If you are going to panel you really should go with integrated (imo)

I can't comment on the Miele units directly, but I did have a Subzero 48" built in that I wasn't too fond of. I much preferred the Kitchenaid 48" in our next house. That's what we're going for again in the home we're building soon, with a separate regular depth 33" top fridge/bottom freezer in the pantry for extra capacity. There are only 2 of us. So no, I don't think two 36" units is too much, if you think you'll use them all.

Why didn't you like the Subzero 48 inch built-in?

But what about 2 36 inch columns right next to each other? Does it look too massive? Unfortunately splitting them up in our kitchen will not work as well. And if we put them right next to each other, looks nice to do the dual installation kit with grill going across both units, but that adds an extra $1000. Any thoughts/suggestions? The integrated SZ units are nice paneled, but so much more expensive than the built-in SZ units and not as large capacity.

To add, we could definitely use the 36 inch fridge, but could do a smaller freezer - like 24 inches. Wish the SZ built-in freezer came in 24 inches wide. Again, the integrated does, but then more expensive and less capacity.

I am going from a 48" Kitchenaid fridge/freezer to SZ integrated 36" fridge and 24" freezer. I wanted a bit more space in the fridge and freezer, but didn't have room to go any bigger than 60" total. For me, the look of the integrated was well worth the extra cost. My kitchen is very open to my main living spaces and I wanted more of a furniture look to the large area taken up by the fridge and freezer.

The lighting in the Miele was really cool, and bright, but I felt SZ was the better choice overall.

We did SZ 36” integrated fridge and 30” integrated freezer paneled next to each other and they look great. At the time the only 36” fridge was their over and under model which is a single door top and two bottom drawers so we went with this configuration with both columns. I love the configuration as the top produce drawer is huge and the bottom drawer is great for casserole and larger pans as you get extra depth. I have removed the dividers and use it as one large drawer and love it. Lighting is excellent. Not sure if you have looked at this model.

Do you think worth it to pay a lot more for integrated Subzero columns with panels with less capacity as opposed to Subzero built-ins with more capacity in stainless? How bad are the fingerprints on Subzero stainless fridges/freezers? That would be a reason to go to integrated paneled, but just so much more expensive and for less capacity! What do you think?

The current fridge has lasted 18 years, so for me, it was worth paying extra for the "looks" of something I use and look at all day long. As I mentioned, my kitchen is very open with few uppers, so a 5 ft wall of stainless is very visible and I preferred to have it integrated and done in wood.

My Kitchen Designer doesn't love integrated/paneled appliances, but he agreed with me that in my kitchen it was the right choice.

My 36" fridge will be the over/under with an upper door and the 2 lower drawers. You do lose a bit of space compared to a single door 36", but I liked the separation of space. My freezer will be a 24" column with ice maker.

I can only tell you what was the right decision for me. When I saw the integrated look there was no other choice, whatever the cost, so I made the budget for it.

You don't seem to think it is worth the higher cost, so you should spend the difference on something else you will enjoy in the kitchen or outside of the kitchen!

Thanks for your advice!

Totally agree with Chispa I too loved the look of the paneled integrated and never considered anything else. Capacity was not a consideration and my fridge is huge compared any other fridge I have ever owned. My cabinet panels were about the same price as buying the stainless panels from SZ. Get what you like and works best for your needs and budget There is no wrong or right answer.

What fridge do you have now and how is it working for you?

The 48" Kitchenaid has worked pretty well for us, the fridge part is a good size, but we also have a small separate under counter beverage fridge which made a big difference in removing DH's bottled Perrier from the main fridge. What I have never liked is the freezer side, which I find too narrow and stuff just ended up all piled up and bunched up in there.

I went a bit bigger because the remodel allowed me to and the house is a 5 bedroom house, so a larger fridge & freezer should be a positive for resale down the road.

Yeah, I agree, the freezer side seems sort of small in a 48 inch built-in fridge/freezer. We currently have a 36 inch fridge/freezer which is pretty small.

I will solve all of your problems. Buy the Thermador Columns.

Aren't the Thermador less expensive than the Subzero? I know they got into Subzero territory, pricewise, when they redesigned this year, but I thought they were still a bit less. We have 10 year old Thermador columns and just bought the last of the old model for our beach house. We haven't had a single problem with them. We have the 18" freezer and it is a bit small even for us; we buy very little frozen food. I'd have preferred 24" if I could fit it.

Having said that, I don't think two 36" integrated units, side by side, is too big in the right kitchen. In fact, I think it would be heaven!

m111675, when choosing our refrigerator we went to a couple places to compare. We saw built-ins, integrated, empty and fully stocked.

The SZ lighting is far better than my old fridge, and plenty bright for me, although the Miele was brighter. We don’t have ours yet, so no pic’s of one filled with food and I neglected to take a photo of the SZ filled in the showroom. I did see one some time ago here on GW, filled, and thought ‘wow’ because of the lighting and room : ) We did like the Miele, but it was not the size (in the space allotted) for our needs. We spent quit a bit of time measuring everything… door sizes, depths, widths, and allotted compartment sizes in the doors.

No, I don’t think 2, 36” columns is too big if you can use it – but you also asked if it would look massive, and at 6 feet wide, yes. Again, you need to think of your personal needs. We are only 2, and are going with the SZ 48” built-in for the capacity as we keep a lot of food – I looked into columns, but needed something to fit in the 4 foot space, and the columns which fit in our space allotted offered less capacity. I will be sacrificing some freezer capacity (minimal) but I’ve got a separate upright in the garage.

Everyone’s needs and preferences are different – I strongly suggest if you haven’t already – comparing the brands in person. The Thermador was more expensive than the SZ (both panel ready) where we live and we preferred the SZ inside and out for our needs. I’ve always been a Kitchenaide fan, but again, the SZ won us in comparison.

These are the questions we asked ourselves:

1. What capacity did we need?
2. What space did we have?
3. What options did we prefer?
4. How much did we have to spend?
5. What look did we want?
6. Which of the above are most important to us and in what order?

The SZ Built In Panel Ready (some of them) can be flush installed for a fully integrated look, if you have the depth. We are putting in 27” deep base cabinets, so the built-in offered us the best of all worlds: Flush install with fully integrated look, larger capacity. If you are selling your home in 5-6 years, I’d go with integrated for re-sell if your neighborhood and area support and warrant those needs… if you don’t have the depth for a flush install.

Here is the SZ 48” side by side built-in in a flush installation in the showroom (again, added depth is needed for this integrated look):

Photos for uploading · More Info

As you can see, the hinges are such that it allows for an integrated look, flush with countertops.

Not trying to talk you into any brand or style, but do ask yourselves how long you’ll live there and what your most important priorities are. If you've room and $$ for integrated columns, I'd go for it! Good luck!

It really depends on what is important to you. A flush mount built-in does look different from an integrated fridge. This could be an issue for you. And if it is, then you know your answer.

But it could also be entirely unimportant to you. "Different" doesn't necessarily mean "worse". And depending on the overall layout of the kitchen (i.e. if there are no tall cabinets immediately adjacent to the fridge) it might be hard to even spot, unless you know what you are looking for.

I recommend going to a showroom and looking at the different possible way that the fridge can be installed. Also, I second the recommendation to have extra-deep cabinets, if that's an option.

m111675, I wholeheartedly agree with what M said above. You'll run into people who dislike built-ins that aren't flush installed and have panels that protrude a bit... but that's personal taste - and of course, it's not really that noticeable as M describes - to me anyway. Before we decided to go deeper with our cabinets, we still wanted the larger built-in, with panels, despite that the panels would protrude a bit. Do you remember the original counter-depth models? They all protruded a bit past the countertop due to the hinges.

Unless you intend to sell your home soon do what you prefer and/or require. Our area is unfamiliar with 'integrated' vs built in so it was never an issue for us - and this is our forever home.

"So you think panel is much better for integrated rather than built-ins even if can do panel flush like in photo?" No, not at all. The above photo is identical to integrated... it's called flush install. The only difference is you need a deeper base/counter to do a flush install with the built in (and you need to check that the built in model can be flush installed). If you would rather have stainless steel, get that : ) It's your kitchen, you'll be using it and living in it, no one else here will.