Built-In Refrigerators

Built-in and counter-depth refrigerators look nice, but are expensive

Consumers building a new house or remodeling their kitchen might be interested in a built-in refrigerator that's designed to sit nearly flush with standard cabinets. Stainless-steel fronts are a popular option, though some can accommodate custom front panels to match kitchen cabinetry. Either way, however, the custom look will take a big bite out of your budget, as built-in refrigerators start at about $5,200.

Sub-Zero's integrated refrigerators are a popular topic of discussion on GardenWeb.com's appliances forum, an online discussion area that is frequented by high-end appliance enthusiasts. The sleek, stylish bottom-freezer Sub-Zero 736TCI (*Est. $7,600) receives good ratings in one professional review, but it isn't Energy Star-rated and uses more electricity than similar-sized refrigerators. It doesn't have a through-the-door ice maker, but an internal one is available for $50 more. One interesting feature is its dual freezer drawers, which owners say make it easier to organize frozen foods. It has a total of 20 cubic feet of space, spill-proof shelves and two refrigerator temperature zones. Sub-Zero receives good scores in the refrigerator customer satisfaction survey by J.D. Power and Associates, but the high-end manufacturer serves such a small market that it's hard to get a clear picture for reliability, and there are very few owner reviews available for any built-in refrigerator. Sub-Zero's integrated refrigerators are available in stainless steel, black and (for an additional charge) with custom panels to match kitchen cabinets. All have a two-year warranty.

While built-in refrigerators are certainly attractive, it is possible to get a similar look at a substantially lower price by opting for a cabinet-depth refrigerator. These are freestanding models like the ones discussed earlier in this report, but with a shallower depth of around 28 inches (most standard refrigerators measure around 32 inches deep). The trade-off is that most have relatively low capacities given their typically wide width (normally 36 inches). Bottom-freezer, French-door and side-by-side models are available, but there are few of each, and reliability problems seem to be especially commonplace.

The 22.6-cubic-foot Electrolux EI23BC56IW (*Est. $2,800)is a cabinet-depth French-door refrigerator that earns good scores for even temperatures and low noise in testing. It has a through-the-door filtered water and ice dispenser, spill-proof glass shelves, external touchpad controls and digital display and a door alarm. It is also Energy Star-rated. User reviews for this model are mixed, however, with most complaints stemming from ice-maker troubles. In a few cases, owners report giving up in frustration after numerous attempts to have the ice maker repaired. The Electrolux EI23BC56IW is white; it's also available in black (EI23BC56IB) and, for $200 more, stainless steel (EI23BC56IS). It has a limited one-year warranty, but given the frequency of ice-maker problems, an extended warranty may be worth considering.

If you want a side-by-side cabinet-depth refrigerator, the 22.6-cubic-foot Frigidaire FSC23R5DW (*Est. $1,500) has a nice array of features, including cushioned door handles, through-the-door filtered water and ice dispensers, several bins and compartments and adjustable glass shelving. This fridge is not Energy Star-rated. ConsumerGuide.com names it a Best Buy, but there's no indication it was tested, and the review consists of only one paragraph describing this model's features. User reviews for this refrigerator are scarce but positive. The Frigidaire FSC23R5DW is white; it is also available in black as the Frigidaire FSC23R5DB and in stainless steel (for $100 more) as the Frigidaire FSC23R5DSB. It has a one-year warranty.

Refrigerator drawers

Refrigerator drawers are specialty refrigerators that, while stylish, are often not the best choice for most situations. These take the form of two stacked drawers that are installed under kitchen counters. These models do not have freezers, but they are a way to add extra storage in the kitchen without buying a larger-capacity refrigerator or a second refrigerator (although purchasing a second refrigerator would be far less expensive). Refrigerator drawers are priced from about $1,800.

Most models have two drawers. On a few models, each drawer has its own temperature setting. While refrigerator drawers don't take up much floor space (they are similar in size to dishwashers), you're really only getting about 4 cubic feet of usable space. Other issues with refrigerator drawers are that not all models have shelves, bins or dividers, or easily accessible controls. Experts think you can get a better deal by buying a compact refrigerator at a fraction of the cost. Keep in mind that refrigerator drawers are not Energy Star-rated; in fact, they are very inefficient compared to other types.