I think you need to resize your fridge expectations. You will find 42" and 48" fridges, but I've never seen or heard of a 46".

You're so right lascatx! I realized that a built in requires 2" clearance on either side ... air flow/ciruclation? Anyway... that 46" space with 2" on either side perfectly puts me at a 42: frig. Anyone out there have the 42" counter depth french door Kitchenaide? It's around 6K... more then I thought I'd have to spend put it looks like just what I want... Would love feedback on any 42" counterdepth fridges, especially if it's a french door.

Are you looking at built-ins? My 48" is in a 48" opening and vents to the front. That's part of the whole built-in look, and the KA is the only 42" FD -- or any FD larger than 36" that I know of. Not a bad fridge -- we looked at it but went with Thermador for full entension drawers and drawers that can be opened withthe door at 90 degrees instead of wider. Above 36" wide, I really think you are looking at built-ins and spaces that should be true to their size. Whether they need additional door swing space is another issue.

I guess I"m somewhat confused between the look of the built-in and a counter depth. I'm not going to panel the front to match with matching cabinetry. I redid my kitchen (cheaply) about 6 years ago and need to keep/reuse as much of the perimenter cabinets as I can. Painting/glazing them... that's another thread. I plan on taking out 2 partial walls and adding an island which will contain a 36" induction cooktop (need advice on that too). Where the other half wall is,,, open into my family room; I want to add a bar with seating. Both the bar and island will be in a darker wood then my existing maple (natural) cabinets. Aren't the Thermadors upwards of 7K - 8K? I LOVED those when I saw them but thought they might be out of my budget. I figure I have a max of 15K to send on appliances and that would include my Frig., Double Oven (maybe half micro, speed, Advantium.. undecided there), 36" induction cooktop, and DW. Again... my tastes may be more expensive then my allowable budget. Thanks for any additional advice. I NEED IT!

There's a big difference between counter-depth and built-in fridges. Counter depth are standalone units with finished sides - they're just less deep than regular fridges and cost more. They're also not really flush with your cabinets - the doors protude past the counters and need to in order to open.

Built-in units are really built-in - they don't have finished sides and they will be flush. You don't need to put cabinet panels on them - you can go with stainless.

Counter-depth fridges run about $3000 - built-in fridges will run you about $5000-$6000. Hope this helps.

The 42" Kitchenaide Counter Depth French Door (mouthful huh?) runs around $6000. I"m not sure if I can see the benefit of the extra expensive in my case, for a built in if I'm going with stainless. I guess I have to go to the store and eyeball them side to side. Thanks for the input!

The benfit of the built-in will the the larger size. I'm pretty sure there are no standalone units (counter depth or standard depth) that are wider than 36".

I'm pretty sure I saw several counter depth models that were 42". I'm certain that the Kitchenaide I"ve been referring to is one of them. Anyone out there have one?

No, you're confusing counter-depth and built-in again. The KA counter-depths are 36" wide, the 42" model is a built-in. Check out the KA website.

I'm sorry Weissman, you are so right. Outside of size, can anyone tell me a benefit of a built in from a counterdepth? do they give the same look? Now I"ll have to reconfigure once again! Thank goodness I"m just pre-planning and researching at this stage. This is why this forum is so very helpful! Thanks for all the input.

As I mentioned above, they don't have the same look - counter-depth fridges doors extend past the counters and they have finished sides - built-in fridges are flush with the cabinets and have to be built-in - they don't have finished sides.

Thanks Weissman... I'm getting it now. I think the oral surgery I had yesterday might have also been an partial lobotomy! Do you or anyone else out there know the repair history of built in's as opposed to counter depth? Are they harder to service since they are built in? As much as I love the built in look... i"m leaning toward the counter depth at half the price. I can always get a refrigerator door/beverage frig and still spend 2K less. Feedback anyone?

I addition to the differences mentioned above, the height will be different too. Most counter depth will be 72" or less in height while 84" appears to be the standard for built-ins due to the venting at the top or bottom.

Some folks feel that built-ins are built heavier and to last longer and they generally do have a longer warranty. I don't now about all brands, but I was told the Thermador was made to generally be serviced from the front and that it would generally not need to be pulled out for most service. I haven't had any service on it, so that's all I know on that subject.

Both tend to have shallower shelving that is less likely to hids science experiments in the back, but at least one KS side by side counter depth has shelving that is about the same depth as most conventional freestanding models. I do like the shallower shelving now that we've been using it for a while -- but you do have to go wider to get the same square footage that way.

Thanks lascatx. I'm so confused at this point. If money was no object.... it would be a no brainer and I'd go for the columns. The way I plan to reconfigure would give me 48" to deal with refrigeration. I read somewhere that SOMETHING needs 2" clearance on either side but now I'm unsure if it's the counterdepth or built-ins. I presume the Thermador columns are built-ins? What are the sides like on built-ins? In my plan, they would not be butted up against a floor to ceiling cabinet so the sides would be visible unless I have to build a box to slide them into. In which case... what would be the point of built-ins for me? Thinking aloud here... What does anyone think of a 48" counterdepth side by side? I thought I saw a GE one but maybe it was a built in. I really need to go to an upscale store that will have a selection.....

Do go see them. I think that will help clarify for you.

I don't remember the sides on the columns that well, but I am sure they are not finished. They are made to be installed between cabinets, but there may be other ways to finish the sides. You would also need to consider the side glides or anchors that are used for installation. I don't know, but it may be that a 3/4" panel on either side would be sufficient. I have seen Subzeros installed this way or with a small cabinet on either side -- to look like an armoire, basically.

What is it that you want? Cooling space, a look, or just clearing more aisle space? What will drive your decision?

If you just want to clear some floor space, Kitchenaid makes a counter depth that is 72" tall and has about a 25 cu ft capacity. It's 36" wide and gives you about the same storage as you get from the typical 42" built-in, but the shelves are deeper. Inches of width do not necessarily translate into larger capacity. If you want easy accesibility and easy veiwing, you may prefer the built-ins and the shallower shelves. You will get ease of use but not necessairly more room or a lot more room. And the looks are a but different. Anotehr factor might be what is expected in your neighborhood. And consider the scale of your room. If you have a smaller kitchen with 8 ft ceilings, make sure a large built-in won't be out of scale with the rest of your space.