Kitchen Aid side by side refrigerator '02, can I update the handles?

7 years ago

Kitchen renovation happening - removing all old cabinets but keeping most appliances. I own a great frig; bought in 2002/2003, this Kitchen Aid KSCS25FKSS01 has never given us issues. I'm keeping that in addition to my Bosch gas cooktop & Bosch dishwasher to save money for now. I'll be purchasing a new Kitchen Aid oven/microwave combo wall unit to fit into new cabinets. The new unit will obviously have the new style handles. My plan is to eventually get the matching dishwasher and frig but it seems silly to spend the money on the refrigerator if it still works just fine.

Has anyone tried to update handles on an old frig? The current handle is a curve - top to bottom is just over 28 inches in length. I'm wondering if there's a way to add a small plate under the handle to attach them? My husband is pretty handy in the garage and I imagine we could manufacture something if they don't line up just right.. I don't know.

Anyone else done this before? Advice that could save me $3K?

Featured Answer

PN _Bos

7 years ago

Not what you asked, but here is my 2 cents....

I get not wanting to replace an appliance that still works.... just make sure the sizes of your current appliances are standard & finding replacements will be easy to find/fit in your new space. You don't want to spend tons of $$ on a new kitchen & in 6 months have the fridge break-down & be limited in what you can put in its place. We recently helped my mom renovate a kitchen & she planned to keep her appliances. Her GC pointed out her stove wasn't standard (it was weirdly big) / her fridge was kind of small & building a new kitchen around old appliances wasn't a great idea.

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Comments (8)

User
7 years ago
Nope.
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
7 years ago
I have no idea why this question comes up here so often I have never thought about the handle style on a fridge matching anything else in appliances I buy them for how they work and the different handles never enter my planning.
dthomas3211
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks - the frig is standard 36x72 so replacing isn't a problem when I'm ready. The cooktop is also a standard 30 inch. The handles on the new KA combo unit are straight bars vs the curved pull on frig. It's a big difference. Some other research I've done has shown replacement handles made by various companies. It's just a matter of lining up the holes (similar to drawer pulls).
amchogan
6 years ago
Any luck with this? I have a KA with bow style and would love to upgrade to the straight... not sure if this is an option... thx!
Shannon_WI
6 years ago
No one notices the handles. If you can recall what your friends’ and relatives’ kitchens’ appliance handles look like, I’d be amazed. Can you?
dthomas3211
Original Author
6 years ago
no luck with this - I took Shannon's advice above and stopped thinking about it. We are already over budget so curved handles on a working frig will be it for us. LOL I'll replace it later when it dies.
vickytm
4 years ago
Jesus, how can someone say the handles dont matter. I had maytag appliances and wanted that kitchenaid bar look. Measure the lenght of your current handles and go to amazon and buy based on your measurement. For my oven was a little harder, but it was done.