We installed a stainless Whirlpool FD without the door dispenser in March. No problems so far but it was delivered with dents in both doors, which was actually pretty funny and made for a good story. They replaced it after offering us a discount. Good luck!

Absolutely design for the taller height. We didn't, and ended up having a lot of difficulty finding a replacement fridge that would fit. I think we had a choice of one, which I suppose was better than not being able to find anything!

Thanks all for input, luckily in time to change opening to fit a 72".

our choices are now narrowed down to ge monogram, jennair, Electrolux and Viking - all in the $3-3,500 price range. Frustrating that the mfrs want to force the thru door dispenser - there's a KA fridge I love but it's not available without a dispenser:(. I am put off Samsung and LG due to the preponderance of bad reviews and negative feedback from appliance salesmen.

My Electrolux is four years old. You are probably seeing reviews for the ice maker, which was defective on the first model, but it has been redesigned. I've never had a problem with my Electrolux. Looking at the Electrolux side-by-side with KA and other models, I felt the stainless, shelves, bins, and lighting were far superior.

I've read that you should only buy GE in a stove.

I agree with you about the manufacturers forcing in the door water/ice on people. I got my KA SS counter depth about 6 years ago and was able to get it without - they no longer make it without the in the door garbage. Bah humbug! Do get the 72" height - more and more refrigerators are that height.

We have a no-ice/water-in-the-door model, CD FD Electrolux purchased in 2013. The ice maker is a nightmare, but luckily we negotiated a 10 year warranty; it has been serviced three times under the warranty. Otherwise I really like the layout and the performance of it.

Kitchenaid still has a counter depth French door refrigerator on their website without the in-door water feature, model KRFC300ESS.

I am considering the Bosch and DCS CD FD models. GE Cafe makes a 23.1 cf model, but I don't know about the reliability there.

Our Electrolux was delivered Sept. 2015. Temps never got below 45 degrees. After 4 repairs which replaced major components, a replacement of the same model was delivered Jan. 2016. More repairs and major component replacements ensued. In May 2016 our Electrolux was replaced with Kitchenaid. Could not be happier. Not as many bells and whistles but our food stays cold. YMMV.

Was close to going with the Electrolux but they no longer offer the cd fd without the dispenser. Just like keyless ignition these thru door dispensers are not optional. After so much searching and research we are getting the ge cafe cd fd fridge and dishwasher. Never thought I'd choose GE but the choices all are problematic. I have faith in our local appliance person & he recs the ge cafe. I was looking at the monogram but he informed me that the only dif between the cafe and the monogram is the handle. Otherwise identical.

I think I have the same fridge as Matt E. It's a Kitchen Aid CD FD with dispenser in the left inside and ice in the freezer. 72" high. LOVE it! Haven't had a problem with it but it's only 2 years old. My sister has the same one but full size. She's not had a problem with hers and hers is older. I got mine for an amazing price from the scratch and dent section of an independent (read: expensive) appliance store. The dent was on the side at bottom near the back and you'd never know it was there because it is completely not visible due to cabinets around it.

It's outside your list of potential brands, but we have (twice - two different remodels) bought the Fridgidaire CD model without water in the door. Around $2000 or less with discounts. No water dispenser at all (not even inside) but ice maker in the bottom freezer. We have been very happy and had no problems. Also, I think it was only 68" tall - which I know because the first time we bought it was because we were operating with an existing hole that ruled out most other brands. But ended up really being happy. People always complain about CD fridges feeling small, but this feels just like any other FD fridge. I think they claim 22.6 cubic feet? Which was the among the largest CD models out there.