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FISHER PAYKEL, BLOMBERG, LIEBHERR, OR SUBZERO REFRIGERATORS?

10 years ago

I am looking for a counter-depth refrigerator 31-33" wide. I've ruled out the Samsung due to many bad reviews. Fisher Paykel has two models, around $2,000; one French door, and one bottom freezer, both around 17 cubic ft. Blomberg has a model for under $2,000. Liebherr's is $4,279, and SubZero's is over $8,000! I won't have water/ice through the door as I've read that's the source of many problems. After all the negative reviews I've read, I'm almost willing to pay for the SZ. I appreciate any help you can offer.

Comments (19)

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    In that width you are looking at a rebadged Subzero not worth the cost. FP are nice looking but always odd interior space not USA friendly. Very compartmentalized.


    I totally agree with water or ice in the door as source of issues. Now every mfg thinks we need digital displays that will only compound the issues.


    I have a Samsung and have had zero issues in the 8 months. The only problem is you have to watch blocking the freezer air flow or you will get frost. LOL, I guess that is a problem.


    There are a lot of options in that range but not many without water and ice. If you need a built in look fridge then go FP but again not for an avg family of 4.

  • 10 years ago

    Thanks for all that. We are just a couple, with two farmer's markets nearby so no need to stock up on produce. I think the FP would be fine and I like the way there are many shelf-shifting options. One common complaint with the Samsung 33" model is the lack of adaptability of the shelves. Basically I want quiet and reliable. I overthink these decisions and come across too many negative reviews that scare me.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    I had a Fisher Paykel bottom freezer and it was quiet and reliable. I replaced it with a Sub-Zero which is noisy as hell, like a small plane flying around the kitchen. When I complained about it they did nothing because the sound was within their standards (seriously, its really really loud). I hate it and would never buy another product from Wolf/Sub-Zero.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Subzero is an excellent product which is why they hardly ever discount. I've had 2--one lasted 27 years and the other is 2 years old. Well worth the price if you can swing it. No problems ever unless you don't vacuum the motor. They look great and work wonderfully--mine is very quiet except when the ice cubes drop into the bucket!

  • 10 years ago
    The only person I knew who had a SubZero (saved up for it) HATED it. One problem after the other. So I dunno. We have just been looking at Miele and really liked the build quality so that is what we are leaning towards.

    We were disappointed with the Liebherr. The shelves and interior fittings felt really cheaply done for the cost of the fridge on the ones we looked at. For the price I feel like the interior should be nicer than a garden variety fridge from Sears, you know?
  • 10 years ago

    Does anyone have any experience with the Blomberg refrigerators? Considering one for my kitchen but haven't heard anything good/bad about them.

  • 9 years ago

    Does anyone have any experience with a Bertazzoni refrigerator? I like the look and feel of it but can't seem to find any comments. If you have one is it quiet or noisy. It will be in our great room where we spend all our time.

  • 9 years ago

    I've had my Liebherr 24" since my renovation, over 8 years ago. I don't have the version with ice maker and I've never had a problem with it. It has separate compressors for the refrigerator and freezer, tells you if a door isn't closed completely or if the temperature needs adjusting, has beautiful lines and is incredibly easy to open. Also, it is very quiet, which is important as my kitchen is close to my bedroom. I would buy a Liebherr again in a heartbeat.

  • 9 years ago

    Once you are converted to a sub-zero you can never go back!!!!!!!

  • 7 years ago

    We just lost our Subzero to mechanical failure are in year 15. In year 3, the compressor had to be replaced (it was under warrantee but did not pay labor, IIRC). Now the controller for the compressor, the coil next to it and the compressor have failed. Compressor was vacuumed (and in fact looks pretty good - it may not need to be replaced this time, but the repairman says it probably will need to be, and it's not the most expensive part). It would cost about $3000-4000 to repair.


    We are devastated as we love the refrigerator's looks (all refrigerator, glass door) and until about a year ago, it kept everything really cold. Looking back, the mechanical failure probably started then, but it was imperceptible (repairman says freon was leaking, so the whole line needs replacing and recharging - one reason it is so expensive). Argh. I'm still not over it. In reading lots of reviews on line, I can see we aren't the only ones with a dead SubZero well before the 25 years we had hoped for.


    The indoor light failed at 6 months, which was sad. It is not the bulb, it's something about the electronics.


    But our love affair with SubZero is definitely over.

  • 7 years ago

    Updating my previous comment, it's now over 10 years and have yet to have a problem (knock wood). I'm still in love.


  • PRO
    6 years ago

    We've had our Sub Zero for 18 years and have only had one service call. We have the 36" with bottom freezer and the only complaint is that the freezer is too small for our needs. So next house, we'll probably get a side by side, and it will probably be Sub Zero.

  • 6 years ago

    Going to throw in some love for Fisher Paykel which we've had since remodeling 3 or 4 years ago. Did get the model without an ice maker, which I've heard tends to be the source of trouble for most brands.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I have had a subzero refrigerator, freezer and wine cellar/refrigerator combo for 18 years and no repairs needed. Not only that the refrigerator is superior in food preservation. I found it a huge splurge during my remodel, but after buying a run-of-the mill refrigerator for my summer home I am convinced a SZ is worth the investment up front.

  • 6 years ago

    We are putting in a counter depth Blomberg fridge this week. Happy to update this post after using it for a month. Here were our considerations for choosing this over Fisher Pykel, LG, and Frigidaire or GE.

    • Simple, sleek design. The storage was open, shelves are easy to move. And the deli drawer in the fridge pulled out almost the full depth. If I remember correctly, the Fisher Pykel we looked at at a similar price point had shelves that were the full width of the fridge, not split apart so you can have various heights easily.
    • Smudge proof finish.
    • Not fussy-- I get too worried when there are too many features to maintain. I liked the simplicity of the water dispenser on the inside of the door. Not having it in the door on the outside freed up more space in the fridge for storage.
    • One of the big selling points of a blomberg is the lighting for the produce to stay fresh longer. Really, that isn't why we decided to buy it, but I guess it will be nice to have.
    • We liked the freezer drawer size and design. While it is advertised to make boatloads of ice, it was really the simplicity again of the two drawer design and the freezer didn't feel "cheap. " Some of the Kitchen Aid and Jenn Air options had wire rack drawers for more $. So did the Frigidaire.

    After we use it for awhile we will let you know how it is working. I will note we bought this separately from our Stove/Dishwasher/Microwave package. Those are all Maytag. But we were able to get a discount still at our appliance store for a "bundle"


    Good luck!

  • 6 years ago

    Hi Rebecca. We're trying to decide between the 24 inch blomberg and the 25 inch fisher paykel. Any updates on your experience with the Blomberg?

  • 5 years ago

    @Rebecca Mauri How do you like the blomberg fridge? It's in the cart!

  • 5 years ago

    Yes how do you like it