Black+Decker BRF1600GIMW French Door Refrigerator Review

The refrigerator measures 28.3 inches wide, 29 inches deep and 69.9 inches tall, and it stays under 30 inches fully assembled. That width is the reason to buy it: it slides into alcoves and cutouts where a standard French door will not go.

Capacity for the size

The total is 16 cu. ft., split into 11.15 cu. ft. of refrigerator space and 5.06 cu. ft. of freezer space. The refrigerator section is the generous half, and it holds a full weekly shop for one or two people. Buyers on Amazon most often praise the space, and one notes that it does not take up much room.

Layout and interior

Inside the refrigerator you get three full-width glass shelves, two crisper drawers with a glass cover, six full-width door bins and an LED light. The French doors open on top, and the freezer below is a two-drawer unit. Grip handles are fitted on the doors.

Built-in ice maker

The ice maker makes up to 3.5 lbs of ice per day and stores it in a bin in the freezer. There is no through-the-door dispenser, so you scoop ice from the drawer.

Digital controls and modes

A digital control panel sets the refrigerator and freezer temperatures separately, with a Fahrenheit or Celsius readout. Quick Freeze and Smart modes are there for fast chilling and everyday running, and a Sabbath mode holds the settings until it exits on its own.

Frost-free operation

Defrost runs automatically, so there is no manual scraping of ice buildup in the freezer.

Energy use

The refrigerator is ENERGY STAR certified at 523 kWh per year, against a federal standard of 579 kWh per year, roughly 11% better than the minimum. At a typical US electricity rate, that adds up to a modest annual electricity bill for a fridge.

Quiet running and simple setup

Buyers on Amazon consistently describe it as quiet, and they find it very easy to set up. The ice maker cycling is the sound you will notice most.

Finish options

The W in the model code is white. The same refrigerator also comes in black and in a stainless look, so the finish is a choice rather than a constraint.

Most of the trade-offs here come from the narrow format, and a few come from the model itself. Knowing them before delivery day is what keeps the purchase smooth.

Depth against standard counters

This is a standard-depth refrigerator, about 29 inches at the cabinet, not a counter-depth one. It will stand proud of standard 24-inch counters, so plan the aisle space in front of it before you commit.

A small freezer

The freezer holds 5.06 cu. ft. across its two drawers. That is fine for a couple and tight for a family that buys frozen food in bulk.

No dispenser and no smart features

There is no water or ice dispenser in the door, and no water dispenser anywhere on the unit. There is also no Wi-Fi, no app and no connected function of any kind.

Temperature control draws mixed feedback

Buyers on Amazon are divided on temperature control, with some reporting fluctuations. This is the most common functional complaint about the refrigerator and the one to watch in the first weeks.

Damage on arrival

Several buyers on Amazon note dented doors on arrival. Inspect the unit at delivery before you sign, and report any cosmetic damage to the retailer.

A modest warranty

The warranty runs one year on parts and labor with in-home repair. Years two through five cover the compressor part only, and labor is not included. The coverage is limited, so check the terms before you buy and choose a retailer with a workable return window.

Indoor use only

The refrigerator is specified for indoor installation and should not sit where the ambient temperature falls below about 41°F. If a garage fridge is the plan, this is the wrong product.

Clearances

Allow at least 2 inches at the sides and top and 4 inches at the back. Where the manual gives a larger figure, follow the larger one.

A water line for ice

Ice needs a household cold water line, 1/4-inch OD copper tubing, 20 to 120 psi, with a dedicated shutoff valve. Do not use a self-piercing saddle valve. Without a water hookup the refrigerator works fine; you just get no ice.

The 28.3-inch width is what makes a tight kitchen work: measure the opening, the delivery path and every doorway on the way in, because the doors and the freezer drawer come off to pass through openings 30 to 36 inches wide. The 29-inch depth means the cabinet sits close to flush with a standard countertop but the doors and handles push past it, so leave room in the aisle. The capacity split favors fresh food over frozen, which suits everyday cooking more than bulk buying.

Buyers on Amazon are divided on durability, and the pattern behind the complaints is worth knowing before the truck arrives. The large majority of ratings are four or five stars, so most owners are satisfied, but a meaningful minority run into trouble.

Cooling problems in the first months

If the refrigerator stops cooling, unplug it and reset it before calling for service. Buy from a retailer with a return window you can live with, and consider an extended warranty given the one-year term.

Dented doors

Dented doors are the other recurring complaint. Check the unit at delivery before signing, and report any cosmetic damage to the retailer.

What buyers praise

Performance, space, quiet operation, appearance, ease of use and door sealing all draw mostly positive comments from buyers on Amazon. The freezer in particular performs well for them, and the door seal closes cleanly.

Run the water line to a dedicated shutoff valve with 1/4-inch OD copper tubing at 20 to 120 psi.

Wait before plugging it in

After a delivery, waiting 24 to 48 hours is the safer choice so the refrigerant can settle after the unit has been tilted in transit. Set it on its two front leveling feet so the doors close on their own.

Run the water line properly

Use 1/4-inch OD copper tubing to a dedicated shutoff valve, with 20 to 120 psi of pressure. Ice starts within 12 to 24 hours of hookup and reaches full output by about 72 hours, and the first batches should be discarded.

Give it the clearances it needs

Leave 2 inches at the sides and top and 4 inches at the back so the condenser can shed heat. A tight box makes the compressor work harder and shortens its life.