Pam here….I love my counter depth fridge. Mostly because I do not lose stuff way in the back of it. For my hubby and I it is perfect and it takes less space in our smaller kitchen
Yeah... I really only want a counter depth fridge. In each of my last two kitchens, I bought a counter depth fridge, replacing standard depth models. The flow of the room in each place was much improved. Most people have fridges that are way too big, full of months old stuff they're eventually throwing out.
Yes, counter depth has these drawbacks, but then a cheap (or old) garage fridge solves many of the capacity issues. Garage fridge is awesome for items you don’t use often or bulky items like a case of beers or 2L bottles. And frozen meats (if you have freezer too).
If you have room, put 2 fridges in the kitchen area perhaps a smaller one in the breakfast/living area. I would skip the freezer and/or beverage frig. A second smaller refrigerator is so much better. I have a large 28 cu ft main frig+ 21 cu ft in the dining/living area. It solves the beverage and freezer capacity problem at once. It seemed like an overkill but COVID change the way we shop and the second full size fridge is a good decision.
@@raymondchow8722 We have 2 under counter, counter depth fridges in the kitchen, and a kitchen aid fridge in the garage. I hate walking into a home and seeing the refrigerator from the front door.
@@oltedders That's funny. Looking at a frige makes me happy. If I see two, I am twice as happy. The friges reminded my I can store so much yummy ingredients to cook with so I never had to go to a pretentious fluff restaurant who wont stop asking you for tips.
@raymondchow8722 It's the same way with a toilet. I don't want to walk past someone's bathroom and see the toilet standing out like it's some special feature of the room. It's a GD toilet! When we remodeled our house, we made sure the toilets were not visible from the doorway. Our house is too small for separate water closets, but we extended the pony walls just enough to block out the view of the toilet at 1st glance. The requirements of modern living don't need to be "in your face".
A counter depth fridge can have all the things you listed for standard fridges. I have a Bosch 4 door (love it) that even has separate evaporators and condensers for freezer and fridge. I didn’t want ice and water through the door as that option has the highest repair rate across manufacturers, which freed a ton of space for platters, gallon jugs in the door, etc.
Delighted to get all this input on counter top fridges; I’m looking at a small condo with an enormous full depth black fridge overpowering the kitchen.
We got a counter depth Samsung Four door Flex Bespoke about a year and a half ago. it replaced a plain vanilla Freezer on top model. We actually have more space in this one, and I love that the two freezer compartments have pull out shelves and drawers rather than a big bin on the bottom. I can keep it organized much easier now (plus we have a 12 CU foot stand-alone garage freezer.) One side of the freezer can be temp controlled to be a fridge space if needed. The shallower shelves make it easy for me with my tiny t-rex arms to reach items in the back, and the fridge on top makes it easier for my very tall husband to access everything without having to bend down low to the ground. It is 23 cu feet and perfect for us as a two-person household with occasional grandchild visits. I love that it doesn't stick way out in the room, and I love that I can change out the front panels to a variety of styles offered by Samsung. For my kitchen aesthetic the white glass is perfect, but it is nice to know I can have it any color of the rainbow! When I was raising my family, especially with a house full of teenage athletes, this would not have been the best choice for us, so I am happy that there are lots to choose from on the market. We gifted our other fridge to our daughter. She has 3 growing kids in the teen and tween age, so having an extra fridge in their basement is very helpful for all the groceries they consume. ETA: our counter-depth cost us $100.00 USD more than the standard depth. For the look, and the function of it, it was worth the cost.
I was fortunate enough to have counter depth but there's only two of us. Well I moved and said good bye to my beautiful fridge and now I have a giant mon. With a depth being 17 - 20 inches I'm always losing things in the back, especially on the top shelf. The other person in the house loves the ice and water dispenser though!
I LOVE my counter-depth fridge. Stuff doesn't get lost in the back. It is easier to keep clean. I live in an area where grocery stores are close by. Hands down, the best decision for me.
Integrated fridge is the way to go and if you can't fit all your stuff, you need to cut back on what you think you're using. People raised households of 8-10 ppl in the 1930's through the 1960's with refridgerators the size of a Jukebox.
I recall a "Home Time," when they considered an expensive counter-depth fridge, but opted to make a shallow "bump-out" into the adjoining garage. This allowed a standard depth fridge to be placed with the look of counter depth. This was part of a major kitchen redo project.
Great video! One thing you may want to address is the difference between "counter depth" and "built in" fridges. As a kitchen designer, I find that many customers will pick out a counter depth fridge thinking that they are paying for something like a Subzero Classic or Designer series. There are fridges advertised as counter depth that are 31" deep!
I have a counter depth full height refrigerator when we built a house last year for our family of four and I love it! I’ve always hated the freezer section in my refrigerator, so this option has provided a much more functional option for our family. We have our standard depth fridge in the basement to handle extra storage and an upright freezer that is so much more functional for our family.
i just had a tall (80 inch high) but narrow (24 inch wide) counter depth bosch fridge installed in my tiny kitchen and absolutlely love it. i was worried about losing storage capacity, but it hasn't been an issue at all and now i have way more counter space due to the slim footprint. the fridge is well designed and includes filtered water and an ice machine as well. def consider a counter depth fridge... you probably won't be disappointed!
Love our counter depth. Fits well in our 70's kitchen. I hate leftovers so they stare at me and we use them fast. Can see all condiments and rarely lose old food. We have always had a 'drink' fridge in utility room for the kids which is super for overflow for parties and holiday pies. Always enjoy your content. Great info! Thanks from Texas.
So... I just moved into a house where the fridge space was directly at the end of the peninsula and the passage was... small... with the full-depth fridge the prior owners had. I told my dad I was looking for a counter-depth fridge, and he scoffed, giving most of the reasons you listed here. Hell-bent on proving him wrong, I started searching online classifieds for a used, counter-depth fridge. I ended up finding a slightly used, paneled fridge that retailed for $9,000 and got it for $300. It's 48" wide, 26" deep, and 82" tall. I had to remove the tiny upper cabinet, but it fits the space PERFECTLY and is probably my dad's favourite part of the house. (Moving the thing is an entirely different story, though!) So... I agree that designing for a more common fridge size is a good idea, but if you're making an existing space work, counter-depth can be a good option, and when rich folks needlessly remodel existing kitchens, there are GREAT deals to be had!
Thanks Mark! Great information. My niece, on her wedding gift registry, has clear roll out bins for a standard refrigerator which I think are brilliant.
I am blown away at how giant more fridges are. Maybe that works for large families who shop at Costco but for me a large fridge invites overbuying and food waste. I wish there were more small affordable counter height units like I saw in small European apartments.
Agreed. White Westinghouse made them 30+ years ago and I got 2 at sears scratch and dent. Reversible door two feet wide. Loved the added counter space. I had more than I needed but my house was small and I wanted light and sightlines. Not frost free but they never broke down. I put everything in one and defrosted the other. I got a chest freezer in a outdoor short shed for ice at parties and never used it the rest of the time. Sub zero but friggin expensive and not tailored for main fridge use.
I love my counter depth fridge! It looks great where our old one stuck out too much. I can also easily find items. I knew when we purchased it that the capacity was smaller but it's just my husband and me living in our home now. We also have a regular full sized fridge with freezer and another chest freezer in the garage. I agree though that if you have a large family with no other refrigerators or freezers in your home to go with the larges possible if that need is greater than a good design look.
Nothing makes a kitchen look haphazard like a full-size fridge jutting out into the floor space. Ive had counter depth for 15 years and love the look and plenty of space.
I love my counter depth fridge! If it wasn't counter depth it would block the walkway. If there was a model even less deep, i would have bought that! My fridge is always half empty anyway!
Here in Europe counter-depth is the standard. Many people opt for a built-in panelled fridge, with very few exceptions the free-standing fridges over here are about 60cm/24" deep overall so if you place them with the correct air gap at the back only the door itself sticks out. The major downside is fitting large pans/boxes, but there's also a downside to your standard (here extra-deep) fridges: if you actually use the capacity, stuff ends up out of sight in the back of the shelves. To keep oversight, you pretty much have to waste the extra capacity that extra depth provides. We do consume a lot less ice cubes (just one or two cubes when it's very hot) and chilled water though, so less need for an in door dispenser.
I love my counter-depth fridge. (i've had it for seven years? ten years?) I hated previous fridges that stuck out past the counter and into the room. Never again.
I love the look of my counter depth fridge. I have the old fridge and a stand alone freezer in the basement. Before we renovated 7 years ago, I hated how the standard fridge stuck out almost 6 inches from the counter blocking the flow between the island opposite it.
We are redoing our kitchen and going with standard refrigerator. We are having the bump being in the pantry so it looks like a counter depth but is standard.
I am wondering if the retro fridge needs to be built in or can it stand alone as a statement. I am thinking the retro classic set for my reno. I have a 1850 stone farmhouse.
Counter depth refrigerators won't fit a ny pizza box. That's a deal breaker! I love your videos! They're inspiring my kitchen remodel. I have a request, please. Can you please address old kitchen soffits in a video? I have a 50 year old home with soffits. super tall cabinets that reach the 8 ft ceiling seems expensive and impractical. Alas, soffits are super-dated. I know they likely must go. Not sure what should be there instead. I detest wall cabinets with a gap between their tops and the ceiling. It's a real design conundrum. I know I'm not alone with this common problem.... Thanks!
I love my counter depth but there is only me. I kept my old fridge and put it out in the garage. I mainly kept the old fridge because it's over 25 years old and still going strong and I don't trust any of today's appliances to last even a quarter of that time. I thought I would complain about the lack of storage in the counter depth but honestly, I have more / better organized storage in the counter depth than the old side by side. The only time I've even put anything in the old side by side is when I bought some bottled water in bulk and when I am making several dishes for a family reunion or potluck.
Wise advise. I purchased a counter depth fridge, and while it functions okay and is enough space for our needs, IT CANNOT BE RECESSED TO THE. DEPTH OF THE COUNTER (to give a flush/recessed look). Wouldn't that be a purpose for calling it "counter depth"? Maybe some can, but ours with the deep doors still sticks out into the room. Disappointing.
Barbara, I believe this is deliberate on the part of the manufacturers. "Counter Depth" does not necessarily mean it is even with the cabinets. "Built In" is what it should be called. I agree that it is confusing, I have to explain this difference all the time.
Counter depths have changed over the decades. We learnt that with our old house when we were trying to replace our sink. The big issue. To get deeper counters you often half to replace solid wood cabinets, for cabinets which might last 10 years with care. Something many people, myself included, will not do.
I just replaced a 22 year old standard depth with a counter depth, in anticipation of a house sale. One thing I failed to realize is that my funky kitchen design doesn't allow a counter depth to be set back as far as it should be, so either I cannot open the drawers (!!), or the unit has to stick out a bit. If I had realized this, I would've opted for another standard depth. I honestly don't mind the decreased capacity because then I store less and less goes bad
Exactly. It takes me thirty plus minutes to get to the store, and facts just our staff store. It’s an hour for anything speciality. We can get basics near by but they’re more expensive.
We don’t use the freezer much day to day and went with a refrigerator only model in the kitchen that’s counter depth and offloaded all frozen things to the garage. It’s been fine, and it means we look at the garage freezer much more frequently than we used to.
I wish they would reduce the bottom freezer. Like you, we have a full size freezer. We use the refrigerator freezer for quick things to grab.....herbs, partly opened veggies, coffee and ice.
@@ninadukette3340 My inlaws bought one of the samsung refrigerators with four doors (two on top, two on the bottom). Apparently you can configure the bottom so it's half freezer or all freezer. (Of course, it has the usual samsung issue of malfunctioning ice production/dispenser, but reducing the size of the freezer is a useful feature.)
Talk to any NYC resident, or one in Paris or London. Small fridges rock! Plus, if have a 2nd fridge in pantry or garage or basement, DEF. want small fridge in kitchen.
I was going for a counter depth fridge until I realized a large pizza box wouldn't fit LOL. I also only had room for a 30" refrigerator which made iy even smaller. I opted on a French door 30" standard depth refrigerator.
Our fridge is counter depth, which allows room for two cooks in a relatively small kitchen. As we ‘age in place’ I do think a side-by-side model would be nice.
I have a very old counter depth fridge that holds 15” deep organizers of the shelves. Maybe it’s because the door shelves are the old non-adjustable shallow type. When shopping for a new one I’ll have to measure the inside shelves to be sure my current organizing bins will fit!
I've been convinced I want a counter-depth fridge just because the deeper the shelves, the more things get lost. I knew there were ways to make a standard fridge look counter-depth, but I wasn't sold on that. This is making me think more. Door storage is a big deal too and I wouldn't want to skimp on it. I also never heard that counter-depths might have fewer features. Lots to mull over.
I have small galley with a return wall that can't be changed at my best fridge location. A counter depth would either be mostly unusable or damnably awkward for use.
All good points, but I looove my counter depth fridge. It is perfect for my small NYC galley kitchen. And I waste less food. Too much stuff was ending up in the back of fridge “graveyard”. Like anything, I think it comes down to your needs and priorities. Probably not ideal for a family of four unless you are very intentional with your shopping and cooking.
Looking at canibalizing an extra hall closet that backs up on my kitchen to give me the space for a full depth fridge that will have the look of a CDF. Full depth units are almost always cheaper for more capacity. Economics of my Reno will drive my decision.
Counter depth has changed over the decades. Something we learnt trying to replace a sink at our last home. However, many of those older homes have cabinets made of real wood. In other words they are not falling apart after 5 to 10 years. A big bonus for normal people who can not afford to redo their kitchen every 10 years or less. No fridge will be counter depth with older cabinets and hopefully you do not have a built in fridge. One on an end is perfect. If built in, your fridge choice is the only one you can get to fit the width. The farther away from a large city you live, the harder that gets. Good luck. Even then you could find yourself removing the cabinet that goes over it. We did.
I'm a senior. The ONLY thing I care about is that the freezer is on the bottom instead of the top. I hate having to bend over to look into the frig. Lol
All you have a Counter Depth Refrigerator, are right, it’s the best option, in all terms, Design, Looks, Reachable stuff at the back, enough space for all your needs, No Sticking out over the pathway, you all are the best on your comments. 😉
Love my Miele counter depth frig. An ice maker/water spigot on the front of a frig is not for me. I think they are inefficient and messy. I like the clean, integrated, upgraded look you get without the dispenser and with the counter depth models.
Plant-base d eater here...I buy a bunch of vegetables and then eat them up. I don't need long-term storage for processed foods that last a year or more. Smaller is better for me.
The 3 reasons NOT to buy a counter depth refrigerator are well considered. And there are lots and lots of comments here defending the counter depth refrigerators. Points well taken. A few more considerations about refrigerators, in general, and counter depth in particular. 1 - appliance mfg can make a few more options. Specifically, a wider, counter depth refrigerator could offer the same cubic feet as standard depth AND allow the homeowner to see everything and not lose groceries and leftovers as they get pushed farther and farther back. Yes, it will take an outside-the-box company to mfg one, and a talented kitchen designer to accommodate one in his plan. 2 - include a beverage refrigerator in your kitchen design, along with your counter depth refrigerator (see: budget). More space available in the primary refrigerator since the beverages are in a low-traffic zone, right, Mark? 3 - choose a counter depth refrigerator with minimal ice-making capacity AND use a free-standing ice maker (again, see: budget). Three separate appliances (fridge, ice maker, beverage station) may seem over the top. And in some households and for some budgets, it might be. However, in those households that have an adequate need and an adequate budget, and with Mark’s guidance about traffic flow, it can be the answer. And one final word about refrigerators with all the bells and whistles, (i. e. smart appliances), the more features they include, the more they need repair. And frequently, they shorten the lifespan (“well, the ice maker couldn’t be repaired, so we had to buy a new refrigerator”).
Funny, 95% of the commenters are pro-counter depth refrigerators. And I agree. Big families typically need two fridges anyway. And very relevant note, as others mentioned, water and ice thru the door take up lots of space and often fail.
The only advantage of standard depth fridge is capacity, but American counter depth fridges are already huge compare to most part of the world. I disagree with your point that standard depth fridges offer more bells and whistles. Most manufacturers offer their top-of-the-line models as counter depth ones with extra features. Standard depth models usually look cheaper inside.
French Door fridge is also bad because it provide zero improvement over the side by frig. So it's a double whammy if you get a counter depth french door frig.
@@laundrygoddess4 Side by side is so much better. The less accessed frig items and freezer items go towards the bottom. Where for the French door style, all freezer items are on the bottoms.
@laundrygoddess4 My most used items are the produce drawers and they are at the bottom. Plus the fridge side isn’t wide enough for large items (turkey, watermelon, party tray) but I do love the freezer section in side-by-sides. In a perfect world I’d have a French door fridge top part only over a bank of drawers and same for a freezer! 😂
@@raymondchow8722 the freezer on the bottom means more fridge room. That works better for most people. Side by side may be the best for you, but they are less popular for a reason.
@@trinaroe5132 In my other posts, I suggest that you get 2 frig if you got the room. Then you can get one side by side and one french door style. I ended up getting 2 side by side and that worked out for me.
Get a garage fridge if you need that much space. Counter depth is the best choice for most kitchens. The most expensive fridges GE and everyone else sells are built ins.
Give me a counter fridge with a good compressor and an even amount of freezer space and fridge space. My biggest gripe with them is the serious lacking in freezer room. Beyond that, the quality of ALL fridges has tanked. They took a once every 20-25 year appliance and turned it into an electronic monstrosity that has to be replaced every 3-5 years. Planned obsolescence is nice innit?
I do NOT undestand commenters that say that things get 'lost' or forgotten in the back of a standard depth fridge! Really?!! It is not THAT deep! I really really dont get it.
The perfect fit fridge isn't that important to me. Maybe if we replace our current one I might get one now that I have room for a second fridge but fridge space trumps the look for me.
Thank you for addressing this topic! Can not stand counter-depth fridge- it only looks a bit better but huge capacity sacrifice. Is it a scam from the companies (because less material used?) In any case, no thank you!
I made the mistake of buying one 15 years ago. Biggest mistake of my life. I had the opportunity to move the wall behind it to give it added depth for a regular fridge that would be set back...but for some reason thought a counter depth would work. Well, it didn't. I cannot even get a leftover pizza box, or a fridge pack size of soda or beer in it. Although its just for me (and not a family) it is still too small. And if you entertain, even only on an occasional basis, you cannot get trays of food. Think twice folks...most people can use more than a 19 cubic foot refrigerator.
Ah, so the NEVER in the title was merely click bait. I should have known. I'm a single guy, and I can fit everything I need in a counter-depth--and I cook! Seeing the shallow dimension the first time was a shock, but it's actually a convenience. As a side note, since I signed up with a composting company that collects my food waste weekly, the refrigerator stays uncrowded and cleaner. Another side note: I hate ice makers, water dispensers, etc. Those ice cubes are more like refrigerator-scented pellets, and who has any use for that?
Even with an added chest freezer in my garage, my high-storage-capacity standard depth fridge's freezer compartment barely keeps up with my meat freezing needs. And I often thaw large meats in the main compartment on a half-sheet-sized baking pan which would never fit in a counter depth fridge. I've had too many meat packages that looked intact end up leaking blood all over my fridge to give up the safeguard of that baking sheet. And yes, there are several meats I regularly thaw that require the entire length of that pan. I'm having a hard time imagining how people with counter-depth fridges thaw big meat cuts. Maybe they're mostly vegetarians? Or they don't get disgusted when they have to clean up a bloody mess in their fridges? I know everyone has different cooking needs. I envy folks whose lifestyles would accommodate a smaller fridge.
I want a side-by-side with no ice or water in door. They just waste space and reduce the life of the fridge. I think counter depth would be big enough if it wasn’t too much more expensive
Your title doesn't make sense. BTW, I did the bring the dish thing, but for my new dishwasher. I have a bunch of Fiesta bowls that didn't fit in my old dishwasher, and I was determined to make sure that didn't happen. No one looked at me oddly, I had several people say "What a good idea!"
After living in France for 12 years with a small fridge I would never go back to either gigantic refrigerators or the ton of mostly not eaten food to spend money on, give to the chickens or waste. In America’s ridiculously huge kitchens with more storage than is reasonable, there should be plenty of pantry space for potatoes, which don’t go in a fridge. As for the Costco buy in our multi family home, we have a hunkin’ fridge in the garage. Keep it light and fresh.
That’s condescending and hypocritical at the same time. You have two refrigerators, dahling, one of which you describe as “hunkin’” (whatever that is). So please get off your haut cheval; you’re as American as the rest of us.
@@sammy7237 Well, sugar, I live in a combined household where I do not have control of the refrigerator purchases or kitchen design. However, I do have relevant life experience and an opinion about refrigerators and how we Americans manage food, design kitchens, shop, spend, and waste. You just seem mean.
Yes, the French have learned long ago that less is more; something Americans can't seem to grasp. I lived there as well and agree with your statement completely.
A higher supply does not mean a higher demand. A higher supply could mean a lower price, which could mean higher demand. You kind of have it backwards.
They all looks ugly and stick out from kitchen cabinets only integrated fridges are beautiful. Also you need to pull it out to clean it from behind (as far as I understand integrated fridges doesn’t need it which makes cleaning much easier)
The video is somewhat misleading in many parts. I have an LG counter depth with water and ice dispenser-plenty of space too. For my galley kitchen, there is NO room for a standard depth.
You know what? At that point I'd rather look for a super large but not too deep fridge. Like a commercial one. Will look awful, but at least will last longer and will be way more usable. I don't care. I have a complete wall that is fully dedicated to the fridge, nothing else.
Sorry I have to disagree. I have a Fisher Paykel counter depth fridge that is wide and I have shelves that go right across and hold three baking sheets. It has pull out full width party tray storage and large crispers. I have a quick chill for wine bottles and since I throw parties and cook and bake everything I shopped for usable space. I have a very large freezer. I think the real problem is poorly designed fridges and ice and water is of no interest to me. They are a total waste of space.
This video is so bad. Most of your examples are on LG fridges and the 4 door LG fridge you used comes in counter and full depth.both configurations are exactly the same except for capacity. 23 cubic vs 29.5 cubic. Max line from LG offer counter depth fridges between 25.5 to 26.5 cubic feet capacity with multiple ice makers on most of them. In fact, all 36" wide LG fridges with external dispenser will have at least 1 more ice maker in the freezer. Some have 2 extra ice markers in the freezer. Samsung has the same.
20 + years of kitchen design experience straight to your inbox 👉🏻 mtkd.ck.page/newsletter
Check your title spelling 😳
Pam here….I love my counter depth fridge. Mostly because I do not lose stuff way in the back of it. For my hubby and I it is perfect and it takes less space in our smaller kitchen
This Pamela agrees!
Nothing hides behind the egg carton, because the shelf is only egg carton deep!
Undercounter drawers?
Another Pam here, I love my counter depth fridge.
Same!
Yeah... I really only want a counter depth fridge. In each of my last two kitchens, I bought a counter depth fridge, replacing standard depth models. The flow of the room in each place was much improved. Most people have fridges that are way too big, full of months old stuff they're eventually throwing out.
Yes, counter depth has these drawbacks, but then a cheap (or old) garage fridge solves many of the capacity issues. Garage fridge is awesome for items you don’t use often or bulky items like a case of beers or 2L bottles. And frozen meats (if you have freezer too).
If you have room, put 2 fridges in the kitchen area perhaps a smaller one in the breakfast/living area. I would skip the freezer and/or beverage frig. A second smaller refrigerator is so much better. I have a large 28 cu ft main frig+ 21 cu ft in the dining/living area. It solves the beverage and freezer capacity problem at once. It seemed like an overkill but COVID change the way we shop and the second full size fridge is a good decision.
@@raymondchow8722
We have 2 under counter, counter depth fridges in the kitchen, and a kitchen aid fridge in the garage. I hate walking into a home and seeing the refrigerator from the front door.
@@oltedders That's funny. Looking at a frige makes me happy. If I see two, I am twice as happy. The friges reminded my I can store so much yummy ingredients to cook with so I never had to go to a pretentious fluff restaurant who wont stop asking you for tips.
@raymondchow8722
It's the same way with a toilet. I don't want to walk past someone's bathroom and see the toilet standing out like it's some special feature of the room. It's a GD toilet! When we remodeled our house, we made sure the toilets were not visible from the doorway. Our house is too small for separate water closets, but we extended the pony walls just enough to block out the view of the toilet at 1st glance. The requirements of modern living don't need to be "in your face".
@@oltedders You want to compare a fridge with a toilet?Not sure what put in your fridge. I guess your fridge bring you as much joy as your toilet.
I have a counter depth fridge because everything in the back would be forgotten and go bad. I have never wanted to go back the a full size fridge.
Same! 😊
Agreed!
A counter depth fridge can have all the things you listed for standard fridges. I have a Bosch 4 door (love it) that even has separate evaporators and condensers for freezer and fridge. I didn’t want ice and water through the door as that option has the highest repair rate across manufacturers, which freed a ton of space for platters, gallon jugs in the door, etc.
We got a counter depth Bosch for the same reasons!
Delighted to get all this input on counter top fridges; I’m looking at a small condo with an enormous full depth black fridge overpowering the kitchen.
We got a counter depth Samsung Four door Flex Bespoke about a year and a half ago. it replaced a plain vanilla Freezer on top model. We actually have more space in this one, and I love that the two freezer compartments have pull out shelves and drawers rather than a big bin on the bottom. I can keep it organized much easier now (plus we have a 12 CU foot stand-alone garage freezer.) One side of the freezer can be temp controlled to be a fridge space if needed. The shallower shelves make it easy for me with my tiny t-rex arms to reach items in the back, and the fridge on top makes it easier for my very tall husband to access everything without having to bend down low to the ground. It is 23 cu feet and perfect for us as a two-person household with occasional grandchild visits. I love that it doesn't stick way out in the room, and I love that I can change out the front panels to a variety of styles offered by Samsung. For my kitchen aesthetic the white glass is perfect, but it is nice to know I can have it any color of the rainbow!
When I was raising my family, especially with a house full of teenage athletes, this would not have been the best choice for us, so I am happy that there are lots to choose from on the market. We gifted our other fridge to our daughter. She has 3 growing kids in the teen and tween age, so having an extra fridge in their basement is very helpful for all the groceries they consume. ETA: our counter-depth cost us $100.00 USD more than the standard depth. For the look, and the function of it, it was worth the cost.
Me too!
Great detail - thanks!
I love the Bespoke. I just ordered the 4 door Bespoke for our kitchen remodel.
@@debbielockhart7762 I hope you love yours as much as I love ours!
I was fortunate enough to have counter depth but there's only two of us. Well I moved and said good bye to my beautiful fridge and now I have a giant mon. With a depth being 17 - 20 inches I'm always losing things in the back, especially on the top shelf. The other person in the house loves the ice and water dispenser though!
I LOVE my counter-depth fridge. Stuff doesn't get lost in the back. It is easier to keep clean. I live in an area where grocery stores are close by. Hands down, the best decision for me.
Integrated fridge is the way to go and if you can't fit all your stuff, you need to cut back on what you think you're using.
People raised households of 8-10 ppl in the 1930's through the 1960's with refridgerators the size of a Jukebox.
I recall a "Home Time," when they considered an expensive counter-depth fridge, but opted to make a shallow "bump-out" into the adjoining garage. This allowed a standard depth fridge to be placed with the look of counter depth. This was part of a major kitchen redo project.
That's pretty cool. It wouldn't work for us because that's not where our garage is located but cool idea just the same.
Great video! One thing you may want to address is the difference between "counter depth" and "built in" fridges. As a kitchen designer, I find that many customers will pick out a counter depth fridge thinking that they are paying for something like a Subzero Classic or Designer series. There are fridges advertised as counter depth that are 31" deep!
Always check dimensions 😂
I have a counter depth full height refrigerator when we built a house last year for our family of four and I love it! I’ve always hated the freezer section in my refrigerator, so this option has provided a much more functional option for our family. We have our standard depth fridge in the basement to handle extra storage and an upright freezer that is so much more functional for our family.
i just had a tall (80 inch high) but narrow (24 inch wide) counter depth bosch fridge installed in my tiny kitchen and absolutlely love it. i was worried about losing storage capacity, but it hasn't been an issue at all and now i have way more counter space due to the slim footprint. the fridge is well designed and includes filtered water and an ice machine as well. def consider a counter depth fridge... you probably won't be disappointed!
I find the back few inches just end up being stuff that needs to be cleaned out because we could shove it into the back 🧟
Good list of considerations!
Turntables solve that problem.
I loved the counter depth fridge I had in my last house. Looking forward to getting a new one when we remodel the kitchen next year.
Good to hear this. Love all these testimonials.
Love our counter depth. Fits well in our 70's kitchen. I hate leftovers so they stare at me and we use them fast. Can see all condiments and rarely lose old food. We have always had a 'drink' fridge in utility room for the kids which is super for overflow for parties and holiday pies. Always enjoy your content. Great info! Thanks from Texas.
So... I just moved into a house where the fridge space was directly at the end of the peninsula and the passage was... small... with the full-depth fridge the prior owners had. I told my dad I was looking for a counter-depth fridge, and he scoffed, giving most of the reasons you listed here. Hell-bent on proving him wrong, I started searching online classifieds for a used, counter-depth fridge.
I ended up finding a slightly used, paneled fridge that retailed for $9,000 and got it for $300. It's 48" wide, 26" deep, and 82" tall. I had to remove the tiny upper cabinet, but it fits the space PERFECTLY and is probably my dad's favourite part of the house. (Moving the thing is an entirely different story, though!)
So... I agree that designing for a more common fridge size is a good idea, but if you're making an existing space work, counter-depth can be a good option, and when rich folks needlessly remodel existing kitchens, there are GREAT deals to be had!
Thanks Mark! Great information. My niece, on her wedding gift registry, has clear roll out bins for a standard refrigerator which I think are brilliant.
I am blown away at how giant more fridges are. Maybe that works for large families who shop at Costco but for me a large fridge invites overbuying and food waste. I wish there were more small affordable counter height units like I saw in small European apartments.
Agreed. White Westinghouse made them 30+ years ago and I got 2 at sears scratch and dent. Reversible door two feet wide. Loved the added counter space. I had more than I needed but my house was small and I wanted light and sightlines. Not frost free but they never broke down. I put everything in one and defrosted the other. I got a chest freezer in a outdoor short shed for ice at parties and never used it the rest of the time. Sub zero but friggin expensive and not tailored for main fridge use.
I purchased 2 years ago 24 in. Samsung no ice /h20. On purpose..
Beautiful and very functional.. enough space for 2 people.
Noticed that also when we downsized to counter depth model. 😊
Good idea to bring problem size item along with you, Mark. You changed my mind about big single sinks, but the counter depth fridge is what I need.
I love my counter depth fridge! It looks great where our old one stuck out too much. I can also easily find items. I knew when we purchased it that the capacity was smaller but it's just my husband and me living in our home now. We also have a regular full sized fridge with freezer and another chest freezer in the garage. I agree though that if you have a large family with no other refrigerators or freezers in your home to go with the larges possible if that need is greater than a good design look.
Hello! There’s a typo in the title of this video
It should read ALWAYS by a counter depth refrigerator
Replacing "never" with "always" was not the typo she was talking about. And there is a typo in your comment, just saying
Nothing makes a kitchen look haphazard like a full-size fridge jutting out into the floor space. Ive had counter depth for 15 years and love the look and plenty of space.
I love my counter depth fridge! If it wasn't counter depth it would block the walkway. If there was a model even less deep, i would have bought that! My fridge is always half empty anyway!
Here in Europe counter-depth is the standard. Many people opt for a built-in panelled fridge, with very few exceptions the free-standing fridges over here are about 60cm/24" deep overall so if you place them with the correct air gap at the back only the door itself sticks out.
The major downside is fitting large pans/boxes, but there's also a downside to your standard (here extra-deep) fridges: if you actually use the capacity, stuff ends up out of sight in the back of the shelves. To keep oversight, you pretty much have to waste the extra capacity that extra depth provides.
We do consume a lot less ice cubes (just one or two cubes when it's very hot) and chilled water though, so less need for an in door dispenser.
Thanks for these pointers!
I love my counter-depth fridge. (i've had it for seven years? ten years?)
I hated previous fridges that stuck out past the counter and into the room. Never again.
I love the look of my counter depth fridge. I have the old fridge and a stand alone freezer in the basement. Before we renovated 7 years ago, I hated how the standard fridge stuck out almost 6 inches from the counter blocking the flow between the island opposite it.
We are redoing our kitchen and going with standard refrigerator. We are having the bump being in the pantry so it looks like a counter depth but is standard.
I’ve never owned a CDF, but being able to get to the items in the back without having to reach around 7 other things, is very attractive to me.
I am wondering if the retro fridge needs to be built in or can it stand alone as a statement. I am thinking the retro classic set for my reno. I have a 1850 stone farmhouse.
Counter depth refrigerators won't fit a ny pizza box. That's a deal breaker!
I love your videos! They're inspiring my kitchen remodel.
I have a request, please. Can you please address old kitchen soffits in a video? I have a 50 year old home with soffits. super tall cabinets that reach the 8 ft ceiling seems expensive and impractical. Alas, soffits are super-dated. I know they likely must go. Not sure what should be there instead.
I detest wall cabinets with a gap between their tops and the ceiling. It's a real design conundrum. I know I'm not alone with this common problem.... Thanks!
can you suggest a counter depth refrigerator? I have to stay with counter depth. Best reiability, etc?
I love my counter depth but there is only me. I kept my old fridge and put it out in the garage. I mainly kept the old fridge because it's over 25 years old and still going strong and I don't trust any of today's appliances to last even a quarter of that time. I thought I would complain about the lack of storage in the counter depth but honestly, I have more / better organized storage in the counter depth than the old side by side. The only time I've even put anything in the old side by side is when I bought some bottled water in bulk and when I am making several dishes for a family reunion or potluck.
I have an extra fridge in my butlers pantry so my counter depth fridge in my kitchen is a dream!!!
Lucky you! I would love to have a large butler's pantry!
Wise advise. I purchased a counter depth fridge, and while it functions okay and is enough space for our needs, IT CANNOT BE RECESSED TO THE. DEPTH OF THE COUNTER (to give a flush/recessed look). Wouldn't that be a purpose for calling it "counter depth"? Maybe some can, but ours with the deep doors still sticks out into the room. Disappointing.
Barbara, I believe this is deliberate on the part of the manufacturers. "Counter Depth" does not necessarily mean it is even with the cabinets. "Built In" is what it should be called. I agree that it is confusing, I have to explain this difference all the time.
Counter depth refers to the length of the fridge itself not including the doors. The doors need to stick out in order to open fully.
Counter depths have changed over the decades. We learnt that with our old house when we were trying to replace our sink. The big issue. To get deeper counters you often half to replace solid wood cabinets, for cabinets which might last 10 years with care. Something many people, myself included, will not do.
I just replaced a 22 year old standard depth with a counter depth, in anticipation of a house sale. One thing I failed to realize is that my funky kitchen design doesn't allow a counter depth to be set back as far as it should be, so either I cannot open the drawers (!!), or the unit has to stick out a bit. If I had realized this, I would've opted for another standard depth. I honestly don't mind the decreased capacity because then I store less and less goes bad
Funny: in Europe, all fridges are way smaller than american fridge and nobody has a problem with it! Why, exactly, do we need huge fridge?
People in Europe shop more fresh, more often. Americans buy far more in bulk and less often.
More rotten food
Exactly. It takes me thirty plus minutes to get to the store, and facts just our staff store. It’s an hour for anything speciality. We can get basics near by but they’re more expensive.
Also, in North America everyone stores their condiments, jam, jelly etc in the fridge. Not so in Europe.
family size is much bigger in the USA
We don’t use the freezer much day to day and went with a refrigerator only model in the kitchen that’s counter depth and offloaded all frozen things to the garage. It’s been fine, and it means we look at the garage freezer much more frequently than we used to.
I wish they would reduce the bottom freezer. Like you, we have a full size freezer. We use the refrigerator freezer for quick things to grab.....herbs, partly opened veggies, coffee and ice.
@@ninadukette3340 My inlaws bought one of the samsung refrigerators with four doors (two on top, two on the bottom). Apparently you can configure the bottom so it's half freezer or all freezer. (Of course, it has the usual samsung issue of malfunctioning ice production/dispenser, but reducing the size of the freezer is a useful feature.)
Talk to any NYC resident, or one in Paris or London. Small fridges rock!
Plus, if have a 2nd fridge in pantry or garage or basement, DEF. want small fridge in kitchen.
I was going for a counter depth fridge until I realized a large pizza box wouldn't fit LOL. I also only had room for a 30" refrigerator which made iy even smaller. I opted on a French door 30" standard depth refrigerator.
I love our big fridge with French doors. Doesn't impact our space when opening door(s).
PS, please don't store potatoes in the fridge.
Our fridge is counter depth, which allows room for two cooks in a relatively small kitchen. As we ‘age in place’ I do think a side-by-side model would be nice.
I love my counter depth fridge. Never going back.
I have a very old counter depth fridge that holds 15” deep organizers of the shelves. Maybe it’s because the door shelves are the old non-adjustable shallow type. When shopping for a new one I’ll have to measure the inside shelves to be sure my current organizing bins will fit!
I've been convinced I want a counter-depth fridge just because the deeper the shelves, the more things get lost. I knew there were ways to make a standard fridge look counter-depth, but I wasn't sold on that. This is making me think more. Door storage is a big deal too and I wouldn't want to skimp on it. I also never heard that counter-depths might have fewer features. Lots to mull over.
I have small galley with a return wall that can't be changed at my best fridge location. A counter depth would either be mostly unusable or damnably awkward for use.
All good points, but I looove my counter depth fridge. It is perfect for my small NYC galley kitchen. And I waste less food. Too much stuff was ending up in the back of fridge “graveyard”. Like anything, I think it comes down to your needs and priorities. Probably not ideal for a family of four unless you are very intentional with your shopping and cooking.
Being very short, 4’11”, I find my regular fridge difficult for me to reach the top shelf. I am changing to counter depth next time.
Im putting in a full size fridge but set back in the wall so it looks counter-depth
Looking at canibalizing an extra hall closet that backs up on my kitchen to give me the space for a full depth fridge that will have the look of a CDF. Full depth units are almost always cheaper for more capacity. Economics of my Reno will drive my decision.
Counter depth has changed over the decades. Something we learnt trying to replace a sink at our last home. However, many of those older homes have cabinets made of real wood. In other words they are not falling apart after 5 to 10 years. A big bonus for normal people who can not afford to redo their kitchen every 10 years or less. No fridge will be counter depth with older cabinets and hopefully you do not have a built in fridge. One on an end is perfect. If built in, your fridge choice is the only one you can get to fit the width. The farther away from a large city you live, the harder that gets. Good luck. Even then you could find yourself removing the cabinet that goes over it. We did.
I'm a senior. The ONLY thing I care about is that the freezer is on the bottom instead of the top. I hate having to bend over to look into the frig. Lol
All you have a Counter Depth Refrigerator, are right, it’s the best option, in all terms, Design, Looks, Reachable stuff at the back, enough space for all your needs, No Sticking out over the pathway, you all are the best on your comments. 😉
There are two of us in the house. Our counter depth fridge is perfect.
Love my Miele counter depth frig. An ice maker/water spigot on the front of a frig is not for me. I think they are inefficient and messy. I like the clean, integrated, upgraded look you get without the dispenser and with the counter depth models.
Plant-base d eater here...I buy a bunch of vegetables and then eat them up. I don't need long-term storage for processed foods that last a year or more. Smaller is better for me.
That's right, bring that pizza box to the appliance store. Better to find out now rather than after you've sunk thousands into a counter depth.
The 3 reasons NOT to buy a counter depth refrigerator are well considered.
And there are lots and lots of comments here defending the counter depth refrigerators. Points well taken.
A few more considerations about refrigerators, in general, and counter depth in particular.
1 - appliance mfg can make a few more options. Specifically, a wider, counter depth refrigerator could offer the same cubic feet as standard depth AND allow the homeowner to see everything and not lose groceries and leftovers as they get pushed farther and farther back.
Yes, it will take an outside-the-box company to mfg one, and a talented kitchen designer to accommodate one in his plan.
2 - include a beverage refrigerator in your kitchen design, along with your counter depth refrigerator (see: budget). More space available in the primary refrigerator since the beverages are in a low-traffic zone, right, Mark?
3 - choose a counter depth refrigerator with minimal ice-making capacity AND use a free-standing ice maker (again, see: budget).
Three separate appliances (fridge, ice maker, beverage station) may seem over the top. And in some households and for some budgets, it might be. However, in those households that have an adequate need and an adequate budget, and with Mark’s guidance about traffic flow, it can be the answer.
And one final word about refrigerators with all the bells and whistles, (i. e. smart appliances), the more features they include, the more they need repair. And frequently, they shorten the lifespan (“well, the ice maker couldn’t be repaired, so we had to buy a new refrigerator”).
I would rather make my counters and surfaces deeper, instead.
Funny, 95% of the commenters are pro-counter depth refrigerators. And I agree. Big families typically need two fridges anyway. And very relevant note, as others mentioned, water and ice thru the door take up lots of space and often fail.
Fridge needs to be able to hold a large (family size) pizza box and 1/2 sheet baking pans
The only advantage of standard depth fridge is capacity, but American counter depth fridges are already huge compare to most part of the world. I disagree with your point that standard depth fridges offer more bells and whistles. Most manufacturers offer their top-of-the-line models as counter depth ones with extra features. Standard depth models usually look cheaper inside.
French Door fridge is also bad because it provide zero improvement over the side by frig. So it's a double whammy if you get a counter depth french door frig.
French doors are great. Blocks less room when the door is open
@@laundrygoddess4 Side by side is so much better. The less accessed frig items and freezer items go towards the bottom. Where for the French door style, all freezer items are on the bottoms.
@laundrygoddess4 My most used items are the produce drawers and they are at the bottom. Plus the fridge side isn’t wide enough for large items (turkey, watermelon, party tray) but I do love the freezer section in side-by-sides. In a perfect world I’d have a French door fridge top part only over a bank of drawers and same for a freezer! 😂
@@raymondchow8722 the freezer on the bottom means more fridge room. That works better for most people. Side by side may be the best for you, but they are less popular for a reason.
@@trinaroe5132 In my other posts, I suggest that you get 2 frig if you got the room. Then you can get one side by side and one french door style. I ended up getting 2 side by side and that worked out for me.
Get a garage fridge if you need that much space. Counter depth is the best choice for most kitchens.
The most expensive fridges GE and everyone else sells are built ins.
Give me a counter fridge with a good compressor and an even amount of freezer space and fridge space. My biggest gripe with them is the serious lacking in freezer room.
Beyond that, the quality of ALL fridges has tanked. They took a once every 20-25 year appliance and turned it into an electronic monstrosity that has to be replaced every 3-5 years. Planned obsolescence is nice innit?
I do NOT undestand commenters that say that things get 'lost' or forgotten in the back of a standard depth fridge! Really?!! It is not THAT deep! I really really dont get it.
The perfect fit fridge isn't that important to me. Maybe if we replace our current one I might get one now that I have room for a second fridge but fridge space trumps the look for me.
Thank you for addressing this topic! Can not stand counter-depth fridge- it only looks a bit better but huge capacity sacrifice. Is it a scam from the companies (because less material used?) In any case, no thank you!
I made the mistake of buying one 15 years ago. Biggest mistake of my life. I had the opportunity to move the wall behind it to give it added depth for a regular fridge that would be set back...but for some reason thought a counter depth would work. Well, it didn't. I cannot even get a leftover pizza box, or a fridge pack size of soda or beer in it. Although its just for me (and not a family) it is still too small. And if you entertain, even only on an occasional basis, you cannot get trays of food. Think twice folks...most people can use more than a 19 cubic foot refrigerator.
Too late, I just bought one.
That’s why one puts the old back up fridge in the garage.
has nobody noticed the description on this video? how do you "But" a fridge?
Ah, so the NEVER in the title was merely click bait. I should have known.
I'm a single guy, and I can fit everything I need in a counter-depth--and I cook! Seeing the shallow dimension the first time was a shock, but it's actually a convenience. As a side note, since I signed up with a composting company that collects my food waste weekly, the refrigerator stays uncrowded and cleaner. Another side note: I hate ice makers, water dispensers, etc. Those ice cubes are more like refrigerator-scented pellets, and who has any use for that?
Even with an added chest freezer in my garage, my high-storage-capacity standard depth fridge's freezer compartment barely keeps up with my meat freezing needs. And I often thaw large meats in the main compartment on a half-sheet-sized baking pan which would never fit in a counter depth fridge. I've had too many meat packages that looked intact end up leaking blood all over my fridge to give up the safeguard of that baking sheet. And yes, there are several meats I regularly thaw that require the entire length of that pan. I'm having a hard time imagining how people with counter-depth fridges thaw big meat cuts. Maybe they're mostly vegetarians? Or they don't get disgusted when they have to clean up a bloody mess in their fridges?
I know everyone has different cooking needs. I envy folks whose lifestyles would accommodate a smaller fridge.
I see I'm not alone in saying that this is totally wrong. Maybe a large family needs a giant fridge, but a couple can get by just fine.
I want a side-by-side with no ice or water in door. They just waste space and reduce the life of the fridge. I think counter depth would be big enough if it wasn’t too much more expensive
Typo in the title!
Hate mine, too small. It lives in the garage now
Your title doesn't make sense. BTW, I did the bring the dish thing, but for my new dishwasher. I have a bunch of Fiesta bowls that didn't fit in my old dishwasher, and I was determined to make sure that didn't happen. No one looked at me oddly, I had several people say "What a good idea!"
@Mark - Top 3 Reasons To NEVER " But" A Counter Depth Fridge. NEVER use spell check!!!
After living in France for 12 years with a small fridge I would never go back to either gigantic refrigerators or the ton of mostly not eaten food to spend money on, give to the chickens or waste. In America’s ridiculously huge kitchens with more storage than is reasonable, there should be plenty of pantry space for potatoes, which don’t go in a fridge. As for the Costco buy in our multi family home, we have a hunkin’ fridge in the garage. Keep it light and fresh.
That’s condescending and hypocritical at the same time. You have two refrigerators, dahling, one of which you describe as “hunkin’” (whatever that is). So please get off your haut cheval; you’re as American as the rest of us.
@@sammy7237 Well, sugar, I live in a combined household where I do not have control of the refrigerator purchases or kitchen design. However, I do have relevant life experience and an opinion about refrigerators and how we Americans manage food, design kitchens, shop, spend, and waste. You just seem mean.
Hulking
@@gregpendrey6711 what’s your point?
Yes, the French have learned long ago that less is more; something Americans can't seem to grasp. I lived there as well and agree with your statement completely.
As a European I am slightly confused 😂
You must know I need a new fridge
Who keeps potatoes in the fridge?
A higher supply does not mean a higher demand. A higher supply could mean a lower price, which could mean higher demand. You kind of have it backwards.
They all looks ugly and stick out from kitchen cabinets only integrated fridges are beautiful.
Also you need to pull it out to clean it from behind (as far as I understand integrated fridges doesn’t need it which makes cleaning much easier)
The video is somewhat misleading in many parts. I have an LG counter depth with water and ice dispenser-plenty of space too. For my galley kitchen, there is NO room for a standard depth.
You know what? At that point I'd rather look for a super large but not too deep fridge. Like a commercial one. Will look awful, but at least will last longer and will be way more usable. I don't care. I have a complete wall that is fully dedicated to the fridge, nothing else.
Potatoes doesn’t go in fridge though…
Sorry I have to disagree. I have a Fisher Paykel counter depth fridge that is wide and I have shelves that go right across and hold three baking sheets. It has pull out full width party tray storage and large crispers.
I have a quick chill for wine bottles and since I throw parties and cook and bake everything I shopped for usable space. I have a very large freezer.
I think the real problem is poorly designed fridges and ice and water is of no interest to me. They are a total waste of space.
But?
Buy
Typo!
I don't "but", I "buy". (Typo).
“Buy”?? Instead of “But”??
Um. Get a different platter….
This video is so bad. Most of your examples are on LG fridges and the 4 door LG fridge you used comes in counter and full depth.both configurations are exactly the same except for capacity. 23 cubic vs 29.5 cubic.
Max line from LG offer counter depth fridges between 25.5 to 26.5 cubic feet capacity with multiple ice makers on most of them. In fact, all 36" wide LG fridges with external dispenser will have at least 1 more ice maker in the freezer. Some have 2 extra ice markers in the freezer.
Samsung has the same.
"NEVER But A Counter Depth Fridge"
You're a smart.