Subzero 48 inch built-in vs. Miele Fridge/Freezer - Please help!!!

6 years ago

We are building a new house and have small children and are deciding between the following:

1. Subzero 48 inch built-in with external dispenser, in stainless steel

2. Miele 30 inch or 36 inch fridge with 18 inch freezer (likely without external dispenser), the SF version which comes with stainless steel panel which is clean touch stainless steel

I like the external dispenser of the Subzero (good for encouraging drinking water for us and the kids), but worried about the upkeep of the stainless with fingerprints etc. Want to stick with stainless rather than cabinet paneling because otherwise all white kitchen (with white counters and cabinets) so stainless will break that up. Also, cabinet paneling does not look as good with the external dispenser, and with the Subzero, we would want the external dispenser. The lighting of the Subzero is not great either.

As for the Miele, we would likely not get the 18 inch freezer with external dispenser because there is very little storage space inside, even though I do like the external dispenser. So with Miele, would probably get 18 inch freezer without dispenser, and either 30 inch or 36 inch fridge. With the 30 inch fridge, actually smaller capacity than the 48 inch Subzero built-in fridge capacity. Also the 36 inch fridge is just a couple hundred dollars more, and with that get more storage capacity than 48 inch Subzero built-in fridge capacity, so probably would go with that. But would a 36 inch fridge with 18 freezer next to each other look odd? Usually see a 30 inch fridge next to an 18 inch freezer. A bigger 30 inch freezer would be much more expensive and probably too big overall with a 36 inch fridge. Great things about the Miele are the better interior lighting and the clean touch stainless, especially with kids. But then don't get the external dispenser, and would a 36 inch fridge with 18 inch freezer next to each other look odd? Also, Miele would be more expensive than Subzero 48 inch built-in. Also, generally prefer the professional rather than more modern look of Miele, but could go with it.

What should we do??? Been agonizing over this!!!! Any/all advice would be appreciated!!! Thank you!!!

Featured Answer

Pegilicious M.

6 years ago

I’ve has a Subzero refrigerator for 25 years with no problems at all. It was very roomy with enough interior space to hold enough food to feed three sons. Since it was so old, we replaced it with a Miele after a recent remodel. The interior isn’t as roomy as the Subzero I had, and I’m having small problems already, such as the freezer handle loosening, and the white interior trim near the refrigerator gasket falling off. I miss the Subzero, and would recommend it over the Miele.

Comments (8)

PRO
Edmond Kitchen & Bath LLC
6 years ago
Research service options at your home for both brands, just in case you ever need repair. In some places it is hard to get a specific tech.....
m111675
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for that advice, but we have service options in our area for both brands, so that is not a problem.
Related Discussions
Subzero vs Miele 36" full fridge
Q
Comments (3)
We installed the Sub Zero 36" all freezer and all refrigerator (501 F and 501 R) in 1987. At that time they were the only counter depth units available. The freezer is still going strong after 26 years but we did replace the refrigerator last year. I'm not sure which model you're looking at but we went with the Sub Zero BI 36 R. We've been happy with their customer service that we didn't even bother to look at other manufacturers. We also paid a good bit less than the price on their web site which really helped. There have been numerous posts here about noisy refrigerators. I'm amazed at how quiet this unit is - and it's on a ceramic floor in a large kitchen.
...See More
Subzero 36 inch fridge/freezer combo
Q
Comments (5)
The 36" Sub-Zero is best in the Over/Under and French Door configs. Side by side version has far too small a freezer. The capacity will be pretty close across the board on built-in units like this. On the 36" units with the freezer on the bottom, the Refrigerator section is 16.4 cuft and the freezer is 5.3 cuft. We sell a good deal, customers are usually very happy with them. I have both the Sub-Zero and the Miele 36" units in my store. The Miele is nice as well, but it has noticeably less capacity in the refrigerator side, and less capacity overall as well. Hope that helps! Anthony Appliance Buyer's Guide
...See More
48 inch Subzero built-in fridge/freezer enough capacity?
Q
Comments (20)
We have a family of 6, with a 48" side by side (not subzero). It's plenty. But I want to mention a couple things. We also have an undercounter beverage fridge, that I love because the drinks are handy, and not buried behind stuff in the big fridge. Also, after the fridge died (while under warranty) and the warranty people took almost 10 days of dithering about before it was eventually fixed (by my own repairman), I broke down and bought a $400 fridge for the garage. That thing is like a workhorse, and we keep flats of water and gatorades out there, popsicles, things for working out and playing basketball in the driveway. I would never again NOT have an extra fridge, even if unplugged, because at this, the busiest time of my life, with 4 pre-teen/teens, I need to be able to save the food and go on about our lives, without bothering my neighbors to store our frozen foods... And if I were so lucky as to remodel the kitchen, I'd think hard about those refrigerator drawers. Lastly, I'll point out, that the bigger fridge takes up more space--sacrificing counter space, cabinet space.... While the 48" size works for us, in a small kitchen, you might be better off with a 36" fridge, and then an extra one in the garage for overflow. And it might come in handy, when the main fridge breaks down.
...See More
Miele Refrigerator/freezer vs Subzero
Q
Comments (40)
It took Miele a long time to get back to me when I called customer service about descaling the steam oven but I think they are faster if you have a critical issue like the fridge not working. My Miele applicances are built in and were installed by Miele. The fridge / freezer towers we have were complicated to install and that is a concern as you would probably need Miele for service. It is hard to know but things may be slow because of covid issues right now. We have had no problems with any of our Miele applicances. At times Miele offers a five year warranty and I suggest finding out if or when that will be available.
...See More
DrB477
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
How about the 24" freezer? 18" is small, esp with the dispenser it is almost useless for a family.

We have a 30"/24" Thermador which is very similar to the Miele, its a good combo for our family of 5. The 30" is plenty of room. With Thermador you can get an external dispenser in the 24", but I don't think Miele's version offers that.

With the Miele/Thermador, I'd reconsider paneling, the integrated fridges really look great paneled, the built in such as the SZ you are looking at, not so much.
m111675
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions. Miele doesn't have a 24 inch Mastercool freezer. We were looking at the combo you have but decided against Thermador because it is now really expensive with the new fridges/freezers and unless you get everything Thermador and can take advantage of the 1-2 free promotion, it's very expensive and we know we want Miele dishwashers. The paneling sounds nice, but want the stainless to break up the all white and more expensive with the paneling.
DrB477
6 years ago
I didn't realize the 24" was a different series

I would get the SZ if you are putting them side by side regardless and don't want to panel, seems to defeat most of the advantages of getting integrated columns.

You mention dishwasherS, are you getting two? You get one free dishwasher with the thermador, the second could be Miele, that's what we did. The difference between the two is marginal. The Miele opens at the end which helps with drying, but its hardly a night and day difference in my experience. The new model Thermador columns are indeed a pretty big jump in price from last year's model which stinks.
m111675
Original Author
6 years ago
Yes we are putting them side by side and probably don’t want the panels.

Yes we are getting 2 dishwashers. I really like the Miele with 3D cutlery tray at the top. I suppose we could still get 1 Miele dishwasher with the Thermador package but if we were to go with a 30 inch Thermador fridge and 24 inch Thermador freezer with external dispenser, with stainless panels and professional handles, would be about $5k more than the SubZero 48 inch builtin fridge for us. And Thermador like Subzero does not have printshield finish. And new Thermador freezer with external dispenser has no shelves on the door so less storage. So even though we really considered Thermador for everything, switched to Miele or SubZero/Wolf because we also want a combisteam oven which apparently are better by Miele and Wolf.

Anyways, think I am leaning to Subzero fridge/freezer but worried will be sorry not just getting everything Miele. Miele’s prices just went up today too even though also started back up 10 percent off deal. Miele just seems like excellent quality and ease of use, even though probably more drawn to professional look of Subzero/Wolf.

So confused!!!!!
Life Debugger
last year
Avoid Miele Mastercool. Delivered New Mastercool with faulty door. the door gets stuck when closing and needs a hard push or slam to close. Miele refursed to acknolwedge this as defect and refused to fix it. The product is clearly faulty as the fridge in showroom does not have this problem at all. You are going to get poor quality and no warranty honour after purchase. Avoid Miele at all costs if you don't want defects from brand new.

Subzero 48 inch built-in vs. Miele Fridge/Freezer - Please help!!!

Pegilicious M.

Comments (8)

Edmond Kitchen & Bath LLC

m111675
Original Author

Related Discussions

DrB477

m111675
Original Author

DrB477

m111675
Original Author

Life Debugger

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Subzero 48 inch built-in vs. Miele Fridge/Freezer - Please help!!!

Pegilicious M.

Comments (8)

Edmond Kitchen & Bath LLC

m111675Original Author

Related Discussions

DrB477

m111675Original Author

DrB477

m111675Original Author

Life Debugger

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

m111675
Original Author

m111675
Original Author

m111675
Original Author