I don't think you could go wrong with either. The drawer configuration is different. The current SZ seem to have better storage than the past ones. So long as the local people will service either, that's not an issue. Is there any way you can take a field trip to where they do have Perlick on display? The choice is such a personal thing. Do you need an icemaker? I don't know how those compare...

One thing I should mention--undercounter, especially drawer, coolers are very, erm, cool. They have to try harder to get their job done, however. The most bestest freezer, for freezing and storing food long term, is an old fashioned, manual defrost, chest freezer. The second best is a manual defrost upright freezer with freezer coil shelves. The fancified freezer drawers are fine for what they are, especially at the level of SZ and Perlick. If your needs are more of the ice cream, frozen veg, extra meals, use within a few months variety, there's no issue.

I'm wondering if it wouldn't work better to have one undercounter freezer in the kitchen for things that you want to have at your fingertips and a storage freezer elsewhere for long term and bulky items that you can bring into the kitchen freezer as you anticipate needing them. Oh, yeah! Duh--I do that with my downstairs freezer, even though I have a 30" built in all freezer in the kitchen. The big containers of soup, spaghetti sauce, made ahead foods, etc., go downstairs when I'm on my way out. Individual containers come up when I come home. It's also convenient in the Summer when I do a big marketing, to stash frozen things in the garage and only have to worry about getting the fresh food upstairs fast.

Yes, this is definitely going to be our everyday freezer for the kitchen. So, no super complicated needs, and foods generally get used up within a few months tops. I do appreciate your comment on manual-defrost freezers though. Maybe, at some point, we'll get one of those for the garage. My wife keeps dreaming about one day buying a quarter cow.

Good point about the lack of an ice maker. It's a bit of a nuisance, but we do currently have another fridge downstairs and we can use that to make ice and bring it up to the kitchen. Not ideal, but I can live with that.

SZ makes a drawer with ice maker, but after reading what you have to say, I think Perlick overall is a better fit for us. And I hear you about making sure that it really is what we want. I think, it is. I am no stranger to buying less mainstream and more commercial products when I have specific needs. So, I think I won't be surprised too badly.

Incidentally, a few hours ago, after calling around for a bit, we found a dealer that had a Perlick unit in their warehouse. It was a bit beat-up, didn't have a panel, and on top of it, it was the short ADA size. But all of that is secondary; the point is we got to actually see a Perlick freezer drawer -- and yes, I think that's the model we'll want (no, not the beat up one :-)

Some more questions. I read one review of somebody complaining that their unit was very loud. Is that something that you also experience? Or did the other person just have bad luck (or was particularly picky)? They also complained that the drawers often stayed open unless he paid a lot of attention when closing them. The unit that we saw today had strong magnets, so I don't think this is (still) a problem. Maybe, the other person had an older design.

Does the freezer get very hot on the outside and does it have special venting requirements? As Perlick originally made commercial hardware, I am wondering about those details.

The dealer said that in his experience, Perlick uses some more unique technology that keeps the temperature more constant and quickly restores target temperature after the drawers were opened. Is that something you notice, or is that just marketing speak? The dealer seemed to think that it would minimize freezer burn, as well. Not sure, I buy that argument.

lascatx, I absolutely agree with you about the Perlick using less space. That's a big deal for us, as well. It's only 6", but it opens up a whole bunch of other options for the kitchen layout.

I'm not up on the current specs, but a large part of why I hunted down the Perlick was reading up on them at the time -- variable speed compressor, much higher BTU compressor (more chill power, faster recovery), solid build and all of this with the (then) only energy star rating for under counter units.

The higher BTU was a big deal for us. Most undercounter units seemed to be designed for chilling beverages for home entertaining or possibly produce -- things that didn't have regular and heavy use. We planned on having milk and juice as welll as other beverages and snacks for everyday meals and in between -- so probably getting opened more than the larger fridge. And I didn't want my milk spoiling faster because of it. Perlick started as a commercial unit for high use -- bars, restaurants anad sports venues. They were up to the task. I talked to the folks at the dealer about all of this and why I was determiined to track one down, then ordered it. After we got ours, the dealer, who was listening, had an unhappy customer with a stadium sky box -- the fridge drawers couldn't maintain the chill with the frequent opening and people were getting warm drinks. They pulled the unit and installed a Perlick.

I rarely hear mine running, and then it is a quiet hum when the room is quiet, llike late at night when everyone else is in bed. When first delivered, the fan was a bit loose and we heard that. Once they tightened it, no more issue.

Have you had a freezer drawer? Like a bottom freezer that pulls out? Some folks don't like the organization facor and having to lift up/dig down. Height and size could be a facrtor too, depending on what you typically freeze. Leftovers or stock items in regular sized containers would be great and easy to deal with, but bulkier items (thinking of the pork shoulder I had or ribs when we buy Costco packs and cook half/freeze half) or irregularly shaped things might not. The lack of an ice maker would be a deal killer for me. The drawers are not going to handle trays as well as a shelf in a standing freezer -- and we're in Texas. We use ice year round and have friends who have gone to installing a separate ice maker. Entertaining would be a real pain. Do think through all your uses.

You sound like you are comfortable with unconventional approaches. DO make sure they really work for all your needs. Think through all the uses -- daily, occasional, entertaining and seasonal variations. I also think it would be wise to plan alternative space use. We knew that our fridge drawers could be 24 inch cabinet drawers -- easy enough. We put in a second DW -- again, 24" can be another cabinet, or a beverage/wine fridge. etc. Our micro drawer was new and a bit untested -- if it didn't work out, we could put a small shelf unit in the space. We are very happy with our choices, but if our needs change or we should sell, there are some options for the future. Look at your plans from that perspective too. It is a lot cheaper to test your ideas than to change your results.

Oh -- the Perlick vents out the front at the toekick. The unit just slides into place, but check the electrical plans. I don't think Perlick had an issue, but Thermador had an unusual outlet placement.

Perlick are generally regarded as the quietest. I have a feeling that reviewer either didn't have a Perlick or had a real lemon and should have gotten an exchange rather than just griping. Still, some installations multiply sound. A hard floor, a raise, hollow platform, just the right kind of wood surround to vibrate, etc. It is possible to make a quiet fridge come up loud. My quartz watch, which I couldn't hear on my wrist unless it was by my ear, when placed on the nightstand, transmitted the sound through the stand, to the bedpost, to the headboard, to my pillow and became TICK!! Still, I don't know why her magnets didn't worked unless she was expecting autoclosers ...

I have old model Marvel fridge drawers, which are different, of course. During the summer, the waste heat goes all over the island because the kitchen is warm. If the Perlick have a fan, rather than just a vent, that would help, though you'll have the warm air coming out at your feet. For a freezer, you're probably not standing right in front of it most of the time, anyway.

You truly can't go wrong with either. However, there are some differences:

-The Sub-Zero has a more refined look and they do make 24" units now.

-If anything SZ will have an edge over Perlick in the customer service department.

-The SZ will be the only model you can also get with an ice maker included.

- SZ's warranty has the edge

-Perlick claims a 1000 BTU compressor, SZ doesn't disclose the btu rating of theirs, never has and not sure if it is different or how much of a real world difference it would make TBH.

...

Anthony

Appliance Buyer's Guide