Thermador has a built-in 36" FD.

It is taller than Liebherr at 84".

The other luxury branded FD are rebadged Whirlpools.

Viking,Dacor,DCS,Heartland,and probably AGA but not sure.

GE Monogram same as GE Profile.

BTW Jenn-Air and KitchenAid have built-in 42" FD.

Thanks deeageaux. Could you clarify?: Do you mean that Viking etc. are made by Whirlpool and are equivalent to Whirlpool models?

I read here that Thermador, Bosch, Siemens and Gaggenau are made by the same manufacturer, but only Bosch and Thermador seem to have 36" FD fridges.

The issue with the height of the fridge compartment on the Liebherr stems from the fact that the Liebherrs have the compressor at the bottom, so all of the compartments you need to access seem to be about a foot higher on the Liebherr models. I'm going to have to start measuring the height of the freezer compartments for comparison.

On AJMadison's site the Thermador's are about $2K higher in price. Any thoughts on Thermador vs Bosch?

Could you clarify?: Do you mean that Viking etc. are made by Whirlpool and are equivalent to Whirlpool models?

The Viking freestanding models are actually made by Viking in an old Whirlpool plant using the same Whirlpool tooling under licence from Whirlpool.

The others are made by Whirlpool

I read here that Thermador, Bosch, Siemens and Gaggenau are made by the same manufacturer, but only Bosch and Thermador seem to have 36" FD fridges.

Bosch Siemens Home Appliance Group(BSH) owns the Bosch, Siemens,Thermador,and Gaggenau brands. BSH owns a factory in Turkey that makes refrigerator and freezer columns sold under Bosch,Thermador,Gaggenau,and Miele brands. Some of the electronics in the Miele versions are proprietary parts for Miele plus they use their own bins and shelves.

Not all brands have the basic units.For example Miele does not sell 24" units and Gaggenau does sell 36" units.

On AJMadison's site the Thermador's are about $2K higher in price. Any thoughts on Thermador vs Bosch?

To my understanding the Bosch columns were discontinued in USA and are no longer on the Bosch USA website. They have their own bins and shelves different from the others.And I think the ones you may find at AJM or elsewhere have first generation ice-makers which could be finnicky. They had to to be perfectly aligned and inserted correctly for them to work.

Hell of a deal though. Salesman used the higher priced/more profitable fridges/freezers as punching bags to sell the Bosch. I would be seriously tempted for $2K less

The issue with the height of the fridge compartment on the Liebherr stems from the fact that the Liebherrs have the compressor at the bottom, so all of the compartments you need to access seem to be about a foot higher on the Liebherr models. I'm going to have to start measuring the height of the freezer compartments for comparison.

The Bosch/Thermadors have the compressor on the bottom as well. Look at page 17 of the installation guide for the Thermador linked below.

Here is a link that might be useful: LINK

Ahh, thanks so much for all the great info. Do people have problems with the moving door closing mechanism (partition)on the Thermadors? The salesman I spoke to -- who was clearly only pushing the Liebherr -- said that they were prone to breakage.

I have not heard or read that about Thermadores.

I have heard that for inexperienced installers the custom panel versions can be a real bear to install.

overhear,

Don't know how long you're willing/able to hold off on purchasing, but I know that Sub-Zero is, in fact, releasing a french-door model. I have not heard many complaints about Thermador refrigerators, and actually thought seriously about purchasing, but ultimately decided on the Sub-Zero, although mostly for aesthetic reasons. I also happened to prefer the interior layout of the Sub, as well. I will try to find more details about when exactly the FD Sub is being released, but if waiting isn't an option, I think the Thermador is an excellent and proven contender.

Thanks ahmack. Please keep us posted on that.

I have the bosch version of builtin fridge. See link. As far as i know they still sell it - only 2 very similar models of builtins. It is cheaper than Thermador and other than the white plastic interior looks identical. I checked out the online manuals and saw little difference. From the outside looks the same for sure. But the bosch is only available in stainless steel. Thermador has panel version if you want fully integrated.

I had a subzero and probably would have gotten another one if they had a french door version. Same issue as you with clearance. Glad i didn't get a different style than the FD now. The bosch though is great and keeps food very very well. It is tricky to get installed though and my contractor couldn't do it. I looked at Liebherr with the same complaint as you and thus rejected it. Also it isn't a true builtin so that made me pause.

My only complaint on the bosch is the freezer drawer is squeaky when pulled open and seems loose on the rail. Maybe an adjustment i can get done. Otherwise no issues and it looks beautiful. The hinges are impressive - i can't imagine that causing a problem. I could see the flap breaking in the middle but i guess i would have heard about that as all french door fridges have them.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: bosch 36

Thanks for chiming in about your experience with the Bosch, Sophie. Do you have any issues with the ice-maker as mentioned in deegeaux's post?

I saw a friend's 36" KitchenAid Architect II side-by-side in SS yesterday. Nice lighting, very spacious, accessible drawers in both the fridge and freezer. At least from appearance, it was much nicer than the last 2 fridges I've had, (GE profile and WP) -- which were bad enough to make me willing to spend on a high-end model. After that, the KitchenAid FD model (KFCO22EVBL) started to seem interesting. From the link below you can see that it would require some creative cabinetry because with panels it exceeds 27" in depth (see the link below)

Here is a link that might be useful: Refrigerator: 36 inch, counter depth, energy star rated

I think the product she talks about is the columns which only Thermador offers now? We've had no issues with ice maker other than my contactor not knowing how to install the unit and screwing up the doors so that they didn't shut right so ice woulndt freeze. Once we got that fixed (it was obvious the door were not aligned), plenty of ice. its also very quiet.

counterdepth is a different animal and 1/2 the price. You have to concerned about clearances for air flow and the way the door opens. Also whether you have dual compressors if you want that - in theory helps with food freshness.

SxS is also very different to me. I find them frustrating although the clearances are good.

overhear,
Sorry to get back to you so late-here is the link to the Sub-Zero french door. Sub-Zero/Wolf is now listing MSRP prices on their website (!) I have heard nothing bad about the KA Architect series, but personally do not find the use of space in side by sides to suit my family's needs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sub-Zero French Door Built in

Sophie, sorry to be unclear -- I am considering the KA Architect french-door; by "SS" I actually mean stainless steel. Side-by-sides don't work for me either.

Ahmack, thanks for the great info on the SZ french door model. Since I can't decide if the high-end models and built-in look are worth the money given that our fridge will be tucked into an alcove, it's good to have choices.

overhear:

just a shout out for liebherr - i have the 36" FD fully integrated and i am short also 5'3" and really have no problem reaching the top shelf. if its allllll the way in the back then yes, but i put stuff up there that i really don't use , but others do, or use often. everyone else in my home have no problems (all r taller than me).

as of sept. install, i have to say, i love this frig. quiet as quiet can be, plenty of storage, door storage is great. can fit gallon jugs on doors and lots of condiments.

we really have had no issues with it and love it so far.
also, so easy to clean.

freezer holds more than i thought it would, but i have a full freezer downstairs. i buy in bulk and cook and freeze meals, so freezer a necessity here. had it for over 20 years (kenmore).

if you have any questions, just ask

best of luck

I, too, could not reach the top shelf areas of the Liebherr or the SZ. So I got those out of my system right away!

My undercounter refrigerator drawers, 6 c. ft. by Elux cost $2000. So I was pretty happy to get the LG 36 fd, 25 c.f., for 34 1/4 total depth and around $1500. We are thrilled with both fridges. Other than the acceptable depth, this LG has some small advantages over it's like brethren. Ten months later, it's still perfect.

My other appliances are Bosch mid priced, not low end.

I was lusting after the Liebherr FD for a long time and I still think the huge produce drawers in that fridge are awesome. However, when it came to the crunch I found that the fridge was just too tall for me and I really didn't like the full width shelves (prefer split ones you can move independently on each side). I was also not impressed with the freezer space, but perhaps that would have been fine in practice. Moreoever, stainless would have been a compromise for me because I actually wanted a white fridge - obviously I'm in a minority there though :). With all these factors I decided that the KA Architect 72" tall counter depth FD was the one for me (no exterior water/ice - just the interior). At the time it had an upgraded interior vs the shorter model although it was quite a bit more expensive than the shorter model. I am not convinced the upgrades are worth the extra money but I wanted a fridge that was not going to annoy me so I got it anyway. Mine is in a freestanding application, no cabinetry, and that also negated the need for a truly flush unit, although I did want CD. I have had it for ca 18 months and so far it has been great with no problems. The only thing I would change is to eliminate the water dispenser: I do not use it and the water tastes like hell (plastic). The deli drawer also seems a bit flimsy but I guess it could be replaced if it breaks. I also thought they were a bit skimpy on the door bins and I bought a couple of extra online. I do love the ice maker though, having never had a fridge that made ice before this is an incredible luxury for us, and I am happy with it down in the freezer. I have a CSA farm share so have to store a ton of produce. I find that the "green bags" do a great job and I can store them on the bottom shelf above the deli drawer so that makes up for the smaller produce drawers.

Good luck!

Thanks for posting, buffalotina. I really appreciate your observations. Forgive my ignorance, but what are green bags and door bins?

Whoops, I should have said, it is the deli drawer cover flap that I think is rather flimsy, not the drawer itself.

Green bags are the vegetable/produce storage bags you can get that somehow extend the produce life. I find with the plastic clips to keep them closed and expelling most of the excess air they do in fact work rather well. I could not do without them and I use them in the veg. drawers too - they keep the drawers cleaner also!

By door bins I meant the bins that attach on the inside of the fridge doors for storage of jars, etc. Perhaps they are fixed on the LH - I do not remember. On the KA they are removable and adjustable. I added a couple of extra.

Hope that helps!

Here is a link that might be useful: Green Bags

The door bins on the Liebherr are adjustable - sort of. The bottom door bin is fixed and is milk carton height at minimum. The top half of each door has three bins that can be placed on any of five different notches. But, you can't use two adjacent notches, otherwise one bin covers the other one from being useable at all.

So on each door, really you can either choose to leave it as three bin all of low height, or remove a bin to have two of unequal height. Way to go, German engineering....

Thanks wwu123. I was wondering about that.

I have had the Liebherr 36" fully integrated French Door refrig for about 2 years. I am 5'4" and do not have problems reaching the top shelf. I regularly place items on the top shelf. I like the two bottom freezer drawers, esp the ice maker. The cubes are a perfect size - not those long, half-moon shaped ice "cubes" from many other freezers. We do have another freezer in our basement, though, so the Liebherr is not for long-term storage.

I really have no complaints about this appliance, except that the freezer drawers are too accesible to my kids who are always looking for popsicles.

One of the things I love the most is when people come into my kitchen for the first time and do not know where the refrig is located!