Is a Modern, Computer-Less Refrigerator Worth Owning? FFTR1835 Review & 2yr Teardown 

Simple, cheap and reliable. No computers or motherboards to needlessly complicate operation and repairs, and be more expensive.

This is how they should be designed. Hate how companies overdesign stuff just to create more SKUs and more unreliable products.

I retired from the tech industry as a process programmer. I spent my whole career developing software and applying it appropriately. I often deferred complicated computer/programming jobs to other departments for a simpler, easier to operate and maintain solution. Newer, younger managers think digital/touch pads/remote/sensor/displays/etc. means better. It's mostly driven by marketing to the naive public. Newer appliances with computers use very little processing to operate the appliance. Mostly it's to operate all the "bells and whistles" that have little to no bearing on the function of the appliance. I have a refrigerator with no PCB's. Doesn't require them. It's not an appropriate application of technology. All my stuff stays nice and cold without them. Thanks for what you do. Yep.

Someone needs to build a pickup truck based on this design philosophy. Reliable, simple, affordable.

I have had one like yours for 15 years and only replaced a defrost timer. A repair I did myself. My brother bought one of those expensive, electronic side by side fridges. It failed after five years and the cost of having it repaired was more than it was worth. I win.

I continue to watch Ben because the level of detail in the summary is always excellent. I especially like the DYI explanation.

When my "new to you" fridge died, the landlord got me one of these. Im happy to see you cover it. I'll use this to my advantage.

Thanks to your suggestion I own this. Simple, big, well made and it's the best appliance buy I think I've ever made. Going on one year now with no issues whatsoever. THANK YOU!

I find all the computers components are just one more thing to break and usually costly to fix. Thanks for the video. 👍

I work in tech, have smart devices all over my home, but I'll be damned if I own a fridge any more advanced than something like this. Heard nothing but problems from family and friends who purchases modern/smart fridges over the years.

*Ben, thank you ever so much for featuring the sibling to our LFTR1814 garage 'fridge, which is a rock. Build date 06-2011, "L" prefix and wire shelves tells you it's a Lowe's-only model. Bought for about $400. Has same controls package as yours however is R22 not R600a. Door shelves permanently attached with 3M low temperature-tolerant epoxy. Has endured every temperature extreme, brownouts and blackouts with grace and aplomb. 13 years and only required annual condenser and fan cleaning. Love 'ya!*

I literally just bought this exact fridge this week, love to see it.

Glad to see the old style simple refrigerator is still available. I have a Whirlpool we purchased in 1985 and it is still running. I have had to replace the fan in the freezer and defrost timer in 39 years. My brother purchased a Samsung side by side and the defrost went bad and it cost him $6oo to fix after only three years.

I worked in Public Housing for 34 years and this was basically what we had in the property’s. Easy to troubleshoot and repair, the biggest improvement of the years was the built in door handles because that was the number I problem.

The more Bella whistles, the more problems less Bella whistles, the less problems.Great video

Thank God for you, Ben, that is all I have to say.... ❤

I am still rockin a FPCI-18TC frigidaire from the early 80s. It has been bounced around between relatives as a garage or second refer. It has outlasted many other bigger and nicer ones that replaced it over the years. I've given it to others when I got a bigger or nicer one as a second refer, only to get it back years later when the other one quit.

We have an Amana top freezer that is now 30 years old. (no ice maker) NO repairs so far. Best fridge EVER!

I love the simple, cheap, reliable aspect of this. I also love our Bosch 800 that cost more than 5 times as much, which I got partly as a result of this channel, particularly how quiet it is and the hope that it will last a long time, but if anything were to happen to it I'd strongly consider going back to something like this Frigidaire. I hope refrigerators like this continue to be available for a long time.

I have essentially that same fridge that I bought 18+ years ago as a garage fridge. It has been dead solid reliable. The only issue is, as you point out, the in-door shelves are weak and the glass shelves are also problematic. As the plastic parts age, they get brittle and they are just too expensive to replace in an 18+ year old fridge. I'm going to look at installing wire closet shelves as replacements for the glass shelves. Take care and God Bless.

Thanks so much for this. Four years ago we bought a Frigidaire FFTR1425 as a backup fridge (it sits in the basement) and absolutely love it. It's rock-solid reliable, quiet and just does its job. Contrast this with the five year old buggy, WiFi-enabled, bells-&-whistles, fancy LG fridge we have up in the kitchen. With that we have had had two failures: one under warranty & the other paid for out of pocket. (Friendly vocabulary note: don't use "simplistic" when you mean "simple." "Simplistic" means treating complex issues and problems as if they were much simpler than they really are.)

I have one from 2001 and I had to replace the evaporator fan and the cold control over the years. That’s it! Cheap and easy. I never want another type of fridge that has any computer controls.

I take care of a twenty apartment building. This is what I use. Simple and reliable. Replaced one that was 22 years old only because the door seal magnets were weak. New door seals were $400 Canadian. Crazy

I have one of those LG's with the inverter compressor. After purchasing, I've learned that they commonly fail after just a few years. Luckily, I have a 2nd fridge in my basement, and it's a cheap fridge like you have there, and should last a long time.. This is my backup when the LG compressor fails. I can't see the selling point on saving energy when they need to be replaced more often.

You sound like my mom LMAO-she loves the old white refrigerators and ice trays 😂

Would like to know about a computerless, no ice maker fridge with a bottom freezer. I have enjoyed many of your videos and your helpfulness.

I have a refrigerator that came with my house when I bought it in 199, and as near as I cantell, it was built in 1984 or 1985. I had to replace the heating element six years ago when the coils iced up, and the ice maker sprung a leak about 11 years ago, so I disconnected the water line and uss a small counter top ice maker to keep the basket full. The dispenser works fine. Illwprkbably jinx it, but the unit is about forty (40) years old and still works great, i.e., it cools and freezes without all the BS computerized crap which is what my computer handles.

I have a 2005 version of this and it's still going, no issues at all. I thought about getting a new one but I've heard such horror stories about new refrigerators so I'm going to keep it as long as I can. It's stainless steel and I polished it up last year and replaced the bulbs with led and it looks fantastic!

Love this, thanks for sharing. Good thing there is a fridge that doesn't have an icemaker and is very reliable.

My first choice will always be a fridge without a computer, I haven't watched the video yet😄

I like the engineering of this fridge. Besides having a built-in icemaker and old school ice trays, there is a third icemaker option called Costco. We get twenty pound bags of ice that we keep in a chest freezer in the basement. Then whenever we run out be haul a bag up from downstairs. It is under $2 a bag so 100 pounds of ice costs $10, which lasts us up to two months. And clear purchased ice TASTES WAY BETTER than refrigerator ice.

Thank you Ben!

I have always had one of these-whether in my apartments or now in my garage. They seem simple and reliable and get the job done cheap to buy as well even brand new

thank you for sharing Ben

Still running a 1988 Hotpoint that's as simple as this one 😎

Thanks for the review. Saving this video for when I need to replace my side by side. Hope you have a great weekend ! Fun fact, the contents of your fridge look almost identical to mine !

Reminds me of my 1998 Maytag. Have replaced a defrost element and door seal but still going strong.

My 30 year old house came with the most basic appliance package---and the GE top freezer is still kicking (so is the dishwasher, range and dryer! Not energy efficient (according to the guides, it costs 2x as much to run) but for now---I think I'll keep it as the cost for a new purchase and subsequent ones would cost way more than the energy use this one has. Thanks for the videos!

Bought a similar fridge about 20 years ago. Think I'd had to replace one part on it in that time. Is it pretty? No. Is it a bargain? Yes. Excellent video by the way!

On this type of fridge i usually have to clear drain line and sometimes new gaskets. The defrost heater is well made and rarely go bad. Super easy to check frost pattern and ohm out compressor.

We have the 2017 version of this fridge and it has just worked. Never thought about it, it just works.

Thank you.

This is my garage fridge. I do really like it.

These are simple and reliable, and an ambitious do-it-yourselfer can repair almost everything on it. The only thing I don’t like is the refrigerator on the bottom; as a taller-than-average male I don’t like having to stoop to see what’s in the compartment I use most often.

The problem with PCBs isn't just the manufacturer not making them. The components on the PCBs frequently also stop being made, especially relays. I tried to repair my 20 year old LG microwave convection oven, one of the two relays failed, and the relays were no longer made. I'd have to make a converter PCB to use the modern relay as a replacement as the pinouts were different and the spacing was smaller.

28 year old freezer top still kickin’ strong. They don’t build them like they used to.

Thank you! Love your videos. One point on the word simple vs simplistic. Simple is easy to understand. Simplistic is over-simplified, with a negative connotation that it is misleading.

We have one of these as our secondary / basement fridge and can now rest easier in confidence that it seems to have been a good choice! Even still, it's connected via an electrical surge suppressor to minimize chance of issues caused by electricity spikes.

What a coincidence!! Our trusty 1989 Whirlpool fridge has seen better days, so my wife and I reluctantly went shopping at the big blue store for a new fridge. However I forgot to bring my paper with the models I wanted. We purchased this model! It gets delivered tomorrow. I am glad I made a good choice, although I wish the 1989 Whirlpool served us longer.

I bought a Sears 12 years ago and went with the Consumers Report recommended plain model. Its fancy feature is self defrost. It has a never used icemaker because the well water would kill it. It was plain and affordable. I clean the coils since our wind blows dirt in. It has survived blackouts and brownouts so I am very happy with it.

Just the fact alone that you prefer an analog controlled appliance speaks volumes to today's trend for 'smart' ones that fail and cost big bucks to repair/replace. Personally, I wish that vehicles would return to simpler and easier to fix control systems. Many of today's late model vehicles have to be taken to the dealer for diagnosis and repair, just too complex and restricted by proprietary technology. JMHO.

Thanks for the vidja. Simple and reliable. Yeppers... that's the ticket.

Our 20 year old whirlpool et20dk has finally kicked the bucket - I appreciated being able to diy the repairs myself in the year prior, and I think this (or the 20cu variant) is going to make a great replacement!

I have a GE side by side that’s 40 years old and still going strong

Yes, that's what we have, AND our power utility gave it to us FOR FREE. Works great! And the price was good.

Ben- I own this exact refrigerator as a secondary in my garage. My normal refrigerator is a 1989 Whirlpool bottom freezer, same technology. Also have a 1970 G.E. electric oven, 1968 G.E. electric dryer, 1989 Kenmore (Whirlpool built) dishwasher and a 1999 Whirlpool direct drive washer. All fully functional- all simple technology. BTW- I ran a family appliance repair business for 31 years and worked 42 years in the field. What this refrigerator has is exactly what 1970's auto defrost units had- electro mechanical systems that are reliable and easy to fix. I'll take them any day over variable speed compressors or multi-phase operations. By the way- don't bet your life on your thinking that this isn't as energy efficient as a pcb controlled unit. I ran tests when I still had my shop. Compared a 1936 GE manual defrost to my 1989 Whirlpool auto defrost to a 2006 G.E. high end pcb adaptive defrost unit and in the end the 1936 manual used the least energy, and the 2006 the most. Don't drink the energy efficiency Kool-Aid!

My analog refrigerator and stove are 50 years old and still working fine. No electronics. I repaired analog refrigerators for thirty years but gave up on the electronic ones, especially LG and Samsung.

Vehicles, all kitchen appliances, washer/dryers, HVAC .... keep them as basic and simple as possible! (Wisdom from an old lady). I refuse to have a fridge w/ any H2O or ice on the door. I just went to extremes to replace my 9 yr old analog Oster toaster oven ... good luck finding (a quality) one now w/o beeping buttons and screens!

My OCD at seeing the crooked tag on the freezer door is driving me crazy! 🤣

I have the same model and size. Can confirm the noise is an issue. The first few months of operation were fine, but the compressor rattles a lot more at start/stop and even during operation. Also had issues with the Recommended temperature level (leafy greens freezing up) and now keep it closer to the 10 o'clock position.

I have a side by side GE from 1991 in my kitchen. It has never had anything replaced except for the ice maker bucket. Even the ice maker itself is original. I also have a Whirlpool top freezer from 1996 as a second fridge. I only had to replace the thermostat once due to it short cycling. That one's pretty beat with some shelves from a Kitchenaid version in it, but it just keeps going. I clean the condenser coils and fans on each regularly since I have 2 large dogs, but otherwise, they're trouble free.

Even better is a computerless fridge from 20+ years ago. New stuff, even simple new stuff, is made to break. Modern refrigeration coils develop leaks within a few years if compressors don't fail first. My 30 year old mini fridge and 55 year old air conditioner are testaments to vintage reliability.

After having gone through 2 fridges in the last 4 years (one major brand and one no name) both died with computer problems due to the unavailability of their computers boards.

I have the FFHT1835VS cheap and no trouble for 4 years I love how to do test is pressing the switch door light lol

Who can argue with simpler is better? No one!

Have had one of this model for 4 years. The good is thst it is very simple and easy to maintain. The bad is that the Door shelves have all broken at least once and the seals for both the fridge and freezer have had to be replaced. The worst part though is keeping balance between the Freezer and Friddge. It is very easy to have the freezer too cold and the fridge far too wsrm. I thought this was a defective unit, but my parents and sisters units that were bought 1 year later do the same thing. Overall it is ok for the price, but not great.

What are your opinions on "garage ready" refrigerators? They are supposedly designed to run in hotter and colder environments in a garage and are pretty dirt simple.

Miss when things were this simple

TFS this!

Last year, I bought a Frigidaire Model # FFTR1814WW because we are low income. This was a big investment for us, but we did get a size up. I just wanted something reliable that would last since we can't just replace these things on a whim. Analog controls are archaic, but they're fine. I wish more window air conditioners would have analog controls on them. I actually like to run them with external thermostats, and you can't do that with digital controls. It seems like you can only fine 5kBTU window units with analog controls anymore.

I don't know with people here in my house buying Samsung. They bought it 2012 in to replace still working but small rusting Frigidaire. It broke it ten years and replaced it with anther Samsung.🤦‍♂🤦‍♂

if only most UPS's work on fridges are cheap enough

I still miss my '80s model 87 Kenmore side by side with a little door on the front of the refrigerator side.. it survived until 2013 when that little door just fell off.. the plastic just gave up and cracked.

Ben you should review the frigidaire professional series column refrigerator, if people like these top mounts for the simplicity but want something bigger those are a good alternative.

How can people be expected to use a fridge without having a built in TV, WI-FI, icemaker, or a camera? What would you use it for...just to keep things cold?

I might actually have that model - my house's fridge spot is just too small for most modern fridge and the lowes sales guy convinced us to just get that (or some variation, it looks like that and a small chest freezer - working ok though it is so much harder to find things in a fridge like that. I've put in a lot of bins as faux drawers

Interesting. I had a non-cpu fridge when I was a kid and thought those fridges were the best after experiencing a Samsung fridge. Those fridges last over 10 years! The only thing I worry is if's storage capacity compared to the Samsung fridge. I too make the ice the traditional way plus the ice trays have become better over time where it's not stiff anymore or would need to go deep beyond to gather strength to crack that sucker.

I have a 1995 Kenmore and it’s time to replace it but new fridges just feel so flimsy compared to mine.

The frigidaire that you reviewed, I had one of those and 2 months of ownership the fridge burned out

If they would now add a inverter Compressor and multi Zone Temperature control with forced air so I can control different zones via an App, then this computerless fridge would be ideal

i was excited to see the information on this refrig. when i went to home depot website and read reviews it didnt do well. there is no safe haven in buying an applicance . its a disgrace they cant build stuff that lasts

Great review, and tear down re-cap! The front controller looks like many basic fridges... so now I know what it looks like inside. I would be interested to get your insights on what makes a good garage fridge. I see many fridges, freezers (chest, standup) as "garage ready"... whatever that means. I do know garages have much wider temp changes (high/low) due to less insulation & the garage door opening/closing all the time. does it really make a difference if it's "garage ready" vs indoor fridges? It's not out in the elements, and it's pretty basic.

This conversation happens so frequently in our house that the wife may divorce me if bring it up again- The manufacturers all know the common failure points/least reliable parts in their machines, and also know what they can do to make it easier for the average homeowner to fix the stuff that will break over a lengthy period of time. I know I would be guaranteed to drive myself out of business, but dammit if I were going to be an appliance manufacturer I would start with the premise that a fridge, oven-range, dishwasher, washer, dryer etc should easily last 30 years with reasonable care, and then build stuff accordingly. We had a nice Kenmore (or so we thought) that died last year after only 12 years. Symptoms all pointed to a condenser problem so I replaced that, no luck. Repair guy came out, said it was probably the compressor reaching end-of-life, but his cost to me to drain the refrigerant, put in a new compressor, and refill it would cost me more than half the cost of buying a brand-new one. His assessment: Buy a new one, at least you get a warranty. That fridge got rolled out the door looking otherwise brand-new inside and out, and I’m sure some tech in a warehouse probably fixed it up using parts salvaged from one of the other nearly-new “dead” fridges collecting dust. It is a shame what we have come to expect. My in laws had a fridge from the sixties that was still working when they finally replaced it after 40 years or so because it was hopelessly dated-looking and mom really wanted an ice maker. We have learned to accept planned obsolescence on devices that were essentially perfected decades ago.

Just to be on the safe side, I ALWAYS plug each of my refrigerators and freezers into a single- outlet surge suppressor, one for each appliance. I figure that it's cheap insurance against having noise and line voltage surges fry those delicate PCBs.

Mine makes hissing and gurgle sounds at times, but more quiet than the 20 year old GE model that finally quit working.

I would love if all my appliances has the old mechanical thermostats, controls, not a damn piece of electronics to fry! In fact I have gone to getting decent shape old units from folks, fixing them up and keep using. This new stuff breaks not worth fixing and will break in only a few years.

I own an inverter-type fridge. No other features, just the ref at the bottom and freezer at the top. It's not the most basic ref, but it is not overly complex.

I had a 1989 Subzero 532 and refurbished it myself in 2018. Having done that, I would do it again provided I could find an old used unit where all the internal cabinet plastic was in good shape. But, having done that job, I'd also chastise manufacturers to make things super simple and repairable. Why not make seperate refrigerator and freezer units so that they are lighter weight and if one goes out, the other keeps going? The subzero has seperate closed systems fkr the fridge and freezer with the exception that the condenser coils share the same cooling fins and condenser fan - that was nust dumb!

My last Frigidaire last 4.5 years. The evaporator leaked out all the freon. The Whirlpool that replaced it lasted 3.5 years. JUNK..

This is the style my father always had. The fridge he bought back in the 60's or 70's (yellow) finally had an issue back about 20-25 years ago and he replaced it with another one of this style and that one started working on and off on me about 4 years ago and I replaced it with the dreded LG brand unfortunately. Will see how long it lasts me. Question for this LG I have, the spacing of shelves and all are frustrating for me with this LG one I have. I notice at the bottom of the door (there's only 2 door shelves) there's a ton of space not being used where a shelf can be. Is there a shelf I can buy for this spot? And where would I possibly find that?

i had one of these cheap simple frigidaires back in early 2010s. lasted maybe 4 years before top evepator in the freezer started icing up. repairman said its cheaper to buy a new one then to repair it. i do find higher end ones (that still dont have a computer?) lasted longer

My biggest problem is the jackas that placed the counter 23" away from a 30.5" deep frig. It's a nightmare to find a refrigerator to even fit into the space with proper circulation spacing, let alone open the refrigerator to access.

Can you set the freezer temp. I have one that I can't get the bread and ice cream to freeze in the freezer unless I freeze all the fresh vegetables in the fridge and eggs.

oh, a refrigerator WITHOUT a computer! What will they think of next?

Toss me those Waffles.. I'm hungry! ;-)

The worst thing that's happened to simple devices is 'electronics'. Electronics (which I know fairly well) have no place in appliances. Please explain why a processor is needed to make a toaster operate. Or anything else so simple. Never confuse fancy with progress!

I don't know if you've ever done this, but I'd love to see a breakdown and commentary on one of the really old refrigerators some of us remember being in our grandparents houses and lasting fifty years. What did they do different, and could it be done today with modern efficiency requirements. Also, why do people feel the need to buy refrigerators to show off rather than just to keep their food cool... but I digress.

Those top-freezer GE fridges you recommended in your other video, I know they have LEDs on some kind of PCB but beyond that are they similar or much more computerized?

What's your opinion on the crosley brand? The house we moved into 6 years ago has one and it works great.

I have a 1988 Frigidaire Elite model TCE175LW-1 from 1988 in my home right now that looks a lot like the old fridge in the video except it is white. It is well maintained, cleaned regularly inside and in by the compressor and I will only replace it if it dies. My only wish is I would like to replace the rubber seal but can’t find anything compatible. Anyone have any suggestions on how to restore some elasticity to the original seal?