I'm surprised you've missed reading the comments on Samsung frig repair problems with limited parts availabilities. Costco doubles the warranty and if you use their Visa card they double that. You may need that.

I did a search but clearly did miss those comments. Thanks for the info!

Samsung has tons of repair issues. I've been doing research as well, and I've been told that the best counter depth french door fridge is the Bosch. It has two evaporators so food stays fresher (sort of like a Subzero). This is the only manufacturer that does this in a free standing fridge.

Thanks -- I was looking at Kitchen-aid, LG GE and Frigidaire -- I'll look at Bosch again, but do they have water in the door? can't remember. DH has one request: Ice and Water dispenser in the door.

Take a look at the Frigidaire Gallery or PRO series. They have one that has has an Ice/water dispenser in the door and ice dispenser in the freezer. I have been experimenting with these and it seems the ones that have ice dispensers that are part of the door seem to have the greatest amount of issues. The ones that take away fridge space are bit better at keeping the water in it's frozen state. That said the key is to not let the ice dispenser get too full. You want to keep air flow available to the entire cavity and when filled to capacity air flow is impeded . This causes the ice to melt inside your fridge or down the dispenser. I used to advise people to just stay away, however it does not seem they are going away, so I may as well learn to use them properly. Be advised the Frigidaire model does not chill the water.

My sister had a Samsung and she had so many issues with it that she got a new fridge just 2 years after buying the Samsung..too many issues in such a short time. We have a Kitchenaid..had it for 11 years and no major problems..I had a minor issue with frost and that was due to some bread dough (it released some heat) so really my fault..The only thing we changed was the water supply line and that was done after 10 years

LG & Samsung both have service/parts issues.

Burgess - It' doesn't look like the Bosch has the ice/water dispenser in the counter depth model. Of the choices out there, I'd look at the GE cafe or regular series first, then the Kitchen Aid. The cafe series is very nice looking IMO, and with GE, you can always get service. I've been told that Kitchen Aid service is not great.

Burgess, know that there are problems with every single brand. Instead of focusing on brand names, look at features and price that fit for you. Nothing is made the way it used to be.

Can you not build in a standard deeper fridge?

My sister is OK with her 24" KitchenAid, (only 2 people in the house) but it only works because she has another fridge downstairs for large items.

Burgess, something else I remembered ,FWIW. We had a technician come to our home to check a washing machine (grrr....a total Whirlpool FAIL!). When he left we were talking about appliances in general. He said he thought KitchenAid was a good bet these days for kitchen appliances. Hard to know since another technician might say something different. Just wanted to pass it on.

My French door counter-depth Samsung will be 8 years old in January. It has ice and water in the door. I have not had any issues with my fridge at all. Now I hope I didn’t just jinx myself saying it’s been problem free.

I don’t find the water in the door a plus I would sooner have a good water filter at the sink and as for ice I honestly do not find opening the freezer to get ice a big deal I like Bosch for most things never had their fridge absolutely love their DWs . I have all fridge all freezer Fridgedaire and I have not had one service call in 12 yrs they are counter depth but not french door. You lose 10% of the storage of a deep fridge and don’t lose stuff in the back

We have Subzero fridge and freezer columns in our kitchen. We also have a counter depth Samsung French door (4 door with sparkling water dispenser) in our pantry. It’s 3 years old and we’ve had zero problems with it. It’s even been moved from our previous residence with no negative effect. I am just as happy with the Samsung as I am with the Subzero. Will say though that the capacity is not that great. If it was our only fridge we would be pressed for more space.

I'm hoping I don't jinx myself either. We have an LG counter depth. Has to be close to 7 years old. It had one issue when it was still under warranty with the bar between the doors. They came and replaced it and haven't had any issues since. I will say I hate the ice in the door. It always jams up. Also not a fan of the water in the door either. The piece you push your glass on to get water is a scratched mess. Next fridge will not have ice or water in the door.

"The piece you push your glass on to get water is a scratched mess."

vinmarks, it's the same with ours that's a Frigidaire...very scratched up. In our case, the fridge came with the house and was brand new. That was 6 1/2 years ago. Not crazy about the water/ice in the door, even though we've had no issues there. Also, it's not counter depth, but the next one will be. We have another fridge in the garage, so that should help.

I love counter depth columns. So much easier to organize than deep refrigerators. I am not a big fan of French doors for refrigerators. A single-door is a much better fit for my needs and uses space more efficiently. In fact, I have yet to year any convincing argument why people like French doors other than looks. And I absolutely never would want to buy a fridge with ice/water in the door. Takes up valuable space, breaks easily, feels unhygienic, and IMHO there are much better solutions to getting filtered water. I also feel that given that space/money, it usually is a good idea to buy both an all-fridge and an all-freezer.

But I also realize that everybody's needs and priorities are very different. Quite obviously, refrigerators that violate each and every one of my priorities do sell every day. Some of these sales might be out of ignorance from consumers who simply don't realize that they have options and why these options might be preferable. But a lot of sales probably are, because people genuinely like these models.

I have the Samsung french door counter depth 4 door flex. LOVE it! What I had boat loads of trouble with were several Kitchen Aid models, repaired over and over and over before i remodeled my kitchen. You will read far more good reviews than bad if you look, and all that garbage about not being able to get service/parts doesn't seem to be true at all.

"...and all that garbage about not being able to get service/parts doesn't seem to be true at all."

Sue, I sure hope so since we have an LG washer/dryer. Our daughter just had repair work done on her 8 yr old Samsung washer. No problem getting it done.

I have found that it depends on where you are located in the country as to the repair availability. In the past, there have been issues getting parts for both the LG, and the Samsung. OP says that husband insists on water/ice on the door. I have had it for years, but this time I am opting against it. One reason is I'm getting a Subzero 48 inch side by side and I don't care for the Subzero's configuration of putting it on the refrigerator door and it's also very low. That being said, there is a reason Subzero does it that way. I've decided to put a water filter under the sink, and open the fridge for ice. I don't like the unsanitary conditions that arise when the dispenser is on the door. People filling their glasses up after they have used them is disgusting to me. Think of all those germs on the area where you push the glass. We've had many guests do this and it just grosses me out. But that's just me.

I’ve been using mine 3 years and haven’t had any problems.

I too just bought a new refrigerator. No one had anything good to say about the Samsungs.

Again, focus on features you like. You'll find "hate it...love it" for everything you might consider. This thread is a good example.

I'll never buy another Samsung appliance.

Thank you all!! This is exactly the kind of conversation that is SO helpful! I am looking around to see if I can get just water in the door -- ice inside. I wish we had room for a standard depth refrigerator but the clearance between that and the island would be too tight. I am not so interested in the fancy bells and whistles and perhaps I can convince DH to look into some other options.

I wanted to add that along with our counter depth unit we also have separate all fridge and all freezer units in our downstairs. For me I would not want a regular depth unit in our kitchen. I'm pretty sure I would need a stool to reach to the back of the highest shelf.

I have an LG refrigerator and have not had any problems. My daughter has a Samsung also no issues.

I had to get a counter depth for our condo remodel. I just couldn't see getting a French door -- the freezers are ridiculously small! I got a KA side-by-side counter depth and I really like it! I have had a FD for 7 years at home, and I'm tired of the freezer always being a mess (hard to organize that one big drawer).

I've had a standard LG french door for about 5 years , my MIL has the same fridge as a counter depth (3 years). Both with zero problems. Hers is way too small for your family of 6, but it fits her great. Mine is totally silent also. Both are with No water in the door...and I don't use the ice maker.

Worst fridge we have ever owned was a Samsung and will never buy another Samsung appliance. Ask anyone about their washer/dryer issues also.

By the way ask ANY appliance repair person and they will tell you the number one source of calls is the door mounted ice/water assemblies.

We've have had our Samsung 4 drawer fridge for 6 years. The only problem that we've had was using a cheaper water filter which was resolved in replacing the water filter carriage, which is no small feat in it self.

The middle drawer we keep drinks, coffee and meds.

The freezer compartment has 3 divisions and a drawer and a small shelf which is in the front, it serves us well.

Note: we also have a chest freezer elsewhere.

We had an LG compressor/evaporator give out after a series of power outages/surges. The repair folks were fine, but getting the part took 2 months! We had a Euro-size fridge in our family room all that time, sob, and overflow at a neighbors' house. At least we got the redesigned part for our troubles!

No! Worst refrigerator I have ever owned. The fridge freezes up about every 2 months and has to be defrosted to hold the appropriate temperature. Warranty is only 1 year and does not cover this problem. I have used this refrigerator for 2 summers only and plan to replace it next year.

A Samsung frig that freezes up is one of the examples.

We need legislation requiring an appliance to last for a reasonable amount of time. No one year warranty scam.

dan1888....thanks for posting the video.

I’ve had GE French door counter depth fridges in two homes. I have a small family, so space was not a problem. If I were buying one today, it is exactly what I would choose again!

Hi @Burgess which fridge did u end up getting and how is it? I have the same requirements and constraints as you. Thx.