A recently purchased home or a kitchen renovation may lead you to needing a new refrigerator. Knowing what new refrigerator to get may be overwhelming. What size will fit in your kitchen? What style will fit your needs best? Standard depth or counter depth?
If you have no idea where to start with buying a refrigerator, let us at K&A Appliance help you out with our concise refrigerator buying guide.
If you already know that your kitchen space or new kitchen design warrants a counter depth refrigerator, this blog will go over what to consider when purchasing a counter depth fridge.
What is a Counter Depth Refrigerator?
The term “counter depth” is often used as a blanket term for any full-size refrigerator that sits nearly flush to your countertops. A counter depth fridge will fit snugly in your kitchen space to create a more aesthetically pleasing and streamlined look. This streamlined look is possible because counter depth refrigerators do not jut out more than an inch or two from your counters or surrounding cabinets.
Counter depth refrigerators are becoming popular and come in styles like side-by-side or French door. They are available in a variety of finishes like classic stainless steel or a more modern black stainless steel. They can vary in size and depth because not every kitchen has a standard set of counters or cabinetry.
It is important that you measure precisely when considering a counter depth fridge to make sure you have accounted for width, depth, height, and opening clearance.
What is the Difference Between Standard Depth and Counter Depth?
The two main differences between a standard depth and counter depth refrigerator are depth and price. The biggest difference is depth range.
A standard depth fridge is often 30 to 34 inches deep, while the standard countertop depth is usually around 25 inches. A counter depth fridge typically ranges from 25 to 30 inches, and is often wider and taller than its standard depth counterparts.
A counter depth fridge is generally more expensive than a standard depth fridge because it offers a more aesthetically streamlined look. It can also help maximize kitchen space by being able to tuck nicely into your kitchen design. If your new counter depth fridge can fit into the space of the old fridge, it can be an easy and cost effective way to update to a more seamless look in your kitchen.
Why Buy a Counter Depth Refrigerator?
More Width – Ever go into your fridge and have a hard time finding what you’re looking for? You knew those leftovers were in there, but somehow they got pushed back behind something and were lost in the depths of your fridge. With a counter depth fridge you’ll never lose your leftovers again. Less depth and more width gives you the opportunity to organize and see your food better. The extra width also presents an opportunity to store bigger items like pizza boxes and your famous Sunday football cheese and meats platter.
Better Fit in Custom Kitchens – If you have a custom kitchen, or you’re looking into custom kitchen designs, you know that fit is everything. A custom kitchen might be your only option if you have an odd kitchen space, need more/less cabinet space, or if you have a specific aesthetic in mind. A counter depth fridge can be a key piece that fits into an empty space, allows you to adjust cabinet space, or fits that sleek and seamless aesthetic you are looking for.
Are There Drawbacks to a Counter Depth Refrigerator?
Less Depth – Counter depth refrigerators have less depth, which means they have to be wider and/or taller to keep the same capacity as their standard counterparts. At a quick glance, your current fridge space may not work for a counter depth fridge, or you may be limited in what you can purchase to fit that particular space without renovations. For example, if you needed a 33-inch counter depth refrigerator, you may have a hard time finding one since fewer manufacturers make that particular size.
Depending on your kitchen design and layout, you may need to adjust cabinetry or countertops to accommodate the larger profile. You may also have to consider a smaller capacity fridge in order to accommodate the lack of depth if you cannot adjust countertops or cabinetry.
What Are the Popular Counter Depth Refrigerator Brands and Models?
Samsung – The 4-Door French Door, Counter Depth Refrigerator with 21.5” Touch Screen Family Hub™ from Samsung brings together the brand’s love of technology and practical appliances. It is an Energy Star® certified fridge that comes in three fingerprint-resistant finish options: stainless steel, black stainless steel, and Tuscan stainless steel. The Touch Screen Family Hub™ allows you to see inside your fridge, create a custom home screen that’s personalized to your family, stream music while you’re cooking, and gives you access to your smart devices and other Samsung appliances.
LG – With smart technology like the SmartThinQ® app, LG presents a French Door Counter Depth Refrigerator with the capability to control and monitor your fridge from your phone. The app will let you know if the fridge door has opened, or allows you to make sure you have extra ice made if you know you’ll need it later.
Whirlpool – If you’re looking for a counter depth fridge that has customizable shelving, the 36-inch Wide Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator from Whirlpool should pique your interest. This fridge is Energy Star® certified with a platter pocket specifically for larger pans and platters so that you can store your food without the worry of stacking anything on top of it. It also comes with an infinity slide shelf that allows you to customize a middle panel to be tucked away to store taller items underneath, or extended to create another shelf to store items on.
Fisher & Paykel – Need a fridge that learns how you shop and what kind of foods you store inside? The Black Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator from Fisher & Paykel offers ActiveSmart™ Foodcare that learns what you store and how to adjust temperature and humidity to keep your food fresh. It also includes an EZKleen anti-fingerprint coating to ensure that while your food stays fresh inside, your fridge stays fresh and clean on the outside.
Are You Ready to Add a Counter Depth Refrigerator to Your Home?
Visit our showrooms in Lancaster and Willow Street, PA to see what counter depth fridges we have in stock! If you are concerned about the price, know that our brand new scratch & dent inventory can save you up to 70% off top name retail prices. Let our experienced and friendly staff at K&A Appliance help you make the best choice for your kitchen.