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sherchicago

High end fridge/freezer or freezer only w/ NO ice maker?

7 years ago

I have a stand alone, clear ice maker that I prefer to freezer ice. Also Freezer ice takes up an inordinate amount of space in the freezer from mechanical to storage. I currently have the Sub Zero 700 series that used to let you buy the freezer WITHOUT the ice maker, but they have discontinued that product. Do anyone know of any high end built in brands either a fridge freezer combo or freezer only that give you the option of no ice maker?

Comments (30)

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I don't know any, specifically, but we have a fairly inexpensive fridge/freezer combo, and I just asked the guys installing it to forget hooking up the ice maker. There is a fairly small rectangular box in the freezer labeled, "Equip. for ice maker. Break out to install ice maker wiring." We left it intact. Maybe that's an option for the high end stuff, too?

  • 7 years ago

    My Fisher and Paykel doesn’t have ice or water. Not sure if that’s high end enough for you but it’s a great fridge.

  • 7 years ago

    We have a Scotsman ice maker that makes the tiny cubes of really good ice. we love it. So when we installed our 36” SZ refrigerator, we simply did not run a water line to the frig ice maker. The beast is impossible to pull out easily and I don’t want ice from it...plus I don’t have to worry about a water line leaking.


    sherchicago thanked ILoveRed
  • 7 years ago

    True residential is what we're going with. They don't put ice makers in their fridge/freezer combos or their stand alone freezer columns. https://true-residential.com/Products/

  • 7 years ago

    LG LFCC22426S 23 cu. ft. Counter Depth 3-Door French Door Refrigerator in Stainless Steel ($1450) - has icemaker but not in door

    Fhiaba BI36BROBrilliance Series 36 Inch Counter Depth Built In Refrigerator ($6400) - cheapest built-in, full-size with no icemaker on appliancesconnection.com

  • 7 years ago

    I don't use the ice maker in my SZ. It's turned off as is the water source. I just use the drawer for regular freezer storage.

  • 7 years ago

    '

    Fhiaba BI36BROBrilliance Series 36 Inch Counter Depth Built In Refrigerator ($6400) - cheapest built-in, full-size with no icemaker on appliancesconnection.com'


    I can't even pronounce the name. That price is ABSOLUTELY INSANE!!!!!!!!!!! ALL they are doing is RIPPING PEOPLE OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They don't have to sell allot to make ALLOT of money!!!!!!!

  • 7 years ago

    sherrilllinn, if you're having trouble finding no ice makers in freezers, as Fun2BHere said, the SZ ice maker (and you'd want to check on this with each model) of our in-freezer only ice maker is exactly the same width/height as the two drawers just below it, and about 2-3/4" shallower (the ice maker sits directly behind it), so yes, easily used as storage drawer.

  • 7 years ago

    Fhiaba has apparently been around for a long time in Italy, but they have had trouble entering the US market. If I recall correctly, they make the refrigerators for Dacor. So, that might be another option.

    In the past, Fhiaba has been selling their refrigerators online at a very healthy discount to make up for the fact that their dealer and service network in the US is extremely sparse. I don't know if that's still the case. Supposedly, their appliances are high quality, but that doesn't help if it is impossible to find service for them. On the other hand, since they use the same parts as Dacor, that is somewhat reassuring. You could always buy replacement parts for the more well-known brand if you needed service.

    I also like the suggestion for True Residential. I don't have first-hand experience with their residential line, but we have one of their commercial refrigerators in our garage and I am extremely happy with it. Great appliance.

  • 7 years ago

    Wow, I have not heard of True Residential or Fhiba. I have a little apprehension getting lesser know brands, but because of repair/part issues and repairman's familiarity with the product. Maybe I just have to disconnect the water line and deal with the mechanical parts eating up my cubic feet of space. Hate to pay for something I'll never use, there was a price reduction back when Sub Zero allowed it as an option. :(

    thank you all for you help

  • 7 years ago

    Huh, just realized that True Residential is the True of commercial fridges.

  • 7 years ago

    Perlick would be another one to look into, they just recently added columns to their lineup. Only one freezer column model it looks like (24"W), but no ice maker. They're another brand that's bigger on the commercial side than they are residential.

  • 7 years ago

    True Residential is one of those manufacturers that hides it's US prices. It's smallest refrigerator (model TR42SBSSSB) is a 42" monster priced at CA$17,329 (about US$13,140).

  • 7 years ago

    True’s prices are readily available in any of the showrooms/appliance dealers that carry the line. We have 5 kids, so we’re doing two 30” column refrigerators, and then a 36” freezer column (different/cheaper brand) in the pantry. The 30” columns are around $7k each, so yeah, pricey. They’re an amazing brand. Deployed 6 times in the military, and in the darkest, dustiest, no-maintenance-having corners of the world, there were the True refrigerators and freezers, working smooth as can be.

    sherchicago thanked Gabe
  • 7 years ago

    in the darkest, dustiest, no-maintenance-having corners of the world, there were the True refrigerators and freezers, working smooth as can be.


    I am not surprised. We decided to buy a commercial True refrigerator for our garage despite the fact that True won't extend warranty on any of their commercial units when installed in a residential setting. That appliance is built like a tank. I had not concerns at all about putting it into our house. The commercial model is probably just a little bit too noisy for use in a kitchen. But other than that, I can only recommend it. It no-nonsense, but that just means there is nothing that can break.

  • 7 years ago

    I totally understand buying a high end fridge for the wow factor (I’ll buy one for looks myself) but I think it’s hilarious how some rationalize this with “built like a tank”.


    Uh, I’ve had ultra low end fridges when I lived in apartments and mid-grade fridges in my houses. From $300 to $3000.


    i don’t know what y’all do with fridges but mine always worked trouble free. If I just wanted something that keeps food cold, I’d just buy a $300 white box from Walmart.


    These $20k fridge/freezer units are really mostly showpieces.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago
    • Whirlpool WRS315SNHM 36" side-by-side refrigerator without icemaker $898
    • True Residential TR42SBSSSB 42" refrigerator without icemaker CA$17,329 (about US$13,140).
    • 2019 Nissan Versa S MSRP $12,460
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Thank you all for your input. After reading all the notes, I'm going to seriously consider the Fisher Paykel or the Sub Zero again. Don't want to spend over much over 10K. I am not buying it for the "wow" factor as some have mentioned. I like the way the integrated fridges look in a kitchen as opposed to a stand alone and since I am building, I have that ability. My original question was--is there an integrated higher end fridge that doesn't have an ice maker? Thank you to those who answered that question.

  • 7 years ago

    "It's not unusual that you can buy spare parts even decades later, whereas consumer models frequently stop stocking them at the same time they change the model."

    FALSE. Replacement parts are available for years or even decades after production ceases. Examples:

    • 154 parts are available for a 2005 Whirlpool dishwasher.
    • 109 parts are available for a 2004 Kenmore stove

    "Where a Samsung fridge might die after 5 years (lots of reports of that in this forum) and you are lucky if it reaches 10 years"

    FALSE. The AVERAGE life expectancy of a US refrigerator is 13 years. Source.

    "cheaper models frequently have food freeze in the back and be insufficiently chilled in the front."

    FALSE. In Consumer Reports testing there was no relationship between temperature uniformity and the price of the refrigerator.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    wdccruise,

    • Whirlpool WRS315SNHM 36" side-by-side refrigerator without icemaker $898
    • True Residential TR42SBSSSB 42" refrigerator without icemaker CA$17,329 (about US$13,140).
    • 2019 Nissan Versa S MSRP $12,460


    All depends on what you want to spend your money on, and how that amount relates to your net worth. The house I‘m currently building costs 17 times as much as the first house I bought 15 yrs ago, but since that time, and through hard work, my income and net worth have dramatically increased. So the $14,000 I’m spending on a refrigerator feels like $800 to me. I‘m not bragging, but I am saying that it‘s just as uncouth of you to try to belittle someone for spending money on an expensive fridge, as it would be for me to mock you for not being able to.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago
    • "I‘m currently building costs 17 times as much as the first house..."
    • "the $14,000 I’m spending on a refrigerator feels like $800 to me."

    You are bragging.

  • 7 years ago

    “You are bragging.”

    FALSE.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Regarding longevity, our last fridge, a Whirlpool, was 18 years old... and we are giving it away as it's still very nice and running perfectly. The ice maker had a couple minor repairs, and never once did anything leak. Fridge before that was also reasonably priced, and when I sold the home I sold it with the house, also older model, ice maker never broke, still in working order. However, it should be noted these were older models, therefore manufactured back when quality control was better, IMO. I honestly can't speak to that now. It does concern me, though. I replaced 18 year old still working perfectly washer and dryer set with a new set a few months ago, and bought an extended warranty (something I never did before, and never needed). Hope we won't need it.

    This time around we purchased a Sub Zero to replace our Whirlpool - wanted a much larger fridge, and built-in. FWIW, it was not remotely $20,000. We purchased it for the 2 condensers, the reputation, and the fact it's simply a nicer fridge as regards what is inside. We are an older couple, with savings for retirement, and the fridge was affordable to us, albeit I would never consider it inexpensive.

  • 7 years ago

    We renovate and flip homes or sometimes keep them as rental properties. We have gotten many calls over the years about new and less expensive branded (whirlpool, samsung, GE) refrigerators. We have a Sub Zero (2 actually) in our personal home and have never had an issue.

  • 6 years ago

    I thinkkenmore-61215 is best high end fridge. It comes with storages capacity of 20.8 cu and adjustable split shelves. It is fridge freezer combo.

  • 6 years ago

    I’m seriously look at True, because we have seven kids and costco runs. They’re great if you need durability and capacity.

  • 6 years ago

    We have a True commercial refrigerator in the garage. Very happy with it. Built like a tank. No unnecessary bells and whistles. All stainless steel. And price was very competitive.

    The downside is that it's noisier than a residential model. And it doesn't come with warranty when installed in a residential space.

    True also makes models for the residential market. But they're noticeable more expensive

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago
  • 5 years ago

    Hi sherrilllinn, I am having the same problem. What did you end up with? Thanks!