Are you able to have a pullout made to match or complement your kitchen? We had long narrow pullout next to our fridge and it gave us invaluable storage space.

I don't think it would look very good. Why don't you tell the folks here what you like and maybe they can help you find something wider in that style?

@daisychain01

Actually the kitchen is way bigger than I need. I am moving from an apartment to a house hence the need for new appliances. I could probably have a cutout made, but I'm not sure I want to go there.

@sreedesq

The only brand I have liked so far is the Liebherr. I don't like the design of the hinges on most mainstream refrigerators. I'm looking for something counter depth and trying to avoid anything with in-the-door ice/water dispensers. Here's what I have looked at and my concerns with them:

Samsung - Only makes a 33" and the reviews are not very good. The bigger ones all have the water/ice dispenser. This is the one I thought I was going to get.

LG - Makes only one model but the ice maker doesn't have a filter. Also lose the EZ open handle.

Frigidaire - Don't care for the quality of the shelves.

KitchenAid - Issue with condensation reported by many users. I saw this in the model in the store.

Electrolux - Everyone from repair folks to store sales people ding this brand for quality. Otherwise, I really like this one -- it has air and water filters and the shelves are clean and well done.

Refrigerator alcoves are a standard 72" and are designed for 70" H fridges. Expand your search, and don't put in anything less than a 36'' W one. The additional capacity is easy to get used to,and really will only cost you pennies in operating costs per year.

Thanks @greendesigns.

I don't need that much capacity. I have a 13 cu ft fridge in the apartment I'm currently renting. The freezer is unused, and the fridge is about 25% full. And that is how it always is because I live alone. At this point, if I have to go with a 36", I would pick one of LG/Bosch/GE/KitchenAid and live with the mediocre construction. All of these have about average reviews. The LG is probably 6 or 7 years old now, the KitchenAid is brand new. Regardless of which, I think these models are not built to last.

I was hoping to find something better, but it looks like there are good choices for durable fridges only for built-ins. With the free standing ones, you only get fancier gizmos as price goes up. The durability of the cooling & basic construction is the same across the board. It's like buying a cheap car and loading it up with options. My preference is to buy a more durable car (not a bigger car!) with fewer options. I guess building a better fridge means it will cost 5-6 times more than the run of the mill $2-$3K fridge of the same size and there does not appear to be much of a market for that.

Im going to get a fisher and paykel. They make a counter depth 36" with water in the door but ice in the bottom freezer. What I liked about it was that it has full width shelves like the expensive built in models. Split shelves seem to waste a lot of space in my opinion. It also has 2 crisper drawers and 2 deli drawers that are all full extension and remove easily for cleaning.

Which model are you getting? Is there a place to see pictures of it? I have not found these at any local retailers. I did find one called DCS for FisherPaykel, but I couldn't find any of the ones on the FP website.

Also, the sales person didn't think too highly of the brand.

I had a Liebherr freestanding made to look built in. Liked it a lot. It was a single door 30" with bottom freezer.

Unfortunately, the wider models are all too tall for the fridge cut out in my house.

Anoop- I think the smaller fridge would not look right in the bigger hole. You mentioned you liked the Elux so here is my experience.

My Elux is 5 years old. It works great. I did have a minor issue with the ice maker recently. It iced up and Elux put in the updated water fill tube.

The Elux met my needs before reno and it is in our new kitchen. Right height and my platters fit in it. It keeps my veggies for a long time and the milk doesn't spoil prematurely - even in the door. I use the perfect temp drawer to defrost food, soften ice cream or keep meats fresh.

I know some others had issues but mine still looks great. I love the LED lighting and the perfect temp drawer. My only ding is you can't open the left drawer without opening both doors. The right drawer only requires you to open one drawer.

The freezer keeps the ice cream solid.

Thanks for the insights on the Electrolux. What model do you have? Do you know if their Icon line has beefier components, or is it mainly cosmetic?

Both the salesperson in the store and an unrelated installer told me to avoid Electrolux. The salesperson said "in the end it's up to you and if you get the 5 year warranty, you should be good to go."

My ideal fridge would be something without the water / ice dispenser, French door with counter depth, and have an air filter; but that is also well made which I judge from the quality of the components in the interior and the small things like the hinges and the feet.

DCS and Fisher and Paykel are made by the same manufacturer. The insides are exactly the same, its only the outside that differs. Ive seen both the electrolux and electrolux icon. The inside on the elexrolux icon is nicer and has 3 tiers in the freezer. The handles are bigger and it has a more square modern look then the regular one. I prefer the icon to the regular. However electrolux counter depth is deeper then the DCS/Fisher Paykel, at least when you include the handles.

a2gemini, I'm seriously wanting to get an Elux. Which model do you have? Many thanks -

I have the Electrolux Counter Depth FD with Perfect Temp Drawer and I've been very happy with it. I did not get water or ice in the door bc I didn't want to give up the space and that is where I saw the complaints originate. I also purchased Elux Wall Ovens, I mention that to offer both have been problem free thankfully. I got a great deal on my fridge, less than 2k, two yrs ago.

This fridge did fit in my existing space, it's less than 72h overall I am fairly certain. I know the case is. Perhaps a 36 inch counter depth would make you feel better about how the fridge looks in the space? Also, if you don't use a freezer much, the bigger fridge of a FD may suit you better.

Which model do you have?

http://www.electroluxappliances.com/Product-Compare/?products=EI23BC80KS,EI23BC60KS,EI23BC30KS

I really like that they use air filters in all their models. Most other manufacturers seem to have those in a very limited number, if at all. It probably helps get rid of the plastic smell over time.

Also can you comment on the noise of the Electrolux?

I have the one in the first column. It is quiet. I linked in the AJ Madison page for it (not where I purchased, but a good site for researching). http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/EI23BC80KS.html

I'm following- I appreciate your search for a quality, well designed fridge (Why is that so hard to find these days?) and am interested in what folks have to say. But, I'll be the dissenting voice of practicality-- if you like the 24" and are ok with the gap personally (because really you're the one who will be looking at it) then just go for it, who cares? Install some hooks in the extra space and use it to store brooms or step stool. Or get fancy and pop a rev-a-shelf pull-out in there an cap it with something that's the same color as your trim or wall. No need to spend $$$ for something you don't want.

Those of you with Electroluxe refrigerators, do you find that the evaporator fan runs more than 90% of the time? Because mine does. And it's brand new. I understand from customer support and technicians that in the new energy efficiency models, the fan runs all the time to keep the temperature constant. However, it's louder in Electroluxes because of where they locate the fan (inside the refrigerator) instead of at the back of the fridge like other brands. If you think the background hum of a constantly running fan will bug you, whatever else you do, definitely avoid Electroluxe.

Here's what my foreman just said to do (but unfortunately it's too late for me now): insulate the refrigerator space with plaster because the plaster will block and absorb noise. So, you could at least build up your space some with a plaster enclosure, which will at the same time help block fan noises.

Zagy, I would hate that. I'm thankful mine doesn't run all the time. I purchased it 2 yrs ago in July, so it's not brand new.

Sreed -- Do you have an Electroluxe? If so, is it a French door bottom freezer? Mine is from 2013, but we kept it in storage in its original packaging before installing it this past week. So it's completely unused. I'm trying to find other owners with 2013 Electroluxe French door models to see how their fan behaves. Because at this point, I'm being told, "That's just the way it is with these new energy efficient refrigerators."

@ Kirsty Grainger

It's hard to find them because almost all the fridges come from 3 or 4 big manufacturers and they all make similar compromises to compete. Durability is not considered much of a selling point. Because of technology, it is much more expensive to build things that are much better. Looks at washers and dryers. You can buy a standard run of the mill box which costs about $1000. Or you could buy something like Miele which costs $4000 and still not as big. So to build a really quality fridge, it would probably cost $8000-$10000 given that most run-of-the-mill boxes cost $2000-$3000. There is not much of a market for that for free standing units in that price range.

I have a Fisher Paykel also. Mine is single door, bottom freezer, water in door and I love it. Mine though is 33. They have nice French Doors too in 36 inch. I find that it does hold quite a lot and it's extremely quiet. I've had it now over a year and have no complaints. We just ordered another for another home.

I can't find the picture, but I swear I saw a photo on houzz of a smaller fridge where they built a narrow storage area to one side and mentioned that it was designed so future owners could convert back into full-size later on. It looked great now, and allowed flexibility later.

Yes, Zagy. My fridge is a 2013 model, the electrolux I linked above.

After going and playing with fridges I think I'm almost decided on this

http://m.lg.com/us/refrigerators/lg-LFXC24726S-french-3-door-refrigerator

There's about $900 off on it because of a promotion from LG.

I do not like that is has an ice maker and water dispenser in the door, but it is the only way I can get a counter depth in LG with an air filter.

I am planning to see if whirlpool has something similar. If they do I might try and take a look at that. If not, I'm going with this one because I'm exhausted and paralyzed from analysis at this point.

Thanks to everyone for the responses!

Anoop

Sorry to abandon you.

Mine is a 2010 model. No ice/water through the door but an ice maker in the freezer. I have LED lights and the perfect temp drawer.

When I was looking, LG used a gasket to gasket closure on the French door which was doomed to fail. I believe they switched to the flap closure that most are using.

My fan does not run all of the time. I think it is quieter because it is partially boxed in with wood,

You will be happy with any newer fridge.

Good luck

Sreed -- Would you mind looking inside your Electroluxe door for the model number and posting it here? My next service appointment is Monday, and beforehand I'd like to be armed with as much info as possible. Thanks!

When I bought my first fridge, I knew that I didn't use much fridge space, but I went ahead and got a 36" counter depth (with ice, not in door) for my small kitchen. However, those were not so prevalent 24 years ago so it was expensive (but not sub-zero expensive). Could I have gotten a smaller one? Probably. Would it have been counter depth? No.

I still have that fridge. A marriage, then a move, then kid, then divorce later I most definitely don't want a smaller fridge when I get a new one. I'd like it to be bigger, but I want a sub zero integrated, so it may end up being slightly smaller. That makes me really nervous. I'm hoping that going from a side by side to an over/under layout will help. Fingers crossed!

Done with my order today. I also set up price rewind with my credit card--according to that feature they will refund any difference in price if they can find a better deal anywhere within 60 days from purchase...they do the scanning for me. I'm wondering if there will be a better price with July 4 sales. So far, I am promised a refund of $3.50. But I think the store will refund any difference if the price moves within 2 weeks.

Now I have to worry about the washer and dryer. Can't figure out what I want there. Pay up for Asko, pay up for Miele and live with the weird doors, or just get some basic thing from LG or Whirlpool.

Anoop- what was your final decision?

Bought ours near 4th of July.

Good luck

What should I expect in terms of delivery? Will it arrive still packed or will they remove the packaging before they bring it?