Full-Size Retro Refrigerators

Why are full size retro refrigerators so much more expensive than normal refrigerators of the same size?

Materials, modern features, non-traditional styling and design, and… MARKETING!

Yes, they may not actually be any better. They're just in a smaller supply than the demand—which is actually on the uprise.

Because of this increase in demand, more manufacturers are coming into the fray. And, bringing more affordable options in with them.

How are they affordable? By bringing similar features, in smaller designs.

These smaller refrigerators with fewer modern features can be significantly cheaper.

These smaller, narrower designs are also more more easily adaptable to the kinds of spaces in which we'd like to put a retro style refrigerator — usually cozier, more retro-styled, multi-purpose rooms.

So, maybe you're looking for a vintage style refrigerator that would fit in a smaller space—like an office, studio, or loft—but still deliver on all the modern-day features and storage options you'd expect from a full-sized fridge.

My point is, you probably might NOT want, nor need, a huge fridge after all. Maybe you can use something that is ALMOST full sized!

This article on Affordable full size retro refrigerators introduces you to some of these models.

What is "Full Size?"

In general, refrigerators tend to be classified by storage size in cubic feet (cu. ft.). And 14 cu. ft. or larger is considered full-size.

A full size retro refrigerator, however, tends to marketed as only 10 cu. ft. and larger. Weird, right?

Whatever the reason, most of these things are not full size — they are *almost* full size retro refrigerators.

Still, these smaller models boast modern functionality and amenities such as telescopic guides for drawers, fast-freeze cooling systems, wine bottle storage, dual digital thermostats…

The article lists seven items from the more basic and affordable, to the most luxurious, feature-packed, and expensive.

It also links to manuals and places to purchase, and a few review videos, so that you will be informed enough to decide on whether to buy, and where.

What's listed in the article?

Of the three big retro refrigerator brands that everyone knows about — Northstar (Elmira), Big Chill, and Smeg—only Smeg appears as an option.

But the options that appear are all below $2,000 price point. Most of the Big Three options are often 3 thousand dollars, 4 thousand dollars or more!.

Here are the brands you'll find:

• Smeg 12 cu ft
• Smeg 9 cu ft
• Chambers 12 cu ft
• Chambers 10 cu ft
• Unique 9 cu ft
• Equator 11 cu ft
• Galanz 12 cu ft

Check out the reviews on these (almost!) full size retro refrigerators. You're sure to either find one to fit your space, or get some new ideas on how to find one.

Affordable new refrigerators that look vintage

Spend some time on-line searching for new refrigerators that look vintage, and the first thing you'll notice is the expense. $2,000 or even $3,000 and more doesn't fit every retro-enthusiast's budget.

Brands such as Smeg, Northstar (Elmira), and Big Chill are drool-worthy, but pocket emptying. AND, you may have to find a physical store that offers them, because they're not always available online.

This retro fridge freezer article introduces a few different cheaper choices for retro refrigerators: Chambers, Galanz, and Unique.

Each of the options presented for these brands costs below $1,000 and are available at major retailers on-line, so you can have them delivered to your home.

The article talks about sacrificing size and options for the lower price. The storage capacity of retro fridge models reviewed top out at about 12 cu. ft —just under what one might consider a "full size" refrigerator— and bottom out at 7 cu. ft.

These new refrigerators that look vintage might not be good for a kitchen that serves a family of 5, but they'd be great for a smaller family or a smaller space, such as a bar, seasonal cottage, or basement entertainment space.

Survey: Trouble Projecting Your Voice? Despite "Yelling"?

"My director keeps asking me to be louder, but I already feel like I'm yelling!"

Do you feel like this? Are you getting requests to be louder, but not getting the right tips to help?

Surprisingly, you're not alone.

Lately, more and more of my students are saying things like this, and asking what they're doing wrong.

And, it got me wondering:

• How many other working actors or actors in training are struggling with projecting their voices?
• What's been missing in actor education and experiences?
• What hasn't worked? What helps?
• How do we fill that gap?
• How do you think it's affecting your career?

I'm looking for insight into how I can help my students (and others) better, and I'd appreciate your feedback!

Click here for the survey.

Fill in your email at the end of the survey, and I'll send you a helpful guide about projecting your voice and being heard.

Picking a Good Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System for Home Use

When you’re picking out the best reverse osmosis water filter system for your home, there’s a lot to consider. But it doesn’t need to be complicated.

In this excellent and extensive article, everything you need to know is broken down. Here’s a brief summary:

1. Determine what’s in your water that you want to filter out.
   Contact local water authority, or test your well water. and make sure the system you choose is calibrated to removed those contaminants.
2. Decide whether you want to remove minerals from your water, or keep them in.If you want to keep them in, you should either NOT use reverse osmosis, or get a system with an additional stage that adds minerals back in.
3. Budget and Schedule the Maintenance
   Each of the filtering stages in your reverse osmosis water filter system will have to be replaced on a regular basis. Check the manual to determine how easy it is to swap these out, and how frequently each filter needs to be replaced. Also check prices for replacements online, so you can set your maintenance schedule and budget.
4. Estimate how much clean water you’ll need in a day.Most people will only use their filtered water for drinking and cooking. Others may want to use it for plants, or brushing their teeth, or more. This is also affected by the size of your household. Popular reverse osmosis systems for home use are rated in gallons per day (GPD). Usually they produce more than enough for an average household, but if you want to know more, check out the sidebar about Reverse Osmosis GPD, below.
5. Installation Considerations:
1. Do you have enough room to store the filtration system under the sink or on the counter? In a separate cabinet? Will it crowd your garbage disposal or other things in your cabinets? The storage tank can take up a lot of space!
2. Will you need access to electricity? Additional stages like an ultraviolet lamp or a permeate pump will need an electrical source nearby to plug into.
3. Will you need professional Plumbing and Construction Work? Determine whether or not you can do the work yourself, or if you should pay someone like a professional or your savvy uncle.
6. Will you need/want any Reverse Osmosis Accessories?What will enhance your experience? A hot and cold filtered waterdispenser for hot water on demand, for for example. Water testing kits for drinking water and pH balance testers for mineralized water are other popular accessories.

To get all the details and ins and outs, read more at this link.

Finding the Best Outdoor Refrigerator for Your Budget

There are a wide variety of outdoor refrigerators out there, from the super-cheap to the ultra-expensive. Sometimes you just want to get a basic model at a good price without too many extras.

How do you find the best outdoor refrigerator for your budget?

Here are a couple of articles that will make your search a bit easier:

• Good Outdoor Refrigerators Under $1,000 (Reviews + Buyer’s Guide)
• 3 Good Outdoor Refrigerators Under $500

You'll find tips on maintenance and care, as well as reviews of particular models and features to look out for. Nice and succinct guides on finding the best outdoor refrigerator for your financial situation.

Finding the Best Outdoor Compact Refrigerator

There are 3 important considerations when looking for the best outdoor compact refrigerator for your situation:

1. Make sure it's rated for outdoor use.
2. Make sure it's rust resistant.
3. Check that it's designed to be built-in or freestanding.

Outdoor refrigerators have to work harder because they're outside.

Outside temperature changes drastically and dramatically—from very hot in the day, to very cool at night. Not only do compressors have to work harder to keep everything cool and at an even temperature, they also have special insulation to compensate for temperature differences.

Also, the electrical components have to be weatherproofed. Outdoor refrigerators can be exposed to water and humidity from rain, or swimming pool splashing, or the like.

Outdoor fridges should be made from high-grade stainless steel for its ability to resist rust. Not all stainless steel is made with the same level of rust-resistance, so check your fridge specs when you buy.

Most refrigerators need a few inches of ventilation space on all sides, so that the heat removed from the inside of the fridge can be released into the air and environment.

When you build a fridge into a cabinet or outdoor kitchen island, this prevents air from circulating around the fridge, and inhibits the refrigerator’s ability to cool the inside.

So, some models are specially designed to have vent on the front so that they can be "built in" to these figures and fit snugly. This allows the the fridge to blow away the heat without needing extra space on the sides for ventilation.

Installing a “freestanding” fridge into your outdoor kitchen island without proper space and ventilation will not only make it difficult to refrigerate its contents, it may also overheat and cause damage.

There are other more aesthetic things to consider when looking for the best outdoor compact refrigerator. Check out a list of optional features midway down this article: 3 Good Outdoor Mini Refrigerators

For more information about outdoor compact refrigerators and fridge recommendations, check out the articles about outdoor refrigerators on 3GoodOnes.com.

A bunch more garage ready refrigerators

Hi, all.

I finally finished it. In response to my article about a few good refrigerators for a garage, I've come up with a list of more garage ready refrigerators. This list covers not only refrigerators, but chest freezers, upright freezers, and convertible refrigerator freezers. I've also added some of the strategies I used to find these on the internet. Take a look, and comment to let me know what you think.

Thanks!