Sub Zero, Viking, Monogram, Kitchenaid Refrigerator… advice needed!

9 years ago

Hi! We are doing a full kitchen reno and are having a difficult time deciding upon a refrigerator.

We need a minimum of 28 cubic feet, I far prefer side-by-side, and we want to go with a counter depth/built in. We want something that will last as we intend to stay in this home through retirement (18-20+ years).

Our initial pick was the Kitchenaid KBSD618ESS which is 29.5 cu ft. I’ve had Kitchenaid before, my current has lasted 19 years. However, I’m concerned about the current quality of appliances now.

My husband and I have tossed around the idea of a panel ready, although the Kitchenaid panel ready version is rated very low – something I don’t understand as it seems to be the identical refrigerator as the stainless steel model, rated fairly high.

Recently we’ve wondered if perhaps since we already intend to spend a great deal on the counter depth Kitchenaid, we might look into other higher end brands. Below are those which pretty much fit our wishes and are also panel ready:

Sub-Zero BI48SO 28.3 Cu. Ft

Viking Professional 5 Series FDSB5483 29.1 Cu. Ft

Monogram ZISB480DK 30.1 Cu. Ft.

Monogram ZIS480NK 29.9 Cu. Ft.

- if there are other brands that meet our needs, we are woefully unaware and would appreciate any help!

I’ll add the following: I understand the concept of not overspending for your neighborhood, and frankly, I don’t think anyone in our neighborhood has a Sub Zero or Viking, and perhaps not even a counter depth or built in. Our home is older, and mid-sized. We’ve no desire to impress anyone with a refrigerator – this would strictly be for our enjoyment and use – and longevity/quality. We appreciate quality and utility, and have spent ‘above’ our area prior, where it met our needs.

I also understand when we say we wish to stay in a home through retirement, we can never say ‘never’ as regards to a later need to sell. However, barring something catastrophic, we don’t intend to move in the next 20 years.

Our other appliance choices are not what I assume most would consider ‘high end’, we do not care about appliance matching, and are more concerned with finding appliances that meet our needs. The dishwasher and range will be stainless steel, the vent will have cabinetry.

Any advice on these brands – we are frankly unfamiliar with higher end brands (or any others that have 28 cubic feet or larger built-ins) - as regards longevity, ability to repair, and convenience of options would be most appreciated.

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Comments (4)

plllog
9 years ago
It sounds to me like you want the SubZero but are having trouble justifying it. It's by far the best fridge of the ones you've named. You seem to have very realistic expectations and a good understanding of the context and variables.

If you have plenty of cash and the SZ is a luxury you're thinking you will enjoy even though it's above the grade of the rest of the appliances and neighborhood, go for it!

If you're financing the remodel, and will be paying interest on many thousands of dollars more for a luxury that's above the grade of the rest of your appliances and neighborhood, take a really good look and make darned sure it's worth the debt. I adore high end fridges with their high end performance, but the marginal difference per dollar is quite low. For most people, it's just not worth it.

Are you confident in your choice of cooking appliance(s)? That's the one that usually has the biggest impact on pleasure in cooking and the kitchen, and that's usually where people will put their extra luxury money.

One thing about the SZ is that with some maintenance and perhaps occasional repairs as parts wear out, it should last you for as long as you're in the house.
2ManyDiversions thanked plllog
maire_cate
9 years ago
I can't comment on the current crop of SZ but as I've posted many times I purchased the 501 All Freezer and 501 All Refrigerator in 1987. There have been repairs over the years but I have a great local service company and SZ's customer service has been top notch.

We're downsizing soon and are remodeling the kitchen of our next house in an over 55 community. Our 42" SZ French door is sitting in the garage waiting installation. I can't imagine that it will last 30 years but then again I doubt I will either.

We're also putting in a 30" BlueStar range, a Bosch DW and a Thermador wall oven. I don't think there are too many high end appliances in this neighborhood but since we're leaving a wonderful kitchen behind when we leave we selected these because it's what we want.
2ManyDiversions thanked maire_cate
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2ManyDiversions
Original Author
9 years ago
plllog, thank you for your response. I’m finding the wonderful thing about GW is I often get more than I asked for: Are you confident in your choice of cooking appliance(s)? That's the one that usually has the biggest impact on pleasure in cooking and the kitchen, and that's usually where people will put their extra luxury money. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, and I will revisit our other appliance choices.

I commend you for adding: If you're financing the remodel, and will be paying interest on many thousands of dollars more for a luxury … make darned sure it's worth the debt. I’m retiring from personal and commercial financing, and am often baffled by the fact people often overlook the increase in cost interest adds, as well as lack of understanding amortization schedules and the like. I hope others read your comment and take this into consideration.
2ManyDiversions
Original Author
9 years ago
maire_cate, thank you for your response as well. We’ve put a lot of thought and investigation into retirement options, and in the end realized we were already in our retirement home. We hope this to be our first full remodel, and our last. Your comments regarding your appliance choices reinforce plldog’s, and again, I feel it wise to revisit our choices, spending as much time and effort in the choice of appliances as we’ve given our other decisions.