Forget "true counter depth" as a descriptor. It's not useful at all.

If you have been looking at fully integrated SZs you are looking at a built in fridge that can accept panels which will be flush with adjacent cabinets. The only things proud of the cabinet surfaces are handles.

The most critical dimension for a built in fridge is cabinet depth.
The fully integrated SZ requires a SZs 25" deep cabinet.

Liebherr fridges also can accept panels and be fully integrated. That brand will cost less but I would check on the waranty and repair history.

I believe Gaggenau can be fully integrated. You might check their site.

Forget "true counter depth" as a descriptor. It's not useful at all.

This.

Any suggestions for a true counter depth fridge that won't stick out from the cabinets?

By "true" do you mean that the door is allowed to stick out, or must it be completely flush with the cabinet as rococogurl describes?

Yes, I know that a free standing fridge won't be completely flush with the cabinets like a built in would. So I'm looking for a suggestion on any that would be as low profile as possible with the cabinets.

There are many "true counter depth" very reasonably priced fridges that the OP can chose from to meet all her requirements.
As long as opening the door(s) isn't one of them.

This post was edited by laat2 on Sun, Jan 18, 15 at 23:25

You could have a regular depth fridge inset into the wall to make it closer to flush with the cabinets. That's the most inexpensive route. Just ensure that the fridge you choose allows for that while still getting proper airflow.

With a free standing fridge, depending on the clearance needed for the doors to open, you will for sure have the thickness of the door and perhaps some of the sides (which I find ugly but people do it) showing unless you get a fridge with a 0 clearance door. Liebherr, again. You might see about Fisher & Paykel.

Otherwise, you go to a built in fridge which has the thickness of the door show to various degrees. There are more options for that including SZ, Miele, Thermador, Bosch GE and others.

Unsure where Jenn Air and Kitchen Aid fall. I also would check into Kenmore.

Basically, you need to decide what you want and match that to the budget.

The thing to do is to start reading specification sheets for the various fridges and look at what each requires in terms of installation.

I don't want to give up fridge space for the look of a CD, so I asked for examples of what can be done to make a std depth fridge look built in. These might interest you:

Here is a link that might be useful: Full depth fridge, made to look built in

We got the Leibherr because we didn't want to look at the side of the door from both the living room and dining room. With a different kitchen configuration, another option might have worked fine. Take a careful look at how the doors open and you'll see what I'm talking about. (The trouble is that at the appliance store, the things are not set into the cabinets, so it can be hard to visualize.)

It all depends on the design of the door hinges. If they open on themselves, they can have cabinets flush on either side. Most don't.

At the appliance store, open a door 90 degrees and see if it stays inline with the outside side of the fridge.

-Babka

You need to change your descriptor to "fully integrated" that will narrow your search.
I have a two year old Liebherr that I love. Being a couple grand less than the same size S-Z was a bonus :) chris

I'm struggling with the same issue. I have a 30" Fisher Paykel that's absolutely even with our lower cabinets, however, we are rennovating and I would like to upgrade to a 36" CD fridge (not integrated). I'm struggling b/c the pictures I see of fridges that claim to be CD do not look it? The attached is from the blog "Elements of Style". An overall perfect kitchen but the fridge does not look flush enough for me. http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2013/03/the-before-and-after-my-kitchen.html/img_4102

@lbmonroe-- That's a "made to look built" refrigerator. It is well done. But that's how those look. If that's not flush enough then it's a built in. All a question of desire and budget.

Counter Depth means the case or body of the refrigerator is 24" or less (there are a few exceptions to this, but that's the idea). These units are design to have the doors stick beyond the cabinet box, because the door hinges are not zero clearance and require spec to open.

F&P has a built in unit now for a reasonable price. Liebherr makes a solid one as well that would be integrated. Otherwise, Thermador/Miele/Subzero make true integrated ones as well (integrated means the unit will be completely flush in a 25" deep cabinet)

Thanks for the referral on the FP - very afforadble (relatively speaking). We've been quite happy with our FP and really can't afford a SZ! I think it will work! Thanks.