Are there any side-by-side refrigerator fans here? The design has never held any interest for me. I guess overall there might be more room than in a conventional design. But the room is all vertical with very limited width. This is the reason I don't care for them.
What are the advantages of SxS refrigerators if any?
- Thread starter ken
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The SXS door swing is narrower, it works better in some kitchens. We like the freezer low and the cold section at eye level. We had SXS in our last house it was directly across from the DW, The full width refrigerator doors we have now would of worked but it would of been tight. Art
When you open the freezer door, a 5 to 6 foot column of freezing air falls out and is replaced by room temperature air which has to be cooled so they are not efficient in that way among others.
ptcruiser51
Well-known member
Tall Fellows
Like myself find it annoying to bend over and shuffle things in a TF. Also the aforementioned door swing in cramped or galley kitchens. Handy to have the service unit to dispense water/ice without opening the freezer door and compressing room air into the interior. When I sold appliances in THD, the #1 complaint about SXS units was "there's no room for a turkey in there". I always wondered "how often do you buy a turkey?" and "don't you usually buy it 3-4 days ahead and follow the recommended defrosting time in the REFRIGERATOR?"
Granted, frozen pizzas don't always fit. In NJ we were always fortunate to have delivery pizza available within minutes. Perceived problem solved.
Just wish the aperture in my SoFlo kitchen had room to fit a SXS instead of a TF!
Like myself find it annoying to bend over and shuffle things in a TF. Also the aforementioned door swing in cramped or galley kitchens. Handy to have the service unit to dispense water/ice without opening the freezer door and compressing room air into the interior. When I sold appliances in THD, the #1 complaint about SXS units was "there's no room for a turkey in there". I always wondered "how often do you buy a turkey?" and "don't you usually buy it 3-4 days ahead and follow the recommended defrosting time in the REFRIGERATOR?"
Granted, frozen pizzas don't always fit. In NJ we were always fortunate to have delivery pizza available within minutes. Perceived problem solved.
Just wish the aperture in my SoFlo kitchen had room to fit a SXS instead of a TF!
I bought a counter-depth SxS KitchenAid in '07 for a kitchen remodel, it was a great deal on closeout at Lowes. At that time, there weren't a lot of 36" wide counter-depth choices and the majority were side-by-side. Having a Sub-Zero top refrig prior to this, it was quite a change.
A change I grew to despise. The storage areas in both sides are narrow. At first, you tell yourself it's not a big deal, how much difference can it possibly make? If you like to entertain or even cook big meals, you'll soon discover how limiting that narrowness is. It's annoying in the refrigerator, but can be a real pain in the freezer. I was always glad I had a conventional (1963 Pink Hotpoint) refrigerator/freezer and another deep-freeze in the basement. Last one I'll buy. My sister recently moved into a kitchen with a Frigidaire SxS and is echoing similar feelings.
I recently replaced the SxS with a new KitchenAid counter-depth, french door, bottom freezer last month. I got a smoking good deal on a model closeout display unit at Sears. It arrived in the kitchen with a broken shelf, glass everywhere, (pic is of it's delivery day and first bath) which only made the already good price a lot sweeter in the end. Of course I love the bottom freezer configuration but the jury is still out on the double doors. I keep expecting a show to start when I pull open those doors like an old musical, or even better, Shrek. Lol.
A change I grew to despise. The storage areas in both sides are narrow. At first, you tell yourself it's not a big deal, how much difference can it possibly make? If you like to entertain or even cook big meals, you'll soon discover how limiting that narrowness is. It's annoying in the refrigerator, but can be a real pain in the freezer. I was always glad I had a conventional (1963 Pink Hotpoint) refrigerator/freezer and another deep-freeze in the basement. Last one I'll buy. My sister recently moved into a kitchen with a Frigidaire SxS and is echoing similar feelings.
I recently replaced the SxS with a new KitchenAid counter-depth, french door, bottom freezer last month. I got a smoking good deal on a model closeout display unit at Sears. It arrived in the kitchen with a broken shelf, glass everywhere, (pic is of it's delivery day and first bath) which only made the already good price a lot sweeter in the end. Of course I love the bottom freezer configuration but the jury is still out on the double doors. I keep expecting a show to start when I pull open those doors like an old musical, or even better, Shrek. Lol.
Pretty much everything Greg said above. Just too much hassle and jostling stuff around to put things in or get something out from the back. Ours back in the day was a 3 door SxS big GE.. other than that it was a great fridge.
fan-of-fans
Well-known member
I've never lived with a side by side, but I like having the dispensers on the door. Granted top freezers could be had with an ice dispenser some years ago and some more recent ones had an outside water dispenser. But never both I don't think and I know of none on the market that have them other than an inside water tap.. But I agree the narrow compartments on SxS are harder to store and get to items.
Top freezers are probably best in that regard. Ive never lived with a bottom freezer or french door so I can't comment there. The freezer being out of the way could be useful...
It seems to me though, that top freezers aren't made as nice as the other types. The new ones just look cheap to me, as if they expect them to be used in an apartment or rental. Then again it could be that most new houses and kitchen remodels seem to go for french doors or SxS. But I still see quite a few houses with new top freezers and a lot of people still like them.
Top freezers are probably best in that regard. Ive never lived with a bottom freezer or french door so I can't comment there. The freezer being out of the way could be useful...
It seems to me though, that top freezers aren't made as nice as the other types. The new ones just look cheap to me, as if they expect them to be used in an apartment or rental. Then again it could be that most new houses and kitchen remodels seem to go for french doors or SxS. But I still see quite a few houses with new top freezers and a lot of people still like them.
I prefer a bottom freezer model. I like having the refrigerated items at eye level and bottom freezers normally have a slide out rack. Plus colder is always down, be it a refrigerator or the first vs. upper floors of a building.
I like my SxS for the water in the door...I drink lots of water. I do miss the wide freezer door of a top freezer fridge though. My next one I plan to get the BIGGEST SxS I can even if I have to move cabinets to make it fit! If we build a new house I would love to have an all freezer and all fridge sitting side by side, talk about room!
Always have had top-freezer units (except for the 1964 Philco bottom-freezer) until the Arctica SxS that came with the 2004/2005 house. It's OK but there are definitely things that won't fit in either section. Frozen pizzas (in boxes) fit if slid in above any of the basket support rails. Ordered a Subway party tray couple years ago, no way to get that in the refrigerator section ... but I have my 1996 KA top-freezer in the garage for such overflow (and more freezer space). The ice/water dispenser gets some light/moderate use but I wouldn't miss it. One feature I do use is the Custom Cool drawer, for defrosting.
Either folks don't know how to load a fridge or just have a bias against SXS units. I've had one, two and a third for 30+ years and especially with the latest Whirlpool unit I've not had an issue with storage. I can easily place my whole Thanksgiving dinner in there after dinner. Turkey in my vintage Frigidaire roaster, pots of mashed potatoes, squash, dressing, two types of cranberries, pies and more. I'm actually amazed at how much I can get in there. Plus the bins in the door hold a vast amount of stuff.
NOt sure what I'd replace it with if I had to. Might be tempted with a french door unit, but the freezer would be an issue for me, my SXS freezer is really packed, and it's hard enough to find stuff in it, with a drawer it might be impossible, or I'd have to seriously cut down on the stuff I drop in the freezer.
I think the only perfect setup up would be side by side separate units, full fridge and full freezer.
NOt sure what I'd replace it with if I had to. Might be tempted with a french door unit, but the freezer would be an issue for me, my SXS freezer is really packed, and it's hard enough to find stuff in it, with a drawer it might be impossible, or I'd have to seriously cut down on the stuff I drop in the freezer.
I think the only perfect setup up would be side by side separate units, full fridge and full freezer.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
I've never lived with a SxS. But I will say that I grew up with a bottom freezer design, and I think that's a better design if one does much cooking. The frequently used main part is close to eye level, and less stooping is required.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
Although I suppose top freezer is possibly a better match for most modern Americans, because it's easier digging out a Banquet frozen dinner to nuke.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
>Granted, frozen pizzas don't always fit. In NJ we were always fortunate to have delivery pizza available within minutes. Perceived problem solved.
For some, yes. But there are many who'd skip delivery even if they lived next door to a pizza place. Frozen pizza is so much cheaper.
For some, yes. But there are many who'd skip delivery even if they lived next door to a pizza place. Frozen pizza is so much cheaper.
The external chilled filtered water and ice cube delivery was a must for me back around 2000 when I got my KA SXS 25 cu ft. Back then there were no French door bottom freezers, let alone bottom freezers with in-door water/ice. Also, like others, there's limited room between the fridge and a bank of wall cabinets opposing it, so the SXS config fits better. A french door bottom freezer would work as well.
It would have to be a 30 lb turkey not to be able to fit into fresh food section. And I've stored 20 lb turkeys in the frozen side, no problem. There can however be an issue with large pizzas in a SXS. I agree that accessing frozen foods in the freezer section nested in the wire baskets can be a bit of a pain. But they seem to hold more than just shelves might.
Any freezer other than a chest freezer is going to dump a lot of chilled air when you open the door. That goes for top freezers, bottom freezers as well as SXS. The most efficient freezer is the chest config. Preferably with manual flash defrost if you can find one.
Self-disclosure: In addition to the 25 cu ft SXS in the main kitchen, I have a 20 cu ft KA top freezer and a 14 cu ft chest freezer in the enclosed patio. That's where I keep the pizzas and turkeys ;-)...
It would have to be a 30 lb turkey not to be able to fit into fresh food section. And I've stored 20 lb turkeys in the frozen side, no problem. There can however be an issue with large pizzas in a SXS. I agree that accessing frozen foods in the freezer section nested in the wire baskets can be a bit of a pain. But they seem to hold more than just shelves might.
Any freezer other than a chest freezer is going to dump a lot of chilled air when you open the door. That goes for top freezers, bottom freezers as well as SXS. The most efficient freezer is the chest config. Preferably with manual flash defrost if you can find one.
Self-disclosure: In addition to the 25 cu ft SXS in the main kitchen, I have a 20 cu ft KA top freezer and a 14 cu ft chest freezer in the enclosed patio. That's where I keep the pizzas and turkeys ;-)...
On the odd occasions I've come across these things, a couple of points strike me:
- Doors are huge and bulky, for no apparent reason in some instances
- They're too skinny: No room for anything remotely large (i.e. bulk purchased meats, pre-packed products etc)
- They're really, really deep: This compounds 'skinny.' Its all crammed in tight and then you have to stand on the tips of your toes to get to the stuff in the back, or pull everything out in front to get to it. With the door being open so long, the energy use is increased substantially
- Usually fitted with gimmicky "thru-the-door" features, which also use additional energy and add more things to go wrong later on.
Personally, if I wanted an SxS, I would opt for a French door model since there is actually ROOM to play with. Of course, these things come with additional "drawers" which presumably increase energy consumption even more.
In reality, however, SxS models are the highest energy consumers out of any fridge.
I guess its a combination of the small space (where the cold air falls out the minute you open the door), gimmicky features and perhaps other reasons too. Those "features" can also become *nightmares* as the fridge ages.
They would be the last choice on a refrigerator shopping list. An upside-down, pidgeon-pair or a mix and match with a chest freezer would be first considerations, as they're cheaper to buy and cheaper to run. Win-win!
If you need a fridge and freezer in a tight space, get an upside down or perhaps smaller refrigerator and a little chest freezer to tuck away in the garage, for example. These choices use FAR less energy and don't have as much inconvenience built into them by default.
So, in short: The only "advantage" of an SxS model is that it comes with a lot of disadvantages. I can't see any benefit of this design.
- Doors are huge and bulky, for no apparent reason in some instances
- They're too skinny: No room for anything remotely large (i.e. bulk purchased meats, pre-packed products etc)
- They're really, really deep: This compounds 'skinny.' Its all crammed in tight and then you have to stand on the tips of your toes to get to the stuff in the back, or pull everything out in front to get to it. With the door being open so long, the energy use is increased substantially
- Usually fitted with gimmicky "thru-the-door" features, which also use additional energy and add more things to go wrong later on.
Personally, if I wanted an SxS, I would opt for a French door model since there is actually ROOM to play with. Of course, these things come with additional "drawers" which presumably increase energy consumption even more.
In reality, however, SxS models are the highest energy consumers out of any fridge.
I guess its a combination of the small space (where the cold air falls out the minute you open the door), gimmicky features and perhaps other reasons too. Those "features" can also become *nightmares* as the fridge ages.
They would be the last choice on a refrigerator shopping list. An upside-down, pidgeon-pair or a mix and match with a chest freezer would be first considerations, as they're cheaper to buy and cheaper to run. Win-win!
If you need a fridge and freezer in a tight space, get an upside down or perhaps smaller refrigerator and a little chest freezer to tuck away in the garage, for example. These choices use FAR less energy and don't have as much inconvenience built into them by default.
So, in short: The only "advantage" of an SxS model is that it comes with a lot of disadvantages. I can't see any benefit of this design.
I had a SxS for almost 20 years. In the beginning I loved it because it was at the end of the counter and there was nothing to the right of it but open space so the right hand door could be opened 180 degrees. When I moved to my current home however I quickly grew to hate it as there was a wall on the right side of the fridge. Consequently the right door could only be opened 90 degrees. This made it impossible to remove the crisper drawers as the door shelves were in the way (they had to be removed in order to pull the drawers all the way out. Also without being able to open the door more than 90 degrees, it was more difficult to get to the rear of the shelves. I much prefer my current fridge with a pull open bottom freezer.
Gary
Gary
Our KA SxS at the other house provided space in the freezer to store a frozen pizza box on its side. Our current KA Architect counter depth SxS doesn't.
For me there are two selling points for a SxS: Door swing limitations (that was the case at our previous house, and to a lesser degree, in our current home) and dispensers for ice and water. I like crushed ice for my drinks (crescents are annoying) and use the filtered water dispenser to fill the coffee carafe each morning. I really like the bottom freezer design best, but AFAIK they don't crush or even dispense ice.
With regard to accommodating extra large items, even my back-up top freezer fridge is no help. The spinning shelves on the GE Combination and their axis/spindle at front & center of the cabinet preclude storage of oversize items. That will change if I ever find a BF configured GE Combination with the swing-out shelf system.
For me there are two selling points for a SxS: Door swing limitations (that was the case at our previous house, and to a lesser degree, in our current home) and dispensers for ice and water. I like crushed ice for my drinks (crescents are annoying) and use the filtered water dispenser to fill the coffee carafe each morning. I really like the bottom freezer design best, but AFAIK they don't crush or even dispense ice.
With regard to accommodating extra large items, even my back-up top freezer fridge is no help. The spinning shelves on the GE Combination and their axis/spindle at front & center of the cabinet preclude storage of oversize items. That will change if I ever find a BF configured GE Combination with the swing-out shelf system.
