French door refrigerator door opening clearance space

last month

I currently have a side-by-side

refrigerator that measures 36 wide, 72 tall, and 29 deep. On the left-hand side, there is a wall that extends 7 inches beyond the 29-inch refrigerator depth. Will that be a problem with a French door refrigerator? Will I not be able to open the left side door as well as with the side-by-side?

Featured Answer

PRO

The Kitchen Place

last month

With most refrigerators, you'll likely need a filler PLUS your 36" wide cabinet above. In years past, it was typically a 3" to 4.5" filler on the side wall side.

Other option would be to find a 33" french door....but you still may need a 1-2" filler.

One of my clients this year purchased a zero clearance refrigerator from LG that suggests it opens fine against a wall. I still designed with a 3" filler and a 37" upper cabinet, just to be safe. It works fine. They had limited space to work with in a galley kitchen (frameless cabinets).

SEE RENDERING BELOW. 3" FILL+37" REF CAB+1.5" TALL END PANEL (FLUSH TOE TO FLOOR ON BOTH FILLER AND END PANEL)

On a side note:

Unfortunately, it seems that appliance manufacturers have stopped supplying specifications for their refrigerators when placed against a side wall. I'm not sure why they quit doing this, but they have now put this liability on the homeowners and/or designers. I will not take responsibility for an appliance that doesn't supply all the specs. How are we to know how much filler is needed? The best thing to do is find a floor model, open it....and measure how much space you need to get the 1. Door open 2. Crisper drawers pulled out and removed.

Here is the ZERO CLEARANCE REFRIGERATOR FROM LG

Click link below.

ZERO CLEARANCE LG REF

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Comments (11)

3katz4me
last month
It may be a problem with any newer refrigerator because the doors are much thicker.
Emmanuelle Roussel thanked 3katz4me
dan1888
last month
Even if you find a model where the left door opens, it won't go beyond 90 degrees.
Emmanuelle Roussel thanked dan1888
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3katz4me
last month
And if the door won't open beyond 90 degrees you're unlikely to get any drawers open very far let alone ever remove them for cleaning.
Emmanuelle Roussel thanked 3katz4me
PRO
The Kitchen Place
last month
here is the video

https://www.homedepot.com/p/LG-24-cu-ft-Counter-Depth-MAX-Zero-Clearance-3-Door-French-Door-Refrigerator-with-Craft-Ice-in-PrintProof-Stainless-Steel-LF24Z6530S/331940343?utm_source=google&utm_medium=vantage&utm_campaign=103117&utm_content=106072&mtc=SEM-RM-RMP-GGL-D29A-Multi-NA-LG-NA-DSA-NA-NA-MK729569001-103117-NBR-6785-NA-VNT-FY25_Q3_LG_D29A_OAM_Fall_Savings_Upsell&cm_mmc=SEM-RM-RMP-GGL-D29A-Multi-NA-LG-NA-DSA-NA-NA-MK729569001-103117-NBR-6785-NA-VNT-FY25_Q3_LG_D29A_OAM_Fall_Savings_Upsell-23048386022-186591688460-2441106321243&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23048386022&gbraid=0AAAAAolLu99bzZKJb0pbwZLQyb3NVYKrF&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9JLHBhC-ARIsAK4PhcrIzsBhnALCEOBJuyOWiHZ8CnTBRaXUAp_mLhx8FUNjD5bSSK-On0QaApirEALw_wcB#overlay
Emmanuelle Roussel thanked The Kitchen Place
wdccruise
last month
What you'll be able to do if the freezer door cannot be opened beyond 90 degrees depends on the model. For example, this Bosch B36CD10ENS will allow the drawers to be pulled out if the doors are opened 90 degrees but the doors must be opened fully for the drawers to be removed.
Emmanuelle Roussel thanked wdccruise
chicagoans
last month
Unfortunately I think you'd have a problem with most models.

Look at the link that @wdccruise posted, and scroll down. You'll see the image that I copied below. This is the image you need to look for in the install guide or other spec file for your chosen model. The total space needed from side to side is 56 7/16" wide; the measurement they don't give but you really need is where I've marked the purple line (distance from side of refrigerator to wall.) You may be able to figure that out from the overall width needed, or you may be able to call customer service and ask them. Ideally, you would view the model in person - with tape measure in hand - and open the doors all the way, then measure. It looks like you'd need to move the refrigerator to the right, if it's possible to rearrange any cabinets.
Emmanuelle Roussel thanked chicagoans
eam44
last month
last modified: last month
Did you measure your space or your fridge? Because your current refrigerator is 36”, so that means the space must be larger than 36”. Don’t measure the appliance, measure the space, then read your potential refrigerator specifications carefully.

It might help to search for a fridge with zero clearance hinges. LG has a thin door zero clearance fridge, but there may be others out there. The bottom drawer slides out completely, and the two drawers above it (red arrows) are less deep, so while they don’t slide out as far, they do open even in a zero clearance environment. These are the drawers you would not be able to open in a fridge with regular hinges.
3katz4me
last month
The option posted by earn44 might be good as long as you want a door dispenser. I don't believe they offer a zero clearance option without that.
wdccruise
last month
last modified: last month
Right. The LG LF25Z6211S 36", counter-depth, zero-clearance refrigerator which does not have a door dispenser might be her best choice. An alternative is the Samsung RM70F22NERAA.
3katz4me
last month
And if those bottom door shelves are removable you could actually get the drawers open/out for cleaning.