Hamilton Beach HBFR1504 Review: 17.9 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator with Two Freezer Drawers

The HBFR1504 is a 17.9-cu.-ft. French door refrigerator from Hamilton Beach. The main refrigerator compartment is located at the top, while the two freezer drawers are positioned underneath.

This arrangement is useful if you prefer to keep frequently used refrigerated foods at eye level. The French door configuration also gives you a wider opening into the refrigerator compartment compared with a traditional single-door design.

The two freezer drawers provide separate storage areas, which can make it easier to organize frozen food rather than placing everything into one deep compartment.

The HBFR1504 has 17.9 cubic feet of total storage. That puts it in the mid-size range for full-size French door refrigerators.

Whether that is enough depends on how your household shops. A couple or smaller family may find the capacity adequate for everyday groceries. Larger families or shoppers who regularly buy food in bulk may want to compare it with refrigerators offering 20 cu. ft. or more.

The advantage of choosing a refrigerator in this size range is that you don't necessarily need to dedicate as much kitchen space to the appliance as you would with some of the larger French door models.

The HBFR1504 uses two upper refrigerator doors with the freezer section underneath. This is one of the most popular layouts for modern kitchens because commonly used refrigerated items are positioned higher up, while frozen foods are stored below.

The two-door refrigerator compartment also means you don't have to open the entire refrigerator every time you need something from one side.

For kitchens where cabinet and appliance placement matters, it is still important to check the refrigerator's actual dimensions and required clearance before ordering.

One of the defining features of the HBFR1504 is its two freezer-drawer configuration.

Instead of having one large freezer compartment, the storage is divided into two drawers. This can be useful for keeping different types of frozen food separate.

For example, you could use one drawer for frequently used frozen foods and the other for meat, vegetables, desserts or bulk purchases.

The trade-off is that each drawer has less individual space than a single large freezer compartment. If you regularly store large boxes, wide containers or oversized frozen items, check the drawer dimensions before purchasing.

The HBFR1504 comes with six shelves, with slide-out shelving listed among its specifications. Slide-out shelves can make everyday organization easier because they allow you to pull items forward instead of reaching toward the back of the refrigerator.

This can be particularly useful when the refrigerator is fully stocked. Rather than moving several containers to reach something at the rear, you can slide the shelf forward for easier access.

The refrigerator also has six door shelves, giving you additional space for bottles, jars, condiments and other smaller items.

The HBFR1504 uses a compressor-based cooling system and an automatic defrost system.

Automatic defrost means you don't have to manually switch off the refrigerator and remove accumulated ice as you would with some older manual-defrost appliances.

The compressor is the core component responsible for maintaining the refrigerator's cooling cycle. As with any refrigerator, actual operating performance can depend on factors such as room temperature, how often the doors are opened and how heavily the refrigerator is loaded.

The HBFR1504 is listed with programmable functionality. This gives you more control over the refrigerator's operation than a basic refrigerator with only a simple mechanical temperature dial.

For shoppers who prefer straightforward controls rather than a connected smart refrigerator, this approach may be enough. The model does not need to be treated as a smart appliance to provide the basic temperature-management functions most households need.

Another specification worth noting is the electronic lock. This is not something found on every refrigerator in this price and capacity category, so it may be useful for households where an electronic locking function is important.

If this feature is one of the reasons you are considering the HBFR1504, check the current manufacturer's or retailer's documentation for details about how the lock operates and what controls it.

The stainless finish gives the HBFR1504 a neutral appearance that should work with many contemporary kitchen designs.

Stainless appliances can show fingerprints and smudges depending on the particular finish, so households with young children may want to keep that in mind when comparing finishes.

• 17.9-cu.-ft. capacity: A practical size for shoppers who don't need one of the largest French door refrigerators.
• Two freezer drawers: Gives you separate areas for organizing frozen food.
• Six slide-out shelves: Makes it easier to reach items stored toward the back.
• Six door shelves: Provides additional storage for bottles, jars and smaller items.
• Automatic defrost: Eliminates the need for routine manual defrosting.
• Compressor cooling: Uses a conventional refrigeration cooling system.
• Programmable controls: Provides adjustable control rather than relying solely on a basic mechanical dial.
• Electronic lock: An additional feature that may be useful for some households.
• Stainless finish: Fits easily into many modern kitchen designs.

• 17.9 cu. ft. may not be enough for everyone: Larger households may prefer a refrigerator with more storage.
• Two freezer drawers divide the space: This is convenient for organization but may limit the size of individual items you can store.
• Check the actual dimensions: Don't rely only on the advertised capacity. Measure your kitchen opening and delivery path before ordering.
• Verify included features: If features such as an ice maker, water dispenser or other accessories are important to you, confirm that they are included with the exact configuration you are purchasing.
• One-year warranty: The listed warranty is 1 year for parts and labor, so buyers should review the warranty terms before purchase.

The HBFR1504 is aimed at shoppers who want a French door refrigerator with a moderate amount of storage and a practical freezer layout.

It could work particularly well for smaller families, couples and households that don't need a very large refrigerator but still want the convenience of a full-size French door configuration.

The two freezer drawers may also appeal to people who prefer to organize frozen food into separate sections rather than putting everything into one large compartment.

If your household buys groceries in bulk or you regularly store large quantities of food, 17.9 cubic feet may feel restrictive.

In that situation, consider comparing the HBFR1504 with refrigerators above 20 cu. ft. before making a decision. Larger models can provide more refrigerator and freezer space, although they may also require more room in the kitchen.

The HBFR1504 sits in an interesting part of the French door refrigerator market. Its 17.9-cu.-ft. capacity makes it smaller than several popular 20- to 22-cu.-ft. models, while its two freezer drawers give it a layout that is different from some conventional French door designs.

If you are comparing several refrigerators, look beyond capacity alone. Width, depth, shelf arrangement, freezer configuration, dispenser features and installation requirements can make a noticeable difference in everyday use.

For help comparing refrigerator sizes, configurations, features, and installation requirements, see our French Door Refrigerator Buying Guide .

Similar French Door Refrigerators to Consider

Kenmore 17.5 Cu. Ft. 30-Inch French Door Refrigerator

The Kenmore 46-75525 is another narrower French door option, with 17.5 cu. ft. of capacity, an inverter compressor, Multi-Flow air circulation and a factory-installed icemaker. Its capacity is close to the Hamilton Beach, making it a useful comparison for shoppers looking for a more compact French door refrigerator.

GE Profile 21.9 Cu. Ft. Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator

The GE Profile GWE22JYMFS provides 21.9 cu. ft. of storage, an internal water dispenser, fingerprint-resistant stainless steel and a counter-depth configuration. Its approximately 35.6-inch width makes it substantially wider than the Hamilton Beach and gives shoppers a larger-capacity alternative.

GE GYE21JYMFS 20.6 Cu. Ft. Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator

A 20.6-cu.-ft. counter-depth model with an external ice and water dispenser, Quick Space shelf, humidity-controlled drawers, water filtration and optional Wi-Fi connectivity. It is worth comparing if you want more capacity and additional convenience features than the Hamilton Beach provides.

KoolMore 30-Inch 18.5 Cu. Ft. Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator

The KoolMore KM-RERFDSS-18C is a 30-inch counter-depth French door refrigerator designed for kitchens where width and depth matter. Its 18.5-cu.-ft. capacity is close to the Hamilton Beach, making it another model worth comparing if you're focused on a more compact refrigerator footprint.

How much storage does the Hamilton Beach HBFR1504 have?

The Hamilton Beach HBFR1504 has 17.9 cubic feet of total storage.

Does the Hamilton Beach HBFR1504 have two freezer drawers?

Yes. The HBFR1504 uses two freezer drawers beneath the main French door refrigerator compartment.

How many shelves does the HBFR1504 have?

The supplied specifications list six refrigerator shelves and six door shelves. The shelves are described as slide-out.

Does the HBFR1504 use automatic defrost?

Yes. The listed defrost system is automatic, so the refrigerator does not require routine manual defrosting.

What type of cooling does the HBFR1504 use?

The HBFR1504 uses compressor cooling.

What voltage does the Hamilton Beach HBFR1504 use?

The supplied product specifications list the refrigerator at 110 volts and identify AC as its power source.

What is the warranty on the Hamilton Beach HBFR1504?

The supplied product information lists a 1-year parts and labor warranty. Buyers should review the warranty documentation applicable to their purchase for the current terms and coverage.

The Hamilton Beach HBFR1504 takes a fairly straightforward approach to the French door refrigerator. Its 17.9-cu.-ft. capacity, six shelves, six door shelves and two freezer drawers provide a practical storage layout for households that don't need one of the largest refrigerators on the market.

The combination of automatic defrost, compressor cooling, programmable controls and an electronic lock adds useful functionality without making the refrigerator dependent on a long list of smart features.

The main question is whether 17.9 cubic feet gives your household enough room. If you don't routinely buy groceries in bulk, the size may be perfectly reasonable. If you need more refrigerator or freezer capacity, the larger alternatives in the comparison section are worth looking at.

Before purchasing, compare the actual dimensions, installation clearances, included components, warranty terms and current feature list for the specific retailer listing. Those details can matter just as much as the headline capacity when choosing a refrigerator.

Product Information

• Brand: Hamilton Beach
• Model Name: HBFR1504
• Model Number: HBFR1504
• Item Type: Hamilton Beach HBFR1504 Refrigerator with Two Freezer Drawers, 17.9 cu ft, Stainless
• Manufacturer: RCA
• Manufacturer Part Number: HBFR1504
• UPC: 058465812973 / 058465817039
• ASIN: B07YT1R9WQ
• Included Components: Shelves, Owner Manual
• Warranty: 1 year parts and labor