Side-by-side v. over-under

[BekkiM]

Froogle says approximately $15,000 usd for the "monument to food preservation" that is the Pro 48.

[Jaymes]

I had a side-by-side fridge in a former apartment.  Pretty much hated it. Its only redeeming quality was that it was easier to organize the freezer since there were more shelves.  But as mentioned upthread, it was impossible to lay a half-sheet pan flat in the fridge.  A big pot of soup could barely fit. 

Since I was one of the major proponents for side-by-sides in this thread, I do want to reiterate that if you can't, for whatever reason, get a big one, do not get one. A large one though, which easily can accommodate a half-sheet pan flat in the fridge, is still my favorite, although I must say that Kristin's looks just about as perfect as an appliance can get.

[Joe Blowe]

UMRP for the PRO 48 is $11,999 (hit Ctrl-A, and look for the 11,999 right above the 800 number, middle of screen).

Question: If one buys a PRO 48, does one have to trade up to an all-black wardrobe?

[Human Bean]

The fridge in my apartment is one of those generic (cheap) top-freezer models. Perfectly adequate.

But, the absolutely most brain-damaged feature of it is that the heat-exchanger coils are on the bottom. What were they thinking (or, were they even thinking at all)?? There's all kinds of dust and gunk down there, and it's impossible to clean - there's no vacuum attachment that is thin enough get get very far underneath, and my vacuum doesn't have a 'blower' mode; it would be a PITA to blow a huge cloud of dust from under there, but I'd rather do that and deal with the consequences than having the coils all gunked up.

[Toliver]

Thanks everyone for finding out the astronomical price of the Sub-Zero Pro 48.

I find it encouraging though. Seeing the model that torakris has and also seeing the ridiculous high-end model that Sub-Zero has, it's good to see that consumer refrigerators are evolving and adapting to today's kitchen. I also hope this means that, eventually, these new features will cost less and less as the market develops.

[Daddy-A]

As someone who has dealt with pretty much every possible fridge configuration out there, I agree 100% with one comment I've seen a couple times in this thread: "It's a matter of personal preference"

For the life of me, I cannot understand why anyone would have a side-by-side fridge narrower than 42" ... and yet I see them all the time. The "french door" configuration is just as silly IMO, but again, they seem to be selling.

So, for what it's worth, here's my preference: 24" All Fridge and 24" All Freezer (w/ Ice Maker).

Translation: The best fridge/freezer configuration is no configuration. Let the fridge be a fridge, and the freezer a freezer. If you don't have enough room in the kitchen for both units, put the freezer somewhere else. Probably not the best solution for everyone, but when I build my dream home, I'm building my kitchen around this idea.

A.

[chromedome]

Arne, you are a genius. Trust a kitchen designer...

As an avid home cook turned professional chef (soon to become chef-proprietor), I've often wondered how I'd lay out my dream kitchen if I got to build one. So many of those "dream kitchens" I see in magazines are simply laughable - do they wear roller skates to get around? Ride a Segway? - that I'm often at a loss to think what the owners were thinking, unless it was impressing the neighbours.

Local star chef Larry Stewart (the Hardware Grill) and his wife have a tap over their stove, for filling stock pots. I like that. Your separate pieces suggestion has just joined it in the "permanent ideas" file.

For my current usage, I favour the good ol' traditional top-freezer style. I haven't liked any of the side-by-sides I've used so far (sorry Jaymes) and with my preference for room-temp water, I wouldn't use a water tap or ice maker (I use about two dozen ice cubes a year, max...). I've used bottom-freezer units a couple of times, at various catering functions, and frankly I find them a pain in the ass.

I have an action-packed schedule at the best of times, and I only get out shopping once or twice a week. I tend to stock up on things and freeze them, meaning that I'm into my freezer every weeknight for dinner makin's. I'm probably about 60% refrigerator usage to 40% freezer usage, not counting my upright deep freeze in the basement. For me, top freezer just makes sense. However, as previously observed, that's a personal thing.

[dscott]

Arne, thanks for sending me on a wild goose chase on prices for your great suggestion. You could have mentioned that your "preference" costs ~$8000!

Anyone else doing a similar thing to Thermador at a lower entry cost?

I really want that Japanese fridge.

[dividend]

Sub Zero makes a refrigerator similar to what Kris has:

Sub Zero Pro48

It's larger and probably costs quite a bit more.

I originally posted about this in another discussion because of the feature of sliding "hotel pans" that can be stored inside and can go directly into the oven.

←

That is a seriously sexy fridge. I want to come home to that after a hard day at the grocery store.

Ahem. Back to reality. And in said reality, a totally separate fridge and freezer is the best idea I've seen in a long time. It shouldn't seem that out there, considering alot of new kitchens split up the stove and the ovens.

[Emily_R]

Torakris --- GASP! That fridge is a masterpiece! I am now intensely intensely jealous! Pehaps a career as an import export specialist to desperate Americans is in order? I mean if someone is out there paying $15,000 for a fridge, you've got to figure you could sell yours for at least $10,000! :-)

I have a side by side right now which I DETEST, for many of the reasons mentioned here, but particularly for its meager vegetable bin. In the summer, when my garden is producing like gangbusters, the veggie bin, cheese bin, and at least 3/4 of the rest of the fridge space was filled with zukes and cukes. Just imagine all zukes and cukes save for the gallon of milk and pound of butter I managed to squeeze in there with them.

Before this year's produce hits I am getting a new one, likely a french door with freezer on the bottom... Though mind you I already have two other freezers in our basement, one for the 200 pounds of assorted berries we pick and freeze each year, and the other for all the veggies I freeze...

[alanamoana]

I like Torakris' fridge! Small, but conformable to your uses.

I have a cheap GE which is part of our rented apartment. They seem to buy the cheapest models of all the appliances available to stock these apartment buildings when they're new. It is a freezer on top, which is fine, but for such an outwardly large seeming appliance, the internal configuration makes it very difficult to store things. I hate it! I had a half sized fridge in NYC and it now seems bigger than this p.o.s.!

Someone on the kitchen renovation thread (I think) mentioned getting a Liebherr fridge. I think they have some sexy configurations. And some American companies are coming up with some good ideas like that now.

[Malawry]

bump

So I presume a top-freezer is the most efficient model, right?

I need a second fridge/freezer unit and size is not really a concern. I don't need or want an icemaker in the thing. The single biggest consideration is energy efficiency. Specifically, my husband doesn't want the thing, but I need it for work, and if it's really efficient I think I can get away with it. We'll be putting it in the garage or in the kid's play room so it needs to be lockable. I'm willing to pay more upfront for a unit that is low on the power suck. Suggestions?