Frigidaire celebrates its history in new television ads

Consumer Reports

In its first television ad campaign in decades, Frigidaire is taking a nostalgic look at its past successes to promote its new Symmetry double-oven range and OrbitClean dishwasher. In a walk down memory lane, the company recalls such innovations as the first electric refrigerator (1918), the first room air conditioner (1929) and the first compact range (1950). But the results of Consumer Reports latest tests of some of Frigidaire's ranges and dishwashers may leave consumers feeling less than wistful.

Of the five Frigidaire smooth-top ranges in our tests, none made the recommended list and the Frigidaire FGEF306TM, $1,440, with the Symmetry double oven was the poorest performer of the quintet. What brought down the score was its less-than stellar baking performance. But we judged the oven capacity to be excellent and it was very good at broiling and high-temperature cooktop cooking. All five were excellent at low-temperature cooktop cooking.

The other double-oven in the group, the Frigidaire FGEF304DK, $1,500, was better at baking, although still not great, and there was not as much usable space in the oven. Still, it ranked very good overall as did the three single-oven models.

We recently added three Frigidaire dishwashers to our Ratings all sporting a different spray arm including one with a circular spray outlet that spins at the end, promising "four times better water coverage and a clean no other dishwasher can beat." The Frigidaire Gallery units, the FGBD2435N[W], FGBD2445N[F], and FGHD2465N[F] range in price from $400 to $600 and are more alike than different, with slight variations in water use, cycle time, and a few features. None made our recommended list but two of the three were judged very good overall.

But Frigidaire's most iconic product, the refrigerator, nicknamed the "fridge" after the brand, does very well in our tests. Five top-freezer models landed on our list of top picks including four CR Best Buys ranging in price from $600 to $850. And at $1,200, the Frigidaire Gallery FGUS2676L[P] side-by-side is also a good performer and a CR Best Buy.


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