Built-In Refrigerators?

[labboy]

We are progressing quickly on our kitchen remodel plans. We have decided on a built-in refrigerator. What are people’s thoughts on and experiences with the various brands? I’m ruling out SubZero because of feedback I’ve gotten about reliability. I’m leaning towards either Viking or KitchenAid.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Bob

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

There is a thing known as built in refrigerators?

it kinda sounds like something From when slant front washes are a thing, how would it work? does it rise up from the island have a touch of a button? I apologise if I sound sarcastic it’s just coming from Australia it’s extremely common to have a cut out for a fridge (an actual space that would be next to the pantry for the fridge to sit on and sometimes double that space if you have a full two piece fridge/freezer(They are physically separate appliances with their own compressors) Plus do you know if it’s maintainable by a far and wide range of technicians? Because now I’m actually intrigued as to how it all would work

 

[gizmo]

Hi Adam

We have them here too - tend to be top end brands like Miele and Leibherr. They have to be designed in to a kitchen - the correct size space created in the kitchen cabinets, then a door panel that matches the surrounding cabinets is fitted to the face of the fridge door.

 

Here's a link to some on appliancesonline.com.au

Appliances Online

We're Australia's largest online appliance retailer with a huge range of fridges, freezers, washers and more. Order now for free delivery to most areas.

www.appliancesonline.com.au

 

This link shows some built ins in position:

Seamless Liebherr Integrated Fridges | Full Height Integrated Fridges

Liebherr integrated fridges elegantly blend in with your kitchen's look & feel. From bottom mount, single to French doors, click here to see the range today.

www.andico.com.au

 

They need care to be installed properly - they need ventilation to allow cool air in underneath and warm waste air above. Too often this isn't done well which wastes energy and the fridge doesn't work well.

 

 

 

 

 

[combo52]

Built in refrigerators in the US

We have extensive experience with these as we work on mini brands.

I would definitely get subzero maybe KitchenAid, be sure there is good service available in your area for this product. This is like buying an automobile. You don’t want inexperience people working on it and you will need service at some time in its life. Maybe multiple times at a cost of over $10,000 you don’t want to have to throw it away and try to get another one into the kitchen before it is at least 20 to 30 years old.

Subzero has a lot of negative reviews because they’ve made 10 times as many of these as anybody else so anything it’s been around that long has a lot of negative reviews in general all of the built-in refrigerators are more troublesome than many freestanding ones,

The absolute worst one is Viking. This was a Amanadesign that they came out with right when Amana sold out to Goodman and Goodman sold it to Viking right away, and Viking has no experience with refrigerators and I can’t tell you how many customers we had with a Viking and they finally got it replaced because it was such a lemon and the new one was a lemon as well .

The Mieles that are sold here in the US are made in New Jersey. They’re kind of neat looking but again we’ve had multiple customers that had to have the whole thing replaced with just a few years because of problems. I don’t think it’s a good choice given the cost and the lack of service for it.

These refrigerators need to be installed on a solid floor and leveled properly for popper opening and closing of doors.

They do not need any special ventilation. They ventilate entirely from the front unless somebody does something stupid and blocked ventilation above or below it, many of them do need the condenser cleaned Every few years.

It’s especially important if you’re doing a big kitchen that the kitchen range hood vent very well to the outside if you have a lot of greasy cooking done, it will clog the condenser with grease and then it clogs up with dust and you have a real mess on your hand because most of these have the condenser above the refrigerator and the greasy vapors get pulled into the condenser from cooking.

If you come up with any other pacific questions about a model, you’re considering do ask, John

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

Wow Gizmo , thank you

I actually didn’t even realise that we had them here, thank you for opening my eyes

 

[beehiveboy]

Virtually everyone has these in the UK, certainly in new builds and kitchen remodels unless an American style is opted for. They are usually called “integrated “ here and are of course smaller usually than the American offerings.

 

[labboy]

Thanks John. I’ll definitely look at KitchenAid and SubZero.

Bob

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Two friends of mine had Sub Zero refrigerators and both refrigerators nothing but trouble.

 

[launderess]

@adam-aussie-vac

Built in or "cabinet flush" fridges/freezers have been about for decades and were next logical step for some after forced air condenser fridges (which also have been about for decades).

Many older homes or apartments still have what can be seen as dedicated area for fridge. It is usually deep enough so there is enough clearance at back and sides so units with passive condenser systems have proper air circulation. Usually however such units tend to protrude into kitchen area.

Going with forced condenser systems you can place unit closer to wall but also build around it.

In recent years many have gone in for professional/quasi industrial "pro" kitchen equipment including Sub-Zero, Viking or similar built in fridges/freezers. On whole when done well does present a nice clean look if that sort of thing is up one's street.

https://wilshirerefrigeration.com/how-to-clean-your-sub-zero-refrigerator-condenser-coils/

https://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/17/1-choice-for-a-retro-refrigerator-sub-zero/

https://boxappliance.com/blog/celebrating-70-years-of-sub-zero-appliances/

https://www.applianceblog.com/mainforums/threads/1940s-or-1950s-sub-zero-upright-freezer.75307/

https://www.littlegreenkitchens.com...-column-icebox-ice-box-wood-perfect-condition

Sub-Zero & Wolf Appliances | Luxury Kitchen & Home Appliances

Elevate your home with Sub-Zero & Wolf Appliances. Exquisite luxury for your kitchen and home. Explore unparalleled quality and design.

au.subzero-wolf.com

 

[polkanut]

My uncle and aunt had a coppertone Hotpoint built-in refrigerator installed when they built their home in 1959.

 

[launderess]

Revco "Bilt In" units hugely popular in 1950's through 1960's.

Revco Bilt-In refrigerators - 17 pages of designs from 1956 - Retro Renovation

Vintage Revco Bilt-In refrigerators and freezes are the “holy grail” of refrigerators from the 1950s and 1960s, more even than the vintage GEs constructed like wall cabinets and even more than the Kelvinator Foodarama. Is this correct, you readers who are stalking them and so much more...

retrorenovation.com

 

[appnut]

Tim, the same with one of my aunts & uncles for a house built in 1959. A woodtone brown that had one big door with the smaller door inside for the freezer. They had a huge chest freezer in the garage. The rest of their kitchen was woodtone built-in GE cooktop, even, and dishwasher.

 

[bradfordwhite]

built in refrigs are a money pit and bad design. Be warned.

Frigs and freezers need to be able to breathe and need air space around them. Boxing it in is foolish. Having something with a fan is noisy, uses more energy and requires more maintenance and cleaning. Plus you restrict yourself in the ability to move things around.

If you're into heavy dramatics, you'll enjoy a built-in appliance. lol

 

[launderess]

From Better Homes & Gardens.....

6 Ways to Achieve the Custom Look of a Built-In Refrigerator

A built-in refrigerator provides a custom, upscale appeal—but you can achieve the look without the expense. Learn how to incorporate your fridge into cabinetry for an updated kitchen.

www.bhg.com

 

[combo52]

Built in refrigerators reply, number 13

That’s a very good article laundress thanks for posting.

Reply number 12 is mostly nonsense all normal size refrigerators have cooling fans for the condenser and inside fans for air circulation today they use very little energy about 4 to 5 Watts each.

Even most freestanding refrigerators are designed to be built in quite tightly and will work properly. In such situations they ventilate from the front.

John

 

[bradfordwhite]

#13

LOL.
I just love this article. And the drama continues.
....Build a false wall, .... move studs and frame an opening to sink the frig behind the counter depth, .....use false panels to make it look somewhat like the cabinets

If one weren't aware you'd think some people were ashamed to have a frig. lol

Oh, this is my frig. 4.5 c.f. of energy efficient, easy to move, easy to clean, no-fan, little noise, no drama wholesomeness for about $160. Perfect sitting on top of a countertop. DONE.

I can just hear the muttering and mental syntax errors:

but, bu, but, it's, it's not.....it's too che......it's, but, but, but, it's tooo......
....it's not complicated enough. (big frowny face)
It's not what you see on the home remodel shows....
And it's too cheap. One HAS to spend more money.
LOL.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Where do you put the ice cream?

 

[combo52]

Where do you put the ice cream?

Hi Ken, I got a good laugh out of that. That’s the first thing I thought of also, the absurdity of living with a refrigerator like that, and having to go to the grocery store every day would be insane waste of energy, with my large freezers. I can go a month or two without going shopping, except for going to the farmers market when fresh things are happening the rest of the time I can live out of the freezer.

Brad just posts these pictures to get a rise out of people that’s not a picture of his refrigerator. He has a full-size refrigerator in his house he lives in a little dream world. This is what he would like to live in is a little box with this little toy appliances. Nothing is true here in Reality.

 

[bradfordwhite]

3.5 of Magic Chef goodness

got it in 2017 when Home Depot had an over stock and only paid $50.05 brand new.

For the record, I don't buy bulk ice cream, or for that matter butter, anymore. I have my health to be concerned about.

--------------

Without fans and an electronic control panel, no LCD scree, no Wifi connectivity, no unnecessary stainless steel accents, no installment contracts......
and it still works. Can you imagine that?

I've been thinking about how I can build it in.... maybe put some wood panels that partially make it look like kitchen cabinets on the front.
I just need SOMETHING to make me seem more complicated. I need to be ashamed of it more don't I. I need to hide it away somewhere, right? Is that how the game is played?
Maybe I could paint it gray and put gray plastic wood look flooring pieces on the top? idk