It's difficult to way more difficult, to impossible, depending on which brand and model you choose. You cannot do it with the SZ Classic models as they require more room. You can only do it with the Designer models, and then only with reworking that entire run of cabinets, because the panels and crown and cabinets will all need touching.

A counter-depth frig usually doesn't have panels to match your cabinets. If you choose one of the stainless SZ versions it should easily slide into the space once any cabs above are removed with added room at the rear. So, no plug problem. Read the installation instructions for more clarity. Should be your last frig for a long while.

You also need to add anti tip brackets which a traditional cd wouldn’t have; it is also worth checking you have clearance to stand the subzero upright given it needs to angled into place.

A freestanding fridge is more likely to have room around it than a Subzero needs, exchanging same width for same width. My 30" SZ fits like a glove into a 30" space. A typical freestanding counterdepth requires Some breathing space on the sides. It may not be much depending upon the model, but a 30" wide freestanding needs more than a 30" and a 36" needs more than 36". IF you wanted to do flush inset you would require a little more room for trim to do the inset.

And you probably have the depth to go with either one. I designed the depth of mine opening to accomodate either Classic or Designer. The anti tip bracket can be installed to a cleat if necessary, and it's attached the the floor too.

The only thing you probably have to worry about is the Height. The problem would be going from a Subzero to a free standing counter depth because a 30" SZ opening would probably only fit a 28" wide fridge. Lots of people who don't have the $10K plus budget try to go in that direction and it's much harder.

And Joseph Babcock brings up a good point. I had to raise the interior door height in my house to 92" on the first floor (with a 96" ceiling") because there was no way to both tip and upright an 84" SZ to navigate into my kitchen otherwise. (My kitchen is quite small)

One additional thought, the “pro” series have finished sides and can be installed freestanding; depending on the cabinet setup you could just remove the entire existing enclosure with those models.

Well there's no run of cabinets so that's not an issue and it's unclear to me why a Classic wouldn't work. I consulted with a CMKBD and she didn't see a problem other than the electrical cord is at the top and it may not reach to the current outlet wherever that may be. I don't have a door opening limitation because one side of the kitchen is wide open with no doorway. The cabinet opening is 37" wide so wider than needed which would probably be an esthetic problem. It's obviously too short hence the need to rework the cabinetry. With the extra width it might be best to just have a new fridge surround made. I don't want a freestanding fridge with no cabinet. Why does the fridge need to be tipped to install it rather than sliding it straight in? I have 42" between the fridge and the island.

If you don't want a flush inset installation, then a plain stainless Classic will fit, if you can get it through the doors. It has to be tipped to get it through a door, and then going back vertical, the diagonal is the longest measurement that needs clearance, so on a "short" ceiling, tall pantries are ordered without the toekick to make them short enough that the diagonal isn't taller than the ceiling. You can't do that with a fridge, so the overall room height has to be tall enough for the diagonal, which yours is, now that you have posted the picture.

This house has high ceilings and tall doors so getting it in shouldn't be a problem. Now I'm more concerned about getting it around the island but that would be true of any 36" wide fridge. If the fridge cabinet surround has to be removed that would also have to be able to fit back in. This is all because of the poorly designed angled pantry cabinet wall that prevents "regular" refrigerator doors from opening wide enough for drawers to be fully extended. If they made a 36" freestanding CD single door refrigerator that would solve my problem much more easily. And then there's the quality issue - I don't want a poor quality, poorly designed refrigerator with a peeling stainless finish.

"If they made a 36" freestanding CD single door refrigerator that would solve my problem much more easily."

• Liebherr CS2090 36 Inch Freestanding Bottom Mount Refrigerator (right hinge)
• Left hinge CS2091

Just here to say…do everything you can to retrofit for a SZ. They are truly workhorses, do an amazing job at keeping food fresh for long periods, and last seemingly forever.

In (nearly) 35 years, we’ve owned just two fridges…both Sub Zeros. The first one, a 30” over/under, was still going strong when we sold that house in 2016. Upon moving and gutting the new kitchen, there was never a doubt about getting another SZ. This time, we got a 42” FD paneled. Now almost 9 years old, this SZ purrs along doing its job splendidly, without issues.

Another plus…SZ has the best customer service in the business…should you ever need it.

Thank you WD - I‘ve heard of it but don’t know anything about this brand. What is your take on quality?

Well a google search tells me it’s not good. ugghh

"...anti tip brackets which a traditional cd wouldn’t have..."

Our CD refrigerator has anti-tip brackets as did our previous one. I think they all do now -- probably for CYA purposes!

@darbuka - yeah, that was my thought as I have one in another home that's going strong at 20 years. At my age I don't really need one that lasts 20-30 years though. So we'll see how much of a PITA it would be to get it in there. I could spend the money on this "project" but have to decide if I'll enjoy it enough to warrant the trouble and expense. The one I have works but for being unable to open the drawers more than a few inches. I work around the ridiculous ice dispenser in door - it makes ice, I put it in a bin in the freezer and don't use the dispenser. It's about 20 years old too and I need to make a decision about what I'm going to do when it croaks. Been pondering this for at least six months now.

@darbuka - oh yes, I've actually never bought a fridge with a door dispenser. Unfortunately nearly every house I've purchased has come with one except the house with the SZ.