skip to main content

Sub-Zero Pro 48" - pros and cons

10 years ago

We are getting a Sub-Zero Pro 48" in December. Based on your experience, what are the pros and cons?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

chisue
10 years ago
I can only contribute that our 42" GE Monogram, built in, with cabinet panels and ice/water door, is still going strong after 13 years -- for a lot less money.
carree
10 years ago
I love my subzero. Lots of money ...big con. But the food stays fresher, including open jugs of milk and produce, at least when compared to my old Whirlpool. We just cleaned the filter by vacuuming after six months. Easy operation (cleaned out the ventahood grease traps, too!)

Subzero Con...doesn't feel like there is tons of room especially in the freezer.

Pro: And I do think it looks great. And I made this decision under duress. I have heard lots of mixed reviews ...as with most appliances ...so I'm waiting for the inevitable problems...with fingers crossed....
Related Discussions
Sub Zero Pro 48 VS BI and Integrated
Q
Comments (4)
You are not buying sq. in when you purchase a fridge ! The pro48 has more drawers and doors than the other models. Door hinges and drawer runners cost $. Those drawers and doors are also clad in stainless steel skins, which cost $$. You don't pay sz for those when you order an integrated model. The sides on a pro48 are also finished in stainless - more $$$. The reg built ins just have sheet metal sides. There are also those beefy stainless handles - 6 of them adding $500- 1000 bucks to the price. There is also the glass integration to pay for if you select that. It weighs more, so is more costly to pack and ship to you.
...See More
subzero pro 48 or regular sub 48
Q
Comments (6)
Why not compare other 48 Fridges, when we did our kitchen, we had a friend that insisted we get a SZ, He always wanted one but He had "Champagne taste" and a "Beer Budget". Budget was not a problem for us. I was all set to buy it at Pacific Sales, but I happened to walk around the store a bit more and look at some other fridges, ran into the Jenn-air, it was better lit, had better shelves some with crank adjusts, and we liked the digital controls and readouts--You can set The main Fridge at one setting, The Chrisper at another and the Meat Keeper still at another. We like the variable speed compressor that now Liehberr is just beginning to tout on theirs. Also the top of the JA could be panelled whilst the SZ had to have it's "Gills open" (Not so the case today but recall we are talking about 2005-2006). We also checked Consumer Reports for RELIABILITY (Not their overall rating of the Fridges)--as people will tell you CR is biased againt the higher end brands--so we just looked at reliability reports submitted by CR Reader's actual experiences as far as reliability of the 2 brands. Much to my surprise JA was at the top and SZ if not at the bottom was close to it. Anyway his "Champagne taste" just didn't quite jive with ours and were glad we shopped around! Now this was the World in 2005-2006 and could be completely different today??? The Only reason I mention the above at all, is I did look around a bit, Saved some money (not really one of my goals at the time), but we got a fridge that has been trouble free, quiet and at least has the features that were important to us (and still are) Good Luck with whatever you decide! Gary
...See More
SubZero Pro 48 alternatives
Q
Comments (5)
Can you go a little wider? You could get 27" integrated SZ 700BR all-refrigerator with drawers & 700BF all-freezer with drawers for a similar function at less cost. These come either in SS or integrated panel (but not glass front) and you don't have to install them side by side. OR, if you can go even wider to 36" each, & don't want the drawers, the built-in SZ 601R & 601F are less expensive than the integrated units. You can even mix a SZ 36" built-in refrigerator & a 27" 700BF integrated freezer--we did. They are not side by side.
...See More
Sub-Zero Pro 48 stand-alone
Q
Comments (22)
I think in your case, you can go either way. In Rocco's first example, I actually don't like how they frame the top of the fridge because it is unnecessary. The room has a very tall ceiling and there are no top cabinets there. So the extra cabinet looks a little odd. Also, it throws off the symmetry to the floating shelf on the other side. In the second examples, it looks much cleaner. and i think it's perfect. So I think if there are no tall cabinets, you shouldn't frame it.. But if you do, then you can go either way. In Redlover's example, there is some tall cabinets on another wall, but I still think it looks a little odd because the wood frame has no function, it's not reallya cabinet. However, I think the wood framing provide stylistic unity for the kitchen. Since in that example, the kitchen is not going for modern, but going for more elegance. So, besides having top cabinets or not, style of your kitchen is also a consideration. Frameless is a little more modern, clean, it may even feel a little commercial. But the frame maybe necessary if you have a more "elegant", "traditional" kitchen. In your case, I think you can go either way. I'll probably not frame it since the frame probably won't provide usable storage, unless you are going for the elegant look.. then frame it. Lastly, looking at your kitchen layout, your main sink is very far from your range and the fridge. So, you can only use that for cleanup purposes. So your prep sink near the fridge became extra important and you will spend a lot of time preping there. It's a bit hard to see exactly how big of a prep sink you have but it look a little small from the rendering, esp if you get the kind that it's narrow on the side of the faucet. I'll advice getting a sink that is "normal" size, wide, and shallow for your prep sink. I am adding a photo of how we do it in our kitchen .. we have a very small kitchen but we lean toward modern and clean look. So we need lots of cabinets and we have to frame it. Here is the "wall" behind my island (w/sink). I haven't done my Kitchen reveal yet since i'm still waiting for my combi steam oven to arrive (see hole above oven) This post was edited by noopd on Wed, May 1, 13 at 23:51
...See More
athomesewing
10 years ago
Sigh...the only con is that I don't have room for one! Well, then there is that the price is not the friendliest -- but wow, do I want one!
plllog
10 years ago
A SubZero, if not horribly abused, should last for decades. Since you've already jumped over the money hurdle, that shouldn't be a biggie, and by having the unit for so long, you'll skip the remodelling expenses of replacing it. You've already also agreed to the space involved

You've already decided you like the divisions, or you wouldn't have chosen it. I ended up with Miele and a Marvel u/c drawer fridge. I LOVE the drawers, and I love that the bottom section of the Miele is all drawers, so I think you'll really enjoy those. Be thoughtful how you use them. For instance, if you have kids always opening the fridge, you can put snacks and drinks for them in one drawer and have them only opening one section.

Con: having to keep the fridge tidy enough to be on display constantly. I'm often embarrassed to have a cousin or friend opening my fridge because I have bunches of kale sitting on the milk, and stuff like that.

Pro: You can see what you're looking for before you open the door of the main cooler, keeping the cold in more.

Smeary hands on the stainless and glass? That's true no matter what the materials are, so it depends on your tolerance for things looking anything but out of the carton pristine.

Pro: If something unexpected comes up and you have to move, you can take it with you because it's freestanding.

Con: Stuff can roll underneath because it's freestanding.

Really, though, it's a SubZero. What's not to love?

Related Stories

MOST POPULAR Pros and Cons of 5 Popular Kitchen Flooring Materials

Which kitchen flooring is right for you? An expert gives us the rundown

KITCHEN ISLANDS The Pros and Cons of Kitchen Islands

By Mitchell Parker

Two designers make the case for when adding a kitchen island is a good idea — and when it’s not

KITCHEN CABINETS The Pros and Cons of Upper Kitchen Cabinets and Open Shelves

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Whether you crave more storage or more open space, this guide will help you choose the right option

DECORATING GUIDES Decorating 101: Do It Yourself or Hire a Pro?

Learn the advantages and disadvantages of decorating alone and bringing in skilled help

LATEST NEWS FOR PROFESSIONALS How Design Pros Are Handling a Busy Holiday Season

By Erin Carlyle

Communicating clearly with clients and adding a buffer to the timeline can ease project stress during the holidays

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: Casual Farmhouse Looks, Pro-Style Amenities

By Becky Harris

Appliances worthy of a trained chef meet laid-back country charm in a Connecticut kitchen and pantry

KITCHEN DESIGN Pro Chefs Dish on Kitchens: Paul Kahan Shows His Urban Sanctuary

By KitchenLab Interiors

Peek inside Kahan's newly redone home kitchen and learn what he considers most important for a cooking space

REMODELING GUIDES From the Pros: 8 Reasons Kitchen Renovations Go Over Budget

By Erin Carlyle

We asked kitchen designers to tell us the most common budget-busters they see

TASTEMAKERS Pro Chefs Dish on Kitchens: Michael Symon Shares His Tastes

By KitchenLab Interiors

What does an Iron Chef go for in kitchen layout, appliances and lighting? Find out here

MOST POPULAR From the Pros: How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets

By Vanessa Brunner

Want a major new look for your kitchen or bathroom cabinets on a DIY budget? Don't pick up a paintbrush until you read this

Sponsored

Dream Baths by Kitchen Kraft

12 Reviews

Your Custom Bath Designers & Remodelers in Columbus I 10X Best Houzz

More Discussions

Kith cabinets? They look great and well made?

4

Kitchen remodel in my future

9

contractor chooses kitchen

13

Matt tiles - quality issues out of the box

12

I am working on the kitchen of an investment house we are refurbishing

1