Well, i have many kitties(i do cat rescue) and i have found that they like to sleep where ever they darned well please. I have a couple that do find the top of the fridge appealing. I believe the top of the fridge gets warm and cats love to sleep where it is warm. It may also have something to do with the newness of the fridge and cats being curious and all. She has found herself a new place and she is Queen of the castle up there, and they do like to be up high.
Cats are territorial and each one usually has it's favorite place to sleep or lounge. MY cats use the counter beside the fridge to jump up and down, in fact i have a big basket with a blankie in it for them up there. I have noticed no scratches(although my wooden entertainment center is another matter). I plan on getting some "Ssscat spray"
it is a harmless can of air that you put where you do not want your cat to go and the spray device detects your cats movements up to one meter away and will emit a neutral blast of hissing air that your cat will not like and soon will alter it's behavior to avoid that particular area. I need quite a few of these myself. There are some i have found that will also emit a loud horn type noise along with the air, which might not be good for when YOU are sleeping in the middle of the night to be awakened by the noise. They are about $50 each can and refills about $15. not cheap, but neither was you lovely new fridge. I might try the lemon idea too(cheaper) although i wouldn't be surprised to find my cats sucking on them, my cat follow none of the general cat behaviors or rules. They are unto themselves a force of nature to be reckoned with and I just their human slave. Gotta love em' though. The Ssscat spray can be found at, thecatconnection.com
Mikala