Looking online, Samsung refrigerators are known to have issues with their ice makers. Sadly, I couldn’t find an easy fix for our model. There’s no force defrost mode like other models and the suggestion of turning off the ice maker to supposedly engage the defroster did nothing. Luckily, we purchased an extended warranty from Home Depot, and checking my online records, the make, model, and warranty info was already recorded. So should be easy, right?

Well, I called Home Depot customer support and was routed to Asurion for the warranty protection plan. I don’t want to retell the entire story since it still gets me upset, but essentially, the company wanted proof that I actually bough an extended warranty. Never mind that the purchase info and warrantly plan was already recorded on their web site. I needed to submit the actual purchase receipt from 2017. So I downloaded the files that were already saved online and submitted an invoice showing a line item for the protection plan.

I called back and was told that I was still missing verification information for the warranty. The company needed an actual receipt, so I downloaded the other attachment saved on their system and submitted that via email. Then I called back yet again although the process is to wait two business days for their review team to look over my submission. I called back for the fourth time in two hours for an update, and fortunately, my warrany was validated, and my service request was processed.

Asurion then scheduled a service call for the very next day, but… the local repair shop did not get this appointment until today. So there was no way they could make it out today to take a look.

Is it too much to ask for my freakin’ ice?!?

Update 2022: There is a force defrost for these types of Samsung four-door refrigerators.

If like me, your behemoth of a refrigerator, the LG LFX31925ST/Sears Kenmore Elite Model 72053, has had its air filter warning light on for some time. Initially, I couldn’t find a replacement filter at either Sears or Home Depot, but now they’re readily available. The LG air filter part number is ADQ73334008, model number LT120F. I found it for $24 at Home Depot. Amazon also sells this air filter but at about the same price.

Here I thought the stainless steel Kenmore Elite Model 72053 (31-cu ft) refrigerator did not have a magnetic surface. I am wrong, or partially wrong at least.

Out of pure randomness, we passed a magnet near the behemoth’s surface, and it stuck! But it’s only in the upper left corner where the ice maker is. And the magnetism isn’t strong. Don’t expect to attach large or heavy objects. Pictures and single sheets of paper are okay. Anything else starts sliding down the surface. “Magnetic stickers” work well though to get your refrigerator in the seasonal spirit.

Yes, we know that stainless steel refrigerators like the LG LFX31925ST/Sears Kenmore Elite Model 72053 do not have magnetic surfaces, so forget that idea of sticking on notes, calendars, and kids’ artwork. But that smooth steely surface can help liven up the Holiday Spirit in your kitchen. How? Just add a handful of Christmas-themed “magnetic stickers.”

So despite its extra large internal capacity, the external dimensions really do fit the space of a standard refrigerator.

While most of these models are the same, there are subtle differences, like the fruit and vegetable drawers. The LG version at Home Depot has three smaller drawers while the Kenmore features two larger drawers.

Update: Thanks to reader Fauguy who pointed out that the freezer drawers and water dispensers are also different.

The other major difference is cost.

Home Depot has the LFX3192ST for $2348 and in store, Sears has their 72053 (Sears Item# 04672053000) for about $2500 unless… while taking your vehicle in to Sears for battery maintenance, you wander to the appliance section and see this pricing.

Odd, you think to yourself. At other local Sears locations, you swear the price is higher. Then doing an Internet search, you realize that that price is the online price which shouldn’t apply to Hawaii. So… you jump at the opportunity of this printed price and go for it. And sure enough when the register shows a higher price at checkout, the sales guy honors the printed price (then takes the price tag down). And don’t forget to use your Sears card for an additional 5% off.

Today’s Best Buy ad featured an interesting Samsung with a LCD display capable of running apps. Neat but too many things that could go wrong? Samsung – 28.0 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator with LCD Touch Screen and Apps – Stainless-Steel, Model RF4289HARS. The reviews and ratings look iffy and strange.

But a very intriguing choice might be the LG behemoth known as LFX31925ST. Most refrigerators max out at 28 or 29 cubic feet of storage. But LG has figured out how to get 31 cu ft of space in the same physical footprint of a typical 28-cu ft model. So far, looks like only Home Depot carries this beast, but it hasn’t yet hit Hawaii. According to the Home Depot personnel, this LG should be available very soon. Our refrigerator is stocked with various kinds of milk, full fat, non fat, lactose free, so all this space is needed.

Hold up… seems like LG ain’t the only one with a 31-incher. Within the past 30 days, Sears released its Kenmore Elite 31 cu ft French door refrigerator. Wonder if it’s based on the LG model? Must investigate more since there’s a 30% off Kenmore appliance sale!