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Refrigerator-Counter Depth

3 years ago

We are searching for counter depth fridge, and finding more questions than solutions. It appears that we have more chinese options here in Canada than anything else, and even the made in mexico Gwe19JSlnf has a chinese Anhui Meizhi compressor. And the whirlpool we wanted is made in P.R.C people's republic China.


With all of the expensive american built refrigeratorrs, what compressor do they run? Is it actually all chinese now?


I have also come across JiaXiperia, Huaguang (oil-less), and Panasonic (china). Does it really matter what compressor is in a fridge these days? Do the LG linear compressors still suck?

Comments (17)

  • 3 years ago

    Agree about the Sub Zero if you can afford it. When we moved into our house in 1999, there was a counter depth Sub Zero already here (manufactured in 1998). Last year we had it "rebuilt" for about $2200, and the tech said we'd easily get another 20 years out of it.


    Interestingly, my flooring guy and I were talking and he said it's not unusual when they are doing flooring jobs for the homeowner to just give away their Sub Zeros to the contractors, or sell at a very low price. He has a free Sub Zero beer fridge in his garage. His friends and he fix them up and sell them. According to my technician that rebuilt ours, the older Sub Zeros are better then the newer ones; I'm not sure why. Perhaps you can find and older Sub Zero and then have the tech specialist rebuild the "engine" parts.

  • 3 years ago

    I agree…Sub Zero makes the best fridges, hands down. Made in Wisconsin and still family owned. I have nearly 40 years experience with the brand, and wouldn’t consider any other fridge.

    However, SZ does not make counter depth fridges. All of their fridges are either built-in, or fully integrated. The OP is looking for a counter depth fridge.

  • 3 years ago

    Suggesting a SubZero is kind of stupid when someone is asking what compressors fridges use.


    (Actually, the SZ Pro line--and maybe the others--can be freestanding. You just buy more parts. Still won't fit into a standard fridge hole of course!)

  • 3 years ago

    Our house was built for a 64" tall fridge max. Those are in short supply...


    So we can rip down 3 cupboard cabinets, or we can move the fridge in front of the 2nd pane of the sliding glass door, which is just a wasted space really. So a built in model would require removing the patio door and rebuilding exterior wall, or else it would look very goofy

  • 3 years ago

    And we are set on a counter depth, which very much limits options.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Look at Fisher & paykel counter depth units, yes the 32" ones are 67 3/4" tall but you or a handyman could possibly shorten your upper cabinets and you would have a fridge with a 2 year warranty and additional 3 years on sealed system. They have refined interior fitments-I especially like the 3 full extension file drawer like pull outs in the bottom freezer swing door model. We have had ours at least 5 years and very happy with it. Some Chinese made refrigerators now use flammable refrigerants-look on the back for the flammable warning symbol sticker-apparently flammble refrigerant fridge fire was the cause of the London Grenfell Tower high rise apartment fire a few years ago where a number of people died. Embraco in Brazil, I believe Whirlpool owned, makes many compressors so no not all Chinese built.

  • 3 years ago

    Fisher and Paykel is owned by the Chinese appliance manufacturer, Haier. The OP does not want Chinese made fridges.

  • 3 years ago

    I haven't found any Fisher & Paykel available in Canada

  • 3 years ago

    And what compressor do they run? Anything different than the common stuff that seems to have dove off a cliff when it comes to longevity?

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Not sure where in Canada you live, but there are tons of retailers carrying Fisher & Paykel in and around Toronto. Go to their website and enter your postal code for the closest dealer to you:

    Where to Buy | Fisher & Paykel Canada (fisherpaykel.com)

  • 3 years ago

    @Kirk Erick Fisher..is indeed sold in Canada. They are usually found in appliance specialty stores. Have you looked at Bosch?

  • 3 years ago

    On appliancesconnection.com, it appears that the largest counter-depth (where counter-depth refers to the depth of the cabinet not including the doors) is the Whirlpool WRT312CZJZ whose depth is 22-5/8" without doors and 27-13/16" with doors. It's 60-5/8" tall.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Kirk Erick Fisher and Paykel fridges, at least the 31" 32" and 25" are now assembled in Thailand, formerly Australia. They use an inverter controlled compressor presumably the same one for the past number of years which has not been problematic for myself and I asuume others as I have not heard of many/any problems here. They also have separate air flows from the evaporator for fridge and freezer compartments so no fridge food smells in your ice cubes. While Haier nows owns F&P they let them do their own thing as a premium/semi-premium brand. I have seen their fully integrated fridge and freezer columns I did not note where they are made since I am not in that price market. I have not seen in person the new quad door free standing model but i would check to make sure that is not a Haier made unit.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    A one time American refrigerators all ran for years. Even Whirlpools. Whirlpool bought Amana and Kitchenaid. Competition at the reasonable price end of $1k or less died. Whirlpool insituted the 1 year warranty. Now refrigerators last a year or so.. . . .We need consumer protection legislation. . . .IKEA has a 5 year warranty. They began in North American using Whirlpool appliances. That hasn't worked because the quality can't stand up for a 5 year warranty. Now they've dropped Whirlppol completely. Electrolux supplies their refrigerators. This is 69" high. Link. 5 year warranty. I don't like ice through the door.

    GE appliance is owned by Haier. If you go to their web page you can find a few refrigerators that are made in America with 70-90% US made parts. Page down under a model for Certifications and look for a small American flag. You'll have to call about the compressor.


  • 3 years ago

    Whirlpool WRT312CZJZ is nice and short, but it's $1,000 for a top frezer 11cu model. Now if it was bottom freezer, maybe i would buy 2 and run em side by side for a redneck quad door

  • 3 years ago

    "it's $1,000 for a top frezer 11cu model."

    Yup, but was the largest capacity that met the counter-depth and height requirements. Top-freezer models are the most efficient capacity-wise. Drop the counter-depth requirement and you can upgrade to the GE GTE16GTNRWW: 15.6cf, 26-3/4" deep without the door, and only $850.

    Your bottom-freezer option: Danby DBMF100C1SLDB 10cf.

  • 3 years ago

    That GTE16 is still $1050+5% tax here in Canukistan. And I read that Danby uses oil-less Huanguang compressors. How are they lubricated and what's the lifespan of them?


    But I picked up a 10 year old Whirlpool Gold with a Brazilian Embraco under the hood. I can tinker on this and throw parts at it with a smile on my face.