Sub Zero or other professional refrigerators
crcash2
4 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (23)
branson4020
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoRelated Discussions
To Sub-Zero or not to Sub-Zero, that is the question...
Comments (22)I could certainly be wrong but from the sound of your post you sound like someone who has "aspired" to have a SubZero fridge not necessarily for a functional reason but to have the brand. It sounds as if you're going all out - two Miele dishwashers, etc. - so why not just go for the SZ? If you think about all the people who have been keeping their food chilled without investing in SZ, there has to be something people "value" about SZ other than it's functional ability to keep food chilled or frozen that would make them pay the premimum price. Could be appearance, appeal of saying you have the brand, etc. In any case if you want one and want to spend the $ go for it. It seems you can count on repairs with any brand these days - kind of like luxury auto brands. Just because you spend alot doesn't mean it will be trouble free....See MoreActual Storage Capacity in Sub Zero Refrigerator
Comments (12)I have the Thermador columns and love them. My experience (with two active and therefore hungry teen boys -- and cooking at home most days) was that what we lost by going built-in was depth. Not so much room for things we really needed as the room where things got lost and often forgotten. The drawers and shelves allow good use of space. The one thing I have lost is the ability to put a large flat cookie sheet in the fridge, but a half sheet pan (almost as large but not quite as wide) does fit. We made our choice after looking at all the units interiors and studying drawers adn other functionality. The Subzero didn't work or us because the ice maker was on the very bottom (I'm tall, I live in TX, we use a fair amount of ice anyway but at the time both boys were in band and for marching, they would each fill a gallon jug with ice, then water each morning to take to practice and games -- I didn't want to be grabbing it off the floor) and second, at the time, SubZero didn't have any models without the top vent panel that I really disliked. That last point is obviously moot now, but the ice location would still be a deal killer for me even though the boys are now in college. I had never had a built-in, and I hadn't planned on a built-in when we started our kitchen because I hated the look of them (that panel on top), but the sleek look and raised ergonomics in the Thermador got my attention and we changed. Still, I was nervous about space -- our utility room has space for a second fridge, so we had that back up. We used it to allow us to buy more milk at one time, but we don't really use it for daily use, especially now that the gallon a day drinker has gone off to college and slowed his consumption, but it allows me to chill specialty flours, nuts and baking supplies. Weigh your options against how you will use them. Also consider fridge drawers for extra space. We put fridge drawers in the base of a breakfast room hutch and it was perhaps the best thing we did. My kitchen is a U shape with the kitchen and the most used entry to the house at the back of that U. The kids would have to track back and forth while I was cooking to help set the table. We had to walk from the breakfast room aross the full length of the kitchen to get a drink refill, grab butter or any forgotten salad dressing, condiment. Once is no big deal, but 3, 4, 6 times..... When we entertained or had larger faily dinners, everyone would congregate in the kitchen as the walked in or went to get a drink or ice and stopped to talk. The espresso maker was over in that corner, so that added to the issue (I have family members who walk in and go straight or the coffee/espresso as If we were Starbucks - and that's okay when it isn't at the door). My point is that we did the drawers to get people out of the kitchen and it has worked beautifully. Better than expected. Consider where you have space, where you have the use and need and see what makes the most sense for your placements. You may decide that freezer drawers dont' make as much sense as fridge drawers. You can also now get one of each. SubZero and Thermador are both really good units for built-in refrigeration. I HIGHLY recommend Perlick for undercounter units. They are worth hunting down....See MoreSub Zero, Viking, Monogram, Kitchenaid Refrigerator… advice needed!
Comments (4)It sounds to me like you want the SubZero but are having trouble justifying it. It's by far the best fridge of the ones you've named. You seem to have very realistic expectations and a good understanding of the context and variables. If you have plenty of cash and the SZ is a luxury you're thinking you will enjoy even though it's above the grade of the rest of the appliances and neighborhood, go for it! If you're financing the remodel, and will be paying interest on many thousands of dollars more for a luxury that's above the grade of the rest of your appliances and neighborhood, take a really good look and make darned sure it's worth the debt. I adore high end fridges with their high end performance, but the marginal difference per dollar is quite low. For most people, it's just not worth it. Are you confident in your choice of cooking appliance(s)? That's the one that usually has the biggest impact on pleasure in cooking and the kitchen, and that's usually where people will put their extra luxury money. One thing about the SZ is that with some maintenance and perhaps occasional repairs as parts wear out, it should last you for as long as you're in the house....See MoreRepair 25yr Old Sub-Zero or Buy New (Not Sub-Zero)?
Comments (21)All I can say is, in our former home, a small ranch with a small kitchen (no eat-in area), we were young, with a very young child and on a very tight budget. The one thing I insisted on, when we could finally afford to make changes to the ancient kitchen, was a SZ fridge. We put in Formica counters, vynil floor, and a very basic range, with microwave above. The splurge, the one diamond in the room, payed us back many times over. During Hurricane Sandy, our neighborhood was without power for two weeks. All of our neighbors had to discard their food within 2 days. Our Sub Zero was still cold 10 days later. Even the ice was still firm! Why? Because SZ has the best insulated fridges in the business. In other words, I would pinch pennies everyplace else, in order to get a SZ. Btw, that old SZ was from 1990....See Morecrcash2
4 years agoc9pilot
4 years agocrcash2
4 years agodarbuka
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoUser
4 years agocrcash2
4 years agodarbuka
4 years agoShannon_WI
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agocpartist
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agocpartist
4 years agocpartist
4 years agoUser
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agolatifolia
4 years agoCaroline Hamilton
4 years agocaitlinmagner
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoShannon_WI
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agodarbuka
4 years agoM Miller
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agojslazart
4 years agoAnglophilia
4 years agoeam44
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
Related Stories
KITCHEN DESIGNStay Cool About Picking the Right Refrigerator
If all the options for refrigeration leave you hot under the collar, this guide to choosing a fridge and freezer will help you chill out
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGN16 Practical Ideas to Borrow From Professional Kitchens
Restaurant kitchens are designed to function efficiently and safely. Why not adopt some of their tricks in your own home?
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNSee-Through Refrigerators Dare to Go Bare
Glass-front fridge doors put your food and drinks on display, for better or worse. See the benefits and disadvantages
Full StoryFUN HOUZZHouzz Call: What’s on Your Refrigerator?
Magnets, menus, children’s art, coupons, perfect-attendance certificates, song lyrics — what is fridge-worthy in your house?
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNKitchen of the Week: Professional Chef Style Meets California Warmth
A mix of stainless steel and walnut, personalized features and a new dining area complete this chef’s kitchen
Full StoryGREEN BUILDINGZero Net Energy: A Hardworking-House Term to Know
Homes that consume only as much energy as they produce by renewable means are a goal for builders. Learn what ZNE means for you
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNKitchen Ideas: 12 Refrigerators in Disguise
Designs hide the fridge behind unexpected finishes and doors
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNKitchen of the Week: Room for Family Fun in Connecticut
It's now connected to other rooms, but the most valuable connections for this kitchen have to do with those who live there
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPINGTips for Extending the Shelf Life of Your Fridge Food
These refrigerator rules will keep more of your food fresh and tasty — and out of the compost bin
Full StoryKITCHEN APPLIANCESHave an Ugly Fridge? Here Are 7 Creative Makeover Ideas
Take a peek at these designs from readers who have decorated their plain-vanilla refrigerators with decals, wraps and more
Full Story
User