Introduction to Refrigerators

Refrigerators are arguably the most important appliance in any home. Your refrigerator works hard to preserve your food 24-7. As we are spending more time in our homes this year, finding refrigerators and freezers that work well for you is more important than ever before.

Refrigerators are not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are great refrigerators out there for every kitchen design and budget. Full size refrigerators come in a wide variety of sizes. Large kitchens might call for a large 48-inch wide side-by-side. Mixing and matching refrigerator and freezer columns makes it possible to customize a full wall of refrigeration. There is a great assortment of tall skinny refrigerators to fit small spaces, guest suites, and condos.

In addition to size, there are other unique ways to customize your refrigerator. Cabinet panel-ready refrigerators, custom colors, custom hardware, and under counter fridges make it possible to meet your food storage and entertaining needs.

As a starting place, consider how you live today. How many people live in your home? Do you like to host meals for holidays? How do you shop for food? Some residents visit the grocery store every day – while others prefer to take fewer trips to stock up. If you eat a lot of fresh produce, consider refrigerators with large humidity-controlled bins for fruits and veggies. If you hire a caterer for parties, consider a fridge large enough to hold a commercial sheet pan.

It might be helpful to write down your needs and communicate them to your kitchen designer and appliance showroom rep. This will ensure that you get the best products possible for your home, and for your family.

When meeting a client for the first time, it’s important to gather as much information as possible about a client’s project and needs. For example, replacing appliances in existing appliances is a bit of a different process than specifying appliances for new construction. It’s also important to understand how the appliances will be used, how many people will be living in the home, and a client’s entertaining needs. This initial step is critical to make sure that you get the best appliances.

 

• Types of Refrigerators

• Refrigerator Styles

• Refrigerator Brands

• Refrigerator Sizes, who offers what? (chart) brand, sizes, capacity

• What’s trending right now?

• Best food preservation technologies: What is dual refrigeration?

• Why should you consider a luxury refrigerator?

• Important questions answered (installation needs, retrofit, new construction, door-swing, will it fit?)

• Wi-fi connected refrigerators for your smart home

Types of Refrigerators

As mentioned above, refrigerators come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. There are five main types of refrigerators that we will cover in this guide: built-in, integrated, counter depth, freestanding, and under counter.

 

Built-In Refrigerators

Built-in refrigerators are fridges designed to install into a dedicated cabinet or wall opening. These refrigerators were popularized by Sub Zero, Monogram, and KitchenAid decades ago – but are still a top choice for high end kitchens today. Many built-in refrigerators are characterized by the visible panel at the top. This panel hides the refrigerators compressors and evaporators. Usually built-in refrigerators are large side-by-side, or bottom freezer models. Most built-in refrigerators come in a stainless-steel finish but select models can be ordered to accept custom cabinet panels. Unlike integrated refrigerators, built-in models don’t sit totally flush with your cabinets. Since built-in refrigerators have the motor at the top, the shelves and bins feel lower inside the fridge are easier for residents to reach.

Integrated Refrigerators

Integrated refrigerators originated in Europe and were introduced to the American market over the last decade. Thermador, Miele, and Liebherr were a few of the first brands to offer integrated refrigerator solutions. Unlike built-in models, integrated refrigerators can be built so they are indistinguishable from your cabinetry. Integrated refrigerators mostly come as panel-ready models, but you can order stainless steel if you prefer the look. Integrated refrigerators come as bottom freezer, French door, or columns. Columns are all-refrigerator, all-freezer, or wine storage towers that can be mixed and matched. Columns are a top choice for high end kitchen renovations today.

Freestanding Refrigerators

Unlike built-in refrigerators, freestanding fridges can be installed in a dedicated opening, or without cabinets around the unit. Freestanding refrigerators are less expensive than built-in and integrated models. Freestanding refrigerators come in many shapes and sizes including top freezer, bottom mount, French door, and side-by-side. There are two types of freestanding refrigerators: counter depth and full depth. 

Counter Depth Refrigerators

Counter depth refrigerators are freestanding fridges that have a case depth of 24-inches. This means that when a counter depth refrigerator is installed between two standard cabinets, only the doors and handles will protrude into the kitchen. Counter depth refrigerators are extremely popular offering a more luxurious look. Counter depth models come in a few shapes and sizes with most models on the market measuring 36-inches wide by 72-inches tall. Most 36-inch counter depth refrigerators are measured between 20 to 23 cubic feet capacity. French door counter depth refrigerators are the most popular. You can find a wide variety of finishes including stainless steel, black stainless steel, white, black, and others.

Full Depth Refrigerators

Full depth refrigerators are freestanding fridges that have a case depth of over 29-inches. This means that when a full depth refrigerator is installed between two standard cabinets, you will see about 5 inches of the refrigerator case as well as the refrigerator door and handles. Full depth refrigerators are popular for larger families in need of extra capacity. Full depth fridges come in many shapes and sizes. Top freezers and French-door bottom freezers are the most popular styles. Full depth fridges measure anywhere from 18 to 30 cubic feet capacity. Like with counter depth models, you can find a wide variety of colors and finishes.

Under Counter Refrigerators

Under counter refrigerators are typically additional fridges installed into your home for extra capacity and entertaining needs. Many customers are incorporating under counter refrigerators into their kitchen island, dining room, home office, nursery, backyard, or entertaining space. There is a wide range of under counter refrigeration solutions. Beverage centers are increasingly more popular combining wine and beverage storage. Refrigerator drawers are extremely popular these days for meal prep, extra produce storage, or easy access to beverages. Wine coolers, kegerators, built-in icemakers, under counter freezers, and fridge drawers all serve unique needs. When selecting under counter refrigerators for your home, it’s important to consider your living and entertaining needs.

Refrigerator Styles

French Door

French door refrigerators have been popular for the past two decades. Most French door refrigerators have two doors on the top and a pull-out freezer on the bottom. French door refrigerators are great for kitchens with tight passageways as French doors don’t swing as far as traditional bottom mount models. You can find built-in, integrated, counter depth, and full depth French door refrigerators.

Bottom Mount

Bottom mount refrigerators have one side-swing door on top and a pull-out freezer on the bottom. Bottom mount fridges are typically less expensive than French door models. Like with French door models, bottom mount fridges come in many sizes and styles.

4 - Door

A relatively new style, 4-door refrigerators are rapidly growing in popularity. There are two styles of 4-door refrigerators. The first style has French doors on top and two drawers that pull out underneath. Some brands offer a convertible fridge to freezer drawer in the middle for added versatility. The second style 4-door refrigerator is the newest innovation. It has two French-doors for the fridge section on the top and two French doors for the freezer section on the bottom. Some brands offer a convertible fridge to freezer section on these models for added versatility. The 4-door fridge is a great choice for accessible living and aging in place as it’s easy to access all areas from a seated position.

All-Refrigerator, All-Freezer, and Wine Columns

Columns are a huge trend in upscale kitchen design. Popularized in the last decade, all-refrigerator and all-freezer, and wine column appliances provide designers and residents with flexibility to build a custom refrigerator solution that will meet every family’s specific needs. Columns can either be stainless steel or cabinet panel-ready for a completely flush integrated look.

Refrigerator Brands

Almost every appliance brand offers a refrigerator. There are a lot of options out there! Some brands will even offer refrigeration solutions to satisfy different markets. For example, Bosch offers full depth, counter depth, and integrated models. The lines aren’t totally clear as to which brand is luxury vs which is mass premium per-se. More than associating a brand with a particular cache, it’s important to make sure whichever model you buy will work well for you. This chart below is an approximation of which brands fall where on the luxury scale.

Luxury Refrigerator Brands

Sub Zero

True Residential

Thermador

Miele

Monogram

Hestan

Perlick

Viking

Bluestar

Signature Kitchen Suite

Fisher & Paykel

High End Brands with a Lower Price Freestanding Option

Viking

Bluestar

Signature Kitchen Suite

Fisher & Paykel

Miele

Bosch

Liebherr

Fulgor Milano

Marvel

ULine

Mass Premium Brands

Samsung

Frigidaire

LG

Bosch

Electrolux

Refrigerator Sizes

When shopping for a new refrigerator, you’re probably sifting through too much information. Traditionally refrigerator size was measured by the width and the capacity. Refrigerator capacity is measured in cubic feet (cu.ft.) but it isn’t a perfect system. There is no consistent standard to measure refrigerator capacity across brands. Therefore a 22 cu.ft. refrigerator in one brand might look smaller than a 20 cu.ft. refrigerator in another brand. Cubic footage is not an accurate measure of usable space inside a refrigerator. If possible, it’s recommended to see your refrigeration options in person before deciding so you can get a sense for how your groceries will fit.

As mentioned above, for high end projects, refrigerator columns are a top trend. The chart below compares which brands offer which column sizes.

This charge compares which brands offer the most popular built-In and integrated bottom mount sizes.

These charts compare the top selling column, wine storage, and refrigerator capacities.

What's trending right now?

Customization Options (custom color, hardware, panels)

Many brands are looking to meet customization needs of design professionals and consumers.

Want to make your refrigerator a focal point in your design? Manufacturers are doing this in several ways. Brands like Bluestar, True Residential, and Hestan offer custom color and hardware options.

If you’d rather make your appliances disappear into your cabinetry, consider covering your refrigerator with custom cabinet panels. Sub Zero, Thermador, Miele, Fisher & Paykel, and Liebherr make refrigerators that can blend seamlessly with your cabinets.

Unique interior shelving

It’s important to look inside the fridge as well. Brands are working to create new ways to store fresh and frozen food. Thermador’s new delicate pantry drawers are a unique example, bringing more crisper space to the refrigerator door area. Miele’s humidity-controlled crispers give you a unique ability to customize the crisper environment depending on what you plan to store.

Internal water dispensers

If you’re designing a beautiful kitchen, you might want the convenience of ice and filtered water – without the appearance of a dispenser on the refrigerator door. Built-in internal water dispensers are popular in columns, integrated refrigerators, and counter depth models. Hiding the water dispenser inside the fridge is a cleaner look while still affording access to filtered water on demand.

Stainless steel interiors

Stainless steel refrigerator interiors were popularized in restaurant kitchens. Now several high-end refrigerator brands offer stainless interiors. Stainless is antibacterial, better at maintaining cold temperatures throughout the entire unit, and has a luxurious look.

Handle-free refrigeration

Some contemporary and transitional designs call for handle-free cabinetry. Today you can find dishwashers, ovens, and refrigerators without handles. Simply push on the refrigerator front and the unit will pop open. Having an optional push-to-open design is useful for busy cooks. It’s easier to get large trays and heavy dishes in and out of the fridge with a push to open design. Keep in mind that handle-free refrigeration isn’t the most practical solution for all homes – especially if you keep kosher and occasionally need to turn off the push-to-open feature.

 

Built-in icemakers

If you like to entertain, consider a built-in icemaker for your indoor or outdoor kitchen. Built-in icemakers can make clear slow melting high-quality cubes for better tasting beverages. Icemakers also produce more ice than any refrigerator making it easy to stock up on ice without having to run to the store. Ice makers can make cubes in all shapes and sizes

 

Under counter solutions (wine storage, beverage centers, icemakers, drawers, outdoor)

When designing your kitchen and home, don’t forget about under counter refrigeration solutions. Including wine coolers, kegerators, beverage centers, and fridge freezer drawers into your design will take your living and entertaining spaces to a whole new level.

What is Dual Refrigeration?

To put it simply, dual refrigeration is the best kind of refrigerator system you can buy. A dual refrigerator has separate compressors and evaporators for the refrigerator and freezer section. This separation prevents air transfer from the refrigerator to the freezer maintaining optimal temperature control, accuracy, and optimal humidity in each section. Many luxury refrigerators come with a dual refrigeration system including built-in and integrated models. Bosch’s introduced the first freestanding refrigerator with dual refrigeration.  

 

Are luxury refrigerators worth the money?

Luxury refrigerators can cost up to 3x more than mass premium freestanding models. You might be wondering why luxury models cost more when refrigerators are all designed to keep your food cold. There are 3 major reasons why integrated and built-in models from luxury brands cost more: quality, design, and food preservation. Opting for a luxury refrigerator is an investment.

Quality Built to Last

Luxury refrigerators aren’t built to satisfy a price point. They are designed for quality, durability, withstand rigorous factory testing, and offer excellent service support. On average, a Sub-Zero refrigerator is factory tested built to last over 3x longer than a standard freestanding fridge.

Upscale Design

Luxury refrigerators are beautiful. They’re designed with an upscale look and feel that can’t be matched in a freestanding mass premium model. From the weight of the refrigerator doors, glass shelving, durable crisper bins, and soft LED illumination, a luxury refrigerator looks and feels great.

Food Preservation System

Luxury refrigerators are built to keep your food fresher for longer. Dual refrigeration keeps perishables fresher with better temp control, accuracy, and humidity control. Luxury refrigerators offer better crispers with more customization to make sure your produce lasts as long as possible.

Important Questions Answered

What is the standard refrigerator size?

• In today’s market, there’s no such thing. Refrigerators come in all shapes and sizes. The most popular size for most homes is 36-inches wide by approximately 72-inches tall or (3 feet by 6 feet). However, the rise of tiny homes, and sprawling luxury kitchens call for a wide variety of sizes. As small as 24-inches for small spaces, and up to 72-inches wide for large kitchens.
• PRO TIP: If you want a big side-by-side refrigerator, yet have an older home with tight doorways, consider refrigerator columns. Since refrigerator columns ship in separate boxes, it’s easier to deliver them into the home and install them side-by-side in your kitchen.
• Many luxury bottom mount refrigerators and columns are hinge-reversible meaning that the door can be adjusted to open either way. However, some brands require that you order the refrigerator with a specific hinge. Before you place your appliance order, communicate with your associate about which way you want your new refrigerator to open.

How to replace a refrigerator?

• Measure first
• Identify what you have – freestanding fridges have finished sides. If it’s possible to roll your refrigerator out of it’s cabinet space for cleaning, your fridge is freestanding.
• If your refrigerator is built into your cabinet, or if it has a custom cabinet front, chances are it’s built in and requires an experienced installer to swap out your old fridge.
• To prepare for delivery, make sure to identify any obstacles along the way. Refrigerators are LARGE appliances. It’s important to check the entire delivery path including doorways, hallways, corners, stairwells, elevators, and even deck railings. Avoid unwelcome surprises on your delivery day by doing this in advance. In some historic homes or urban high-rises, refrigerators might need to be brought into a home by crane.
• Replacing a built-in refrigerator with a less expensive freestanding model isn’t always simple. Replacing a freestanding model with a luxury built-in could also require an experienced installation professional, and perhaps a carpenter. It’s important you clearly communicate with your Fuse appliance expert about what kind of refrigerator you have now, and what you’re looking to buy to make sure your refrigerator replacement will go smoothly.

New Construction Considerations

• If you’re planning to buy integrated refrigeration, make sure you line up an experienced installer to get the job done right. A leading cause of first year service calls is related to incorrect product installation. If you’re looking for professional installation services make sure you ask your Fuse appliance expert for details.
• Pro Tip: It’s tempting to use your new fridge in the garage while your kitchen is under construction. Warning, built-in refrigerators and integrated refrigerators, including columns must be secured to a wall, in a dedicated cabinet opening. They can not be used like freestanding refrigerators as they are top heavy. They must be installed into your cabinets before use.

Wi-Fi Connected Smart Refrigerators

Appliances are smarter than ever before. Smart refrigerators connect to your home wi-fi network and deliver a new experience. Depending on the brand and model there are a wide range of features and abilities.

There has been a huge surge in innovation in the mass premium appliance market. Brands such as Samsung, LG, and Bosch have made major strides in incorporating technology focused features in a practical way. Samsung’s Family Hub Refrigerators incorporate a large screen into the refrigerator door. This screen is essentially a huge tablet that can integrate with your tv, smart doorbell, family calendar, and much more. LG’s new InstaView™ refrigerator with CraftIce™ makes clear ice spheres, a unique solution for entertaining. Bosch was the first brand to incorporate dual refrigeration into a freestanding model. With two compressors and two evaporators, Bosch’s FarmFresh™ system is bringing luxury food preservation to a mid-range market.

Typically, we see technology tested in the mass premium market first. Over time luxury brands adopt technology that is most relevant for improving the user experience. Luxury brands are also offering smart capabilities. The biggest reasons to consider a smart refrigerator is for remote diagnostics, remote control, and remote monitoring. Most smart refrigerators have remote diagnostics. Having a refrigerator that can self-diagnose service problems makes the appliance service experience more seamless. If the fridge knows there is a problem and can identify the issue, then you don’t need to rely on a service tech to diagnose an issue and order parts. Another benefit is remote control. If you’re at the store and you want to quick cool the fridge or freezer, you can do this from your phone. Getting your fridge to a low temp before putting in groceries will prevent premature spoiling, especially during hot weather months. Finally, remote monitoring connects your fridge to your smart device and will send an alert when something is happening. For example, you’d get a notification if your kids left the fridge door ajar or if you’re monitoring your wine collection, getting notifications about changes in your fridge will give you peace of mind.