Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator [Extensive Review]

BLACK+DECKER BCRK43V Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 4.3 Cubic Ft, VCM

Black+Decker Corporation is the manufacturing company behind the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator. It is an American-based company headquartered in Towson, Maryland, United States.

It was founded over 100 years ago as a small machine shop by Duncan Black and Alonzo Decker. In 1927, they invented the portable electric drill and obtained a patent for it. Since then, the company has climbed to become one of the top industrial designers, having several brands under the corporation such as Black+Decker, Bostitch, DeWalt, Inner Space, Irwin, and Lenox.

Some of the products it manufactures include power tools, home improvement products, technology-based fastening systems, accessories, hardware, and small appliances such as mini-refrigerators, coffee makers, toasters, etc.

Let’s take a look at the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator. It might just be what you’ve been looking for.

Who Needs the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator?

The Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator can be used by individuals who need a small refrigerator that can fit under shelves and counters and also hold a small number of items in its freezer compartment.

Nursing mothers can have the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator in their bedrooms. If you are a nursing mum, you can have this fridge in the baby’s nursery and store expressed breast milk and other baby foods in it. So, whenever you need to feed the baby at night, for instance, the bottle is always within reach.

People who work all night or have trouble sleeping would love to have their midnight snacks and beverages without having to walk down to the kitchen and risk disturbing other occupants of the house. This refrigerator can be placed by your bedside and you can get whatever you want by just stretching your hand.

Also, persons in personal offices will find this refrigerator useful for storing items that would last weeks for personal use and also serve visitors. So, if you are tired of losing your food items in the general refrigerator and want your own exclusive space for cold storage, then this unit will be useful to you.

Students in their dorm rooms and young people living on their own can also make use of the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator as their main refrigerator if they don’t need a large freezer compartment.

BLACK+DECKER BCRK43V Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 4.3 Cubic Ft, VCM

 

 

 

 

 

Features of the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

Design

The Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator has a very simple exterior design. The cuboid-shaped refrigerator has a flat back design for versatility. It saves space in your room as you can easily place it close to a wall without any problems.

It also has adjustable leveling legs which increase the stability of your refrigerator. This means you can place it on uneven surfaces without worrying about it tilting or your items spilling over, as long as you adjust the legs properly.

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It has reversible door hinges which makes it comfortable for people who want to open the door either to the right or left. This also creates many options on where to place your refrigerator.

The Black+Decker 4.3-cubic foot compact refrigerator has a decent array of shelves behind the door.

You would find a full-width shelf, two half-width shelves, and CanStor beverage storage which hold up to six 12-ounce cans. These provide enough storage in the refrigerator area.

The refrigerator also has two removable and adjustable glass shelves. So, you can arrange items into your refrigerator in whatever way you like. The glass shelves are easy to wash and also see-through so nothing gets missing in your refrigerator.

The removable vegetable crisper with a glass cover in the unit holds in moisture and preserves fruits and vegetables for longer periods in the refrigerator.

Freezer Compartment

The Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator has a full-width freezer compartment sitting above the refrigerator space.

This freezer compartment which comes with an ice tray is a bit large. So, it can contain small packs of frozen foods, small bowls of ice cream, and other snacks.

It also attains near-freezing temperatures in a very short time.

There is a frost tray below the freezer to collect frost that comes from the freezer without damaging the items stored in the refrigerator.

This frost tray and freezer compartment should be cleaned regularly to ensure the refrigerator stays functioning for a long time.

Temperature Control

You must be able to control how cold your refrigerator gets.

With its adjustable thermostat control, the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator prevents the kind of scenario where foods go bad because they were stored in fridges that had no temperature control.

You can set your refrigerator to whatever temperature you feel is optimum for all the items in your refrigerator.

This can be easily done by placing a refrigerator thermometer in the fridge to determine the temperature ranges represented by each level on the thermostat control.

Defrosting

Unlike several other refrigerators which are frost-free or come with automatic defrost feature, this compact refrigerator has a manual defrost method.

BLACK+DECKER BCRK43V Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 4.3 Cubic Ft, VCM

 

 

 

 

Pros of the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

i. It is compact and has a flat back design which saves space.

ii. It has an adjustable thermostat control for easier temperature controls.

iii. The glass shelves in the refrigerator are both removable and reversible.

iv. It has a vegetable crisper for preserving fruits and vegetables.

v. It has adjustable leveling legs.

vi. It has a full-width freezer compartment.

vii. Has CanStor beverage storage and full bottle storage.

viii. It works very quietly and cools fast.

BLACK+DECKER BCRK43V Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 4.3 Cubic Ft, VCM

 

 

 

Cons of the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

i. You may have to clean out the frost tray regularly to ensure you don’t have issues.

 

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Alternatives to the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

Smaller Capacity

Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

The Black+Decker 1.7-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator is similar to the 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator in design. The main difference between these two refrigerators is their size and capacity.

This refrigerator also has a mechanical adjustable thermostat control for regulating the internal temperature, full-width shelves in the refrigerator and behind the door, and a full-width freezer compartment in the refrigerator section for storing a few items at temperatures colder than refrigerator temperature.

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This is a good alternative for those who like the featured product but consider it too large because they don’t have a lot of items to store or enough space in the room.

Our in-depth review of this product here will provide you with more information about it.

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

 

 

 

Portable Option

Cooluli Concord 20-Liter Mini Fridge with Digital Thermostat

While the featured product is compact, there is also a portable refrigerator you can carry wherever you want. If you need a refrigerator you can use while traveling, for personal use in offices or bedrooms, you can try a portable refrigerator.

The Cooluli Concord 20-Liter Mini Fridge is a portable refrigerator that is large enough to store up to 20-liters beverages or some beverage cans and other items. This refrigerator has 2 removable shelves for storing these items.

Its major feature is the digital thermostat with which you can set the exact temperature for your refrigerator. It also has a display screen that shows the current refrigerator temperature. It has a dual temperature function (can cool and warm), and a dual connectivity option (uses both AC and DC adapters).

Cooluli Concord White 20 Liter Compact Cooler Warmer Mini Fridge for Bedroom, Office, Car, Dorm - Portable Makeup Skincare Fridge with Digital Temperature Control

 

 

 

 

 

Separate Freezer Compartment

Midea 3.1-Cubic Foot Double Door Mini Fridge with Freezer

The Midea 3.1-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator has a separate freezer compartment with a separate door. This is quite different from the freezer compartment in the featured product. Its freezer compartment is also large enough and can take many more items.

The refrigerator area also has a thermostat control and several shelves for better organization of items.

It is a good alternative for people looking for a compact refrigerator with a separate and larger freezer compartment.

Midea WHD-113FSS1 compact refrigerator, 3.1 cu ft, Stainless Steel

 

 

 

 

Quick Comparison

  Featured Product Smaller Capacity Portable Option Separate Freezer Compartment
Product

Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

BLACK+DECKER BCRK43V Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 4.3 Cubic Ft, VCM

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 Concord 20-Liter Mini Fridge with Digital Thermostat

Cooluli Concord White 20 Liter Compact Cooler Warmer Mini Fridge for Bedroom, Office, Car, Dorm - Portable Makeup Skincare Fridge with Digital Temperature Control

Click here to get it on Amazon!

Midea 3.1-Cubic Foot Double Door Mini Fridge with Freezer

Midea WHD-113FSS1 compact refrigerator, 3.1 cu ft, Stainless Steel

Click here to get it on Amazon!

 

Dimensions 20.9 inches x 20.6 inches x 32.7 inches 18.5 inches x 17.5 inches x 19.7 inches 11.4 inches x 13.8 inches x 16 inches 18.5 inches x 19.4 inches x 33 inches
Capacity 4.3 cubic feet 1.7 cubic feet 20 liters 3.1 cubic feet
Weight 63.9 pounds 33.1 pounds 15.65 pounds 52.2  pounds
Temperature ranges At ambient temperature

 

Cooling – 30°F-40°F

At ambient temperature

 

Cooling – 30°F-40°F

At ambient temperature

 

Cooling – 40°F

Heating – 149⁰F

At ambient temperature

 

Cooling – 30⁰F-50⁰F

Freezing –

-11.2⁰F – 5⁰F

Connectivity It has an AC adapter Has AC adapter Features both AC and DC adapters. Has an AC adapter.
Color(s) Black, White, Cream Black, White, Silver Aqua Blue, Black, White, Pink Black, Stainless Steel, White

 

 

What Users Are Saying About The Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator

The Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator has been purchased by several people, with the majority having great things to say about their refrigerator.

The main feature that every user observes is its quiet function.

This refrigerator works without making any noise. This makes it suitable for use in bedrooms and offices.

Moreover, the capacity of this compact fridge. The shelves make it possible to store a variety of items of different sizes. The door shelves also stay firm and items stored in them do not fall out when the door is opened.

The glass shelves and vegetable crisper are also removable, so users who do not need the vegetable crisper have been able to store more items in the space dedicated to it.

Both the fridge and freezer get items very cold in a very short period. Many users ended up wishing the freezer was a bit larger so they could store more items.

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The freezer also functions properly. Although, a few users claim that it gets the top section of the fridge section directly below it colder than the bottom section.

The only problem users have had with it is that the refrigerator arrives with dents. Sometimes, these dents are not noticeable and are only found around the bottom edges, but on some occasions, the refrigerators arrive with large dents on their sides and have had to be returned.

Above all, the users have enjoyed the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator even though some of them would love a few improvements on the product.

Our Verdict

The Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator is very effective in getting items cold.

However, if you are looking for a refrigerator with a large freezer compartment, this unit may not be what you need. The freezer only stores very few items such as the ice tray and smaller bowls.

Nonetheless, the thermostat of this unit works very well and even freezes items in the refrigerator when it is set to the highest level. You may also get a fridge thermometer to know and monitor temperatures precisely.

If your refrigerator arrives badly dented, you can contact the retailer or the manufacturer for a replacement or refund immediately.

In conclusion, the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator is a good choice for anyone who needs a small refrigerator to occupy a space in the kitchen, bedroom, or office.

BLACK+DECKER BCRK43V Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 4.3 Cubic Ft, VCM

 

Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator — Related FAQs

How Loud is the Black+Decker 4.3-Compact Refrigerator?

This 4.3-cubic foot compact refrigerator doesn’t make any noise at all. So, you can have it in a conference room or anywhere in your office, your bedroom, living room, and kitchen and you won’t know it is there.

Since this fridge is compressor-based, it means it will run sometimes. So, it is not unlikely that it makes a humming sound when it runs. Nonetheless, the sound that the Black+Decker 4.3-Compact Refrigerator makes is usually unnoticeable.

How Does the Back Panel of the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator?

About 75% of the back of the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator is covered with a panel. The remaining portion of the back of this unit is opened for easy access to the compressor and motor in the event that a repair needs to be done on the refrigerator later in the future.

The open section also serves as a vent for the unit to let off hot air. This is why it is advisable not to keep the unit too close to a cabinet or keep it flush against the wall. Allow at least 3 inches at the back and sides of the unit for ample air circulation.

How Long Does it Take the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator to Get Cold?

It takes the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator about 1 to 2 hours to get cold after setting it up for the first time.

However, because it is a compressor fridge, it is important to ensure that you allow at least 4 hours after delivery and set up before you plug the unit into a power source. Once you’ve done that and plugged in the refrigerator to a power source for the first time, wait a while for it to get cool before you load the fridge with your items.

Meanwhile, if it takes longer than 3 to 4 hours for your fridge to get cold, then you may need to contact your seller or the manufacturer.

Can You Place a Half Gallon of Milk in the Door?

No, you can’t place a half-gallon of milk in the door of the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Compact Refrigerator because it is not big enough to accommodate it. But if you must place your milk in the refrigerator, you may want to consider placing the half-gallon of milk sideways.

You may also want to consider buying quart sizes of milk instead of half-gallon sizes because quart sizes can fit into the unit’s door well enough.

Is the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Refrigerator Usable Outside?

No, you can’t use the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Refrigerator outside because it is not UL-certified. Outside will mean installing it anywhere other than indoors.

Usually, a refrigerator that can be used outside will be certified by the Underwriters Laboratory because it is designed to withstand the elements.  Since the Black+Decker 4.3-Cubic Foot Refrigerator is not UL-certified, you may damage it and shorten its lifespan if you use it outside.

 

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