JennAir Panel Ready - Top Grill panel is too small

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Hi all,

A small design dilemma with our new JennAir side by side custom panel fridge. When the installer went to put in the top grille panel, he said it was too small leaving a large gap at the top and bottom. The specs say 6.5" but the actual height to cover is 7 3/4". We asked our cabinet maker to remake to 7" but they are hesitant to do anything other than what is in the dimension guide. I called JennAir and they said that the priority is to ensure airflow. I take that to mean that we can customize the size of the panel, even if it's larger than the dimension guide as long as there is sufficient air flow. Has anyone experienced this issue? Am I interpreting this correctly? I want to call the cabinetmaker again .

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Comments (5)

HU-16168550092
4 years ago
Reducing gaps is a poor idea ad it will tax the unit more than its designed to be given the size/cubic feet you are trying to cool and all that heat needs to be set free.
jane__ny
4 years ago
How about a louver panel. Lets air circulate.
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wdccruise
4 years ago
Assuming this refrigerator is one of the following...
- JS42NXFXDE 42" Panel-Ready Built-In Side-by-Side Refrigerator
- JS48NXFXDE 48" Panel-Ready Built-In Side-by-Side Refrigerator
...then a 6" gap above the refrigerator* is required if you use the open to ceiling or soffit cabinet installation according to the diagram on page 8 of the installation instructions.

-----

*plus many other requirements
Naveen Rakkar
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you for responding i am looking at this on

page 15
wdccruise
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
"page 15"

Must be a different model.

Nonetheless, the "top grille filler" -- which I presume is solid (i.e., blocked) -- is 1" while the "standard grille" -- which I presume allows air to pass through -- is only 5-3/4" high. So if the unblocked opening is at at least 5-3/4" high, I'd say you're good.