Help Ags! What are the best rated/reliable brands for counter-depth refrigerators (french door)?
Never been a big fan of LG/Samsung but am keeping an open mind.

We've had our KitchenAid 4 years. Bought it from Costco and returned it two days later due to the noise...had them bring another one and this one was the same or even slightly noisier! The in-door ice maker has always been crappy since day 1. The ice always seems to get clogged up and jams the icemaker.

Well today was the final straw... for the past few months my wife has had a minor cough here and there and sneezing a lot. Well today when I used the water dispenser I felt a cold breeze and knew there must be an ice cube jammed in the ice dispenser shoot/flap... so I got down low and looked up into the shoot and yes there was a cube... but worse news, there was black mold on the plastic flap and dispenser shoot. Wife started cleaning it and then she opened the flap and saw even more black mold on the perimeter of the flap! So pretty sure she has respiratory issues from the mold. I never use the ice maker and I don't have coughing issues.

Sorry, enough babbling!

I didn't know Samsung made counter depth or that you can get KitchenAid counter depths from CostCo.

Our KitchenAid counter depth has been fine for 5+ years, only issue is one time the freezer frosted over, probably cause it wasn't closed all the way. My only complaint is that we went with more of a standard with so the capacity is really low as counter depths are much shallower than standard fridges. Had to convert my garage kegerator back to a deep freeze.

The cost was probably less than half of a SubZero or Viking and it matches the range, warming drawer, and dishwasher. Probably saved the cost of a used 911 going w/ KitchenAid overall.

This may be a situation where a $200 warranty makes sense. Newer refrigerators break down much quicker than they did in the old days.

Bosch

Fisher & paykel

Sub Zero is really the only answer.

Poot - you said "in the business", is that refrigerators or appliances in general?

I need to get our LG dryer looked at, we noticed our clothes have a burning smell to them. Hard to tell if it's burnt rubber (belt issues?) or burning gas (gas leak?). Either way I need to get it looked at.

Whoop Delecto said:

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Sorry I can't recommend a counter depth unit.

I had space directly behind my refrigerator kitchen wall to box in a cubby for a full depth unit. A little framing and drywall was fairly cheap. It looks like the counter depth units sell for a premium - so just food for thought in case it could work in your floor plan. The refrigerator cubby pushed about 10" into the laundry room on my first house. I designed the cubby to extend into my garage on the next house.

Just to add - I liked the larger 25 cf standard refrigerator vs 22 cf counter depth

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You definitely get more refrigerator for your money if you can accommodate a "full depth" refrigerator. No question.

Sleek/integrated kitchens are the rage, thus counterdepth refrigerators.

Edit to add… and not that anyone asked… My opinion is that counterdepth really became "a thing" when stainless steel became en vogue. At that time, the sides of refrigerators were black while the doors were stainless and people didn't like seeing all that black sticking out. These days, most stainless refrigerators have grey sides so it blends better with stainless steel.

"In the business" as in I've sold all appliances for 20 years. Admittedly, I'm no service tech or technician, but…

As far as the burnt smell from the dryer, it could be a few things. I wouldn't think it would be a gas leak (though possible). I'd think it would more likely be a belt issue, like you mentioned, or possibly even a lint clog issue (lint trap or possibly a clogged duct). It's really hard to say.

Not Fisher and Paykal. Had a dish drawer with a water softener. Unfortunately, the water never fully evacuates leading to rapid corrosion. It's a known issue and they devote a lot of time convincing their customers it's normal. Then replacement is a pain, parts are expensive, and because it's a niche brand, getting anyone who could service it was a couple month affair. I instead tore it out and bought the Bosch I should have.

Another friend bought a refrigerator and to replace her water filter, she had to pull the fridge out from the wall as it was mounted behind the unit. I don't know if she still has it, but in my mind the brand has a history of bone headed design decisions.

Interesting comment on GE. My experience is a mixed bag. Garage freezer has worked great for 6 years while counter depth fridge failed after 4 years requiring replacement (after two service trips). Microwave has been repaired twice. One person house, so usage is not heavy. Items were manufactured during COVID, so that could be the cause.

Poot said:

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"In the business" as in I've sold all appliances for 20 years. Admittedly, I'm no service tech or technician, but…

As far as the burnt smell from the dryer, it could be a few things. I wouldn't think it would be a gas leak (though possible). I'd think it would more likely be a belt issue, like you mentioned, or possibly even a lint clog issue (lint trap or possibly a clogged duct). It's really hard to say.

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Thanks. I know it's not a lint/vent issue because I just did a thorough cleaning two weeks ago all the way up through the roof vent. So it's about as clean as it ever is. I don't suppose you'd have a technician you would recommend to come look at it?

We're about to buy a refrigerator, which is how I found this thread. This conversation has me questioning the LG we were looking at though. As far as the counter depth discussion, well I know it's better bang for your buck to get the full size, I hate the black hole that the back of the refrigerator becomes. I prefer the wider shallow counter depth fridges because then it feels like everything is right upfront and easy to access.

We've had a counter depth stainless Viking for almost 10 years now that's been flawless.
French door frig and pull out freezer drawer. Old school style ice tray bucket is inside the freezer compartment. No water dispenser, but we have an under sink, RO system for that.
We read reviews of all the issues with ice and water dispensers in the doors that we decided to stay away from any of that. Because of that choice, our counter depth frig actually has almost as much interior space as many normal size units.
We bought ours still in the factory box from a scratch and dent place and so it was comparable in price to regular brands at Best Buy, etc.

Recently bought a GE Cafe with internal water dispenser after doing lots of research. It's not installed yet so we'll see...

Crazy Ag 97 said:

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Poot said:

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"In the business" as in I've sold all appliances for 20 years. Admittedly, I'm no service tech or technician, but…

As far as the burnt smell from the dryer, it could be a few things. I wouldn't think it would be a gas leak (though possible). I'd think it would more likely be a belt issue, like you mentioned, or possibly even a lint clog issue (lint trap or possibly a clogged duct). It's really hard to say.

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Thanks. I know it's not a lint/vent issue because I just did a thorough cleaning two weeks ago all the way up through the roof vent. So it's about as clean as it ever is. I don't suppose you'd have a technician you would recommend to come look at it?

We're about to buy a refrigerator, which is how I found this thread. This conversation has me questioning the LG we were looking at though. As far as the counter depth discussion, well I know it's better bang for your buck to get the full size, I hate the black hole that the back of the refrigerator becomes. I prefer the wider shallow counter depth fridges because then it feels like everything is right upfront and easy to access.

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Sorry, I don't really have a recommendation on an LG service company. Their stuff is usually solid, but service is a weak spot for them, in my opinion.

We just bought last weekend from NorWest off 290.

We have a SamCrap and it hasn't made ice in 8 years. LG is also crap. After doing a lot of research it was recommended GE, Bosch and Whirlpool as the most reliable.

We went with a full depth GE Profile. The commissioned sales rep told is the Cafe had all the same internal but was $1500 more for esthetics. I also didn't care for the darker gray interior. Should be delivered this week. They also make a counter depth but we wanted the extra space. Our current is full depth and the size doesn't bother us.

Was $3200 after tax. The back wall lights up. As there's a lower version of the Profile without the extra light source.

I just bought a GE gzs22iynyhfs model counter size fridge for my new house from Home Depot. So far so good.

Samsung appliances absolutely suck. I refused to let my builders put in a Samsung fridge that came with a package. Builders put in a Samsung dishwasher and even after a heat dry cycle and left unopened for 2-3 days, my dishes are still wet.

digging tunnels said:

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I just bought a GE gzs22iynyhfs model counter size fridge for my new house from Home Depot. So far so good.

Samsung appliances absolutely suck. I refused to let my builders put in a Samsung fridge that came with a package. Builders put in a Samsung dishwasher and even after a heat dry cycle and left unopened for 2-3 days, my dishes are still wet.

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It's pretty incredible. I'm on the builder side of selling things and Samsung is definitely not my "go to"… but I'll be dammed if somehow Samsung isn't the #1 selling appliance brand, year after year.

What's the best way to reach you ? Have questions about oven range and fridge

I bought a Whirlpool counter depth unit in 2018, so right at 7 years ago now.
Freezer on bottom, fridge on top with French doors. NO water or ice through the door. No bells and whistles.

Still works just fine.

waryman said:

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Interesting comment on GE. My experience is a mixed bag. Garage freezer has worked great for 6 years while counter depth fridge failed after 4 years requiring replacement (after two service trips). Microwave has been repaired twice. One person house, so usage is not heavy. Items were manufactured during COVID, so that could be the cause.

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I'm sure every brand has their fair share of lemons - impossible not to given the numbers that are manufactured.

All of my appliances are GE Profile except the fridge, which I F'd up and bought a Samsung not knowing that they went and ignored 40 years of icemaker design history and came up with what can only be described as the absolutely dumbest, supidest, most 'tarded design that could possibly be imagined. I'm on my 2nd icemaker, won't bother fixing it when it breaks again (which it assuredly will).

We have to defrost it about once a week. It does good for a while, then freezes back up. Refer back to my comment about the level of intelligence used in the design.

Never had a problem with the water dispenser. I like the location of the water filter, though I did have my first problem with it the other day but I think it was a filter issue and not anything else.

Next fridge probably won't have an ice maker - I'm going to have an undercounter ice maker installed I think. I have a great spot for it and don't want to mess with craptastic fridge icemakers anymore.

jaggiemaggie said:

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What's the best way to reach you ? Have questions about oven range and fridge

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Three 4 six seven 3 three 3 one one seven

Poot is legit. Been one of my best friends since we could barely hit a baseball. Would highly recommend to contact him if you need anything talked about in this thread.

For Samsung, only get their tvs. All of their appliances are hot ass garbage.

No Frigidaire lovers? I've bought 3 counter depth gallery fridges (in 3 houses) and wouldn't hesitate to buy another. And they match the dishwasher, which I also love ( make sure to get one with the 3rd/top drawer, some of the ones the big box stores advertise on their big sales don't have it)

I went down this rabbit hole 3.5 years ago and ended up with a Frigidaire Gallery counter-depth bought off Amazon. It's been great. Plenty of useable space with french doors, variable temp middle drawer can be used for snacks, fruit, lunch meat, wine, or extra freezer. No complaints.

I've renoed/flipped/own a lot of house and appliance over the years....

Kitchenaid: Had a terrible experience with. Bought an entire package and had issues with all of it. Eventually gave up on the fridge. I know have some kitchenaid stuff in another house that came with it and it's been fine. Kitchenaid is owned by Whirlpool and is just upgraded Whirlpool parts.

Samsung: Did fine, but only had it for a short while before filliping.

GE: No issues at all, very pleased.

SubZero: I have this now, and while have had issue with internal water dispenser. They fixed and now working great, but it's not true that they never have issues.

schmellba99 said:

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My buddy owns an appliance repair business, he has always told me to go with GE or Maytag for appliances.

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info has checked for like 4 decades

Charismatic Megafauna said:

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No Frigidaire lovers? I've bought 3 counter depth gallery fridges (in 3 houses) and wouldn't hesitate to buy another. And they match the dishwasher, which I also love ( make sure to get one with the 3rd/top drawer, some of the ones the big box stores advertise on their big sales don't have it)

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I've got no issues with Frigidaire Gallery and Frigidaire Pro. Not that I've never had an issue with one, but I've got no hangups with Frigidaire. They make pretty decent stuff for the money.

Cromagnum said:

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For Samsung, only get their tvs. All of their appliances are hot ass garbage.

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In my experience, their TVs suck as well when it comes to reliability. Had 2 that didn't make 4 years.

Our Samsung fridge has actually lasted almost 10 years now...but both icemakers of course died under 2 years and we knew not to bother with repair.

I am a loyal Galaxy user though. Oh and their SSDs have always been great. But never again with Samsung on anything I can't hold in my hand.

We've had great luck with their TVs. It took a bolt of lightrning to kill one and that also fried all sorts of other crap in the house.

Thanks all the replies! We decided to go with Bosch 800 series, looking forward to a quiet, reliable fridge!
Right before I pulled the trigger, we realized that the Bosch is about 3/4" taller at the back (the cabinet) than our Kitchenaid! That means we are going to have to shave off about 3/8" of the cabinet trim above the fridge! Ugh!!! It's always something. Thought about picking a GE but in the end it sounds like Bosch is the better choice.