SubZero vs. Miele

15 years ago

I had to put off my remodel and it seems some of my choices are changing. Today I saw the Miele 30" refrigerator, and narrow freezer, and I really liked them!

I read the threads about the Miele that have been posted so far, but do any of you have any more to say about them?

I was going to get the SZ integrated as the best compromise. I loved the old over-under, but don't like the interior of the new one at all. It feels rattly. And the door doesn't open far enough, especially on flush mount/integrated. But I didn't like anything else I'd seen and grew up with SubZero and loving it.

Differences Miele vs. SZ, and vs. BSH:

The door opens! Okay, same as BSH, but my big gripe with SZ is that it went from nearly 180 degree opening to hardly more than 90, especially in integrated/flush. The Miele was in a full cabinetry mount and there weren't any appreciable cracks (a la SZ), yet the door opens completely out of the way of the box. (I think they say 115 degrees.) More than just the angle, the euro hinge appears to slide the door over a bit (that's probably an illusion, but it just doesn't have that crowded feel).

Full depth drawers on bottom are a good place to store larger trays (simliar to SZ integrated top drawer), are clear like the new models, but feel very secure. They extend fully.

The door shelves are entirely clear except for the top rim, and feel much more solid. They aren't wide, however, and won't hold jugs. (I don't use them.) The dairy box is very similar to SZ, but is open the whole way across. I can't remember is this also true on the 36". The 36" SZ (the ones I'm comparing to) it has three dividers (up from two on the 60's and 80's versions I've lived with. It is also all clear.

I don't usually like 100% clear because it seems flimsy, but the Miele are thick enough to have the same solid feeling I like.

I didn't realize until I read it here that this was the same configuration as the BSH. Every time I've looked at the Thermador or Gaggenau, I haven't liked them. The biggest difference is that the shelves are rimmed like the SZ. And that makes all the difference.

The lighting is amazing. Looking in the empty box it seems like overkill, but wow! There are two halogen appliance lights on each side at each approximate shelf level.

I like the deli drawer too. It feels right, somehow, and I also like it better than the SZ's. And online it's described as "floating" so I'm wondering if it can't be raised and lowered like a shelf. That would be great!

The freezer has wire baskets instead of solid plastic like the others on the lower drawers and door shelves (good for cooling air flow!). The door baskets pop out of their rims, too. I'm not sure why, but I like that. I keep thinking of things to do with that feature.

Unlike the Gaggenau, (and I think the Thermador), the icemaker isn't a big hulk in the center of one of the shelves. That's the biggest thing that turned me off to Gaggenau freezer. I'm extrapolating a little since they only had the 18" and over/under, but it looks, from those and the drawings in the brochure, like the ice maker is to one side, and isn't as big. Even if that isn't quite right, there seems to be plenty of shelf space above and below it.

It can't hurt that they're as quiet as people here say too!

Thanks to all who have posted about these so far, and I hope you'll comment here as well, on how you like them. I have to say, rather than being bothered that there is shared technology with BSH, I'm actually relieved. I'm not generally an early adopter. I don't know about the effectiveness and durability of the cooling zones (and WiFi!), but at least the rest of the works are established and of good repute :)

I'm going to go check out the rest of the line at the showroom, but I'm already half convinced to get 30" and 30" rather than the 36" and 27" SZ. Those sizes are better for me too! It seems like the Miele are what I wanted the SubZero to be. :)

Please let me know what you think!

Comments (8)

tommy275
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
IMO, Miele is a different class of company than BSH. BSH is notorious for its uncaring and ineffectual customer service. If you go with BSH, and something goes wrong with your fridge (and things do happen), you may very well find yourself regretting a decision to do business with BSH. Miele's customer service, in contrast, generally gest high marks, but more importantly, rarely gets low marks.
davidro1
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I believe you will find there are two LED (not halogen) lights on each side at each approximate shelf level. The lights are round so they look similar to halogens.

David
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canuck99
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
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lucypwd
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I have the miele columns
positives - good light, relatively quiet with the exception of about every two hours there is a grinding motor noise that lasts for about 2 minutes and is driving my husband nuts. I have meile service coming to listen to it. The drawers are good size. At first I thought that they wouldn't be big enough but it really is deceptive they hold a lot. The deli shelf doesn't adjust. Once installed, which by the way took forever, the mechanics are all accessible from the front - no need to pull the machine away from the wall. The doors do open much greater than 90 degrees. I have the 36" refrigerator and the 30" freezer which would be too small for me if I didn't have a 2nd freezer in the garage. At thanksgiving I had a 16lb turkey, 6 bottles of pop,, gallon of milk, 1/2 gallon OJ, quart of half and half, Britta water filter water pitcher with room to spare on the first shelf. Shelves are easy to adjust. Looks very nice on the wall.
Negatives $$$ very expensive, shelves are high for me - I feel like I need a stool every time I open the door, the door doesn't swing shut - you have to close it. That may be something that can be adjusted and I plan to ask the Miele tech when he comes. Ice container is SMALL, intermittant grinding noise which may be the ice maker - otherwise almost silent. Cannot put a gallon jug on the door shelf,$$$ did I mention it is expensive
Overall: I'm happier now than when I first had it installed because I've learned how to use it efficiently
lucypwd
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
CORRECTION on the above post. I have the 18" freezer and the 30" refrigerator. I must have had a brain freeze this morning when I posted.
plllog
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks for all the comments!!

Re price, the models I'm looking at are comparable to SubZero and Gaggenau.

Turns out there's a new Miele showroom, so I went there today, but they didn't have the 30" freezer. What I did learn (as those of you who have them know) is that the fridge door holders come out of their rims like the wire ones in the freezer do. Also, that the shelves (the rims) remove by sliding them to the top. This rail system is very secure, but that's why the pieces come out--so you can clean easily without removing all of them.

Tommy, thanks for the custserv review!

Thanks, Lucypwd, for the answer about the deli drawer. I've been very confused about that. The "floating" drawer seems to be in the 36" over under, where it's small and slides back and forth under a shelf.

David, I don't know of my own experience, but all of the literature calls the lights halogens, and the guy at the showroom called them "appliance halogens". Maybe they really are LEDs, but that's not what they say.

I also found out that the columns are identical in every size, just wider.

Has anyone seen the 30" freezer? Does the icemaker extend all the way across? Or is there some kind of storage next to it?

Canuck, I guess you might not have had your SZ for long enough to really know, but have you noticed the ethylene filter working?

One more good I learned is that, according to the rep, the kit for installing the units next to each other is a heat shield, and works no matter which direction they open. (SZ have to open armoire style.)

They also told me that having a Miele certified installer do the installation doubles the warranty.

Re construction, the rep said that while the box, compressors, and other big parts are made in the Turkay plant, the electronics are made by Miele in Germany. He said that they spent 7 years developing the American style refrigerators. That sounds like so much marketing but is probably pretty true.

I'm pretty convinced to go with the 30" and 30". I can stand dealing with the kind of issues Lucy is having, if necessary (I was in the showroom for the better part of an hour, and they had three fridges and two freezers running, and all were practically silent, so I'm hoping your tech can fix yours). And I like the sizes and fitments better than on any other units I've seen.

More comments are surely welcome. :)
canuck99
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Air Filter....Can not tell on the filter. I did research the concept and found it used in the flower industry and I know what Ethylene gas is and the issue is real. I do have 3 broccli heads and about 20-30 brussel sprouts in the fridge area for 11 days (On sale) and yes I have eaten about 1/3 of what I originally purchased. Feels and looks the same as the day I purchased them. The fresh guide indicates 1-2 weeks for Broccoli and 3-6 weeks for cabbage. OK I will eat the broccoli first.

As noted above the Miele 18+30 did not feel or measure as big as the Sub and was 30% more expensive and 15-20% less efficient.
loves2cook4six
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
DH picked the Miele over the Sub just because of the way Miele stands behind their products and for no other reason. I couldn't believe it as he is definitely the penny pincher in this family and the Miele was WAY more than the SUB.

Ours will be delivered as soon as the cabinet guy has the panels ready and then I'll be happy to provide feedback.

We're getting the 36" fridge and 36" freezer.

SubZero vs. Miele

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