18'/30' freezer/fridge column width or 24'/24'?

13 years ago

I'm looking at ordering a thermador fridge/freezer column soon (as long as it can fit under my 83 3/4 inch soffit ceiling!) and am wondering which most people buy? I have a 48" space. It is just for one or two people.

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plllog

13 years ago

I agree. I hate 18" freezers, but I would like a fridge less than 30" even less. Any chance you can get the 30" fridge and 24" freezer? Of course, I have the 30" freezer, plus my old freezer in the garage for things like stock and spaghetti sauce that take up so much room.

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Comments (14)

Fori
13 years ago
It's sort of personal and nobody can answer for you. I'd go with the 27" integrated SZ if there were one or two of me, for example, and not waste all the energy and space on a larger unit.

But maybe you have a huge vegetable garden and freeze things. Or you have massive beer tasting parties and need to fill the fridge. Only you can say what works best for you.
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rentaltux
13 years ago
I have 18" freezer / 30" fridge and love it. I couldn't survive with a 24" fridge. The only thing I would change is have a 24" or 30" freezer as well but space was an issue...
R
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I have to contradict Lascatx. The boxes and basic system are made for Miele by the BSH factory (parent of Bosch/Thermador/Gaggenau) where Thermador are made, so they're kind of distant cousins, but Miele make their own electronics and some other systems, have their own design features, and really are pretty different in everything but shape. The stainless interior is Gaggenau, though even there, there are some different features and probably some small engineering differences from its sibling, Thermador. That said, there's nothing wrong with the quality of the Thermador columns, if you like the interior layout and aren't looking for features Miele has that T'dor doesn't. Personally, I didn't care for the Thermadors or Gaggenaus at all, and didn't even catch on to the similarities when I first saw Miele and fell in love (and got them), but people here have reported being very satisfied with their Thermador columns and there's no reason to spend more if you like them. Unless the six inch difference will really make a big difference in your storage space, I can definitely endorse the 30" over 24" fridge. You might not actually "need" the extra space...except when you want to put something large inside, like a platter or box, but it's nice to have a little elbow room.
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I'll bump this up for you, though I have no real experience. Have you seen one in person? Unless they've changed it in the last year and a half the ice maker works takes up a lot of prime real estate. I think someone didn't like the way the dispenser worked with the door panel, but that might have been an installation problem rather than a Gaggenau problem. I like the metal shelves. The basic design is good. The engineering should be good. Not that many people have them because they get the Thermador, which is the same basic design but costs less, instead. The Gaggenau should have a more exacting temperature control, and I think it has a supercooling button to push for just added a bunch of not-frozen food. Or a sensor. I forget. One is the Gaggenau, the other is the SZ. I ended up with the Miele, which also has a small, centered ice maker, but it's arranged better and doesn't seem to take up a quarter of the freezer. And I didn't want a dispenser. Are there any other integrated, stand alone freezers with dispenser?
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Went through same brand choice in Sept replacing a b.i. fridge (different model). Basically a tossup but went with Miele and we are very happy with this fridge. SZ definitely has the cachet and word of mouth. But I didn't see the value of the 1K additional cost of SZ over Miele. Miele interiors are very high quality, lighting is fantastic and I prefer the door style (no big grill). Also, the electronics were tougher for power outages, which was major for us and the decider. Otherwise, it's interior features mostly. Both offer excellent service, warrantys etc. Re fridge drawers. Again, SZ has the market. Don't know if anyone else has ice maker or how sizes vary but under counter drawers are also made by Fisher & Paykel, Perlick, Summit, Kitchen Aid, Jenn Air and Electrolux. If you're researched through those you will know all. BTW love my Miele oven, now 8 y.o. It has a learning curve but there are older threads here that discuss it, which should be available. This post was edited by rococogurl on Tue, Dec 16, 14 at 6:26
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In my view, the question should be thought of as two separate questions. The first question is: How much space do I need? That is answered by one's experience and habits. The second question is: Is SZ worth more than Thermador for the same size meeting the space need? I can't advise on relative cost effectiveness, not having ever owned a Thermador. I have a 48-inch wide SZ 632 (counter-depth) side-by-side, and like it. I was surprised that the claims about keeping stuff fresh longer turned out to be true. It is usually packed, but this is a DW issue due to cooking large batches in spite of there only being two of us. We have a separate R/F in the basement, usually well filled but not literally packed. Other features are the top mounted compressors and heat exchanger; this reduces dust/lint buildup. The door edge warming is done by circulating hot refrigerant in the body side, rather than, as in a long-gone GE, by electric heating in the door frame. SZ answers their phone, and tries to provide helpful support. Parts are available for long periods after obsolescence. Counterpart behavior of Thermador is unknown to me.
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Susan Gress
13 years ago
Anyone know if the Miele 48" comes with the 18" freezer too? I saw an 18" Thermador at the dealer today, and it was Tiny inside.
davidro1
13 years ago
it's a more efficient use of space to have an appliance closer to a cube shape than a long thin flat shape.

it's also more energy efficient.

since the appliance walls are insulated, a long thin flat shape loses more of its possible volume to wall insulation than a boxy cubic shape.

also, small spaces are harder to use to pack things in. Wide shelves are more efficient for packing purposes.
rockybird
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you for the answers. It looks like thermador will not work as there is no adjustability for my 83 3/4" soffitt. Now I need to decide which brand to go with. Apparently, miele, sz, and liebherr will work. I just cant validate spending 10k on the sz. I am leaning towards the liebherr, but they only come in 24/24. Argh. I guess I need to think about it some more.
davidro1
13 years ago
get
a 24" all fridge and
a 24" fridge - freezer.

or, two 24" fridge-freezers.
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davidro1
13 years ago
e.g.

2 of GE GBC12IAX
2 of Fagor 3FCA68NFX
2 of
conserv / vestfrost / summit cp171
because it's passive cooling, and
you can transfer goods from one freezer to the other when you defrost.

Summit Commercial Series CP171
12.0 cu. ft. Counter-Depth Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator with Adjustable Glass Shelves, Manual Defrost, 2 Compressors, Interior Light, Wine Rack and For Commercial Use
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applianceauthority
13 years ago
2 24s will look allot better because it will be symmetrical. I would get a 48 inch if i was doing 30 inch fridge. I just feel that an 18 inch freezer is still small. Its obviously allot bigger then a standard 36 inch side by side but u can barely get anything wide in there plus you lose space to the ice maker. If you can get 2 27 inch sub zeros you hit a home run. Nothing compares to Sub. Quality, Design & Style.

On the AJ Madison website you can see all the brand & which ones make different configurations to get to 48 inches. I live by that site. They have the best website.

Refrigerators - http://www.ajmadison.com/b.php/Built+In%3BFull+Size%3BRefrigerators/N~26+4294842433+4294961194
Freezers - http://www.ajmadison.com/b.php/Upright%3BBuilt+In%3BFreezers/N~51+4294964270+4294961194

Here is a link that might be useful: Built In Refrigerators
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sjb3ip
13 years ago
IMHO, a 24" fridge is way too small, despite the symmetrical look. we've been debating the fridge purchase in our household for a long time, and considered the thermador freedom columns(30"/18" or 30"/24") seriously. the jenn-air 48" (and it's sister, the KA 48") actually has more room (especially on the freezer side) than the thermador. check them out.
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davidro1
13 years ago
rockybird, since in your case it's "just for one or two people" get the smaller option, i.e. two 24" appliances that cost 1/4 what a fancy name appliance costs.

b.t.w. you can get extra door bins for any fridge. It increases the fridge's capacity.
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User
13 years ago
I have one of the 24" conserv / vestfrost / summit cp171 - that davidro mentioned. It has been a great fridge/freezer and holds a surprising amount of goods. The lower freezer has it's own compressor and will go very cold if you set it. Oh and it's a true counter-depth.

Also the freezer is not self-defrost, but it doesn't seem to need defrosting very often. Maybe once in 2 years. And the upper fridge will keep working while the bottom freezer defrosts.

Nothing very fancy, no light in the freezer, a stainless door- the sides are silver. Fairly quiet, and it's made in Denmark.
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gwgin
13 years ago
After reading the recommendation of the Summit CP171 by davidro1 & alexr, I went to summitappliance.com to check it out. Guess what? They are now offering to customize their refrigeration units (refrigerators, freezers, wine cellar & beer dispensers) with RAL colors (main body & optional accent color).
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chisue
13 years ago
DH and I have been satisfied with our 10-year old 42" GE Monogram SxS (counter depth) w/ice/water in the door. The freezer is 12.5" interior width. ("Pizza box" width -- lol.) I'd actually prefer more freezer and less fridge, but I'm not a big cook or entertainer. I'm a fan of the counter depth unit's shallower shelves.
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18'/30' freezer/fridge column width or 24'/24'?

plllog

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Fori

rentaltux

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18'/30' freezer/fridge column width or 24'/24'?

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