Pro/cons of counter depth fridge?

8 years ago

Besides the obvious 2: less space and more expensive, are there any other cons to a counter depth fridge? Can you recommend and good (read: reliable) one? Purchasing at Lowe's so looking at those brands only. Thank you!

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Jakvis

8 years ago

Just make sure you understand that Counter Depth is not really counter depth. These refrigerators stick out 4-5 inches from the cabinet.
Flush mount or fully integrated refrigerators are truly cabinet depth

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Comments (9)

cookncarpenter
8 years ago
I doubt you'll find an integrated or built in at Lowe's. As Jakvis says, counter depth still stick out well past the cabinetry, how they get away with calling them "counter depth" has always baffled me...
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Jakvis
8 years ago
Many years ago Counter Depth refrigerators used to be called Refrigerators.
In the mid to late 80's the refrigerator capacities started getting larger. First by getting taller and then by getting deeper. Keeping a gallon of milk in the door shelf was not something you could do. Then with thicker doors and deeper refrigerators this became a must have for potential buyers. 20-22 CF refrigerators were considered to be very large in the 70's and 80's. Now many people consider these units too small and wonder if they will be able to keep their food in them
robertnp
8 years ago
We have been looking at the Kitchenaid SxS (KRSC503) that can be purchased at Lowes. My wife did not like the french door style and wants to stick to a SxS. It is a the new model of the CD Architect II that overall got some decent reviews. We could only find one appliance dealer in this metro area that had one on the floor to look at and the interior space wasn't as bad as I anticipated. Bad side was the fridge drawers are really small and cheaper that our current KA SxS. Our current KA is 15 years old and has been very reliable with only one small issue. I highly doubt that we will get that same quality these days.
Barkley
Original Author
8 years ago
Good to know they still stick out- but those are the ones I'm considering, not integrated or flush mount.
Jancy
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I don't know if Lowes still carries Fisher Paykel. I bought mine there a little over a year ago. I love it. It does not stick out far at all. Without the doors it is 23 1/2 - 24 inches with doors 26 1/2. My plug is recessed so it doesn't add to the depth. It feels really solid/sturdy and very quiet. I fit a ton of stuff in this. So far there isn't anything I dislike about it at all. I have a single door with freezer on bottom. I got a new french door whirlpool prior to the FP which leaked on the first day of install and ruined my kitchen but it gave me a chance to use the french door for about 8 months (prior to kitchen reno) and glad I did. I didn't like the french door at all. Lowes took it back and I ordered the FP. So glad to have gone back to single door.
divotdiva2
8 years ago
its not a con but if you're short like me (5'0") a counter depth is a pro - because I can actually reach stuff
sreedesq
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I own a counter depth in my kitchen, specifically the FD Electrolux IQ Touch with Perfect Temp Drawer. I am really pleased with it and it can be purchased at Lowes. One thing I will mention that you keep in mind is how much room water and ice in the door will take up if you get a FD CD. I opted not to get it bc of the space plus I saw there were complaints about performance related to that. Another thing to look at is how deep the door bins are, MIL has a GE CD and the shelves aren't as deep bc the door bins are so big. I much prefer the electrolux layout on mine to that one. I do own another fridge/freezer bc tbh a CD doesn't provide enough space for me personally. I got it to have a smaller footprint in my kitchen. But, I personally wouldn't have if I couldn't have a second fridge/freezer.
stevep2005
8 years ago
I am 5'10" but still prefer a CD. My opinion is that the extra 3 or 4" of depth you get with a standard fridge is typically where items end up getting lost... and forgotten. My wife and children certainly can't reach that far back. Our FD CD is a JennAir and sticks out past the cabinets just far enough to allow the doors to open - not excessively. The benefit is that the few additional inches of clearance afforded ofer a standard fridge makes a HUGE difference in the traffic flow in even our open kitchen layout. We liked the CD so much we bought one for my folks who had a standard side by side. They have a small galley kitchen - went from 'skootching' by to being able to walk by comfortably. That one piece transformed the feel of their kitchen.

While the drawer access on a FD is better than a traditional freezer door, I don't feel, however, that you can fit as much in a drawer. We ended up getting a small upright freezer for the basement but that has benefits beyond either fridge style.

Good luck in your selection.