Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator — Detailed Review

BLACK+DECKER BCRK32B Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 3.2 Cubic Feet, Black

Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator is manufactured by Black+Decker Corporation.

Black+Decker Corporation is an American manufacturer of electrical appliances. It was founded in 1910 and for over a hundred years, has thrived as a manufacturer of several types of equipment. Its headquarters is located in Towson, Maryland, United States.

The appliances manufactured by the company include accessories, power tools, home cleaning and improvement products such as vacuum cleaners, scrubbers, and filters, and small appliances such as mini-fridges, toasters, coffee makers, etc.

Let’s take a look at the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator and see how it compares to other compact refrigerators.

Who Needs the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator?

The Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator is a mini-fridge that can be used by people who need refrigerators to store items in their offices or at home.

It has a sizable capacity, so you can store items ranging from beverages to fruits, vegetables, breast milk, and medications.

The size of this compact refrigerator makes it versatile, so it serves everyone great and you don’t have to use it to store a particular item.

This refrigerator may look big, but if you have enough space in your bedroom, it would serve you well, as you can decide to keep items you wouldn’t store in the main refrigerator.

It also makes it easier for you to grab a midnight snack, preserve your cosmetics, cool beverages, and keep other personal items.

Apart from providing you with cold beverages and snacks whenever you need some, the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator also looks great when placed in the office.

The refrigerator can even be used as the main refrigerator in the house if you’re just moving in or starting a family and there’s not so much to preserve.

It is certainly not the best candidate for individuals looking for a large and separate freezer section, but it also has a compartment where you can freeze some items.

BLACK+DECKER BCRK32B Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 3.2 Cubic Feet, Black

 

 

 

 

Features of the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

Design

The Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator was designed to save space in small spaces such as home offices, studio apartments, and dorm rooms.

With its flat back design, you can place your refrigerator close to the wall since there’s no protrusion from the back of your refrigerator. This saves a lot of space in the room.

This refrigerator also has reversible door hinges, providing comfort to both left and right-handed users and increasing the number of choices on where to place your refrigerator.

Behind the door are three full-width shelves which include a CanStor beverage shelf for organizing your canned beverages in a very fashionable way and saving space in the main refrigerator, and a tall bottle shelf that can be used to store a gallon and 2-liter bottles.

The refrigerator also has two full-width removable and adjustable glass shelves which make the organization of items of varying sizes easier.

With glass shelves, you can also see every side of the refrigerator. They also make cleaning your refrigerator easier as you can easily wash them outside your refrigerator.

See also  Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Feet Mini Fridge [Extensive Review]

The 3.2-cubic foot compact refrigerator has adjustable legs that keep it balanced wherever it is placed. Your fridge can also be as tall as you want it with these legs.

Freezer Compartment

The Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator has a full-width freezer compartment in its refrigerator space which comes with an ice tray.

This freezer isn’t large, but it can take several items including ice cream bowls, beverage bottles and cans, and some snacks.

Below the freezer compartment is a tray that collects frost when formed.

Sometimes, when the freezer gets too cold, the space beneath it gets colder than the bottom areas of the refrigerator. This isn’t a problem as you can decide to put beverages above and food or other items below.

Temperature Control

When purchasing a refrigerator, it is important that you’re able to control the temperature. The optimum storage temperature of the items you store in your fridge may differ. And if it is too warm, it creates an environment for germs to thrive.

The Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator has an adjustable thermostat with which you can regulate the internal temperature.

If you have a refrigerator thermometer, you can easily set the level at which all items in your refrigerator would be preserved.

BLACK+DECKER BCRK32B Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 3.2 Cubic Feet, Black

Defrosting

The freezer compartment forms frost when it gets too cold. This sometimes leaks from the freezer to the frost tray underneath it.

Defrosting refrigerators is not an interesting task and most people do not enjoy doing it. Some refrigerators have automatic defrost which helps you with most of the work, but the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator has to be manually defrosted.

To defrost your refrigerator or freezer, you need to scrape it off with plastic whenever you’re cleaning your refrigerator. Glass or metal shouldn’t be used because they could damage your fridge.

Power Option

Every electrical and electronic appliance requires a power source that could be in the form of batteries, AC or DC adapters, and even solar panels. Refrigerators, regardless of size, come with the AC adapter to be able to use them in homes and offices.

The Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator is not an exception. It has a cord to connect it to 120V AC socket which you can find anywhere including RVs.

You won’t be able to use your refrigerator in your car, because of its size and because it is not compatible with DC sources.

It can only be transported in your vehicles to where it would be used.

Energy Consumption

When you purchase electrical devices, you want to be able to save enough money on energy. The Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator is energy-star certified.

What does this mean?

Using the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator allows you to save money spent on power because the refrigerator uses only a fraction of the energy that other non-energy star certified refrigerators will consume.

So, it is safe to say that this appliance is a low energy consumption appliance.

BLACK+DECKER BCRK32B Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 3.2 Cubic Feet, Black

 

 

 

Pros of the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

i. It has a flat back and compact design, making it fit into small spaces.

ii. It has an adjustable thermostat control for regulating the internal temperature.

iii. The removable and adjustable refrigerator and door shelves allow for better organization and space in the refrigerator.

iv. It has adjustable legs.

v. It is lightweight.

vi. It doesn’t make noise while working.

BLACK+DECKER BCRK32B Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 3.2 Cubic Feet, Black

 

 

 

 

Cons of the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

i. None that stands out.

 

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Alternatives to the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

Smaller Capacity

Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

The Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator is also a product of Black+Decker. The major difference between the two refrigerators is their size.

The 1.7-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator also has a freezer compartment in the refrigerator space, adjustable thermostat control for temperature regulation, and a decent array of shelves to save space and for better organization.

This is a good alternative for individuals who prefer a smaller refrigerator that can be placed on tables and shelves and doesn’t take so many items.

Think you may want to give this a try? You can read more about this product in our extensive review of it here.

BLACK+DECKER BCRK17B Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 1.7 Cubic Feet, Black

 

 

 

 

Portable Option

Cooluli Infinity 15-Liter Mini Fridge

The Cooluli Infinity 15-Liter Mini Fridge is much smaller than the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator and it can take only a few items like beverages, a plate of food or two, cosmetics, or bottles of breast milk.

While this may seem like a disadvantage, it is a great choice for people who need refrigerators that they can carry around.

The Cooluli Infinity 15-Liter Mini Fridge has both AC and DC adapters and cords, so you can use it in your vehicle to enjoy cold beverages while you travel.

It also has dual temperature functions, i.e. it can cool and warm items.

Our detailed review of this product here will provide you with more information about it.

Click here to get it on Amazon!

 

 

 

Separate Freezer Compartment

Costway 3.4-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

The Costway 3.4-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator is similar in size to the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator, but these two products differ in design.

The Costway refrigerator has a separate freezer compartment with a different door from the refrigerator. This freezer can take more items including frozen foods, large bowls, and ice trays.

The refrigerator also has a thermostat and a good number of shelves both by the door and in the refrigerator.

It is a good alternative for people who need a larger freezer space.

You can learn more about this product in our extensive review of it here.

COSTWAY Compact Refrigerator, 3.4 cu. ft. Classic Fridge with Reversible Door, Adjustable Removable Glass Shelves, Mechanical Control, Recessed Handle for Dorm, Office, Apartment (White)

 

 

 

 

 

Quick Comparison  

  Featured Product Smaller Capacity Portable Option Separate Freezer Compartment
Product

Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

BLACK+DECKER BCRK32B Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 3.2 Cubic Feet, Black

 Click here to get it on Amazon!

Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

BLACK+DECKER BCRK17B Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 1.7 Cubic Feet, Black

Click here to get it on Amazon!

Cooluli Infinity 15-Liter Mini Fridge

Click here to get it on Amazon!

Costway 3.4-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

COSTWAY Compact Refrigerator, 3.4 cu. ft. Classic Fridge with Reversible Door, Adjustable Removable Glass Shelves, Mechanical Control, Recessed Handle for Dorm, Office, Apartment (White)

Click here to get it on Amazon!

Dimensions 19.3 inches x 17.5 inches x 32.7 inches 18.5 inches x 17.5 inches x 19.7 inches 10.7 inches x 12.8 inches x 15.2 inches 17.0 inches x 17.5 inches x 38.5 inches
Capacity 3.2 cubic feet 1.7 cubic feet 15 liters 3.4 cubic feet
Weight 50.7 pounds 33.1 pounds 12.4 pounds 61.5 pounds
Temperature ranges At ambient temperature

 

Cooling –

30⁰F – 40⁰F

 

Cooling – 30°F-40°F below ambient temperature At ambient temperature

 

Cooling – 30°F-35°F

Heating – 149⁰F

At ambient temperature

 

Cooling and Freezing –

-13⁰F – 50⁰F

(-13⁰F-5⁰F for freezing temperatures)

Connectivity Has an AC adapter It has an AC adapter Has both AC and DC adapters. It can be used both at home and in a vehicle. Has an AC adapter
Color(s) White, Black, Gray Black, White, Silver White, Black, Gold, Pink, Blue White

 

 

What Users Are Saying About The Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

The Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator has been used by hundreds of people and has received many positive reviews from users.

Its design is one of the features mostly talked about by users as it can contain a good number of items. Due to the presence of adjustable shelves, these items can be properly organized.

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Users also appreciate the cooling function of the freezer and refrigerator. In a very short time, every item gets cold enough including beverages placed on the door shelves.

Moreover, for some users, the refrigerator maintains an even temperature while some others have mentioned that the top section gets colder than the bottom section.

Despite the positive reviews, some users have also experienced problems with their refrigerator. Sometimes these problems are seen during delivery or after a period of use.

Some refrigerators arrived with dents in several areas and had to be returned for replacement or refund. Some users who didn’t return their refrigerator later encountered further problems when using it, such as a noisy compressor or poor temperature regulation.

A small number of people have also complained about their refrigerator lasting only for a few months. This is an unpopular complaint. Several other users have had their refrigerators functioning for years.

Generally, most users enjoyed their refrigerators and have recommended it to relatives and friends.

Our Verdict

The Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator works effectively in preserving items. Unlike several refrigerators with full-width freezer compartments, the freezer of this refrigerator attains very cold temperatures and preserves items such as frozen meat and fish, and also makes ice within a short period of time.

The refrigerator comes with a 1-year warranty and also a 2-year warranty on the compressor. If it refrigerator arrives dented, you can request for a new one immediately you notice.

Also, ensure your refrigerator sits upright for up to 24 hours before plugging it into the power source, as it may have been tilted during packaging or transportation.

You would most likely enjoy the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator if you’re looking for a compact refrigerator that is also large enough to store a good number of items.

BLACK+DECKER BCRK32B Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 3.2 Cubic Feet, Black

 

Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator — Related FAQs

Can the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator be Stored Under a Counter?

The Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator can be stored under a counter as long as there is enough ventilation on the sides and at the back.

Because this compact fridge is designed as a freestanding unit and the cooling vent is at the back, it is advisable to install it in a location where there is ample clearance for ventilation. As a guide, allow at least 3 inches of space at the back, top, and sides of the refrigerator. Doing this will prevent the fridge from overheating and overworking which may eventually damage the fridge and shorten its lifespan.

Can the Whole of the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator Become a Freezer?

No. The Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator is not designed to function as an all-freezer refrigerator. So, the whole unit cannot get cold enough to become a freezer.

This compact fridge by Black+Decker is designed as a unit with a relatively large refrigerator space and a small freezer compartment. The refrigerator has a temperature dial that helps you to regulate the cooling temperature. But, the dial is not designed to get the refrigerator section to freezing points.

Can the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator be Installed in a Garage?

Yes, the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator can be installed anywhere, including a garage, provided it is not exposed to the elements in that location. If you plan to install this compact refrigerator in a garage, ensure that you are installing it in a well-insulated garage.

Meanwhile, irrespective of where you place this fridge in your garage, ensure that there’s ample clearance for adequate ventilation.

Is the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator Frost-Free?

No, the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator is not frost-free. It is also not self-defrosting. So, if you notice frost in the freezer compartment, you will need to defrost it manually.

You can defrost this compact fridge manually either by turning the dial all the way to the lowest mark or turning the refrigerator off completely. You may also consider scraping off the ice with a plastic spatula, but with caution to avoid damaging the refrigerator wall. Alternatively, you can place a bowl of hot water in the fridge to melt the frost.

Can a Keg Fit into the Black+Decker 3.2-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator?

No, a keg cannot fit into this Black+Decker refrigerator. This is true even if you decide to remove the shelves in the refrigerator to create space.

The reason a keg will not fit into this unit is that the section where the cooling components of the fridge are protrudes into the fridge and takes up some space. What’s more? The shelves on the door will also take up some space that the keg may use especially when the unit is closed.

 

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