Sub-Zero or KitchenAid Built-In Refrigerator?
sonicpower
14 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (35)
sonicpower
14 years agoremodelfla
14 years agoRelated Discussions
To Sub-Zero or not to Sub-Zero, that is the question...
Comments (22)I could certainly be wrong but from the sound of your post you sound like someone who has "aspired" to have a SubZero fridge not necessarily for a functional reason but to have the brand. It sounds as if you're going all out - two Miele dishwashers, etc. - so why not just go for the SZ? If you think about all the people who have been keeping their food chilled without investing in SZ, there has to be something people "value" about SZ other than it's functional ability to keep food chilled or frozen that would make them pay the premimum price. Could be appearance, appeal of saying you have the brand, etc. In any case if you want one and want to spend the $ go for it. It seems you can count on repairs with any brand these days - kind of like luxury auto brands. Just because you spend alot doesn't mean it will be trouble free....See MoreSub-Zero Launches New Built-In Refrigerators
Comments (2)I was hoping to see if SZ is taking any steps to improve on their recent dismal reliability history, but no mention of that in the article. I suppose to do so would amount to admitting their poor repair record. While SZ rates excellent on temperature performance, virtually all fridges test excellent or very good on that. I'm also not convinced that separate compressors provides SZ better performance of any significance. OTOH, that feature has been very "handy" to us during the numerous times our SZ has needed repairs -- for example, the freezer kept going when the fridge compressor went out, and vice versa. We'd take one compressor any day if it meant a more reliable fridge. As for improved water and air quality, it's certainly hard to argue against that, but the big question is how significant and how meaningful an improvement and for how much additional cost. SZ makes great looking products; I just wish their reliability were equally great....See MoreGetting the Built In Look Without Pricey Sub-Zero. FAIL!
Comments (30)"Please note the distinction between fully-integrated and built-in. A fully-integrated fridge completely disappears into the cabinetry. There are no hinges showing, no grill, no trim as in Dodge's photo above (Dodge - I am just trying to explain the difference from an integrated)." No problem with your post. As I've posted, before, many times, Our goal was not to hide the fridge or pretend it doesn't exist in the kitchen. Back in 2006 I'd never heard of a "Fully Integrated fridge. If you ever watch "House Hunters" or a similar program, watch the potential buyers give "Thumbs down" to any kitchen missing a fridge!, (so maybe it's my age), but I've never understood this "Hide the Appliance Game". Our goal was first to have the fridge flush. The GE that the built in replaced just stuck out in the kitchen, (not saying anything's wrong with that), but we just wanted a "Smoother" flowing look. Secondly, the old GE was SS, and man was it a pita to keep it looking nice. Our Diswasher, A KA was also SS, and it seemed like every drip of water that got on it sank right down to the "Soul" of the SS. I spent hours and hours trying to keep that "succer", spotless. So I think you can understand why we wanted a paneled Fridge and a Paneled DW. Once again our Miele DW is not a "fully integrated model", alto we could have bought one. While it is paneled, the control panel does show, We like seeing what the DW is doing and like to be able to set the controls without opening the door, so again no desire to hide it or pretend it does not exist in our kitchen, again goal was, easy to keep looking nice, and controls/display easily visible. Maybe we are the only ones in the world that see things this way, alto one wonders, (if that is the case), why do they still make "built in" appliances as well as "fully integrated"??? Anway, there are few days, even 10 years later, that wife does not remark on how much She loves her kitchen, and I wish the same for you!!!! Gary...See Moreplease tell me something terrible about Sub-Zero refrigerators
Comments (34)This is a difficult decision, isn't it? We aren't big cooks but did consider resale value -- we looked at our local market and price range and determined we had to go with higher-end appliances to stay competitive in event we had to sell sooner than we expect. We ruled out Thermador as my SIL put in all Thermador appliances and had to replace every last one within the last 10 years. We went with Wolf for the oven/micro/cooktop. Miele for DW as we were replacing an older Bosch that had problems, and we love our Miele vacuum. The hardest decision was the fridge. We knew we wanted to do panel-ready so brand name, when it came to resell, wasn't all that important. We wound up splurging on a SZ because my parents have had one for 30 years and it's an excellent fridge. What's more, since we aren't huge cooks, a fridge that can keep food fresh a longer time is a very big benefit to us ---and boy does it do that! Takeout and leftovers stay fresh for weeks. And finally: I stood there in the appliance store and closed and opened less expensive french door fridges over and over... a zillion times.... and just couldn't get over the chintzy plastic part between the doors of most brands. Maybe it's a silly thing as that part is probably easily replaced. But I wondered about the rest of the fridge, the parts I couldn't see....See Moreclinresga
14 years agojerrod6
14 years agozoenipp
14 years agosonicpower
14 years agoremodelfla
14 years agosonicpower
14 years agoclinresga
14 years agosonicpower
14 years agogizmonike
14 years agopeggross1
14 years agosonicpower
14 years agocanuck99
14 years agoremodelfla
14 years agosonicpower
14 years agosonicpower
14 years agokent39
14 years agojerrod6
14 years agonewtojo
14 years agopedimom
14 years agoljsandler
14 years agoskwid
14 years agocoleen3201118
14 years agoremodelfla
14 years agoicebox
14 years agoskwid
14 years agopix1
14 years agopix1
14 years ago3katz4me
14 years agocanuck99
14 years agoigloochic
14 years agopix1
14 years agodrywall1
2 years ago
Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGNStay Cool About Picking the Right Refrigerator
If all the options for refrigeration leave you hot under the collar, this guide to choosing a fridge and freezer will help you chill out
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNSee-Through Refrigerators Dare to Go Bare
Glass-front fridge doors put your food and drinks on display, for better or worse. See the benefits and disadvantages
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNKitchen Ideas: 12 Refrigerators in Disguise
Designs hide the fridge behind unexpected finishes and doors
Full Story
REMODELING GUIDESGet the Look of a Built-in Fridge for Less
So you want a flush refrigerator but aren’t flush with funds. We’ve got just the workaround for you
Full Story
HOUSEKEEPINGHow to Clean Your Fridge, Inside and Out
Keep your refrigerator clean and fresh, while you gain storage space and lose those ‘UFOs’
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNKitchen of the Week: Two Islands in Colorado
Two islands and refrigerators create separate areas according to function in this kitchen remodel
Full Story
GREEN BUILDINGHouzz Tour: Going Completely Off the Grid in Nova Scotia
Powered by sunshine and built with salvaged materials, this Canadian home is an experiment for green building practices
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGNPro Chefs Dish on Kitchens: Paul Kahan Shows His Urban Sanctuary
Peek inside Kahan's newly redone home kitchen and learn what he considers most important for a cooking space
Full Story
KITCHEN OF THE WEEKKitchen of the Week: Casual Farmhouse Looks, Pro-Style Amenities
Appliances worthy of a trained chef meet laid-back country charm in a Connecticut kitchen and pantry
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGN10 Big Space-Saving Ideas for Small Kitchens
Feeling burned over a small cooking space? These features and strategies can help prevent kitchen meltdowns
Full Story
longtimetech