Avanti Model RMS550PS - SIDE-BY-SIDE Refrigerator/Freezer

I went into the project of acquiring a new compact refrigerator/freezer with a lot of apprehension. Fortunately, I've had a much better experience than the previous reviewer.After researching many different units and designs, I became convinced that a unit with double doors would be required to provide a suitable freezer. I also decided that something larger than the common 3.2 cu. ft. unit would be needed.A taller refrigerator/freezer was unsuitable for my application, so when I came across the Avanti RMS550PS with side by side doors that maintained 'counter' height, it seemed like the ideal solution.After reading about bad experiences with shipping damages for compact refrigerators in general, I decided to buy directly from Amazon (at a higher price at the time) rather than some of the 'other buying options'. I dreaded the thought of a hassle with returning such a unit, especially to a third-party, and it appeared to me that alternative sources delivered by freight shipper/trucking companies and their 'free shipping' included only 'curb-side' delivery unless a premium was paid.I figured that if Amazon could offer free two-day Prime delivery (at the time I purchased the unit), they must be using UPS. I understand that UPS also uses over-the-road trucks, but my experience is that merchandize handled by UPS is delivered in better shape than the alternative shippers.The refrigerator arrived as promised. The cardboard container had small tears at two bottom corners, but the refrigerator itself had no damage at all. I judged the shipping container to be clever, but skimpy. The refrigerator sat on a styrofoam/cardboard pad. The corners were protected by 8" wide styrofoam protectors, and an outer cardboard shell was slipped down from the top over the refrigerator, and secured by three fiberglass bands. This made it easier to handle the unit and easy to unpack it without tipping the unit over.The corner protectors do not fully cover the sides, front, or rear of the unit, so with the lightweight cardboard container, the unit is susceptible to damage to any of the panels.In general the unit appears to be well-designed and engineered, but I agree with the previous reviewer that Avanti's assembly and QC functions are lacking. The doors are somewhat misaligned, though that is compensated for by the door gasket and doesn't appear to impact operation. If I had noticed the misalignment before putting the unit into service (and filling it up) I think the alignment might have been easily corrected.After securing a safe delivery, my biggest concern was about the adequacy of the freezer function. I notice that manufacturers don't specify attainable temperatures. I tested it over a period of days. I set the thermostat initially to '5' as directed by the manufacturer. The unit ran all day and all night, and finally turned off the next morning. The freezer compartment measured minus 20 degrees F. I did not test the refrigerator section at that time. I then set the thermostat to 4, and after a few more trials, ended up with a setting of just a bit over 4.The unit now performs as follows: Compressor turns off when the freezer compartment reaches minus 10 degrees F and comes on at plus 10 degrees F. The refrigerator section is at 36 degrees when the compressor shuts off and about 38 degrees when the unit comes back on.Since the HACCP specs are 40 degrees F for refrigerators, and 0 degrees F for freezers, I consider the numbers above to be good. The freezer passed the 'ice cream test' maintaining the same brand of ice cream as shown in the Avanti images (a cream-rich brand) in the ideal state between too hard and too soft. I should add that I keep my room warm; about 78 degrees F.The duty-cycle of the unit seems okay to me. It runs for about 25 minutes and stays off for about 50 minutes. That might seem like it runs a lot, but it the nameplate is right, it's using only about 100 watts! The compressor in it must be very small. This might also explain the very quiet operation of the unit.Another interesting feature of the freezer's design is that the small loops of tubing carrying refrigerant are routed through the fixed shelves in the freezer compartment. This provides even, efficient cooling in that compartment without the need for fans etc. I can put a bucket of ice cubes in the freezer and they don't melt, refreeze, and stick together.I value the additional space in this unit. The refrigerator section alone is about the size of the 3.2 cu. ft, units and the freezer section adds almost the same amount of additional space.Space utilization in both sections is good. The vegetable bin is large. The refrigerator door doesn't include a beverage can dispenser that takes up a lot of room. Since the refrigerator door/bin depth is generous, the shelves in the refrigerator itself are not excessively deep, making access to the rear of the shelves easier. Since each of the two doors is narrower than the single door on a upright unit, it's easier to get in and out of the unit. I like the glass shelves and slots in the sides for height adjustment.The unit is also attractive, including the embossed top. All panels of the unit are stiff, suggesting the use of poured-in foam insulation.Two things I miss with this unit: the lack of automatic defrost for the freezer section. Auto defrost would make the unit perfect. A more complete parts layout in the manual would be helpful. A call to Avanti got me quickly to a very knowledgeable service agent who answered my questions.I've been using the refrigerator for three weeks.

We are very happy as it is very quiet and effective!! Value for money ! Easy to install , we have placed a tray under to prevent any leakageOnly thing missing is a light on the freezer sideTemperature settings as per the manual are good so far

Great fridge for the inlaw unit, side by side is really cute and definitely comes across as a huge cut above a regular mini-fridge.Had it for 8 months, so far very quiet, seems to be efficient, fits perfectly in the space left by a gas oven- I put a countertop w/ gas cooktop over it and all wound up fitting really well, just enough room on top and behind for the gas appliance and flex line. Only star off is because it was so dang expensive, but still worth it, there is nothing else like it out there. Only one of it's class (wide residential undercounter). I imagine it would also fit great in a dishwasher slot.

(Amazon flagged this review the first time, here's another attempt because it's consistent with other complaints on here)Received new fridge, let sit 2+ hours (per instructions) before being plugged in for 24 hours, then 48, then 72.... NOTHING. Lights worked, fan or some sort of motor was running, NEVER BECAME COLD.Customer service was nice and not hard to work with, they sent out a technician two business days after calling. Tech said it was a dud and to get a new one. All in all took about a month to return and receive the new fridge. THE NEW FRIDGE? OH THE NEW FRIDGE? THE DOOR WONT CLOSE UNLESS YOU BASICALLY KICK IT. There's a piece of plastic malformed. Yes, the fridge is actually getting cold after being plugged in overnight, so yay for small victories?DID I MENTION I HAD TO PAY FOR SHIPPING AND THEY WONT DISPOSE THE OLD FRIDGE. It will cost about $40 at the dump based on its weight. So we're looking at $50 plus countless, fridgeless, hours wasted. Why oh why is this the only side by side small fridge that exists? I guess for the price you get what you pay for, it's not really that expensive of an item. However, MY total costs are far higher than I was willing to pay for this particular fridge.PRO TIP: I see people complaining about "bad quality stickers"... GUYS! It's because there is a plastic protective film over the front and sides! The sticker comes off when you (easily) peel the whole sheet off! My partner figured that one out.

Item came and was delivered right to my door. Packing was perfect for the item I thought. Made it easy to unpack and install. The fridge was very protected by protective film. Only complaint is that there were display stickers on both doors saying Look Inside I'm a Fridge and I'm a Freezer. I thought they would have been clings. It took me an hour to get the adhesive glue off of the doors from these stickers! Alchohol did not work. Hint: use 3 in 1 oil and a credit card and plenty of paper towel and it will come off. The appliance works beautifully! The manual says 5 setting is usually the standard temp setting. But the unit gets very cold to where my milk had ice in it. So I have mine set to 3 and a half. This is not a complaint. I was impressed at how cold the unit got.

Arrived with all interior shelves broken. Compressor ran but wouldn't cool. Now only the light works.