How disappointing! Did builder have installation specs for the Thermador?

They should have considering we picked it out prior to framing. Of course, the appliance store also had the plans and should have known the Thermador refrigerator would not work in the space given wall placement. They are meant to be coming up with solutions/presenting some alternatives by Wednesday. Fingers crossed. One option is to go with a 24" refrigerator column instead of the 30", but I do worry that will feel small even though I do grocery shop regaularly versus stocking up.

try to find a best buy that has pacific kitchen and home inside the best buy store or has access to order stuff from pac sales. you want one that has Hidden hinges or flush mountable. GE, Jenn-Air should have some like that. good luck.

Let us know if they find a solution! We have a Thermador, which I like a lot, but it was only luck, not planning, that allows the door to barely clear the top of an arch when it opens beyond 90 degrees. I have no idea what we'd have done if it didn't work, so I feel your pain. Are you able to return your fridge? Maybe if you post a photo of the problem area, folks here can offer thoughts.

Proposed replacement is either a Sub Zero 48" side by side or two Sub Zero columns (30" refrigerator, 18" freezer). Really I can't complain about either outcome. The columns give the same integrated look as the Thermador columns, and the side by side is also a great unit. The appliance distributor and builder are working out the final details.

I did not realize that Thermador made a 48". I don't see it listed on their website, do you have a link to it?

Jay Walsh - We were planning on Thermador columns. 30" refrigerator, 18" freezer. I don't know whether they make a combined 48" unit.

Tell the builder to make the installation work. If he had the installation specifications then the refrigerator should fit properly. If it doesn't that is his error.

He needs a carpenter capable of doing fine finish work to come in and propose a solution. Adjust cabinets, not the fridge.

I am not sure how the Integrated SZ hinges are different from the Integrated Thermador hinges. Are you sure your installer knows how to install these types of fridges? Can you post a picture of the space that the units are supposed to fit into? You can confirm the specs for the space with the Thermador installation and design specifications.

Good luck!

Glad it worked out, and your kitchen looks fantastic. That was definitely a mistake on someone's part and would have set off Gardenweb alarm bells left and right in the design process. :). Just out of curiosity, if you have time could you post a photo of the hinges? I'm curious how they work and let you pull the drawers out.

AvatarWalt - see attached. The drawers do open all the way, thank goodness. I tried to get the hinge and the open drawer in the photo.

The Thermador/Bosch/Miele hinges (all the same) are sure impressive but your design has the unit recessed so glad the Sub Zero worked out. In our case the Thermador hinges worked great because the fridge is next to the ovens and the door swings out to avoid the oven handles. Did they try to put in the angle restriction pin on the Thermador? You can restrict the opening to 90 degrees.

Thanks for the photo--I love knowing how things work. :). Glad the problem was relatively easily resolved with no rebuilding needed, and you sure got a great looking result!

For original poster, your kitchen looks beautiful and you made great choices. I have a question regarding your layout. From this pic it looks as though your island runs transverse to your cooking and prep area rather than parallel. At this angle your prep area next to your sink is smaller unless you walk around the island. How is it working for you now that you have had a chance to use your kitchen?

Where is the grill that you typically see at the top of a Sub Zero? Is it somehow hidden behind those cabinets? Is that a standard 84" tall builtin refrigerator? Somehow it looks more the height of a stand alone fridge?