Hi,

It may be tough to swing a pair of 24" fully integrated refrigerators and stay under $15k -- unless you go with midgrade everywhere else. Even the Liebherrs, which I think are one of the least $$ are more than $3k each. I think a lot of folks here would tell you that if you're going to splurge on an appliance, the fridge isn't the best place to do it. Given that you cook a lot, you may get more value from a quality oven.

Can you possibly do a non-counter depth fridge and make it look built-in? Otherwise, I think you'll have trouble with the budget. You could easily spend more than half on your two fridges.

Is the pantry far from the kitchen? What about ice for beverages? We have a similar focus on refrigeration (and similar capacity issues), and plan on an 18" freezer column in the kitchen for ice and items that we use frequently. Another full size upright freezer will be in the basement.

We've purchased a 36" Thermador induction cooktop. We like the layout and the power of the hobs. Won't be installed for a month, though.

We've also decided to forgo the microwave drawer. I didn't want to spend big $$ on an appliance that can be had cheaply and didn't have to be built in. So we will have a cabinet with a door that lifts and recedes above the microwave. It can be open day to day, and closed when we have company. When the microwave breaks, I can replace it with another $100 model. Mine will be at counter height, but you certainly could have it lower. Just an idea to trim some $$ from your appliance budget.

Happy planning!

I should have been more clear--all we need is the cooktop, fridge/freezer and microwave drawer for $15k. So $1k for the microwave, $2-4k for the cooktop leaving $10-12k for the fridge/freezer. The house came with almost new DO and DW so we are working with what we have there. Not a bad idea to do a disposable microwave...going to have to look into that, thanks!

Was thinking about an icemaker--I personally don't like ice so it's not something high on my list. Do you have any suggestions on what to look for when looking at ice?

Which column are you going with?

Ah, no problem with the budget then!

We looked at just getting an icemaker and forgoing the fridge in the kitchen, but it didn't make sense cost-wise. Good icemakers are pricey. Plus, in the winter I like to throw a few frozen berries in my morning yogurt and don't want to hike down to the basement when I haven't yet had my coffee. Also nice to hold a quart of ice cream and a stick of butter. But most of our freezer capacity will be in the basement.

We're going with Miele columns - 36" fridge and 18" freezer. We spent a lot of time researching online and in and out of appliance stores before picking them. We love that they'll look no different from our cabinetry once they're paneled. We also really like the interiors and think they're superior to the Sub Zero insides. We patiently waited to locate some never installed, but out of box brand new units so we could save some $$. But even full price, it's in your range.

We thought about two fridges, but thought we'd go crazy looking for things! The 36" column seemed like a great solution.

Hope this helps!