Best way is to look at both! Compare the features, shelves, lighting, temperature controls and readouts. I guess none of the new Jenn-airs have the features my 2006, 48" built in JA has? It has crank up/down shelves in both fridge and freezer, it has 3 different temp settings in the fridge compartment, (Meat Keeper, Chrisper and main fridge), all digital readout and control. It is well lit, both the fridge and freezer. It uses the variable speed compressor, which according to an "Old Post", all whirlpool made fridges do, (alto I would double check that). It has been trouble free except the icemaker falied after 5 years, (heater), a replacement cost me about $135 and took me 10 minutes to change it. Just about all reviews, here in GW, are positive about the KA fridges, so either should suffice, just compare the features and if they differ from the KA to the JA, are they important enough to YOU, to pay the extra money?" Compare warranties too!!! I had originally thought I wanted a 42 inch built in fridge, but I can't tell you How HAPPY we are, that I found an extra 6 inches for the 48", something You "May" want to consider! Good luck with your pending decision!! Gary I

When you buy a door from a certain manufacturer, you can only use their hardware. So pick a company whose hardware you like. Ron

Re: the outswing door setup, a couple of things to keep in mind: Make sure there are not any permitting issues related to having an outswing door. Our installer said that sometimes comes up depending on what city he is working in; but it wasn't an issue for us. Think about whether you are comfortable forgoing a screen or having a retractable screen that will be mounted on the inside of the door trim. You cannot have an exterior mounted screen with a patio door that has an outswing. We decided to install a retractable screen on the inside as we will have the door open frequently from spring through fall. (the screen is not in yet, otherwise, I would share a picture - you can see lots of examples on Houzz) Another benefit we find to the outswing door if you have a handle (vs. knob) is that it's so much easier to open when you are carrying a platter of food out to the deck / grill! We didn't realize this added feature until the door was installed and I love it! As long as the above items are not issues for you and you have enough clearance for the door to swing out to the deck, I say go for it!

This is one of those things that is subjective. Some like some and dislike others for various reasons. I've been infatuated with the French door style since the Galloping Gourmet show was on back in the 60s. My aunt had a bottom freezer with a foot pedal you would step on to open the door. That too was infatuating. My cousin grew up with that and he wound up buying a SxS I think mostly because it was more fashionable at the time and he regretted it ever after because of the tiny freezer you couldn't put a turkey in or even a frozen pizza. A lot of wasted space in there. A forum member put baskets in her SxS to make it usable and that was a good idea. SxS is generally recommended though for handicapped people for general accessibility. SxS however are the most inefficient of all types. Interestingly, the top freezer is the most efficient style after researching it. Few people care about energy use though. My one GF sputtered and swore at me for 15 minutes when I said I wanted to get a FD type. She had a bottom freezer when she was married and hated it. Had to be on her knees every time she wanted to get something out of the freezer. That part is solved or at least partly solved by the drawer types. I also like the tilt out door feature on the LG so you get quick access to part of the freezer. On the drawer freezer some have complained about the weight. Might not be a consideration for you though. I still like the 4 door model that I looked at with the option to switch compartments from frig to freezer or back. That was one "cool" feature. I gave serious thought to a SxS when I replaced mine a year ago because of accessibility but the disadvantages and much higher cost of purchase and operation scratched that. When I gave it more thought and weighed options I decided to just go with a basic top freezer and I don't really regret the decision for me. ANY frig or freezer will have the proverbial lost items if you're not maintaining it properly and that's not the fault of the style of appliance. For my use I spend more time digging in the freezer rather than the frig and for me bending over is a problem so for me the top freezer is probably the best choice all in all. You're probably different but I don't do much digging in the frig to find things so the bending for that is less of a hassle for me. Standing straight dealing with the freezer is a big advantage to me and I can brace myself on the door or the counter the times I go for the bottom shelf of the frig. It comes down to personal preference. Why not try one out? If you want to try one and it turns out it *really* bothers you that much, you *can* replace it. You're not married to the appliance and even marriages are disposable now! Look at it and see what you think. Measure and make sure it fits. My sister would have to cut of the bottom of her cupboard to fit a FD unit in her place. Mine would barely fit but would fit. Get a good price on it and make two people happy. Sounds like a good deal to me.