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malcolm_pc

Dacor vs Fisher Paykel Refrigeration? Two units vs three?

6 years ago

Does anyone have experience with FP or Dacor?


Planning to renovate our kitchen and looking at two 30" units for the refrigeration/freezer columns.


I did initially compare these two to thermador, subzero and miele. I didnt like that subzero was the most expensive and only had one temperature and the Miele while very cool looking, had a small capacity and no water dispenser similar to thermador.


For me, the pros of the Dacor are: stainless interior, large capacity at 17.8cu3 and 17.6cu3 it has a separately controlled cooling drawer and there is an internal water dispenser.


Now you may ask, why consider the Fisher Paykel at all? Well, it's because I thought their idea of a "pantry" temperature is a really cool one and would be perfect for storing tomatoes and breads, etc. I also like that their freezers are one of the few to have two temperature zones as well so you can have your ice cream at a higher temperature than foods at longer term storage. The big downside is that the capacity is the smallest out of all the options and combined, its 3.5cu3 less than the Dacor.


The caveat here is, they are also about $1600 cheaper than FP and so we could likely afford to also get the FP cool drawer in our pantry for even more flexibility for $1000 more . . . but even still, it only is 3.1cu.


I guess the real question is, is it worth spending $1000 more to get a bit more flexibility in temperature control for the same amount of space. The other slight downside is that the cool drawer from FP is a slightly odd shape and while it fits in our pantry, it would throw the design off just a bit. I am attaching a rendering of it with the drawer in vs not.

Without the FP Cool Drawer


With the FP Cool Drawer

Comments (15)

  • 6 years ago

    There’s no substitute for SZ.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    What @User said.

    SZ is the innovator of refrigeration. The first with dual processors. The first to put the compressors on top of the fridge, where they collect less dust than under the fridge, and they’re easier to service.

    One temperature? Read up on SZ, and learn about their filtration system, which keeps food fresh longer. SZ also is the best insulated fridge on the market. During Hurricane Sandy when we were without power for two weeks, the food in our SZ fridge stayed cold for 9 days. Even the ice stayed frozen. Everyone we knew with lesser fridges, had to dispose of their food after day two.

    When we sold that home, that fridge was 28 years old, and still going strong. In our new (to us) home, there was no question that we would get another SZ when we renovated the kitchen. This time, we got the 42” FD model...marvelous appliance. I expect it to last many, many years.

    On top of that, SZ has the best customer service in the business.

    SZ has no equal.

  • 6 years ago

    Have there been any issues with Fischer Paykel or Dacor? Are they bad refrigerators?

  • 6 years ago

    Can’t speak to FP, but read this review from Yale Appliances...SZ v Dacor: https://blog.yaleappliance.com/dacor-vs-sub-zero-columns, which could help you. The brands are nearly the same in price, with Dacor a bit more expensive, something I didn’t expect. Also didn’t know that Dacor sold out to Samsung, so it’s no longer an American company.

  • 6 years ago

    "SZ is the innovator of refrigeration. ... The first to put the compressors on top of the fridge ..."
    GE "Monitor Top" Refrigerator

    :-)

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    @dadoes, yup, and there’s a reason why those GE units introduced in 1927 ceased to be.

    “The first refrigerator to see widespread use was the General Electric "Monitor-Top" refrigerator introduced in 1927, so-called, by the public, because of its resemblance to the gun turret on the ironclad warship USS Monitor of the 1860s.[10] The compressor assembly, which emitted a great deal of heat, was placed above the cabinet, and enclosed by a decorative ring. Over a million units were produced. As the refrigerating medium, these refrigerators used either sulfur dioxide, which is corrosive to the eyes and may cause loss of vision, painful skin burns and lesions, or methyl formate, which is highly flammable, harmful to the eyes, and toxic if inhaled or ingested. Many of these units are still functional today, after requiring little more service than a replacement start relay or thermostat if at all. These cooling systems cannot legally be recharged with the hazardous original refrigerants if they leak or break down.”

    Besides, those had just one compressor, not two. We can say then, that SZ is the innovator of modern refrigeration, with duel processors on top of the fridge.

  • 6 years ago

    Most of Dacor's current offering is Samsung-designed and built. Some of the cooking products called "Heritage" are closer to what Dacor used to be. It's been several years since the company was sold.

    Malcolm thanked Michelle misses Sophie
  • 6 years ago

    Thank you @darbuka! The review was very helpful. Not sure when the article was written as the SZ is slightly above Dacor in price but not so much that its an issue. I guess what I have to decide is if freshness is more important than tech? I like the tech of Dacor but if it doesnt do its job (ie keep food fresh) then what is the point?


    Im still loving the versatility of Fisher Paykel though with their pantry temperature too

  • 6 years ago

    I can’t say anything about FP, but if Dacor was bought by Samsung, I wouldn't take risks (personally my opinion, I had a Samsung washer, which I had to throw away after 2 years). I've been using the SZ refrigerator for almost 10 years so far there have been no problems.

  • 6 years ago

    https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5704792/are-dacor-ranges-and-fridges-any-good I just came across this thread so it seems like Dacor is probably no good.


    So I guess I have to decide between SZ and FP?

  • 5 years ago

    @Malcom, which one did you end up purchasing? I am considering FP. I did some research on Consumer report. Reliability is not bad (4/5) and it looks like the customer satisfaction is high. One of the salesman Ive spoke with said FP is a reliable company and their refrigerator is a safe bet. I am looking for more reviews but can't find enough.

  • 5 years ago

    @Jeannie Kim we are just starting the kitchen reno but ultimately decided on FP. The reason was that the Dacor seemed like a cheaper brand and although the pricing of FP was cheap, the quality was not and we like the versatility of their temperatures over other options like Miele (particularly in the freezer)

  • 5 years ago

    @Malcolm we too decided on the two of the FP 32 inch bottom refrigerators. We are also in reno just finalizing the kitchen design. I think they are going to look fascinating!

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Would either of you who put in the 2 FP units share photos and info? We have been waiting on the Frigidaire units for over a year and I’m thinking of switching to the 2 FP units. I’d like to pair them and I’m wondering if I need anything special. I think the Frigidaire has a heater that goes between their units. Do I need that with pairing 2 of the FP units? What trim kit did you use? Thank so much for any info!

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