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Separate fridge and separate freezer

8 years ago

Hi,

This is a cross-posting in kitchens and appliance sections.

I am in the design phase of my kitchen. I am selecting appliances right now before getting ready for kitchen design.

I am seriously considering separate fridge and separate freezers. I think they are also called column fridge and freezers. Right now, Electrolux and Frigidaire are the brands which are within my price range. My questions are...

1...how is the performance of both of these appliances? I have read about mixed reviews about both of these brands.

2....I have seen some pictures on Houzz for both of these brands giving as a built-in look to the appliances. How do they reverse the handles for installing both fridge and the freezer? Is it a custom feature and does it cost extra?

3...I am assuming that combined width of these appliances (after installing as a built-in appliance) will be around 65 inches. That means I will have to loose one upper and lower cabinet in order to work around 65 inches wide appliance. Is it really worth it?

I am not asking from money point of view, but I am asking from functionality point of view of both of these units. If the freezer is a separate unit, does it really reduce the chances of a fridge malfunctioning on a regular basis? I have heard so many horror stories about ice maker malfunctioning when it is a part of a traditional fridge. So I am trying to avoid that hassle.

4....Both of these brands' fridges are quite small in size. They are close to 18-19 cubi feet. We are a family of 3 adults. Will it be enough for us? I love to cook fresh meals every day.

If this column fridge/freezer idea does not work for my kitchen (because loosing 2 cabinets is a big issue for me), then I am also considering GE Monogram fridge. My 3rd choice will be GE Profile.

Any input on GE Monogram or GE Profile fridges will be appreciated also.

Thank you,

Mindy

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Comments (3)

Gloria Reese
8 years ago
Hi Mindy, I have the all refrigerator Frigidaire. When we gutted our kitchen for a remodel, I put the existing fridge with upper freezer in the garage next to a stand up freezer. So I really didn't need another freezer but refrigerator space was always needed. So I purchased the Frigidaire 16.7 cu. ft. stainless steel all refrigerator along with the trim package. I love it! The trim package makes it look expensive even though it was less than $1000 (in 2007). Friends always think it's a Sub-Zero at first glance. It has never given me any problems. I entertain frequently and the fridge has kept up with the demands I put on it. It is 9 years old this year and still looks brand new. The finish is smudge proof. You won't regret buying it.
sahai6
Original Author
8 years ago
Gloria,

Thanks for the information. Is your Frigidaire fridge just plain Frigidaire or Gallery or Professional series? I never knew that Frigidaire just makes all fridge also. I thought it makes only traditional fridges.

So you keep your fridge in the kitchen and the freezer in the garage, right? Do you want it inconvenient to use it or not?

Mindy
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So this goes to function and dividing things. First, I think it sounds like a nice idea as long as its symmetrical. Asymmetry makes me crazy. I moved my fridge with top freezer to the other side of the (pocket) door into the mudroom. It's next to my full-sized freezer. So much counter space now! Within 2 months, it crapped out on me. I picked up a Frigidaire dorm type fridge and stuck it under the counter. Within a MONTH, the fridge started working again, but the full-sized freezer crapped out. Luckily, I was due a binge-cook 'n freeze, so I was low on frozen life. I crammed everything left back into the fridge freezer. Now I'm considering trying to make the bottom part of the fridge the freezer ( can they be set that low? ) and the top the fridge ( can that be set that high? ) Since I can't fit much other than beer cans (dorm fridge, remember?) I'm thinking I might try to set the whole thing down to freezing for ice cubes and small frozen soup, 'getti, or other single-serve frozen stuff I live on. Anyway, I'd dump the full-sized freezer, although it's only 5 years old. If I knew then what I know now, I'd have purchased tall and thin, vs. short and wide. Takes up SOOO too much space! So I guess yes, I'd split them. I must ask, though, in a U kitchen, if space is that tight, why are you blocking it with an island?
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gregbradley
8 years ago
I have an all fridge in the kitchen and an all freezer in the far end of the kitchen with a bunch of extra cabinets and such. I can't imagine dealing with any less space and it is only myself and my teenage son. It is the same basic Figidaire units mentioned above that are frequently combined into a "sub zero" looking double unit except mine are slightly different and not connected by the crappy trim. First I couldn't care less that someone might think they look expensive and wouldn't care about such stupidity. Second these are not made well inside and don't holdup very well. Missing lots of features, cheap plastic insides, etc. When I redo my kitchen, there seems to be a lack of quality individual units unless you spend a bunch of money. I would buy commercial but there seem to be noise issues.

I would have considered GE Monogram but now that Haier, owned by the Chinese government, has bought GE appliance division, they won't get a cent from me ever.

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