Jennair New Fully Inegrated Refrig vs Thermador Freedom Columns

14 years ago

Does anyone have one of the new JennAir Built In Fully Integrated Refrigerators? We were looking for a refrigerator that was fully flush with the cabinets and we had somewhat settled on the Thermador Freedom Columns b/c they offer a fully flush look. The salesperson then called me and told me JennAir had come out with a new series that was also fully integrated. We need a 48 inch model and with the Thermador Columns, we had to buy the separate freezer and refrigerator and then the kit to connect them -hence the cost was very high. The JennAir came in soo much less so we placed the order.

Long story short, the salesman ended up ordering the wrong unit (an older JennAir model) that is now discontinued. He offered to switch it out for the newer JennAir model and has to tell me the new pricing tomorrow. BUT, now i feel like, if we are going to have to pay more, I should go back to what I originally wanted and get the Thermador columns (which also do not have a panel at the top).

SOOO, just wondering if anyone has a JennAir and can give me some feedback. The store just got a 42 inch on the sales floor and when I finally saw it, I thought the freezer had some unneccsary side molding that took up freezer space for no apparent reason. We are putting panels on the doors so the outside is not an issue.

Any feedback is much appreciated on the Jenn Air, or specifically the new line of Fully Integrated Refrigerators. Also, if you have the Thermador columns would love to hear your thoughts on those as well.

Thanks in advance....

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Comments (4)

lascatx
14 years ago
I have the Thermador (30 fridge and 18 freezer)and would get them again. I met a Thermador rep in the retail store where I ordered my appliances when they were making the rounds. This was before the columns had just been installed in their showroom and were not in any stores or homes yet. I told him there was no way I'd pay more to buy 2 units and get less space because of the 2 walls, etc. Well, I was in their showroom later and opened the FD model out of curiosity. I was so impressed I spent most of my time checking out the columns instead of the stuff I had gone in there for, brought DH back and changed our fridge plans. No regrets years later.
kaismom
14 years ago
Jennair fully integrated models need a panel on the top to hide the workings of the frig. It also needs a few inches at the top left open for ventilation. Thermador does not need the top panel, as you already mentioned.

These make a big difference if you are truly "integrating" the refrigerator with cabinets. If you are using SS fronts, I don't think it makes much difference since you have already declared that it is a frig there. It made a big difference to me that I do not show a top panel there to say that this is a frig... It also made a difference in terms of the strong horizontal lines that were working with in the kitchen design. I figured if I wanted to show that there was a frig, I would have gotton the Subzero BI model which really had the best interior layout for our needs. The Subzero 700 integrated models had a terrible interior layout in the model that we looked at. The Miele integrated frig could not hold gallon milk jugs. (We asked multiple times, including a visit to a Miele showroom, but no go.) Thermador was the only option for us at 36 inch bottom freezer model, which is all we had room for. The interior layout is great for our needs, and the integration is very well done. Jennair seems a notch below with their white interior plastic bins......

I have not gotten our Thermador yet, but we spent alot of time narrowing down the frig to a Thermador.....
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User
14 years ago
aj et al -

Jenn Air DOES NOT HAVE A FULLY INTEGRATED FRIDGE !!!!!!!!!!!

I don't care what their website or sales weasels say. YOu will always see an approx 2" strip of steel at the top of the units when installed. It's also not clear whether or not you can place cabinetry toekick in front of it or if it will line up in plane.

Pretty much concealed, or almost totally concealed is not the same as "fully integrated" like the 700 series from SubZero or the Freedoms from Thermador and their cousins.

You will also need to buy and install a separate kit in order to use a 3/4" cabinet panel on the JennAir. The previous two are ready to go out of the box no xtras needed.

Cancel the order and get the Tdors, after all is said and done there won't be much of a $$$ difference.
ajrestivo
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the feedback - much appreciated. Now I need to talk to the sales guy and figure out what he is going to do to make my situation right!

Thanks

Jennair New Fully Inegrated Refrig vs Thermador Freedom Columns

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lascatx

kaismom

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Jennair New Fully Inegrated Refrig vs Thermador Freedom Columns

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