyone has one or has had one, could you share your ownership experience with me, please? Or if anyone knows someone personally who has one and knows how it's performed, please chime in. I love the look of them and think one would look smashing in my cottage-style kitchen but I don't know about reliability, etc.

We have a Jenn Air FD that works well but I have grown to really dislike the look in my kitchen - way too modern looking and I'm over the FD, too. This is the one appliance I didn't feel 100% about but hubby liked it so I caved. He's on board for the Northstar (wore him down he says - lol!) so now I need more info than what the website can provide. Any info is much appreciated!

Here is a link that might be useful: northstar

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Comments (4)

rmkitchen
16 years ago
Northstar reliability = crap.

Like you, I liked the look of it too, but the dealers near where we lived (San Francisco) both told us "Don't Buy It." The dealers (plural!) told us this.

Evidently Northstar is notorious for failing, repeatedly. How frustrating to have all of your fridge / freezer contents spoil ONCE, let alone more than once!

Also, they are v. expensive to run as they do not have to comply with energy requirements (others will pipe in and correct me, I'm sure, but it's something about because the compressor is separate from the body it therefore avoids classification as a fridge / freezer, thereby not falling under those guidelines).

We were looking at it for our next home (which is where we now are, in CO). So, to keep checking it out, we called both the CO dealers and service agents, and they also told us that Northstar is a dud!

So we bought Thermador Freedom Columns instead.

A while ago (so it's no longer in the archives) there was a discussion about Northstar and someone chimed in that their parents had Northstar and had had nothing but problems. I felt so bad for them!
angelcub
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, rmkitchen! I think I remember that old discussion but couldn't find it either.

Have you seen the energy star rating on their site? It says it's rated 448 kWh/yr. Our JA is rated 480. I don't think they can put that rating without testing, right?

Here is a link that might be useful: energy star rating
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angelcub
Original Author
16 years ago
Just an update in case anyone else needs info. We drove to Laguna Hills today to see a red Northstar. Oh my, what a beauty! Perfect size for DH and I and he's lovin' it. : ) I'm just not sure about the color. The red would look great with the white cabs and beadboard, not to mention the red Wolf knobs, but I love the mint green, too. Gonna have to sleep on this some more.

Also, I found someone who's had one for almost 2 years - no problems at all and loves hers. I have a few more owners to talk to next week. I haven't personally found any bad reviews nor any dealers that have anything negative to say about them, even the ones that don't sell them but do have knowledge of their repair history. I will be calling my appliance repair friends next week, too, just to make sure.
rthomas224
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Did you end up getting one angelcub? If so, have you been happy? I'm considering a french door, cabinet depth one.

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