appliance pull - 18” vs 24”

last year

I’m getting a 48” Subzero French door refrigerator. I’m looking at Emtek for appliance pull options and trying to figure out if I need 24” vs 18”. I will have more choices if I went with 18”, but not sure if 24” will be better to help pull the larger door.

Separately, I read online that handles should be no more than 1/3 of the door height. If the door height is 50”, then it seems like I should get the 18 and not the 24.

Any insight or feedback is much appreciated!

Featured Answer

darbuka

last year

last modified: last year

The pulls on my Sub Zero are 18”. They’re hefty, and have opened the doors without issue, for over eight years. 18” is more in proportion, imo.

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Comments (12)

chispa
last year
This is the 42" SZ FD. Appliance pulls are from TopKnobs and 18" long. No need for anything longer. I would have gone with the 48" SZ FD, but it wasn't available when we built in 2021.

In my previous house I had installed integrated SZ columns and those were much harder to open than the french door models.
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darbuka
last year
Same here, @chispa. The 48” wasn’t available in 2018 when we did our kitchen.

My pulls are also from Top Knobs.
wdccruise
last year
"I read online that handles should be no more than 1/3 of the door height"

I believe that the handles that Subzero sells for its 48" French door refrigerators are about 42" long. If you look at various photos, most are long (though there are a lot of duplicates) though not all. You might look through the photos to see how the refrigerators look with shorter handles and if you like the appearance.

Here's LONG vs SHORT vs VERY SHORT.
darbuka
last year
There’s no reason to overspend on fridge pulls, by purchasing them from SubZero. And, quite frankly, it’s of no consequence what size pulls they sell, and show on the SZ website.

Top Knobs and others, sell cabinet pulls that include fridge pull sizes. The key is to go to an actual store, and physically hold the pulls in your hand. Don’t depend strictly on what you see on a website. The fridge pull should have heft, some real weight.

And, be aware…the longer the pull, the higher the price. Fridge pulls are pricey.
wdccruise
last year
last modified: last year
@darbuka " There’s no reason to overspend on fridge pulls, by purchasing them from SubZero. And, quite frankly, it’s of no consequence what size pulls they sell..."
- Subzero 43" Tubular Handle for 48" Classic Refrigerator $185 MSRP
- Subzero 42" Pro Handle for 48" Classic Refrigerator $185 MSRP
- Top Knobs Lawrence Appliance Pull 18 Inch $181 List
- Top Knobs Podium Appliance Pull 18 Inch $181 List
darbuka
last year
That’s fine. But, with SZ your quite limited in style and size selections.
wdccruise
last year
If you browse a website for French door refrigerators, every one has long handles when provided by the manufacturer. They just look better.
darbuka
last year
18” is long enough, and proportional.

Besides, we know from your many years of ranting against spending on high end appliances, that you’d never consider purchasing a SZ…so, why does this matter so much to you?
Shasta
last year
Bought a Subzero French Door 10 years ago and used 18” handles that match the rest of my pulls/knobs. They look great and function well. Enjoy your new SZ. I am very pleased with mine.
Kathy T
Original Author
last year
Thank you everyone for your feedback!!!Glad to know 18” would work. It would give me more options to look at since there aren’t many 24” to look at.
wdccruise
last year
last modified: last year
darbuka: "why does this matter so much to you?"

If you didn't make so many incorrect statements -- e.g., "There’s no reason to overspend on fridge pulls, by purchasing them from SubZero" -- corrections wouldn't be necessary.