I was never happier to be rid of my side by side. I never used any of the space below about halfway down because we would never remember it was there and it was too hard to clean and nothing ever fit in it. I really did not like it. The freezer side same thing, anything low was not remembered. But then everyone is different. I so much appreciate the extra wide tray accommodation as we entertain a lot and it really comes in handy. I have a KA without ice/water in the door. I didn't want it and do not miss it either. We use ice a LOT and I like just scooping it up in one big scoop and putting in a glass or pitcher. If I could have my choice of refrigerator configuration I would want a single door upper with drawer on the bottom. I don't really like dealing with the double doors on the FD and seem to put everything on one side of the fridge. It's only my husband and I so it's fine but a little extra aggravation at times. The trade off for me is having all the refrigerated items at eye level, I just love that so much and I can't even tell you how much I love the extra width of the deli tray. While it's not perfect I would never go back to a sxs. IMHO they seem prehistoric to me now.

We've had the Jenn-Air side by side, (built in and paneled) for over 6 years now. It has been trouble free with the exception of the ice maker, which failed after about 5 years. A new ice maker cost me about $145 and took me about 10 minutes to change it. We like the fact that 3 different temps can be set in the fridge compartment, one for the meats, one for the veggie and fruit keeper and one for the main fridge. Being older, we like the fact that the stuff we use the most, in either the fridge or the freezer can be kept at height that is convenient for us. We like the crank up and down shelves, the digital readouts for temperatures (4 of them) --meat keeper, veggies, main fridge and freezer. It is very quiet, and the first time I have ever heard any noise whatsover out of it was a few weeks ago after cleaning the condenser area and changing the water filter. I did not get the cover back on correctly and it was blocking air, the fan for the condenser kick on to full speed, still not very noisy but I could hear it. I put the cover on correctly and all was well, again and silence. The JA uses a variable speed compressor as I think most fridges in the Whirlpool family do, along with Miele and Liebher. These allow for better temp control, are more efficient and quieter than the old on/off compressors. In fact, I believe that Jenn-Air now quotes a temp accuracy, (being able to stay at a set temp) of +/- half a degree "F". This of course is "Overkill" but it does give you an idea of what some of the new technology can do. Good luck with your decisions. The best way is to go and look at them in person. that's what we did and the JA won out over the SZ and GE, which back in 2005 were the only 48" built in fridges made. Gary

the first compressor was replaced by the previous owner, so I'm not sure if it was new or refurbished. I do know that the previous owners had to pay for the replacement, and I'm being told that Northland will only warrant replacement parts for 1 year so I am liable for the second replacement. I have 2 refrigerators from the 1970's that have never been serviced or maintained and they are working like champs. If this commercial grade refrigerator can not hold up to Amana and GE, then I would call it a lemon.

My new and wider clearance is 11-1/2 inches and that is after turning the studs behind that wall to pick up a little space, replacing a standard freestanding fridge with a built-in and keeping the same footprint on the island, but probably easing it back a bit withing the toekick space. I don't know if I had 4" before the remodel and it hadn't been a big issue for us. Folks could wait a few seconds, someone can ease the door back or the person can go around the island. You really shouldn't be sitting with your fridge door open that much. We didn't open the aisle for people passing when the fridge door was open. We wanted the space larger to allow more clearance before the exterior door hit the cabinets behind it and wanted a generally wider aisle there since that is a side door under a covered parking area and the most used entrance into our house. Had nothing to do with walking past an open fridge -- something we still don't do much even with that being near the most used entrance. I would set your fridge up for the best use of your kitchen in terms of eating and cooking. If that is going to require you to be walking back and forth past an open fridge, I would rethink the layout, not the fridge choice.