CD fridge - are french doors better than single door for space?

11 years ago

I would like to hear your thoughts.

My space is small - 13.6 x 10 kitchen - going from peninsula to U shape with small 4x3 island.

Still debating that since clearance can be at the min 36".

We are a family of 3 and I am not a big fan of huge bulky fridges.

I was looking the Fisher Paykel CD 33" with one door and bottom freezer but now thinking if a CD french door will give me more room with that small of a clearance.

Just having trouble picking the right 36" french door fridge not breaking my budget ( $2.5 ) and also looking sleek and elegant.

Please share your advice -- thank you!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

juliekcmo
11 years ago
We had an Amana CD bottom freezer drawer for about 10 years. Not FD.

Liked it fine.

Had to replace in December, now have KA Architect series CD fridge with bottom freezer drawer and FD.

So the same size fridge, only difference is the doors.

I don't notice that there is more room when the door is open. I DO notice that now I have to juggle 2 doors instead of just 1.

So as long as you have room to open the doors fully enough to open the crisper drawers, I wouldn't say one is better or worse then the other.

BTW, ours was $1999 at sears. Link below. Maybe this will work for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: KA counter depth fridge
mary614
11 years ago
I am currently deciding what frig to go with in a narrow galley. I need to look at a few more but I think I will be going with a freezerless model. There are several available and are about counter depth with more room. We do have additional freezer space available, so this is very doable for us.
Related Discussions
Bottom Freezer Refrigerators - French door or Single door?
Q
Comments (7)
Thanks, stacey! Good point about being able to open the doors all the way. We are thinking about getting a counter-depth frig, so I definitely want a 36-wide to make up for the loss in depth. Anyone out there with a 36-wide single door frig? (I suppose this would include top freezers too) Is the door too big and heavy? Too much strain on the hinge? As far as French door refrigerators go, I am also wondering about having your door in the way of your countertop landing area. We will have a pantry cabinet, then refrigerator, then countertop. I wonder if it will be awkward to have the french door in the way. I guess the same would be true with a side-by-side, but I have never had one of those either. I am just so used to opening the frig with my left arm, grabbing what I want with my right and putting it on the countertop to my right. Those with french door frigs, do you always open both doors? I dont know if I like the idea of having to use both arms to open the frig. It's not that I'm THAT lazy, but it just feels odd. Any further input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
...See More
Please help! Bottom freezer fridge: single door vs. French door?
Q
Comments (23)
We are considering all the same issues as this poster. Our fridge will be on the far left of the row of cabinets in a galley kitchen, so it seems that opening a single door left-hinge fridge will be more convenient than an FD. I also am very concerned about energy efficiency and durability, so I have some questions about how well the FD models will seal long term. I have no interest in throwing my $2000 fridge out in 5 years! We did find a GE model that seems to fit the bill: PDCS1NBWLSS GE Profile Energy Star 21.1 Cu. Ft. Stainless Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator - Left Hinged. We have not bought this yet but are still shopping around. We want a modest sized one like this (again to avoid wasting energy for space we rarely need), but there may be something similar in a larger size. Good hunting! Good luck!
...See More
A Word to the Wise re: French Door Fridge In-Door Ice Dispensers
Q
Comments (16)
I would just like to comment even though this is an older thread. French door refrigerators with in-the-door ice dispensers are known to have problems. This is due to the ice maker being located in the refrigerator area rather than the freezer area. All brands have problems. We had to replace our Samsung french door refrigerator after two years because of recurrent problems with ice buildup around the ice maker making it unusable. Samsung repairmen came out several times, the last time even replacing the entire ice maker but to no avail. After much research I learned that these all have problems despite the brand and although not everyone who has a French door refrigerator with an in-the-door ice dispenser will have problems, these types of refrigerators have an inordinate amount of issues necessitating repair or replacement. We finally bought a French door refrigerator with the ice maker in the bottom and have no problems.
...See More
Pros and cons of Single Door vs. French Door Frig?
Q
Comments (14)
I had had sid by sides for years, and recently went to a FD bottom freezer. The frig is more convenient. But I preferred the freezer in the SxS. I find the bottom freezer very difficult to organize. Things just end up piled on top of one another, and its hard to get things arranged to the bins will close. I also went to counter depth this time, and my 36" CD FD holds less than my 33" SxS did. I made it up with a freezer in the basement, but my basement is *very* inconvenient to get to. IMO there are no perfect solutions unless you have a lot of space and $$$. If I had both, I would probably have a 36" all frig and a 24" or 36" all freezer. If the question is just between FD bottom freezer and single door bottom freezer, then I would go with a single door if you have the room for it to open well. The FD reduces the required clearances, but makes door storage less efficient and provides more things to go wrong.
...See More
gwlolo
11 years ago
I am not a fan of french door or double doors as you always need two arms to open the fridge and end up propping it open with your feet while awkwardly trying to place your tray or dish. I find single door counter depth the best to give you a wide open view of the space with not too deep recesses to lose leftover boxes or grow science experiments. I also prefer bottom freezer models.

Related Stories

GREAT HOME PROJECTS New Hardware Gives Doors a Turn for the Better

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

New project for a new year: Get a handle on how to find the knobs, levers or pulls that will make your doors memorable

Full Story

KITCHEN DESIGN A Single-Wall Kitchen May Be the Single Best Choice

By John Hill

Are your kitchen walls just getting in the way? See how these one-wall kitchens boost efficiency, share light and look amazing

Full Story

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Better Flow for a Los Angeles Bungalow

By Mitchell Parker

Goodbye, confusing layout and cramped kitchen. Hello, new entryway and expansive cooking space

Full Story

148

SMALL HOMES 28 Great Homes Smaller Than 1,000 Square Feet

By Mitchell Parker

See how the right layout, furniture and mind-set can lead to comfortable living in any size of home

Full Story

132

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: More Storage and a Better Layout

By Jeannie Matteucci

A California couple create a user-friendly and stylish kitchen that works for their always-on-the-go family

Full Story

KITCHEN DESIGN See-Through Refrigerators Dare to Go Bare

By Lisa Frederick

Glass-front fridge doors put your food and drinks on display, for better or worse. See the benefits and disadvantages

Full Story

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: A Better Design for Modern Living in Rhode Island

By Jeannie Matteucci

On the bottom level of a 2-story addition, a warm and open kitchen shares space with a breakfast room, family room and home office

Full Story

KITCHEN DESIGN Better Circulation for a Family Kitchen and Bathroom

By Mitchell Parker

An architect’s smart design moves helped rearrange this Louisville kitchen to create a more sensible workflow

Full Story

By Judith Taylor Designs

Get a great result even without an experienced touch by following these basic design guidelines

Full Story

344

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean Your Fridge, Inside and Out

By Bonnie McCarthy

Keep your refrigerator clean and fresh, while you gain storage space and lose those ‘UFOs’

Full Story

189

CD fridge - are french doors better than single door for space?

Comments (3)

juliekcmo

mary614

Related Discussions

gwlolo

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US