Counter Depth Refrigerators
As you begin to look for a refrigerator you will notice there is a wide range of features and options available. Before you decide on whether or not you want things like a water dispenser, or humidity-control crisper you need to decide on the size of refrigerator you need. This could depend on the available space in your kitchen and the amount of storage space needed for food. But, it can also be affected by the aesthetic value it brings to your home.
Regular sized refrigerators are typically 30” – 32” in depth and can stick out beyond your counter. You have the option of counter depth refrigerators (also known as cabinet depth refrigerators), which are 25” – 27” inches in depth and will be flush you’re your counters. The 5” – 7” in depth savings gives more working room to the kitchen and presents a clean, smooth, and completed design to your kitchen. These special fridges can come in different widths to make up for the lost cu. ft. but, typically; they will have less storage space than a regular sized refrigerator. Counter depth refrigerators will generally cost more than a regular sized refrigerator. They thing you need to decide is if the extra money is worth the improved aesthetic value of your kitchen.
Features Available on Counter Depth Refrigerators
Just about every refrigerator manufacturer will offer regular and counter depth refrigerators. Popular brands will include: Danby, Summit, GE, LG, Avanti, Sub Zero, Electrolux, Kitchen Aid, and Ariston. Each company offers different types of features in their refrigerators ranging from the doors, all the way to the shelving sizes. Below we discuss some of the most popular features available on depth counter refrigerators.
The doors on counter and cabinet depth refrigerators can differ and the placement of the freezer can play a role in the door style. Some will have two large vertical doors the open from the middle, these are called French doors. One side will be the freezer and the other is the refrigeration section. If the freezer is place on the bottom of the fridge you will have a pull out freezer door and two French style doors above it opening to the refrigeration section.
The finishes on the fridges can differ, giving you a completely separate look between the refrigerators. Stainless steel is among the most popular and has a lot of benefits. It will match other appliances in the kitchen giving a complete look. You also have the option of wood paneling on refrigerators in different colors to match the color of your cabinets. Using wood can conceal the fridge, offering a clean look between the cabinets and refrigerator.
You also have other features like ice cube machine or makers, water dispensers, storage space, humidity controlled crispers (to keep fruits and vegetables fresh), energy star efficient, eco-friendly, temperature controls on the water and inside the fridge, amount of drawers, and shelves. Each feature has even more selections within itself. For example, some fridges can have 2 shelves while others have 4 or more shelves. The shelves can be made of plastic or glass. Some fridges have water dispensers and some don’t. Even the ones with water dispensers can have temperature controlled water while others do not. The most features you look for in a fridge the more expensive they become. If you need a refrigerator with certain features that you cannot afford you can always try looking for a used refrigerator.
Types Of Counter Depth Refrigerators
Just like regular refrigerators there are different types of counter and cabinet depth fridges. The type can depend on the features it has installed and even the material used. Below we discuss some of the most popular types of counter and cabinet depth refrigerators.
These refrigerators have French doors, which are doors that open from the middle and swing out to the sides. You can have French doors on several types of refrigerator; they are not their own distinct type of refrigerator. In Fact, the only type of counter depth refrigerator that does not use French doors are the ones with one door taking up the fullwidth of the fridge. View More Info
Stainless steel refrigerators are very popular and the most used finish on a refrigerator. They are a widely popular choice among counters depth refrigerators because of their clean look and durability. Many appliances are available in stainless steel and will match the appearance of your refrigerator creating a complete style in the kitchen. Stainless steel is not is own type of refrigerator and is available on almost all types. View More Info
This type of refrigerator has the freezer and refrigeration section side by side with two long vertical French doors. Perhaps, the most popular style of fridge it is available in stainless steel and other finishes, such as wood. View More Info
This style is the standard type of refrigerator many people are used it. It consist of the freezer on the top with the refrigeration section on the bottom. They typically have one door to the freezer and one to the refrigeration section. It can come in stainless steel or other colored metal, such as, white (bisque/biscuit) or black. View More Info
Bottom freezer refrigerators have the freezer section below the refrigeration section. They will either have French doors above the freezers leading to the refrigeration potion or a single door with the same width as the fridge. View More Info