Loventhelook of integrated column freezer and refrigeration. Looking for a 30" fridge and 18" freezer, deciding between thermador and sub-zero. I've heard that the thermador is as good if not better than the subzero columns. Any feedback? The pricing is certaining better, about 3k less, but the interior design in the thermador isn't great. The shelves look like the same shelves I see in $700 refrigerators, and the subs seem like their layout hold a heck of a lot more. Am I wrong? Subzero 48" built in is the cheapest of all, but the look of the columns really can't be beat.

Thanks Marcydc. Changing the first filter was hard because the installer used big honkin' working man muscles to tighten it so tight we needed tools to unscrew it (I had psychologist man muscles working on it, but he needed pliers for leverage). The real difficulty, however, is changing the filter, and fixing the filter code, without warming up the freezer. After my third change I've learned a few things: The book says that when the filter light first comes on it's just a warning, and when the light changes state (starts or stops blinking--can't remember which), it's time to change. Tech help told me I should change as soon as it comes on, and that the trouble I've had resetting the filter indicator comes from letting it go to the end. In that case, it has to be changed in program mode rather than customer mode. The other thing I've learned is not to even try to reset right after changing the filter. My unit won't go into customer mode if it's even a little warm, and if it loses too much cool, it won't go into program either. It's basically trying to say, "Shut the door, idiot!!!" It's easy enough to change the filter and wait a number of hours. I always set aside some ice, because you're supposed to throw away the first 24 hrs. worth, so waiting another 6-12 hours is no biggie. But what defines "hard"? For me, it's the procedure to get into customer mode or program mode. It's arcane in a way that only a German engineer could like. It's like looking for easter eggs in a computer game. I can't hold the instructions and do the routine at the same time. That's "hard".

I think Debbie Washburn said (and showed) it best... it'd be a solid wall of cabinetry unless you separated them, and then again it will still look like a pantry. Or a refrigerator. Which it is. As regards built-in flush mount vs integrated, it really depends on your priorities and what look you're going for. If you want to fully 'hide' the fact you have a refrigerator in your kitchen (and that's debatable): Integrated, French. Not side by side. Even an integrated column looks like a fridge/pantry. You still have larger handle(s) than your drawers and cabinets, so it will always be known you've got a fridge in your kitchen (which I don't see as an issue), but 'integrated' does a better job with it due to the fact that it will have a slightly smaller gap (when installed properly). If you want more room than integrated offers for the same width, and simply like a paneled look, built in flush mount is still attractive, IMO. FWIW, we are paying the (less, actually) money for a built-in flush mount, and would not consider the integrated in the same space due to the smaller cubic foot capacity. Let's all please keep in mind 'marketing'. In DrB477's photo above you've got an different style panel on the flush mount built in, with big wide tubular handles. On the integrated example is a sleek, contemporary cabinetry, with smaller, slender handles. What would happen if we evened out the comparison? An ever so slight wider gap is the primary visual difference, while the 2nd visual difference is you will see a small amount of hinge at the top on either side (not all across as shown in the image - I know this as I've seen flush mount built-in installs): Rita, no, if they are flush mount, installed correctly, the panels do not to stick out on built ins. You are perhaps thinking of built-ins not flush mount. ETA: on SZ built-ins. Many SZ built in models have hinges that work in this type of flush mount application. SZ started adding flush mount install instructions to those that may be. As homechef59 says, it's all a matter of personal preference - as well as one's needs. And so no one takes offense to my comment that the cabinetry in the built in is a 'different' style I'd like to state that is the type of cabinetry (similar) we are using. It fits our home and is our aesthetic preference.

I had a 42" SZ side by side in my apartment before renovating. When I redid the kitchen, I put in a 36" french door over under model. There are several things about a side by side which I dislike--consider and see if you care: (1) in the side by side, the fruit and vegetable drawers are on the bottom whereas they are at a more convenient waist-height in the over under model--to me that is the real deal breaker; (2) in a side by side, the freezer is not wide enough--sometimes, I would need to put a sheet pan or similar item in the freezer and there was no room to lay it flat--annoying but not as big a deal as the placement of the produce drawers and (3) I found the multiple drawers in the freezer to hold less than the large divided drawer in the over under model--not that big a deal but definitely a minus.