All fridges with left hinging are available from a lot of manuf. Some can or have to be ordered that way, while others are field reversible. Your 32" requirement will be tough or impossible though,. All-fridges with left hinging: Thermador SubZero Gaggenau Miele Liebherr Northland Viking GE Monogram all are built in models, and none are "cheap" This post was edited by xedos on Tue, Jan 21, 14 at 16:25

I'm a little confused myself by the options you're looking at -- you have the flexibility to go from an existing 36" to 48" or 60"? Are you completely reconfiguring your cabinetry? Also, if you're more concerned with fridge space vs freezer space, why are you limiting yourself to a 30" fridge? Most of the manufacturers you've listed above also offer a 36" fridge (and freezer, for a total of 72" if you want). I'm also still researching my appliances and have looked at the options you've listed above. I'm personally getting a 36" all-fridge and relying on an existing upright freezer in the pantry; gives us additional counterspace. FWIW, here's my opinion: Thermador/Gaggenau/Miele -- between these (grouped since they're effectively the same base box/system), I'd probably go for the Miele for the simple reason that they're the only one that offers the spill-proof shelving; seems so basic. Their lighting is also the nicest. To be fair, I don't like the s/s interior (too dark, and cleaning looks like it will be a bugger). Northland -- I was really big on this brand. A friend actually just had one installed (30+30) and it looked nice (again, we both preferred the white aluminum interior); noise didn't seem to be an issue. I too liked the fact that it's a bit 'different', and it has the most cu.ft. Only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on this is that it uses that proprietary all-in-one compressor unit and I'm a little concerned that Northland is 'so far' out of the mainstream that, if they don't survive (rumours continue to circulate that AGA is looking to sell the unit), I'm stuck with a really large closet. Either that or I buy a few of those compressor units as a backup, but I understand that they're not cheap .... that and it just seems silly. Liebherr -- Never really liked these for some reason. Also, they don't have a 36" all fridge, so I didn't have to spend time on these. SubZero -- I'm probably going to end up with this (BI36). For some reason I feel a bit like I'm 'giving in' or selling-out somehow; kind of like buying a Toyota Corolla when looking for a car (ironically, they're probably close to the same price!). Ultimately I think it's probably the best bet in terms of durability, servicing, capacity, etc., but it's nothing "sexy" even though it's a luxury item (one of those checklist items to indicate you have an expensive home). It kind of won by default. Someone else recently started a thread about some new SZ refrigeration that might be coming up, so I'm hoping there's some more information there before I have to pull the trigger in another 3mos. Good luck to you!

You're right. Not many options in a non-dispensing CD SxS 36" fridge. Especially in the non-high end market. I haven't heard the best things about Northland fridges so would be hesitant to go there. Don't know about DCS other than their cooktops and ovens. I was going to suggest a model with internal water and forgo the water hookup, but that doesn't open up any more choices really. Have you used a bottom freezer model at all? I used a French door (can't stand FD myself for the fridge top) and now have a single door fridge with bottom freezer. There are units with freezer organization systems that prevent a messy freezer. Besides the ice maker, mine has an internal upper drawer and three bottom compartments, two small and one large. I don't find I lose anything in mine, but generally in the main compartment items are stacked two deep. Not a problem at all for me as I store meats and fish on the bottom and only use those at most once a day. I love opening up the full-width fridge door and not having to stoop/bend over for anything. Just a thought for you and I opens up dozens more options for you. Here is a link that might be useful: Ajmadison's list for your requirements

Am thinking of a 24 inch top freezer Northland. Have researched this as best I can. As far as I can tell (you have to discount how accurate this is since I am not an engineer in the food preservation biz) the Northlands use more energy because of their top mounted power module. Because the body of the refrigerator doesn't contain any evaporator coils, the way the food compartment gets cooled is by cold air pumped in from the top. There are separate tubes going into freezer and fridge areas, but that's why it takes more power to run. (Think of a portable air or "split" air conditioner versus a window unit. Window units, while clunky and loud are incredibly efficient because of the surface area of the evaporator coil/condenser coil and the fact that everything thing works as an "in line" unit.) Those who have researched the SZ machines will note that most of the Northland's are not "dual compressor" machines, but they don't flow fridge air through the freezer either--there is a damper system controlling the flow of air into either compartment from the evaporator compartment above the unit. To make a long story short, the Northland's really look like solid, very elegant built in units (I have looked at 24 and 30 inch units in person). The Northland marketing guys will freely tell you they use about twice the electricity as a normal energy star fridge or as they put it "50 to 100 dollars" more a year. For a smaller unit such as I am considering it shouldn't be too bad, and since I am building a very small kitchen I am pretty much limited in my choice. The only other thing one may want to consider is that there is rumor that Northland will start shipping there units with digital controls. If that's something you like, then maybe wait until years end or so to get this... Basically these are very well made "American Steel" machines in terms of their compartment's workmanship--7 year warranty on the power module seems pretty good too. The power module thing has been around since 1968 so it's not completely new fangled. In terms of reliability I don't know since I haven't owned one. Would be very interested in getting some thoughtful feedback from those who have owned these for a period of time to give some meaningful feedback. They look good and probably there appropriate for certain applications given any existing caveats. Thanks, Doug