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robbin_capers

Does this refrigerator exist?

5 years ago

We're planning on a counter depth side-by-side fridge, but I can't find one without the external water dispenser. I'd much rather have a cleaner look and less wasted space and since we have excellent tap water, we really won't use it. The only ones I see are the $10K Sub Zeros and the like. There are some in standard depth but that won't work. Can anyone help me find a reasonably-priced fridge?

Comments (21)

  • 5 years ago

    Not sure about full side by side, but Bosch has lots of french door styles. We bought this one and love it:

    https://www.bosch-home.com/us/productslist/refrigerators/fridge-freezers/freestanding-fridge-freezers-with-freezer-at-bottom/B36CL80ENS


    Robbin Capers thanked lmp1959
  • 5 years ago

    Why side by side? The two people I know who have side by side counter depth refrigerators wish they had french door and can't wait to replace. We have a french door kitchenaid counter depth and it has water on the inside and an amazing ice maker in the freezer. Best fridge we've ever owned.

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks, lmp1959, but we both hate French door fridges for all sorts of reasons, and are trying to find something very specific.

  • 5 years ago

    Owned a Bosch side by side with water dispenser for 15 years, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!


  • 5 years ago

    itsourcasa, we've both had French door fridges and can't stand them. The freezer drawer is a pit of despair and you constantly have to open both doors to get anything out, and then the doors don't shut properly. I'm happy you love your fridge, but the French door model we have now is slowly driving us insane. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

  • 5 years ago

    Again, I'm looking for one without the water dispenser.

  • 5 years ago

    @Robbin Capers I get it, but it totally depends on the brand, we don't have any of those issues with our french door. Have you had a side by side before? I don't think you'll find what you're looking for unless you go built-in.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    This is pretty easy to accomplish. Search for a side by side refrigerator with no icemaker and have an icemaker installed.

    https://www.homedepot.com/b/Appliances-Refrigerators-Side-by-Side-Refrigerators/No-Ice-Maker/N-5yc1vZc3q0Z1z0v5m8

    ETA: I know the whirlpool version comes with all the necessary holes and things predrilled for the icemaker and the kit costs like $100. I suspect that the Maytag does the same thing as they are the same parent company.

  • 5 years ago

    bry911, those are all standard depth, except for the Forno which is narrower. I'm looking for counter depth. Believe me, if I could find it on Home Depot's site I wouldn't be asking about it here. I'm just hoping someone knows of a specific model that I haven't seen yet. I've looked all over and can't find this specific thing.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I tried Aj Madison, nothing...something has to give...Your choices are either the water on display, the depth, or French door...

  • 5 years ago

    lucky, if nobody can come up with a specific model I'll just get the stupid water dispenser (our 14yo thinks it's cool so at least we have that going for us). We'll have another freezer in the garage so the wasted space isn't that huge a deal and in ten years when it dies and we have the house paid down maybe I'll spring for a commercial or built-in model. Our house is a pretty minimalist design though, so a clean face would be excellent if I can find it.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    (not a pro) Have you tried looking at columns? Unless I'm mistaken, I have found some on AJ Madison that are counter depth with no water dispenser. They can be installed separately or together. Here's one. And hopefully this will show a list with a few options. I'm with you - I don't like water dispensers on the door... it seems like they take forever to fill a glass and I like the clean look. (I have good tap water AND a separate water cooler for 5 gallon jugs.) I got tired of using the freezer in the French door model in my old house - it seemed hard to find things. Now I have a side by side and was surprised at how much I like it.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I hear you Robbin, I also hate the water in the door...

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Instead of worrying about whether the refrigerator has a water dispenser, look at the capacity of the appliance with or without. The Sub-Zero BI36SSTH 36" wide refrigerator (without water dispenser) has a total capacity of 20.6 cubic feet. The Frigidaire FFSC2323TS 36" wide refrigerator (with a water dispenser) has a capacity of 22.2 cubic feet. Of course, there's no requirement that you run a water line to the refrigerator or use the ice maker.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Wondering if you’ve looked at recessing your fridge. It depends on your kitchen - some people have space behind the fridge to carve out drywall 4-6”, and then push back a full-depth fridge into the recess so that it appears counterdepth.

    Also remember that if your fridge is not an integrated style (the way the Subzeros, Thermadors, and Mieles are), you must allow space for the doors to stick out proud of the adjoining cabinetry, so that the doors are able to open. This forum sees many posts with people trying to have their counterdepth fridge be flush with adjacent cabinetry, and then they can’t cause the doors don’t open, so I am just saying this with those many posts in mind.

  • 5 years ago

    There isn't a good answer for what you are seeking. If you go up to a 42", there are a few models, GE Monogram and KitchenAid. The bottom freezer with single door is still available in a 36", but it's not counter depth. The other option is the column design, Thermador makes a very nice one.

    I hate side by side, the ones that I have had always freeze my produce in the refrigerator if I put it too close to the shared wall. We have a 42" KA built-in that came with this house. The shelves in the freezer are always coming off the rails. This is a problem that is common to the other side by side units I have owned. We also have a 36" KA Architect II French Door that is very nice. I brought it from another house for extra freezer capacity and it's in the garage. From an energy standpoint, the bottom freezer is the most energy efficient.

    Essentially you will have to give on one of the items you don't want.

  • 5 years ago

    Imp1959, I just started looking more closely at the one you posted and it looks so great! The freezer is actually well organized! And the separate produce drawer is awesome! So much produce storage! And the ethylene gas absorber! Aagh! My partner is the primary French-door hater, but I do loathe the one we have now (a Maytag that's incredibly annoying). This one actually looks amazing though!

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    @Robbin Capers I have to say it's a great design for us. The produce drawer is awesome- definitely keeps everything fresh longer.One thing I did not expect is that when I have the door(s) open it actually allows me to set things on the "shelf" created. Just super convenient. Also, the freezer is very well designed with much more space and better organization than our previous bottom freezer Jenn Aire. We have a minimalist aesthetic as well and love the integrated handles- got the same for the DW. Good luck.

  • 5 years ago

    lmp1959, Does it have soft close doors/drawers? We have an issue sometimes not getting the doors quite shut on the one we have now. Do they close smoothly on the Bosch?