36" CD Fridge Advice

9 years ago

I'll start off by admitting that I have already spent WAY too many hours researching appliances... It's overwhelming!! Our original design called for a 42" fridge, but I am opting for a 36" instead to open up more brand options to us. We'll have a 2nd full fridge in basement (family of 5).

So! I'd love to hear recent reviews on your CD, integrated fridge! We're considering Miele, Liebherr, Thermador and possibly SZ. The latter is troubling me, because it is just so freaking expensive!! The husband feels most comfortable with Thermador Freedom, because he knows the brand, but it doesn't get very good reviews.
Here's what's important to us: cost, fully integrated, panel ready, dual compressors, functionality, reliability. I'm willing to pay for the SZ if it's truly worth the cost, I suppose.

Featured Answer

rococogurl

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

@Colonial - Yes I was fitting it into a 24" deep space which today is a bit short. However, because it was a retrofit the frame that covers the cabinet cut out rests on the face of the cabinet. With new cabinets the frame could be recessed to fit flush.

I loathe protruding fridges but this one is acceptable as the frame keeps things very neat. Here is a profile shot.

There are actually 3 drawers. The big one on the bottom divides into 2 and has separate controls. The divider can be removed to make it one drawer if you like. That changes the atmospherics in there but it will hold a ton.

There is also a little "deli" drawer attached to the underside of the first shelf. It slides and can be positioned anywhere. I use it for small items. I also added a plastic bin (found at BBB) which fits across the shelf and use that for medium size things like cheese, meats etc that slide around.

The lighting in this fridge is amazing. The doors hold a ton.

I like the two tier bottom basket in the freezer -- again my smaller stuff goes on top and the bottom bin also has a divider which I find handy.

My previous fridge had 2 small crispers and a pull out drawer that went across the entire bottom. It wasn't very deep but it was very handy. I do miss that but I don't miss the lid that broke and cost $300 to replace LOL. Nor do I miss the single zone for the fridge and the freezer.

People often ask what the difference is between a standard fridge and a b-i. It gets mentioned sometimes but one big difference is the dual compressors. The fridge doesn't draw cold from the freezer. So ice cream never gets soft. And lettuce & strawberries don't go bad in 2 days the way they did in the old fridge. Nothing freezes or ices. I've had strawberries keep almost 2 weeks, which is unnecessary. But less spoilage is definitely significant.

We also have a garage fridge which I found necessary for extra drinks and other general overflow.

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Comments (6)

User
9 years ago
There are bad reviews for all appliance brands so not sure I would use that as a primary source of information. I talked to the local Thermador repairman recently on another issue. He said the Freedom columns are very reliable and almost all the repair calls they get are due to misuse not mechanical failure. He said he would love to have one in his home.
Colonial Remodel thanked User
Colonial Remodel
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks, @Stan Z. That's helpful to know!
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Melissa Johnson
9 years ago
I just posted this exact picture in another thread below, sorry if you've seen it. We used 30" Thermador columns- very happy 2+ years later. I have been impressed with all of the Thermador appliances, and previously had and was happy with Wolf/SZ. I can highly recommend the Thermador.
Colonial Remodel thanked Melissa Johnson
rococogurl
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I explored this subject in great depth a few years back. Here is the thread link.

The thread is very long but contains many critical details on the purchase of a built in 36" fridge and, specifically, details on my two finalists: SZ and Miele. The others were all worthy but the build quality and sturdiness of the finalists were above the others in my estimation. People love their Thermadors but I found it to be expensive when compared to the Miele.

The SZ was 2K more than the Miele and I was ready to go for it although I didn't care for the big grill on top. So in the end, I went with Miele. That was 3 years ago and I can report an excellent experience with the Miele since then. My issue was toughness for power outages and I am pleased to report the Miele has weathered them all. The interior lighting is outstanding. I like the glass shelves and door storage a lot. It's not a bossy fridge -- doesn't make a lot of storage decisions for you. It's fairly open plan, easy to clean and has been trouble free. The Miele sticks out an inch or so from my cabinets but the frame and the style of the door almost make it look integrated. I did buy a 5-year warranty. 0 issues otherwise. Great refrigeration and keeping power.

This fridge does require changing out a water filter. They like it done twice a year but I have excellent filtration in my house so I do it once. So far it has presented 0 issues and the filter is very easy to change.

Hope this helps.
Colonial Remodel thanked rococogurl
Colonial Remodel
Original Author
9 years ago
@johnsoro25, thanks for the pic! I did see it in another thread. Beautiful!

@rococogurl, thanks for the old thread! I read through all of it. Is your Miele not exactly flush because you were fitting it into a pre-existing space? One thing that concerns me is that there are only 2 drawers, am I correct on that? I love those wide deli drawers. We had a Samsung in our previous kitchen remodel and LOVED it - if we weren't going for the completely integrated look, I would just buy that one again. Never had any issues in 8 years and replaced the water filter twice a year.