I would go and see a display unit that is running. I would not depend on someone else's ears and perceptions to decide if a fridge is noisy.

I have a 14 year old 48" SZ SxS and I can honestly say I've never noticed much noise from it. I think it's been great.

No question, thermador. Consumer report recently tested them and agreed.

BTW, you can't test this in a store. At least we couldn't. Our SZ is much noiser at home than the ones in the store.

I haven't heard a sub-zero in person, but my Freedom columns are very quiet. I've had them nearly one year now, and I'm totally pleased. In addition to the quietness, I really like the ergonomics and construction. They are a great choice.

I went to the showroom and was impressed with the Thermador Freedom columns - the salesman said they have had a great deal of trouble with the units requiring service. It seems that people here have been pleased,but he stressed that there have been many service calls and unhappy owners. What say you?

I have been to three showrooms and one one salesperson has complained about the units. Seeing how unreliable our SZ has been, even if there are issues, it would be just as bad as SZ, not worse.

Mind you, someone did say that SZ had a much better service network. And on that front, the repair people have been competent.

The main issue with them may be installation which is more difficult. To which I have been told, it only happens once and then you are done.

Of course, I may come back end of the year and complain about these as much as I do with SZ :D.

Hi. I'm just getting ready to buy Thermador columns - a 30 refrig and a 24 inch
freezer. It sounds like most of you who have purchased them are happy with your choices. Anybody have any complaints, suggestions etc.

Thanks you

Ours have been installed for all of three weeks now so I have absolutely nothing to say about reliability, service etc.

I think they look great. I love the interiors. They are silent to me--and that's from someone who notices our Miele dishwashers. I love the layout, with no vent grill at the top to distract from the paneling.

Downsides to date? The only thing I'd say so far is that the fridge door on our 30'' is pretty heavy, and needs a good shove to close. But it's still easier to deal with than the SZ doors I've tried, which require Herculean strength to pop the seal open.

Did anybody panel their Thermdor columns? I'm trying to decide whether to blend them in or use stainless steel. They will be in separate parts of the kitchen.

Thanks in advance for any advice. Thanks clinresga for the comments about the door. I struggle with my current GE so will be prepared. Do you have the internal ice maker?

Yes,

I too would love to see any panelled Thermador column pics if available.

Ours is paneled: I'll try to post a pic when I get home. We have internal ice maker, didn't want to violate the panel with a dispenser and don't mind at all opening the door to get ice. Plus, it's one less complex piece to go bad.

My 30' Thermador Columns (Refrig & Freez) are in a Walnut Armoire...These were taken before the final trim piece was added to finish off the bottom-a piece was added similar in design to the cabinet to the left of the ovens.

They were installed last Dec. - no problems at all, except for a little play in the freezer door that caused the doors to rub a bit in the center. I'm still investigating if this is an install issue or a hinge with too much play. Either way - it's not a big issue - just a tweak.

Things I love: Ice maker is perfectly placed at waist level. I love opening them up and being able to SEE every single thing in them at a glance. No lost foods again! Very quiet....almost never hear them.

>This is my first time to post a photo-my apologies if I goofed.

Here is a link that might be useful: Shutterfly

Here are photos of our Thermador Freedom Columns (30" ea)in a Walnut Armoire. There was one more trim piece added at the foot of the armoire after these photos were taken - it is similar in design to the cabinet base left of the ovens.

I just had the similar Bosch units installed but don't have pictures yet. They really are truly integrated but at least in my case it took a lot of time for the installers to get the panels and refrigerator niche just right.

There have been a few new kitchens posted on the Kitchens forum which feature panelled Thermador columns.

Billyc's Modern Kitchen Update

{{gwi:1426108}}

sub zero better
http://www.lasubzero.com

Here is a link that might be useful: sub zero repair in los angeles

I've had Thermador columns for nearly 2 years now. They are wonderful and virtually silent other than the occassional ice dump, and that is not loud either. I think mine were the first installed in this area and the first or one of the first I read about here, so I think 2 years with no problems is about as good as you will be able to find.

We thought we might have a problem after the power was restored post-Ike. We had flipped all the breakers off until we were sure the power was stable -- especially on the new appliances. Turns out the freezer breaker was labelled in the wrong spot. Once we flipped the right one (which appeared to be an extra slot), all was good.

I have nothing against SZ, but I do love the Thermadors.

Just wanted to thank korovi for that insightful post. And shockingly, he joined GW today :-)

clinresga,

would love to see yours when you get a chance

to clarify, would love to see your thermador pics :)

Clarity is always appreciated :-)

Pix! Please excuse messy food storage in fridge and unfinished kitchen. They are not magazine grade pix but here they are:

Outside: really not much to see, just the paneling

Inside: messy food storage but we love the layout

very nice

thanks

Lascatx -
It was all your postings about a year ago that convinced me Thermador was the way to go, and I just want to say "Thanks" - I love my Thermador Columns! And by the way, they are very quiet!

So, one question for you - be honest - in reality, how often are you changing the filter for the ice maker? And are you purchasing the Thermador replacement, or have you found a generic version of the filter that is cheaper and available locally?

Thanks for all your input over time - whenever I read your name, I always paid closer attention - you seemed to have good common sense and value added comments. So glad to hear you survived Ike!

Wow -- thanks for the kind words!

We did survive Ike and were so fortunate to have cool weather while the power was out. Loss of phones and internet was harder. I was never so happy to see a newspaper delivered! LOL We lost a part of our fence (repaired Monday), lost a small tree (all but the stump removed) and had a chimney cap blow off (still need to get that put back).

The saddest thing was what we had to throw out -- lots of peaches and berries frozen over the summer, some meat we couldn't cook fast enough, lots of bottles and jars of all those things you cook with, ice cream and sorbets made with summer fruits and even an ice cream cake my son ordered for a special dinner with his girlfirend. But the Thermadors and the Perlick drawers cleaned up well and chilled down quickly once put back into service. They still aren't that full though.

I am on my third water filter. Maybe I should have replaced this last one sooner, but the light never flashed and I couldn't remember when I put the previous one in. I have noticed that you hear the icemaker pull the water through a lot more when the filter gets old, so if that filling sound after an ice dump gets louder or begins to almost whistle, check the filter.

I ordered the filters from Thermador. They were actually the best price I found. I bought a couple, so I haven't shopped again to see if there is a generic version now that there are more Thermadors and cousins (Bosch, etc.) out there. Post if you find one!

Thanks again, and I'm glad you are enjoying yours too!

Thermador is quiet. But any problems with the hinge covers? Bends into door and then you can't shut door. Units recently installed in our renovated kitchen. Installers said it was a perfect installation?

We have had our Thermador columns since October. We did go with the ice maker/water dispenser on the door for our 3 kids. We've had 4 service calls: First, the ice door would get stuck, the ice would frost up and block the exit chute. After this was resolved, we started wondering if the ice maker/water chill mechanism was supposed to be noisy. It sounded about like 1/2 the volume of a kitcheaid dishwasher was on...and it was near constant. Nobody has been able to figure it out.

When the ice/water is not making noise the columns ARE entirely silent.

Does anyone else have ice/water in the door, and does it turn on and off in the manner I describe?

I've had mine almost 2yrs now....the freezer is very noisy. When it's running you know it. (althought... I don't think it should be that loud)

Also... this is my second freezer as with the first one. The repair guys where here so often, Thermador finally gave me a new one. I've had the second freezer now almost a year. This unit is loud it almost sounds like something is vibrating. I've also had several repair guys out. Now my Ice maker is shot. The repair guy that was just out... was very negitive. He doesn't want to fix the Thermador's anymore! When he arrived he imediately called the Thermador support line. Some blinking light = broken ice-maker. The lights in the dispencer light up but no water dispences or ice is being made. I live in Arizona.....you need Ice & water. This is a pain!
I also think something else is wrong with the Freezer as it's been making clicking noises & when you open the freezer door the word "economy" sometimes flashes. It's not suppose to flash.

The new freezers are now made with a see through ice bin. My ice bin is white, I'm ALWAYS RUNNING OUT OF ICE. Ice gets stuck in the back and the sensor thinks there is ice and doesn't make more. I have to pull the ice bin out 1-5 times a day just to make sure the ice isn't stuck in the back of the bin.

My warrenty is almost done.... and it's sad to say I"m afraid of my Freezer!!!! I'm on Freezer #2 on a 1yr appliance and the ice maker is broken!!! Thats not right!

But it is beautiful!!!! I have the 30in fridge & the 18in freezer w/ water & ice dispencer