Athome: that picture showing 2.5" is for a single door model. It states that 'other models may require more'. I'm hoping you realize that with a single door, the hinge will be on the side away from the wall, unless you provide the additional space to the wall side. The location of the hinge pivot point and the thickness of the door will determine how much if any space is needed to the side in order to open the drawers. I've looked at a lot of fridges (I have a wall to the left as well) and some only need 90* while most need more to get the drawers fully open or removed completely. Don't forget any clearance issues on the right side between the door and the countertop. Some people forget this and are dismayed when they punch a dent into the door from the corner of the countertop.

We have a Thermador FD and I absolutely love it. I love having the freezer on the bottom most of all, so you could have the same thing with a single door on top. I'll never have a top freezer again. I love that I can look down into the freezer and see what is in there, and can easily move things around, to see what is on the bottom without a frozen steak falling out on my foot. The Thermador also has a top drawer in the freezer that that slides out and that is where I keep things I use most frequently. That is also where the ice maker is. I love that also because it is so easly to scoope ice out and my kids can reach it easily and get their own ice. I had a side by side when we moved into this house and I despised it. Never again. As for the french door vs. single door on top -- I like the FD. We would have clearance issues with a big door opening into a fairly narrow aisle so the FD works better. And I have the fridge paneled with cabinetry. I think the FD has more of a furniture look than a single door. The Thermador is also fully integrated. It is totally flush and doesn't stick out at all, and I love that. But the shelves in the fridge are pretty high up, and if you are short, it might be an issue. And my kids can't really reach into the fridge yet, although they will soon. And I do mostly open both doors every time I open the fridge, but it is more a habit than a necessity, and it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

After MUCH research , I bought a Kenmore French Door w/ice & water in the door. I previously had 3 different side by sides. My last SBS was two years old and ruined by Hurricane Ike. I also had a separate freezer in the garage that wasn't replaced. I discovered that I didn't need a separate freezer due to the extra freezer space gained with the French Door model. The French Door style accommodates larger items that will not fit in the narrow side by side freezer. I love the french door style. The ice and water feature on the outside causes the loss of some fridge space, but I was willing to make that sacrifice. My first SBS was one of the very first made by Sears, a Coldspot. It lasted 26 years or so. I hope this Kenmore will last as long. (I know I won't last that long)

It's good to hear a variety of opinions on the Jenn-Air fridge. Chicgoans, yours might be three years old but Whirlpool sticks with a design for many years, no doubt it's not too different for Jenn-Air. We have lots of freezing going on in our current Whirlpool fridge, but I think a lot of that has to do with the constant opening and closing that goes on with a family of nine.... we must keep the temp down to keep the cabinet cold enough for the milk to taste good, but it freezes lettuce and strawberries. Even our eggs, sometimes. sskit: Where did you buy yours? You got a fabulous deal - what a price! I'm looking at $2900 as the lowest so far for the 72" CD french door fridge. That is so much money, but I have to have the SS all the way around the cabinet. I'm thinking this recession should have more of a downward pressure on appliance prices! Thanks to all who replied. Any other opinions or recommendations?