Kitchen too small for 62" of fridge/freezer?
We're trying to finalize our kitchen layout in our recently purchased forever home. It's a standard center hall colonial and we're knocking down the wall between the living/dining to move the kitchen to the back corner (where existing dining is), opening it up to living/new dining space (where kitchen was). The back wall will be 15'10" , the side wall 12'6", and there will be a 10'x4' island. We also have a standard sized pantry that we'll continue to use for food (but the kitchen is moving a little farther away from it so it will be for snacks and appliances, not food we'd use every day in the kitchen).
We're stuck on a fridge decision. Here are the questions we've got going through our heads:
- Will a standard width/standard depth fridge/freezer significantly compromise the aesthetic of the kitchen by sticking out? Will it compromise the functionality since the fridge will be opening into a walkway (4 ft walkway)?
- Would it be crazy (considering small cubic feet) to do a 36" counter depth fridge/freezer just to satisfy the needs mentioned above, given we have a child and plan to have 1-2 more? We will have an extra fridge/freezer that's about 20 steps from the kitchen for overflow, but I'm worried in everyday life, I'd regret not having enough space in my kitchen fridge/freezer since we often forget about the stuff in the garage.
- To avoid all of the above, and since we aren't willing to spend $8k on this appliance, we were looking into the Frigidaire Gallery side-by-side set. But, this also seems crazy - is our kitchen too small to give up that much cabinet storage space, again, almost purely for aesthetics? We aren't minimalists and tend to use all cabinet space we have in whatever kitchen we're in. Also, wouldn't not having an external ice maker drive us insane? ALSO, we're doing IKEA cabinets. Can Sektion even accommodate appropriate cabinets for above this set?
I'm attaching a rough, rough layout/design. Ignore microwave placement, that's still TBD. Any input is GREATLY appreciated!! THANK YOU!!
Comments (14)
bunnyllg
5 years ago
PROPatricia Colwell Consulting
5 years agoRelated Discussions
*Usable* Freezer Space in Undercounter Fridge/Freezer Units
Comments (6)amphibious, I'll guess you mean 2 appliances, both under the counter: "... about 6.5 cubic feet of fridge space and 2.5 cubic feet of freezer space, which means two units. What I had envisioned before I started doing research is one sole refrigeration unit and one fridge/freezer. Little did I know that the fridge/freezer units would be so hard to come by..." The more motors, different cooling circuits and separator walls you try to cram into a small space, the less space you have left over to call fridge or freezer. I got a 36" unit, for that reason. More real space left over, after the insulation and mechanical stuff. Your perceived space needs are actually in a range, quite elastic. Go for a fridge unit and a freezer unit....See Morewill a 24” refrigerator and 18” freezer be too small?
Comments (6)Probably better off with the 36" combo unit... the 18" freezer is nearly useless. With the columns being individual units you lose a fair amount of space as a result. With a 36" + drawers, you'll be okay on the fridge side, however the freezer would be a little tight. Can you keep a chest unit in a garage or basement?...See MoreKitchen with upright fridge and freezer drawers?
Comments (6)I don't think it is a bad idea. We have resigned ourselves to a 60 in SZ as the 48 was a little shy in the last house. I get the point about fridge/freezer space but it is Costco's fault. It is also the fault of the local grocery store not having the products you want (totally spoiled). Where we are moving, Whole Foods is the corner store and we are split between two Costco's - each just over 10 min away. Oh the horror! You have inspired me to consider getting creative. We had 8 years with our last SZ and it never had an issue so I can't speak to service. No thru the door ice maker which is key for all brands. The horror of horrible vegetable life with our rental Fridgedaire. So far horrible service on our Whirlpool but the veges are better - no SZ though....See MoreFridge Freezer too cold (freezes food solid), seems trun continuously.
Comments (11)Thank you for your response. No recent work was done to this refrigerator, so I do not think it is a miswired switch. But with that said, which miswired switch should I check against the wiring diagram? Where is this switch that controls the evaporator fan and knows when the freezer door is open and when it is shut? "The damper controls how much air goes to the ref. In older refrigerator this was a simple sliding door that was set manually. " Yes this is the older type damper, a simple sliding door which is set manually. I have already taken it out and cleaned it and it opens and closes manually. For clarifications I made the following video that shows the above phenomena: In the video as long as the freezer door is open the fan is blowing air through the damper and the little ribbon I taped there is moving. As soon as I close the freezer door the evaporator fan stops and the ribbon also stops moving. Evaporator fan starts when freezer door is opened and shuts when freezer door is closed. Another issue that may be related is I noticed there is a lower portion of the refrigerator that is iced up. I think this lower portion of the fridge connects to the freezer. I don't know the purpose of it but presumably it is to regulate temperature also similar to the damper. I made a video that shows this ice build up below. I will try to clean this up but any tips on how to do this is appreciated. Lower part of the refrigerator is iced up....See Moreartistsharonva
5 years agoKristin S
5 years agoartistsharonva
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoCheck the door swing clearance specs before buying cabinets. Especially for the 1 door stand up freezer fridge combos. The doors are usually wider and therefore need more space in front of for the doors to open plus a person in front of loading groceries. I have designed several kitchens for the Electrolux models. Definitely needed more than the normal clearance.
Look up the installation manual and confirm specs with designer and installer. Examples of illustrations to look for.
You will need at least 48". I think it is more. Depending on what fridge you get.
Example of the spacing needed between the island & big door fridge/freezer.
PROJAN MOYER
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoThis is an absurd amount of cooling in a kitchen of this size, unless you are so far from a grocery you need a helicopter : )
I'd get a 42 inch Sub Zero, and have it "forever" in my forever home.
deb s
5 years agoartistsharonva
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoKristin S
5 years ago- PRO
User
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago 
Kathryn P
5 years agoKathryn P
5 years agoIt'd be sort of like this, with the black spaces being dead space (in reality, 2x4s or whatever).
artistsharonva
5 years ago
Hillside House