Counter-depth refrigerators are one
of the easiest ways to improve the overall look of your kitchen.
You don't see a refrigerator protruding,
and you don't have to see the unfinished textured sides.
However, you have 3 distinct types of counter-depth refrigerators to consider
with different prices and features.
Choosing between the 3 will change the look of your kitchen.
In this video, you'll learn the differences, features,
and what brands and models to consider for all 3.
In the end, you'll be able to choose
the right counter-depth refrigerator for you and your family.
The first part of the video is
freestanding and less expensive counter-depth refrigerators.
Then we'll go over the professional types with the compressor on the top,
then finally the integrated units that are designed to fit within your cabinet.
You'll learn the differences between all three throughout the video.
Freestanding refrigerators are, quite simply, shallower than a regular fridge.
Of the 3 types, freestanding is the least expensive.
The sizes can fit regular standard
cabinets of 24", 28", 30" 33" and 36" with 36" being the most popular.
Available side by side,
French door, French door with a drawer, and four-door configurations.
Some French door units with drawers or four doors can convert between
refrigerator and freezer. For better features,
about half the brands offer a twin evaporator versus single. The refrigerator
doesn't cycle air from the refrigerator to freezer and back, so the temperature is
more constant with less defrosting in the freezer.
Your food, especially in the freezer, should taste better as well.
This checks all the boxes with door in door,
Twin Evaporators, slower dissolving, craft ice and a stainless back.
Also, it's one of the largest at 24 cubic feet.
Bosch is the only manufacturer in free
standing with two compressors, same as a Sub-Zero.
Cafe has the most advanced smart functionality, but you can also choose
between 3 finishes and 3 accents for a more unique look.
You can brew that Keurig coffee system with an integrated Keurig coffee machine.
Beko's new features may seem far fetched,
but blue lighting does work because it emulates sunlight.
They have an ion generator to pulse
negative ions to counteract the positive ions of odors.
That too works.
You also have decent packages with Beko under $6,000.
Professional counter depths look like
restaurant refrigerators with compressors on the top.
They're also taller at 84". They're available in 30", 36",
42" and 48" in bottom mount, French door and side by side.
You may think the taller, larger pro units have more internal capacity,
however, the capacities are like the freestanding of comparable widths.
You can add custom panels easier on a Pro, and
the more professional refrigerators,
you do have vacuum seals and magnetic
crispers designed to keep air out and food fresher longer.
The components are better than a freestanding counter-depth.
The temperatures can all be set in one degree increments.
The best professional refrigerators have
two compressors for better temperature management as well.
Sub-Zero's 36" bottom mount is still
the most popular. They have an air scrubber, nanotechnology shelving,
a vacuum-sealed door and magnetic crispers to keep food fresher the longest.
You, also, could buy it in French door as well.
Both are available in stainless and can be paneled as well.
If you pulled out a frozen dinner out
of Wegmans or Whole Foods, it probably was from a True freezer.
The refrigerator solid from the all stainless interior to the solid thick glass shelving
to the heavy crispers. You can buy it with a glass decor as well.
Although not as well known as the other brands, BlueStar is the only company
to fit a full sized chef's pan on a 36" sizes.
They also have an all stainless interior as well as 1000 different colors to choose.
An integrated refrigerator fits flush
to the cabinets and becomes seamless to the cabinet itself.
They come in 18", 24", 30" and 36" widths. Integrated is different than
a professional refrigerator because the door doesn't protrude into the kitchen
like the other two types.
The pro is made to be distinctive while the integrated is designed to be hidden.
Pros are purchased typically in the larger sizes of 36, 42 and 48 inches.
The integrated are purchased frequently in the smaller sizes of 18",24" and 30".
The advantage of buying smaller, independent units is placement. You can
place a 30" refrigerator and 18"
freezer anywhere in your kitchen versus placing a 48" in one or two
spots so you have more possibilities in your kitchen design.
An integrated has about 5% less capacity.
Many of the integrated units are purchased in all refrigerator freezer columns.
A column can be all refrigerator freezer in one whole unit or with drawers.
You can also buy an integrated unit
in a combination with drawers or as French doors.
You'll see many more brands offer integrated than professional because they
can more easily pass energy efficiency standards,
unlike the larger professional types. Many of the features that are offered in better
professional refrigerators are mirrored in the integrated.
Most have stainless interiors, WiFi,
connectivity, advanced temperature settings and twin compressors.
Thermador is one of the first
manufacturers to produce an integrated refrigerator.
Their newest models have stainless
interiors, WiFi and a robust temperature management system.
Thermador has packages with free hoods and dishwashers when you buy
the refrigerator and qualifying cooking products.
Sub-Zero created the first integrated
refrigerator, albeit at the now discontinued 27" width.
Their most popular model has
a refrigerator with two drawers below and a water dispenser and refrigerator.
Once again, Sub-Zero addresses food preservation
by temperature control, air scrubbing, two compressors and magnetic crispers
designed to keep air out of your refrigerator.
SKS is the upscale division of LG
with a full suite of integrated refrigerators and freezers with two
compressors and many of the best features available.
This model is unique with a middle dryer
to be set by you to be either refrigerator or freezer.
The refrigerator is incredibly quiet at 39 decibels.
Fisher Paykel offers a lower priced
integrated French door refrigerator that accepts custom panels.
Their active Smart technology uses sensors throughout the refrigerator
monitoring to keep temperature consistent.
Refrigerators need service about 15.5% of the time within the first year,
according to our internal service records
of over 40,000 service calls. Appliances average about 9.5% within the first year.
Most of the problems are not compressor failures or the ability to keep food cold.
Dispensing ice through a warm refrigerator
and a French door is the cause of leaks. On the high-end pro and
integrated units, installation is part of the problem.
However, refrigerators are tough to fix because a technician needs specialized
knowledge of refrigeration and refrigerators.
Placing panels on an integrated refrigerator is harder than it seems.
Make sure you have someone that knows how
to install it properly and has done it before.
For professional refrigerators, all the weight
is on the top, so you must anchor the unit properly to
your cabinet. Service and installation are
prime considerations for purchasing your next refrigerator.
As with any refrigerator, you have pros and cons to each type.
Freestanding style is available in tons
of configurations and at a much more affordable price.
Cons are lack of color choices
and the ability to panel. Freestanding is not as good-looking as the other two.
The professional series is probably built the best and
looks great with the ability to panel as well.
Downside is selection. True and Sub-Zero are your best choices.
BlueStar is interesting. If you have
higher-end cabinets, then integrated will accentuate the look.
Smaller units can be placed anywhere, opening up design possibilities.
However, integrated units are smaller
on the inside as well and probably the most expensive per cubic foot.
If you need help or have questions,
you can always leave them in the comments below.
Click the link to download our Free Counter-Depth Buying Guide.
We all know someone who has been talked into buying the wrong appliance,
don't let that happen to you.
Over 1 million people have found the right answers in a Yale guide.
Thanks for watching.