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Panel Ready Refrigerator

14 years ago

My husband and I are interested in purchasing a Kitchen Aid panel ready refrigerator. Recently we found a good price on a 48 inch one at a Scratch and Dent store. (This refrigerator has no scratches or dents. Also, it comes with a warranty.) The only thing we don't like about it is that it has white trim around the perimeter and around the top where the compressor is and the water/ice dispenser area is white. We plan to use off-white cabinets and it wouldn't look right to have these two shades of white next to each other. The trim does come off and you can order black or stainless. However, that adds about $1,000 more. And, that's not the look we're after. The store is asking $3500 for the frig. I was wondering, has anyone ever removed the trim and just put on the wood panels and handles? That's the look we want.I was wondering if that was even possible. Are all panel ready refrigerators the same underneath the trim? Perhaps it's not worth it, but we love the refrigerator and a new one is about $6,000.

Featured Answer

ttimegrl_aol_com

14 years ago

Here are pics of my Amana Easy Reach frig with a Frigo trim kit (frigodesign.com) This worked out great for us. You can order a trim kit for any frig (mine was $300 a few years ago)in various colors (mine is bisque). You will need to give them the model number of your refrig. The wood panels get ordered from your cabinet mfr per specs you will get from Frigo. I bought custom appliance pulls online to match the handle on my built in stove. All in all it does cost you, but you can't beat the look.

From 2010-01-24
{{gwi:1382589}}From 2010-01-24

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Comments (7)

User
14 years ago
There's "panel ready" and "built in" and "integrated". Sounds like you want built in or integrated. YOu need to do more research to ultimately decide if the saved $$ is worth it to you, or you want a more seamless look for more $$. Most folks in the paneled fridge category want the most invisible fridge they can get. Otherwise they'd just get a regular refrigerator and panel in the sides and call it a day. Especially for the cost savings involved. What is your goal by having your fridge paneled?
59 Dodge
14 years ago
"Most folks in the paneled fridge category want the most invisible fridge they can get. Otherwise they'd just get a regular refrigerator and panel in the sides and call it a day." You may be correct about "most Folks", L W O, but not all. We did not want to hide our Fridge, but we wanted it built in, for 2 reasons,When panelled , it matches the rest of the cabinetry in our kitchen, and secondly, I was tired of cleaning The stainless steel or painted finish on the Fridge. Oh 3rd reason is , stuff doesn't get buried and hidden in the back of the Fridge, We have a 48" Side by side and luve it!! We can keep the stuff we used most at a convenient Height level for us, both in the Fridge and the freezer, and only stoop for that stuff we rarely use.
Even when you look at "Fully Integrated Fridges", installed, they usually have handles and it's doesn't take a "Rocket Scientist" to figger out what might be behind those handles?Â¿

Gary
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There is a difference between a built in refrigerator and one that accepts panels although a built in refrigerator can be panel ready. As others have posted, if you can't find a cabinet maker who is familiar with the process, I would advise you to give up and purchase a nice looking regular refrigerator. Alternatively you can google on youtube for instructions and see if any of the skilled cabinetmakers in your area feel comfortable with attempting it. I just finished a remodel and have a paneled refrigerator which is NOT a built in. It is counter depth so the sides protrude slightly but my cabinetmaker clad those sides with matching wood and of course the end panel is fully paneled. I also extended the depth of my lower cabinets slightly so that it minimizes the amount the counter depth protrudes. What appliance brands are available in the Dominican Republic. As others have posted, to have a brand of appliance which is unable to be serviced is not a great idea. My paneled refrigerator is by Kitchenaid and I also considered a Jennair that was similar. The paneled version of this refrigerator is not more costly than the stainless version but of course the cost of having the wood panel fabricated and installed drives up the final cost.
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I am one of those strange people who actually prefers a flush install of a built-in appliance over a fully integrated installation. I always feel that a fridge is too big to look nice as a "fake cabinet". It just doesn't feel organic when I see this giant panel that pretends to be a cabinet. On the other hand, with a flush install, the fridge is still kept out of sight for the most part, but you get just enough visual cues to realize that this isn't a comically oversized cabinet. I like that. I want to know where the fridge is hiding. Your mileage might very well vary though. Everybody has a different design preference.
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I'll leave it to others to suggest sources of already fabricated handles, if any. However, if 'sturdy' for you is commensurate with the stainless steel pulls SZ/Wolf sell for their equipment, then options include: Buy SZ handles and have them flame sprayed or plated. Result may not look brushed without further work. Some wear over time might require re-plating. Have a metal shop fabricate them from brass rod (widely available). The number of holes, cuts, and rounding steps will be modest for most common drawer handle shapes. Expect them to be weighty if SZ handle sized. For the latter case, look closely at your drawer pulls and imagine the diameters and lengths of the three parts scaled up.
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chowgirl
14 years ago
We have a GE panel ready fridge from a scratch and dent place that we paneled with our off white cabinet panels (white w/ chocolate glaze), and the side trim pieces for the fridge doors/freezer drawer and handles (couldn't swap out handles on this particular model) are a true white. I thought it would look funny or off, but it doesn't at all, and I am extremely critical when it comes to that stuff.

I agree with an earlier poster that you need to decide why you want a paneled fridge and if it must appear to blend in seamlessly with the cabinetry. If you do, then savings aside, you won't be happy with a fridge that doesn't allow for complete integration.
domengineer
14 years ago
Matching stove to refrig pics above.
{{gwi:1382590}}From 2010-01-24
domengineer
14 years ago
Matching stove to refrig pics above.
{{gwi:1382590}}From 2010-01-24
athensmomof3
14 years ago
I agree with the above - sounds to me like you want fully integrated, not panel ready. I have learned they are different (not just for fridges but for dishwashers and others!)

I think the most realistic fully integrated fridge is the Sub Zero 700 with the drawers as it breaks up the tall line of the side by side look . . . not the cheapest route though!

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