We have a KA 22 cu ft SS bottom freezer (not counter depth) and LOVE it. Have had it for a year and it is well laid out, spacious, constant temperature, and truly a pleasure after our side-by-side.

Freezer has nice trays that pull out. Purchased it from Sears also.

We have the KA model. Bought it in February '09. We are very happy with it. It's the right size for our family of 4. We aren't big soda drinkers, though, but even if we were, I still think it'd be sufficient since our fridge is rarely filled to capacity. Except at the holidays but then, if pushed, we make use of our extra "fridge" space in the garage or on the deck. ;-)

I carried an empty milk jug, an empty pizza box and a package of celery with me to the appliance store (and yes, I got strange looks) and I was happy to discover that despite it's shallower depth, these items fit without a problem. The celery fits corner to corner not side to side in the crisper drawer but that hasn't been a problem for us.

I like that it's not as deep. There is less chance of items getting lost in the far reaches, only to surface with the question of "does anyone know what this is?" or "how old is this?".

I also like the way the freezer is laid out. Between the bin and the 2 drawers, I have enough space without things getting lost beneath items. We do have an extra freezer, though, which does help, especially because we buy lots of frozen pizzas (hungry, teenage boys with lots of friends).

Thanks iceqween and lisa!

Have either of you had any problems with weird clicking/knocking noises? I found the following post on-line and have started to second-guess myself. It seems the noise was from the refrigerant flowing through the tubing or the damper...not sure which it turned out to be?

Thanks again!

pbear

Here is a link that might be useful: KitchenAid Problem

We currently have a GE Cafe FD CD fridge that we got to replace our KA CD fridge. The KA came with our condo and was about 10 yrs old. It started having problems when it was about 5yrs, the freezer would defrost overnight and we would wake up to a mess. This happened maybe once or twice a year for about 3-4 yrs, then it happened once or twice a quarter and we just stopped using the freezer. Finally about 8mnths ago the fridge started having a similar issue, so we called a repairman who said it was the compressor and he has sees this a lot in lower end KA models. We assume the people that sold us our condo put in the cheapest SS CD fridge they could find. So, it was either $900 to fix the problem, the repairman said it would only last 24 mths, or a buy a new fridge. Since our house is currently being remodeled we didn't want to spend a lot of money to replace the fridge. Our appliance guy sold us a floor model GE Cafe CD FD fridge for $1700. Good Luck!

Thanks sfcitydweller! I may take a look at that GE before I finally decide.

Hi, I can honestly say I've not heard anything. Now I'll have to listen closer.

The last 2 fridges we had made a such racket (both GE's) but they were getting older (one was 13; the other 18), so this one is super quiet in comparison.

Thanks iceqween....that's good to know!

The links above are the same and both bring up the KA refrigerator. Additionally, when I searched GE for the model # you listed, I came up empty; ditto for a Google search.

FWIW...we've had a GE Profile top mount ref for over 14 years now and other than the icemaker dying a couple of years ago, we've had no problems with it. It's now our 2nd refrigerator in the basement.

We currently have a GE Profile CD FD model (PFCS1NJWSS) and so far so good (it's been about 18 months).

Here is a link that might be useful: GE Profile ENERGY STAR® Counter-Depth 20.9 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator with External Water Dispenser

We just got the GE Profile CD FD model PFCS1PJYSS 20.8 Cu ft. Have had it a month. Went with the smaller model because of the space, or lack of, in our kitchen. So far, so good. We were replacing a side by side, so the available space was very similar but the FD layout is so much better for us.

Only drawbacks I have noticed so far would be the door bins aren't long enough for a dozen eggs in the carton and the bottom freezer drawer can get caught if too many things are put there and you have to re-arrange to close it. I really like the two freezer slide-out drawers and we have a full fridge in the garage for all the bulkier items.
HTH!

Thanks buehl and katiee!

Dumb me, I made a typo in the model number for the GE fridge.

I linked it below.

Here is a link that might be useful: GE CD FD Refrigerator

There is a knocking now and then but since our previous fridge, a 19+ year old Kenmore badged Whirlpool, did the same, much worse and more often, I haven't given it much thought. It was louder before we placed the fridge cabinet back in place but now it doesn't even register with me unless I consciously make an effort to hear it make that sound. Since we're still within the 1st year of ownership, I should call for a service call and see what they have to say about it, just for the heck of it.

We looked at the GE model, as well as many others including a Whirlpool since we'd had such good luck with our previous fridge (not one service call in 19+ years). Unfortunately, Whirlpool didn't offer a CD version. KA is now owned by Whirlpool (and Amana and a bunch of others) so we opted to stick with that appliance arm and not go with GE. According to Consumer Reports, GE does really well with ovens and cooktops but their rep slips down the list with fridges. But honestly, I felt as though we could have chosen our fridge with a dart throw since I could find bad reports on any fridge I researched.

One other reason for our choice is that, according to my research, the KA is made in the US while the GE is made in Mexico. Not sure if this is still true. I couldn't find out where parts came from - both could come from overseas. If all else is comparable, we're trying to make an effort to choose appliances made, at least in part, in the US.

Thanks lisa_a. I agree with you there in trying to buy US-made goods. Think I'm still leaning towards the KitchenAid.

We have the KA 'fridge. I have to say I'm not in love with it. It is small, which I expected with counter depth, but it has taken some getting used to. If our kids were still living at home it would not nearly be big enough. The worst thing, however, is the quality of the two pull-out drawers. They are just cheap. There are no drawer slides, it's just plastic on plastic, and 1.5 years in, the plastic is rough, and the drawers do not slide smoothly. The big bottom drawer is fine, because it has actual slides, as do the freezer racks. It just galls me to spend so much on an appliance and the inside is made of the same cheap polystyrene as toys, and there is is so much apparent cost-cutting in the areas where the consumer will use it most.

I recently saw the Viking version of the same 'fridge - they must share manufacturing. Even more money, same cheap drawers.

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(still monitoring Pbear's fridge quest...)

Sorry to hear that, vate. Do you own the same KA fridge as the OP is considering? Or perhaps they changed the design since you bought yours. This one has 3 drawers, not 2, with ball bearing glides (very smooth) not plastic on plastic.

And yes, you're right about the cost versus quality equation. Very frustrating!

We have the KA, and have been very happy with it.

It replaced a 20 year old Kenmore, and I was
concerned that it wasn't going to be big enough
but it's been great.

My test was Christmas, and it took a 25 lb.
turkey, as well as lots of side-dishes, beer and
wine - full, yes, but easy to get to everything.

It's quiet, and the biggest surpise was how cold
it keeps everything - it's a wonder we didn't get
salmonella with our old fridge - I didn't even
know how ineffective the old one was!

Thanks everyone.

Vate, do you have the KitchenAid mode # KFCS22EVMS? This is the one that is about 71 inches tall?

We have the KA #KFCS22EVMS. It's been in for about 3.5 months. I HAVE definitely heard a weird "clicking" noise (like a stutter) coming from the back of the top area, but it's definitely not very loud and I've only heard it a couple of times. It went away very quickly. I haven't worried about it. If it happened everyday, I'd be concerned, but a couple of times in over 3 months? Nah.

The drawers are fine. The two produce drawers actually "self close" if you push them most of the way in. Love 'em. (even though they're on the small side) Oh, and the freezer drawer self closes, too, and isn't too hard to open like some of the fridges I tested.

The other thing I liked is that the handles are very comfortable and smooth. Easy to grab and open.

All in all, I'd buy it again!