I've always gone for small, but easy to find sizes. The low end of standard sizes with a reliable manufacturer.

The price difference between the standard sizes and the tiny sizes is HUGE ... enough that you could probably upgrade the cabinets and countertops with the savings.

I would consider a 30 inch induction cooktop, a GE Advantium OTR speed oven, an 18 inch bosch dishwasher and the small lg refrigerator (approximately 10 cu feet). We used the previous LG model as our refrigerator in our first house. It served our needs very well--even as a family of three. I gave some serious thought to putting one in this kitchen and we are four now.

If you have the space, and the in-laws are going to do real cooking, regular 30" range, 24" dishwasher, 33" fridge will be cheaper upfront, and easier and cheaper to replace down the road.

If they are only going to be doing simple warm and serve type things, then crl's post is the way to go.

My fridge is 18cf, same dimensions as you posted, and it's fine for our family's needs (currently 4 people). I do have another fridge (and separate freezer) in the mudroom, where I store bulk flour, grains, dried beans and herbs, and garlic and extra produce from the garden. Refrigeration keeps the pests at bay. For a couple, the 18cf should be plenty of space, and when I was searching for a smaller fridge, 30" seemed common, at least on my low-end budget. (Note--the 66" does not include the hinge bracket on the top of my fridge, so if you're planning a fridge enclosure, check the specs.)

We cook every day, and usually have only one or two burners in use, so I'd consider the 24" stove, or even a two-burner cook top. With only two people, I think the 18" DW would work fine, unless you get a great deal on a 24". For an elderly person, I wouldn't use OTR oven or MW--maybe on a shelf above counter, but low enough to be safe and comfortable to use.

Is this unit for in-laws? I thought I saw on another post that it is to be above a garage so I didn't think it would be for elderly people?

My in-laws are elderly, and I'm catching up quickly. :]

LazyGardens - That is what I’ve been thinking of doing, too. I have noticed how expensive the smaller appliances are, and I really don’t like to purchase from a manufacturer who I can’t find any reviews online.

CRL - I’m going to have to look up the suggestions you’ve made. Thanks for specific recommendations. I’ve seen the LG 10cuft and I’m surprised that fit your needs. It looks SO small! I’ll have to check out the dimensions of that fridge and see if it makes that much difference to the overall design. One good thing would be it’s a lot less refrigerator to clean. No one’s favorite job. [g]

@Taylor - Yes, the in laws are doing real cooking, but every day cooking, not entertaining cooking. You bring up a good point, it’s not just the initial extra expense to get a smaller fridge, it’s the replacement cost too. And appliances don’t last 25 years any more like a few of ours did in the past.

Mama Goose - In our main house, we have a little larger fridge with a bottom freezer, that I love. It’s the second bottom freezer we’ve bought. And we have an upright freezer in the basement. We keep all our dry goods in the refrigerator too, plus seeds for the garden, and sometimes I think I should get a second refrigerator, but we don’t entertain large groups, so rarely I find myself thinking I need more room.

I see there is a big difference in price between the bottom freezer and top freezer models. To save cost, I might to go with a white top freezer which is significantly less money, if I go that route. And really an 18cuft is at least half as expensive as a smaller 10cuft fridge. Not sure about an enclosure yet, we had to consider that on our current replacement to fit the enclosure we have.

If you are not entertaining, you’re right, probably two burners are enough. We aren’t considering over the stove range or MW.

CRL - yes it is over a garage but no - family members but not elderly people.

Thanks...

I've had my 18cf fridge for 17 yrs and it's been fine. maybe a bit larger than I need but that's better than too small. I don't use the bottom bins (sometimes I put food trash in a bag into one of those bins til I get to the regular trash).

I'd go for an 18in dw. maybe a 2 burner cooktop or 30" stove. mine is 36" but my space was already 36" and I bought it on CL for about 100 $ - and it was very, very clean. loved that. I wasn't up to scrubbing out anything! I felt fine just wiping it out before I used it. I was able to step into their home (open FR/DR/KIT) when I went to see it. It was very neat and clean too. Even the flat part under the burners was clean!

I have a Bosch 18" DW (it was literally the only model that would fit in the old non-standard depth cabinets) It works well and fits a ton of dishes. However, it was slightly more expensive than the equivalent 24" bosch, and had fewer bells and whistles.

Do you have plans for the space for the long-term? Will you be renting it after your in-laws have moved on? Small basement and garage apartments are very common in my area and the renters of those units are not typically looking to do tons of cooking (usually young people/students/folks who travel a lot for work). Apartment-sized appliances (24 or 30 inch stoves, 18 inch DW, and 30" wide or smaller fridges) are typical in these spaces.

I'm in the same boat, currently looking for smaller appliances and am experiencing sticker shock. Wish I could import some myself from Europe :)

I have a small house (1KSF) and cottage (480SF). I'm putting in 30" ranges in both. In the house I'm putting in a 24" DW and waffling on an 18" DW in the cottage. As fishcow says, Bosch has an 18" DW that's virtually the same price as the 24" but fewer bells and whistles. But at least it's still Bosch. (Miele has one, too, pretty much the same story: about the same price as the 24", fewer bells and whistles, e.g., a third rack.)

The sticker are the fridges. Finding <= 30" counter depth fridges is truly a niche market, particularly if you want a "known"/"standard" brand.

I've boiled it down to Liebherr and Bosch and they're going to be very pricy. The only good thing, I guess, is that I might as well go fully-integrated since there's relatively little difference in cost once you get something at that size from those brands.

I got a few people telling me I shouldn't make the cottage so nice but I can imagine living in it at some point and it'll tick me off if I cut costs now.

The 10 cu foot LG is not that expensive and is a known/standard brand. It's truly counter depth and just about 24 inches wide.

There have been several people on GW in the past with Summit fridges who were happy with those, too, the rebranded Vestfrost one.

desertsteph - I am looking at a 12cu ft fridge at the moment. And a 15cu ft. Someone on another thread, just recommended Craig’s List - I’m going to have to check that out. That was some deal you got.

Fishcow -I haven’t heard a bad word about the 18” dishwasher yet. I’ll check it out. Glad you are happy with yours.

annaship1 - I’m thinking that there may be other family members who would want to live there if it became vacant again. So renters don’t seem likely. I’m actually willing to use the smaller appliances, if they were made by mainstream Brand names and were not 3x the cost of a regular sized appliance, I wouldn’t have a problem.

nosoccermom - Check out the Frigidaire FFET1222QW refrigerator - very reasonably priced. 12 cu ft. 60Hx29Dx24W.

I prefer the European models that are nice and tall, because I think they look better, but, I can’t pay that price.

aptosca - I was actually looking for a 24” wide fridge and it wasn’t as important to me that it be counter depth. So the Frigidaire listed above is the one I’m considering. I hope I don’t have to go with a 30” range. I know it seems odd, but even 6” here and 6” there are sometimes make or break for a layout.

cry - I’m going to check out that LG. I like the LG brand. I think I’d like a little larger if possible, so I’ll see if they have another size too.

Writers block - I’ll try to do a search of GW for any posts on the Summit Fridges. Thanks.

Thanks all. I’ll be looking for awhile, so always happy to hear anyone’s experiences with these apartment size appliances.

if they won't be doing tons of cooking, consider an induction (2 hobs) counter top unit (less than $400) and a separate oven, such as the Breville.