This counter-depth side-by-side fridge won't break the bank (pictures)

The Frigidaire FGHC2231PF is an innocuous-looking side-by-side fridge with some sneaky, counter-depth appeal. Click through to get to know it a little better.

Frigidaire's counter-depth side-by-side features a "smudge-proof" stainless-steel exterior that better at repelling fingerprints than most other stainless-steel appliances.

You'll control the fridge using a handy touch panel that sits above the ice and water dispenser.

Open the fridge up, and you'll find a grand total of 22.2 cubic feet of storage space, 14.2 of which are allocated to the fridge. That's a little low for a side-by-side, but it's actually a decent number for a counter-depth model. With a few less inches of depth, you'll always have a bit less room inside for groceries.

Inside, the shelves are made of glass, and feature spillproof rims that do a good job of containing messes. One of the shelves slides out of the fridge to help you reach things in the back a bit easier.

You'll find two crisper bins at the bottom of the fridge (Frigidaire calls them "Fresh Drawers"). Each comes with its own humidity controls.

There's a third bin sitting on top -- the "Chill Drawer." In the back of it, you'll find a small vent that connects directly with the refrigerator's cooling system. That means it gets its own steady stream of cold air, and can promise to keep things cooler than the rest of the fridge.

You'll find the ice maker over in the freezer. It takes up a bit of space at the top.

Here are the average temperatures in each region from a three-day test with the fridge at its default, 37-degree setting. Those orange sections are hotspots, where the average came in above 40 degrees. There's way too many of 'em.

The temperature varied wildly from region to region, with the main shelf in the fridge (dark blue) finishing about 10 degrees warmer than the target.

Even at the minimum setting of 33 degrees, the fridge's top shelf still ran warmer than 40 degrees F.

Like the first test, the different regions of the fridge were all over the place. Move your milk from the bottom shelf (light blue) up to the top shelf (dark blue), and the air around it will be about 8.5 degrees warmer.

With an MSRP of $1,599, the Frigidaire Gallery FGHC2231PF is about as inexpensive as counter-depth fridges come. That makes it a legitimate temptation, and might even be enough to help forgive some of its shortcomings. Read our full review for the final verdict.