Be sure to check the minimum temp for any beverage center you are considering. Most of the ones with glass doors are designed primarily for wine storage and will not get beer or soda as cold as you would want.

I was considering one for beer and had decided to look for refrigerator drawers instead. That way I knew they would be cold enough and could be used for food as well. Also, as we are getting older, I would rather open a drawer to get a beer instead of bending over to get one out of a counter height refrigerator.

Budget wise, I think either a undercounter beverage center (designed to be built-in) or drawers will be expensive. I would say at least $1,500. But check Ebay or closeouts for deals.

Best are probably Subzero or Perlick(drawers), Uline is middle of the road. I think Electrolux and KA also make both drawers and Beverage centers. Do a search here (or Google) for reviews and other threads.

That is what I was afraid of. Thank you so much for warning me about the temperature. I would love to have the drawers. Maybe I can move some money out of some other part of my budget.

I concur with numbersjunkie regarding temperature...most beverage centers only reach 39-40 degrees at their coldest. If you are looking for a glass door look for your kitchen, you may just want to look at a glass door refrigerator (I know U-Line, Perlick, and True all make them, with U-Line's being Energy Star)

How do I pick the ones with the correct temperature range? Do I just look at the specs to determine what the temperature range is or is it that one is called a beverage center and one a refrigerator?

Most beverage centers register a coldest temperature of 39-40 degrees, with the exceptions of U-Line, Sub-Zero, and Liebherr. Refrigerators all can reach temperatures of 34 degrees.

Got it. Thanks everyone.

I must be missing something, because you can get a Samsung beverage refrigerator for $120. It's unattractive, like a glorified dorm-room fridge, but not obnoxiously so. You said your budget was slim. My whole kitchen cost less than a big Liebherr. :-)

Not sure what Samsung segesta is refering to- I could not find a Samsung beverage refrigerator in my search. BUT, there are certainly many less expensive small refrigerators that would work for beer, etc. The problem is that are not designed to be built in under the counter and need clearance for air flow. I think all of the ones designed to be built in have compressors underneath, with a vent in the kickplate area. That is probably why they cost a lot more than the freestanding models.

I could not find any Samsung compact fridges either. I should have thought about the venting issues and clearance requirements. I think the cabinetmaker can put something there for me until I can afford the fridge I want. I will probably aim for drawers. As I get older, my willingness to lean over or squat down in front of the fridge has greatly diminished.

Perlick has a digital temp control and you can set the fridge temp down to 32 degrees, which keeps the peak temps well below 40. And these drawers are nothing like my dorm fridge of yesteryear. These are commercial quality that chill quickly and consistently. And the drawers are nothing like getting on the floor to see what's balanced behind the container balanced on top of that other thing. More space and better use of it.

The Perlick drawers look amazing. The drawers seem like the most flexible storage. I am sold on them.

I would have to save for a while to be able to afford them. Good thing I am purchasing them for phase 2 of my kitchen.

I have the Perlick -- they are my sister's favorite thing about our remodel. We installed them in a breakfast room hutch and my kids like that Mom can reach the top drawer to get milk and juice refills without having to get up during dinner -- a 180 from having to get up and walk to the far end of the kitchen. :-D

Unless some have recently changed, they were also the only undercounter energy star rated refrigeration because of the high BTU variable speed compressor. The high BTU, commercial quality build were important to us. We knew we would be keeping milk and juice in them and opening and closing often. They have no problem keeping up with the heaviest use. In fact, our retailer took out another brand and installed Perlick in a sports venue luxury suite they did because the other unity couldn't keep drinks cold with all the opening and closing during events. They will be worth saving up for.

Don' say anymore! I just can't take it. I have looked at those drawers 5 times today.

Must wait until phase 2, must wait until phase 2...

LOL I was talking to DH today about how we needed to remind DS that if something is good, it is worth the time it takes to make it happen. ;-)

If it makes you feel any better, I think it took me 7 years from the time we bought the house and thought we'd be changing counters and appliances in 6 months to a year to actual get to doing them -- along with cabinets and a new layout. My phase 2 is still pending -- finishing details and laundry room cabinets.

The U-Line refrigerator drawers are also Energy Star rated, along with being CEE Tier 2 rated (meaning they are at least 25% more efficient than Department of Energy Standards)