p.s. we would have 40" between fridge front and island if we had cabinet depth. The island runs the whole length of the counter to the outer edge of the cabinetry surrounding the fridge. So the cabinet depth would give a very uniform stream lined look vs. the regular size sticking out 6 inches at least into the aisle way.

I was looking for a cabinet depth refrigerator for my condo kitchen remodel. I finally found a Fisher Paykel bottom freezer. It's 30 1/2 wide and counter depth. It comes in stainless, flat or curved door, and also white.
The bottom freezer is one of the best designs I've seen. I got to see it in person at a local appliance store and liked it even more after I saw it. It also has a two year warranty. I was quoted a price of $1399. Now to find a all stainless gas range without a lot of black trim?? I don't want any black in my kitchen.

We have a counter depth refridgerator (GE Profile side by side) 36 inch wide. And are a family of 4. It is small. I'm not sure if it's the side by side aspect of it or if it's because it's just smaller cubic footage wise, but I always have trouble finding space. We have an additional fridge in the basement which I cannot do without.

I would prefer the french door style and if I could do it over, I would have a larger built in fridge. Good luck with your decision!

But the fridge does look better not sticking out.

I am considering the same things you are with the frig being close to an island.

I found several friges on AJ Madison in the link below that are 24+ cubic feet that are counter depth. I think if the frig is around 25 cubic sq ft, it would still be a good size to be able to fit alot into it and still get the counter depth. The prices don't seem to bad to me.

Here is a link that might be useful: AJ Madison - couinter depth larger friges

We got a counter depth fridge when we moved into this house. The old "normal sized" fridge left barely enough room to walk around our counter penninsula.

We have a cheaper fridge in the garage for overflow, but I have rarely needed it. There are only 3 of us though. I like the counter depth fridge, although it cost more than the regular fridge...which is kind of funny since it's smaller!

We purchased an Electrolux cabinet depth SS from Sears Haven't used it yet, but it appears very roomy.

Please keep in mind that a "cabinet depth" refrigerator is one in which the carcass (body) of the refrigerator is approx cabinet depth. The doors (and handles) will extend past the counters. After installing our CD refrigerator (including required clearances), it sticks out approx 7" beyond the counters.

Carcass: 26" from back wall
Door: another 2-1/2"
Handle: another 2-1/2"
So, total depth is approx 31"

If you want a refrigerator that's truly only 24" deep (except maybe handles), then you may have to get a "built-in" refrigerator. However, the cost difference b/w a CD and a built-in is significant in most cases.

Do you have room in the room behind your refrigerator to recess it? If so, you can get a standard-depth refrigerator, recess it into the room behind it, and make it look cabinet-depth. The doors & handles will still need to extend past the counters & cabinets to be able to open the doors, but you'll get a lot more room in a smaller kitchen footprint.

Side note: To approximate a "built-in" look w/a CD refrigerator,

• Install finished end panels on each side of the refrigerator to the depth of the refrigerator carcass (in our case, 26")

• Next, install an over-the-refrigerator cabinet that is full-depth, bringing it forward to match the finished end panels.

• Note: If for some reason you cannot get a full-depth over-the-refrigerator cabinet, then go ahead w/the shallower one (usually 12") and bring it forward flush w/the end panels. It will look full-depth and you'll still achieve the same "built-in" look.

HTH!

7" seems way too far for a cabinet depth refrigerator to stick out. It should only stick out the thickness of the door.Mine only extends 3" All refrigerators have to have the door stick out past the cabinets, otherwise the door won't swing out. When my cd fridge was installed they actually had to recess the outlet so the fridge would sit further back into the opening.

I had a 36 inch side by side prior to my 36" french door with freezer on the bottom. And although I may not have as much cubic feet, I seem to be able to find things easily. Everything in my side by side use to end up in the back of the fridge. Where it would be forgotten about. My side by side use to stick out 11" and I find the difference for floor space in the cd huge. I also find that pricing is not THAT much more. I have the Viking and I paid about $2900 for it. But I also purchased the trim kits (optional)for $250 which make it look like a built in.

Josie...check the door PLUS handles. The handles stick out further from the door. Here are the specs for my CD ref:

Case depth w/o door: 24-1/8"
Case depth less door handle: 28"
Case depth with door handle: 31"

My cabinet depth Liebherr door sticks out 4 1/4" with handles.

There's definitely less room in it, but I find it vastly easier to find things, which means there's overall less waste. No more hidden furry containers shoved way in back ... ;-)

I posted a similar question last week-- check out the link and maybe some of those answers will help too!

Here is a link that might be useful: My CD fridge post

buehl...

Here are my specs, I guess every manufacturer has different definitions of cabinet depth.

Case depth w/o door 23 1/2"
Case depth less door handle 26 3/4"
case depth with door handle 28 3/4"

for me the difference in the floor space between my old fridge and my new fridge are substantial.

A lot depends on how you use your fridge. Our old one was 33" wide by 33" deep (not including the handle) with bottom mount freezer. Our new fridge (now 3 1/2 years old) is an Electrolux sxs cd 36" wide. We are a family of 4 (includes 2 teens). I kept our old fridge for extras but found after a month I didn't like running an empty fridge so we got rid of it. We only had the Electrolux until last April when we got a smallish upright freezer so that we could stock up when we went to grocery stores almost an hour away.

I really find no difference spacewise between the old and new. The back portion of our old fridge tended to be filled with old stuff that really should have been thrown out. Now I just clean it out more often and stuff tends to get less lost with the shallower shelves. Our stuff seems better organized on the multiple narrow shelves. The space in the Electrolux (and I imagine all the cd's) is well configured. Space is tight after a big grocery shopping or when there are a lot of left overs (or stuff being prepped for a big dinner) but it was the same with the old fridge. In both cases (new AND old) I made do (using the outdoors for several hours during cold months, etc.)

I really like our sxs but my ideal set up would be a 36" cd mostly fridge (with a very small freezer compartment and in-the-door crushed ice dispenser) and the upright freezer in a nearby room. But until they make such a fridge I'm happy with sxs. This is the first time we had an ice dispenser and my family uses it all the time. Dh went from rarely drinking water to drinking it all the time and we all drink it a lot more water than we did.

We went from a 30" wide regular depth fridge to a 36" wide counter depth. Same cubic feet inside both, but MUCH easier to find and grab things in a shallower refrigerator.

-Babka

Thank you everyone for the responses.

I realize that cabinet depth will extend beyond the 24 inches, but it would be at least 5-7 inches further back than what we have now, a standard size. My gut says that our kitchen will look much better if the fridge is smaller. My friend who is sort of an interior designer said the same.

I have been trying to not over buy food, not over stock our refrigerator as it is as I tend to lose track, let food go to waste/spoil, etc. before using. So our current fridge often looks empty much of the time. With this in mind it maybe that the cabinet depth w/french doors, freezer on the bottom, may be just fine for us. I guess if it didn't work out we put something in the garage.

Thanks again.

Hi Zen,
I saw your post on my Costa thread. My fridge is the Kitchenaid 20cft Counter Depth French door. Only had it three days, but really love it. It's bigger than our previous one and we have a fridge/freezer in the basement. We are a family of four and so far, it's just right. If we're entertaining we probably need to use the downstairs fridge for backup. I think the shallow depth helps to see all the contents and stay organized. Love the french door too, only thing that bugs me is that you have to open both doors to open the big deli tray. I think two smaller ones would have been better.

Kitchenaid also has a new 72 inch CD FD.Taller, and more cuft. The doors are a tad larger and stick out a little more, so we didn't go for it. Janefan has it, you could search her pics.

I say go for the CD. The guy that installed the appliances says he went for a full depth fridge and regrets his decision. It sticks out and he looks at it everyday wishing he could change it. Made me feel good about my choice.

Here is a pic Good luck... I know these decisions are so hard. I changed my mind at the last minute and went from a single door to the french door...so glad I did for my space.

I know this won't bump the thread, but just an FYI...

I measured my refrigerator from the back wall, not the carcass depth. You will have some space behind the refrigerator for air flow & for plug space. Sometimes the baseboard is back there too and has an impact on how far back you can push the refrigerator.