skip to main content

Compact refrigerator for remodel?

15 years ago

Thinking of buying a compact refrigerator (maybe 4 or 5 cubic feet) for our temporary kitcehen on the back porch during this summer's remodel. Does anyone have any advice on brand, size, type etc. or what worked for them in this situation. Thanks.

gearing up....!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

lcp213nc
15 years ago
Maybe someone else can help you with brand suggestions. But I'd like to offer the following:

You might think about getting something that could be incorporated into the new kitchen as an under-counter "beverage box" once the remodel is done. Those wouldn't have freezer storage space, but perhaps you have a separate freezer you can use.

We have a "beverage box" but itÂs not one of the fancy under-counter things that are so popular now. Instead we bought a full sized "all refrigerator" unit that we use for beverages and extra storage. Since we have a full-sized freezer in the attached garage, we put the "all refrig" in the laundry room where an upright freezer could have gone. ItÂs just a step or two from my kitchen prep/cooking area. Along with beverages, itÂs the prefect place for pickles, condiments, and large items like melons and corn-on-cob. It makes more space available in the beautiful side-by-side frig in the kitchen for things used on a daily basis.

About gearing up... We used an extra bedroom as our temporary kitchen. We made do with a microwave, a toaster oven, and an electric pressure cooker (which was amazingly useful) for the 4 months. We thought that weÂd eat out evenings while things were torn up. But I was always eager to get home from work and see what had been accomplished each day! So, we seldom went out. We used a lot of disposable products, but wishing dishes was one of the hardest things to work out without a kitchen. What helped was a narrow plastic table standing in the "guest-bathroom" tub, a plastic "dish-pan" and drying rack, and one of those hand-held shower-head/sprayers.

We made it through it all and it was worth it! Good luck!
lebwhite
15 years ago
My daughter used a small dorm refrigerator for 2 years in her dorm and it did have a seperate freezer section that worked great. I don't remember the brand, (she is at work and I can ask later). But for us it wouldn't be an effective unit for any length of time, I think they are really designed for just one person.
Related Discussions
Compact refrigerator for beverage center
Q
Comments (5)
We recently bought a house that had previously had a 15" under counter ice maker in the island. Ice maker was removed by previous owners due to leaks. We didn't want another ice maker so we filled the space with a 15" U-Line Fridge. It has worked out great. We keep the following drinks in it: individual water bottles, larger Perrier bottles, Juices and milk boxes. It has made a big difference in giving us more room in our main fridge. It does make a bit more noise than the large fridge, but I have very good/sensitive hearing!
...See More
Remodel complication - too small opening for refrigerator x-post
Q
Comments (23)
I have a new twist. I did a kitchen once where the fridge was inset into a wall of cabinets. We made the hole big enough but the fridge still wouldn't fit. What was the problem? The side walls of the fridge were built with too much foam insulation and they bowed out almost a half-inch on both sides, so the fridge was almost 1 inch wider than spec. We managed to fix it by cutting holes in the side panels of the cabinetry to allow for the "fat" fridge. The only time you would see the holes is when you pulled the fridge out for cleaning, etc. It was either that or get a new fridge or redo the cabinets. The owners went with cutting the holes. They were ready for their house back by then and it was essentially a no-cost fix.
...See More
Compact refrigerators a good alternative?
Q
Comments (5)
Besides the going rate, check the ads for the loss leaders at the big box and discount stores. You don't sound picky, and they have specials that will put one particular model well below the normal price just to get you in the door. If you buy that exact one advertised, you can get a great deal. You have to resist the upsell. :) I agree to go with an established American maker. They're not infallible, but have good warranties, and the cheap fridges are usually old tech, which means they run very well. Home Depot is advertising a couple of Frigidaires in your price range right now and they have the energy guide labels posted so you can see the electricity rating. This one is a small fridge, but a real one with crisper drawers and everything, and is only about $5/yr. more to run, according to the label. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frigidaire-10-cu-ft-Top-Freezer-Refrigerator-in-White-FFTR1022QW/205423882
...See More
Remodeling/custom cabinets/refrigerator
Q
Comments (9)
I was going to say what JuneKnow said. A “counter-depth“ fridge just indicates its depth—the doors will have to sit proud of the adjoining cabinetry in order to open. If you want the doors of your fridge to be totally flush with your cabinetry, you would have had to buy a “fully-integrated” fridge. It has special door hinges and door construction that enable the doors to be flush and still fully open. Even a “built-in” fridge sits an inch or so proud of the adjoining cabinetry. Only a “fully-integrated” fridge is completely flush. Having said that, either a built-in or a fully-integrated fridge will be 2 to 5 times the cost of your fridge. ^^this one is the Miele 36” built-in. It is $9,300.
...See More
luisa_at_home
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks guys. A dorm style frig seems the most apporopriate for the small space upstairs we will be using. The dual purpose beverage box is a great concept for those who will be storing beverages in the kitchen later on.

I wonder if it makes any sense to live with the big old frig in the living room for the duration since everything will be upside down for the summer construction period anyway. Then we could store small necessities in the upstairs porch kitchen but still have the main storage downstairs. A lot of running around but very little investment of money. Make sense?
lcp213nc
15 years ago
Makes sense to me! We would have been in trouble with only a "dorm-sized" frig for the 3 months we were without a real kitchen. I think I'd keep the "big old frig" up and running someplace -- if you can.
cheri127
15 years ago
During our first remodel we just moved our old free standing fridge into the dining room then gave it away when we were done. Now, however, we have a 30" built-in subzero. Does anyone know how difficult it would be to set this up in the DR or if it can even be done? Sorry to hijack but figured it was the same topic so.......

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Show Us Your Compact Kitchen

By Stacy Briscoe

Do you have a tiny kitchen that works well for you? Post your pictures in the Comments

THE HARDWORKING HOME Smart Ways to Make the Most of a Compact Kitchen

Minimal square footage is no barrier to fulfilling your culinary dreams. These tips will help you squeeze the most out of your space

SMALL KITCHENS A World Tour of Compact Kitchens

By Vanessa Brunner

From Austin to Zagreb, these 15 Houzzers make every square foot of their small kitchens count

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: Style and Storage in a Compact Space

By Becky Harris

A mix of splurges and saves creates a beautiful new kitchen and entry area

SMALL KITCHENS 12 Kitchenettes for Convenience and Compact Living

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Keep drinks and noshes at the ready with a pared-down kitchen setup that works for homes of all sizes

KITCHEN ISLANDS Small, Slim and Super: Compact Kitchen Islands That Offer Big Function

By Apartment 46 for the Home

Movable carts and narrow tables bring flexibility to these space-constrained kitchens

SMALL KITCHENS Big Ideas for Compact Kitchens

Check out these stylish storage ideas for kitchens both small and large

MY HOUZZ My Houzz: Compact House Renovation in East Vancouver

By Jane Vorbrodt

These first-time homeowners blend old with new in a timeless renovation of their 1920s home

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Finding the Essential in a Compact Guesthouse

By Nora Burba Trulsson

Waiting out the economic downturn, a Wyoming couple takes up the challenge of living small — with beautiful results

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Fashionable, Organic Style in a Compact Virginia Condo

Mirrors, clever storage solutions and elegant custom touches make a 628-square-foot home in Arlington naturally stylish

Sponsored

Remodel Repair Construction

9 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Westerville

More Discussions

Kitchen layout and wall ovens

10

Sub Zero Pro 48- Switch from Solid to Glass Door

2

quality shower and bath faucets

7

How many people use a CSO for everything w/o separate oven?

5

Stove exhaust vent moving and closing an old one

9