36" Counter-depth Fridge: KitchenAid or GE Cafe or other?

7 years ago

Couldn't find a recent discussion of this topic, so starting one.

I need a 36" counter-depth fridge, with french doors. Don't care about water in the door or really any other bells and whistles. Prefer simple in fact, so there's less stuff to break. And I want to maximize fridge volume as much as possible, even at the expense of freezer volume since we have a basement chest freezer.

I had narrowed it down to one of the following:

* 22 cu ft KitchenAid KRFC302ESS

I like that this one is taller than most at 72" (I'm 6'3"), and has 16.35 cu ft of fridge volume. I *think* KA is reputable among the consumer refrigerator brands. I don't like the reports I've read of a gap at the back of the shelves that small bottles fall through.

* 23 cu ft GE Cafe CWE23SSHSS

Similar price, slightly more total cu ft, though slightly smaller fridge (15.93 cu ft). And standard height (70"). GE also seems to have a good rep, though the sales guys I've talked to seem to prefer KA.

Curious to hear opinions on these? Are there others you'd recommend more? I'm not looking to jump up in price to a Liebherr or built-in, and I liked the 20.7 cu ft Bosch but wanted something bigger.

Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

Sue 430

7 years ago

I have had very bad luck with the quality of kitchenaid fridges, and even worse luck with their customer service, so they would be out for me. I ended up with the Samsung counter depth 4 door flex French door. The right side freezer compartment can be used as a freezer or fridge depending on your needs, by adjusting the temp. It has quite a bit of room, more than my old full depth fridge.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

Pam A
7 years ago
I am getting rid of a GE Cafe counter depth fridge in this size. I love the way it looks, but make sure that whatever you get has TWO cooling controls. Mine is going on 8 years old and it only has one cooling control, which means the cold air from the freezer is pumped into the fridge and any veggies will freeze if they are too close to the back of the fridge. The only safe place for a salad is in the door. I've turned the temp up in the fridge to 39F and still ... frozen celery, carrots, etc.

The GE stainless steel is easy to clean and it stays clean looking.

I'd go with the Bosch if it were me, love the look of those in the showrooms but I don't love their standard depth options (you have to get ice/water in the door, which I do not want). So, if the GE now has two separate cooling zones then I would get GE again. Aside from destroying produce I do love it, it's super pretty and the ice maker was a strong performer.
beemshake thanked Pam A
beemshake
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks Pam for the input! Both of the above have 2 evaporators, which they say provides separate climates for the freezer and fridge. To get 2 compressors you're moving up into a very different price range, probably about 2x. I know the Liebherr has 2, but it's so small despite being 80" tall due to being shallow (doors are flush with cabinets, for a built-in look).
Related Professionals
Cape Coral Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Lima Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Jacksonville Bathroom Remodelers · Baltimore Bathroom Remodelers · Spring Bathroom Remodelers · Edison Bathroom Remodelers · Manhattan Bathroom Remodelers · Coeur d'Alene Bathroom Remodelers · Portland Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Honolulu Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Huntsville Kitchen Remodelers · York Kitchen Remodelers · Saint Cloud Kitchen Remodelers · Lake City Custom Countertops · Saint George Custom Countertops
beemshake
Original Author
7 years ago
Well I settled on the Cafe. I really like the extra height of the KA, but 2 things swayed me:

1) The 2+" gap at the back of the shelves (I went and checked it out, it's significant) was sure to drive me crazy with things dropping

2) I have a corporate discount with GE that makes it hundreds cheaper than the KA
momto1then4
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
https://www.gardenweb.com/user/beemshake

I was looking at this Kitchen Aid. Also wondering if I should wait on new Bosch (B36CT80SNS).

Which model cafe did you get? Do you still like it?

I need to replace my Samsung that has water &ice in door. Nothing but headaches with it, only 4 1/2 yrs old, over $3k and can’t deal with ice maker leaking and fridge isn’t maintaining temps, lost entire contents because control panel said temp was 38 when it was in fact 65. Will never get ice in door again, many brands have problems with this.
beemshake
Original Author
7 years ago
I got the GE Cafe CWE23SSHSS, but it looks like that one has been discontinued already. And our full house remodel is just finishing up, so I won't be able to tell you how I like it until next month!
ksal2010
7 years ago
Would love to know how you like if so far. Thanks!!
beemshake
Original Author
7 years ago
So far so good! It's got a nice layout, the in-door storage is generous (can fit a gallon of milk plus something behind it), love having an ice maker that works, glad to not have in-door water/ice because it saves so much space, looks great (the handles are pretty similar to Thermador's, so matches our range + dw), ... we're really happy with it.

If I had to nitpick, the interior water dispenser is a bit annoying to me because you have to use 2 hands (one to hold your glass, the other to press the button). I've also heard that the filters are expensive and you can't use generics, though you can buy a bypass if you're fine with unfiltered tap water. I typically just drink from the tap, so none of this bothers me.

Hope that helps!
ksal2010
7 years ago
This is very helpful. Thank you so much!!