thinking about a sub zero

[epixstar128]

Found a sub zero model 550 for sale local ly for 200 dollars. Anyone ever have a older sub zero. It's a 89 model.
Right now I'm using a 63 Ge combo in the kitchen but the wife wants something
Bigger.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Unfortunately, most Sub Zeros are not great on capacity because they are usually not that deep. Measure the shelf depth and compare it with your GE before you buy it. The freezer on that model is small and, depending on a person's height, requires a deep bend to use.

 

[rp2813]

Be Careful

Congratulations on restoring your original member ID!

 

I knew people who had that same late '80s model, and they were on a first name basis with the Sub Zero repairman.

 

Like Tom said, with any counter depth refrigerator, you're going to sacrifice capacity, but depending on the model, your '63 Combination could have counter depth dimensions too.  In that case, the Sub Zero would probably offer a little more capacity. 

 

Tom is also correct about the freezer.  It's small and difficult to access.  IIRC, it has a door instead of a drawer, so it's a real PITA to find anything in it.

 

[tomturbomatic]

SZs with the top mounted compressor and condenser are vulnerable to kitchen heat and grease. The condenser fins can easily clog with dust and grease so check them and clean them before installing. If the kitchen gets really warm, like with a gas range and oven going full blast without a vent, the compressor can go out on thermal overload because as warm as it might be at counter level, it can be much hotter near the ceiling.

 

[epixstar128]

I work on refrigeration for a living repairs won't be a issue. I like the fact that these have separate compresser for the freezer and refrigerator. My house is always cool I keep the a c on all summer.

 

[gansky1]

Since repairs won't be much of an issue, you may love the Sub Z. I had a 550 and while it is shallower inside, I quickly got used to that. It's still a very large refrigerator. Once you get used to the depth, it's nice to not lose items at the back of the unit, out of sight of larger things put in front of them. The door shelves are quite ample, but not so intrusive as to take away space from the shelves inside. The KitchenAid I have now (side by side - counter depth) has such deep door bins that you lose depth in the shelves.

The 550 freezer is a pull-out drawer type with a large basket attached to the drawer front and a smaller pull-out basket above it that holds the ice maker bin and room for more storage. I loved this arrangement. While probably not as efficient use of space, it was very convenient.

It was my favorite of all the refrigerators I've owned but it developed some freezer problems and we let it go in a kitchen remodel. While a reliable and very good machine, the side by side KA we have now pales in comparison to the Sub Z and I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

 

[hydralique]

$200 is a good deal for a nice refrigerator, I’d grab it. While Sub Zeros do have problems now and then like most mechanical devices at least they’re designed to be repaired and parts are readily available, unlike many appliances today. Throughout the years I’ve designed many kitchens, the majority of which had Sub Zeros installed. All of them have had gas cooktops - almost nobody wants an electric in a high end So Cal home - and there have been no unusual problems with the Sub-Zeros.

As has been noted, this particular Sub-Zero doesn’t have a large freezer; I’ve always seen it as being most appropriate for a house with an additional freezer. In the majority of the homes I’ve dealt with the homeowner gets a big standard depth side by side for the garage or laundry room and keeps extra frozen goods there, along with rare items that are too deep for the Sub-Zero. I think it would mate best with a small chest freezer.

One thing about the older Sub-Zeros is that they’re not the most efficient units around. My neighbor recently replaced his ‘60s model with a new built in refrigerator, a KA I think, and his electric usage went down noticeably. The ‘80s models are most likely more efficient but Sub Zero is clearly not building products for customers who worry about a few extra watts here or there.