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72- vs 69-inch Counter Depth Fridge

15 years ago

I am about to embark on a kitchen addition/remodel and need to figure out appliances. I am interested in a french door counter depth free standing refrigerator but would like as much room as possible. KitchenAid and JennAir both seem to have a full 72" tall counter depth french door fridge, but I don't know if you really get that much more space over a "standard" 69". I plan to go look in person this weekend and hopefully see them in person to compare but wondering if anyone else has been through this decision.

Thanks!

Aimee

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Comments (4)

footballmom
15 years ago
Most of us have been through this decision! It really isn't so much the outside measurements as it is the inside layout that will help determine if the fridge is a good fit for you. The different brands really are not laid out the same. I took measurements and some dishes that I normally use in m fridge to check them out.... I would have purchased a fridge that would not have worked well for me if I hadn't. The GE CD has very shallow and narrow veggie drawers and did not hold a stalk of celery. Some of the others do not have an adjustable shelf to make room for very tall items. The deli drawers on some are split, making them very small. There are some with ice in the door and some with ice in the fridge compartment. Your smart to go looking, but take a few items with you and be sure to take your own measurements.
davidro1
15 years ago
Ditto, how you store things in them.

What surprised me was that for the same outside dimensions, inside there were different number of shelves. How many flat surfaces are there to put things on? The top of the veggie bins can be a shelf in some fridges, and is too weak in others.

I measured the inside dimensions, multiplied them together, divided by 1782, and got "useable cubic feet". That also surprised me, since some companies vastly overstate while others are close.

The extra height spacing between shelves may not help you much. Having one more shelf is a lot better.
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I just bought and installed the KitchenAid counter depth french door fridge. Not the supersized one. I chose it for a couple of reasons bur primarily because it was one of the few I could get without a water dispenser in the front door (though there is a discreet one inside the fridge). I hated the fact that the counter depth added about a $1000 to the price tag and worried that I would not feel the aesthetic advantage justified that price difference once I got it since I was trying to be very frugal in my purchases. I was so wrong. I am crazy about this fridge. The bottom freezer holds everything my old full depth freezer did except I can see it all so easy in the lighted space with 3 slide out layers. I can see everything I have when I open the french doors. Nothing hard to get at. Nothing out of sight. The door shelves hold tons of stuff too. I like that the sides are gray....not black...so if some of the side had to show it would blend fairly well with the stainless. Mine will not show as there will be a full panel of cabinet wood covering both sides (cabinets arrive in 2 wks). I'm having an open shelf/cubby above it to hold cookbooks. Buy this unit with confidence.
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I have a Counter depth Bosch 800 Integra. Side by side. I will say that the CD Bosch S by S held the same amount of food as our SuperBa Kitchen Aid. We were shocked the day we moved all our food into the new refrig. I am still amazed how the German Designers have utilized every bit of space in the CD Bosch. We do have an extra frig. It is not the old Superba but a far smaller one and only about 1/4 of the space is used. A waste of energy. We are a family of 5 with extended family visiting often. We eat veggies, drink juices and use a refrig to it's capacity in the main kitchen. Think about how you eat? Do you use your refrig for fruits, veggies, meats, frozen, drinks, milk, leftovers... This might help you to see how what would work for you. I did happen to see a freezer for $200 at Lowes. I might think about getting rid of our extra and just buying a small chest Freezer. Thinking...
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After looking at the photo again (it's so dark that I can't be sure), I fear that you have a MAJOR design flaw. The only refrigerator that is going to work in that corner is a single door one that hinges on the right. Functionally, that is going to be a real PIA. A French door/ side by side refrigerator is not going to work. You'll not be able to open the doors wide enough for the bins to pull out. The refrig & oven cabinets need to be swapped, with the ovens going next to the wall. And make sure that the door casing isn't a problem with the oven doors opening. (Don't think this will be a problem because of the cab face frame; also, it looks like open oven doors would extend out far enough for that to be a problem. )
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We're a family of five. We eat lots of produce and I cook at least once a day. I bought a CD Electrolux all fridge a few years ago and don't regret it. The one thing it doesn't fit well is a box of those huge 16" take-and-bake pizzas. I have to remove them from the box or clear a shelf that doesn't have a door shelf across from it when closed. My produce may overflow the available space in my drawer for a day or two, but that's not really an issue. I really love that it doesn't intrude on my aisle because the fridge location in this house is stupid. FWIW, my fancy Gaggenau oven doesn't fit those pizzas, either. I have to cut them in half. I wouldn't trade my oven for one that did. It's my precious.
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ewao
14 years ago
Tall 72 inch counter depth fridge will look nicer but on the other hand the inside layout is very important too.
gary1227
14 years ago
We have the Kitchen 72inch french door frig. The refrigerator section is not that not bigger than the 69 inch models but the freezer is really where you gain the space. We really like our Kitchenaid.

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