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.

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<p>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?</p>
<p>If you have no idea where to start with buying a refrigerator, let us at K&amp;A Appliance help you out with our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kaappliance.com/a-concise-refrigerator-buying-guide/">concise refrigerator buying guide</a>.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h2><strong>What is a Counter Depth Refrigerator?</strong></h2>
<p>The term &ldquo;counter depth&rdquo; 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.</p>
<p>Counter depth refrigerators are becoming popular and come in styles like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kaappliance.com/refrigerators-freezers/">side-by-side or French door</a>. 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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h2><strong>What is the Difference Between Standard Depth and Counter Depth?</strong></h2>
<p>The two main differences between a standard depth and counter depth refrigerator are depth and price. The biggest difference is depth range.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h2><strong>Why Buy a Counter Depth Refrigerator?</strong></h2>
<p><strong>More Width&nbsp;</strong>&ndash; Ever go into your fridge and have a hard time finding what you&rsquo;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&rsquo;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.</p>
<p><strong>Better Fit in Custom Kitchens</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; If you have a custom kitchen, or you&rsquo;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.</p>
<h2><strong>Are There Drawbacks to a Counter Depth Refrigerator?</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Less Depth</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; 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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h2><strong>What Are the Popular Counter Depth Refrigerator Brands and Models?</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Samsung&nbsp;</strong>&ndash; The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.samsung.com/us/home-appliances/refrigerators/4-door-french-door/22-cu-ft-4-door-french-door-counter-depth-refrigerator-with-21-5-touch-screen-family-hub-in-tuscan-stainless-steel-rf22r7551dt-aa/" target="_blank">4-Door French Door, Counter Depth Refrigerator with 21.5&rdquo; Touch Screen Family Hub&trade;</a>&nbsp; from Samsung brings together the brand&rsquo;s love of technology and practical appliances. It is an Energy Star&reg; certified fridge that comes in three fingerprint-resistant finish options: stainless steel, black stainless steel, and Tuscan stainless steel. The Touch Screen Family Hub&trade; allows you to see inside your fridge, create a custom home screen that&rsquo;s personalized to your family, stream music while you&rsquo;re cooking, and gives you access to your smart devices and other Samsung appliances.</p>
<p><strong>LG</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; With smart technology like the SmartThinQ&reg; app, LG presents a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lg.com/us/refrigerators/lg-LFXC22526S-french-3-door-refrigerator" target="_blank">French Door Counter Depth Refrigerator</a>&nbsp;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&rsquo;ll need it later.</p>
<p><strong>Whirlpool</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; If you&rsquo;re looking for a counter depth fridge that has customizable shelving, the&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whirlpool.com/kitchen/refrigeration/refrigerators/french-door/p.36-inch-wide-counter-depth-french-door-refrigerator-24-cu.-ft.wrf954cihm.html" target="_blank">36-inch Wide Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator</a>&nbsp;from Whirlpool should pique your interest. This fridge is Energy Star&reg; 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.</p>
<p><strong>Fisher &amp; Paykel&nbsp;</strong>&ndash; Need a fridge that learns how you shop and what kind of foods you store inside? The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fisherpaykel.com/us/kitchen/fridge-freezers/french-door/201-cu-ft-counter-depth-french-door-refrigerator.RF201ADUSB5.html" target="_blank">Black Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator</a>&nbsp;from Fisher &amp; Paykel offers ActiveSmart&trade; 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.</p>
<h2><strong>Are You Ready to Add a Counter Depth Refrigerator to Your Home?</strong></h2>
<p>Visit our showrooms in Lancaster and Willow Street, PA to see what&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kaappliance.com/our-brands/">counter depth fridges</a>&nbsp;we have in stock! If you are concerned about the price, know that our brand new scratch &amp; dent inventory can save you up to 70% off top name retail prices. Let our experienced and friendly staff at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kaappliance.com/contact/">K&amp;A Appliance</a>&nbsp;help you make the best choice for your kitchen.</p>

TOP QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN SHOPPING FOR THE BEST COUNTER DEPTH REFRIGERATOR

Choosing the right refrigerator can be tough. Check out our guide for some great insights. Ready to buy? Stop by and see our scratch and dent refrigerator models.

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<p><a href="https://www.kaappliance.com/refrigerators-freezers/">Refrigerators</a>&nbsp;now come in an astonishing array of styles and options. Modern refrigerators have almost as many features as Jane Jetson&rsquo;s futuristic refrigerator from the &ldquo;Jetsons&rdquo; cartoon! Now, refrigerators with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifewire.com/smart-refrigerator-4158327" target="_blank">Smart technology</a>&nbsp;can even talk, play music, and help generate grocery lists.</p>
<h2><strong>How to Get Started on Refrigerator Shopping</strong></h2>
<p>To avoid being overwhelmed by too many choices, take stock of what you really need this appliance to do. You can save a lot of time and hassle by first reviewing your food storage needs, measuring the space you have for a refrigerator, and establishing a budget for the purchase.</p>
<p>If you eat a lot of fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, then you&rsquo;ll want a refrigerator that maximizes refrigerated space. If you entertain frequently and need room for large platters or tall bottles, then having adjustable shelving may be important. However, if you tend to eat a lot of frozen TV dinners, having more freezer space may be a priority.</p>
<p>What you eat is just as important as how much. Consider how many people this fridge will need to serve every day. If more than four, you&rsquo;ll want to look at models with more than 18 cubic feet of storage.</p>
<h2><strong>Refrigerator Sizing Considerations</strong></h2>
<p>Size matters in more ways than just storage space. Modern refrigerators come in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/refrigerators/buying-guide/index.htm" target="_blank">four basic styles</a>&mdash;top-freezer, bottom-freezer, French-door, and side-by-side&mdash;each with a range of widths and heights. How much space you have in the kitchen will help determine which styles and sizes would fit.</p>
<p>Similar to the buying process for other kitchen appliances, like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kaappliance.com/how-to-find-the-best-dishwasher-for-your-needs/">dishwashers</a>, before going shopping for a refrigerator, you will need to measure the height, width, and depth of the space where the refrigerator will go. Also, measure the distance from the wall out into the kitchen to the nearest obstacle. This will indicate how much room there will be for the refrigerator doors to swing open. It would be horrible to purchase a refrigerator only to discover after it is installed that the doors can&rsquo;t open without hitting the island, for example! Remember all models will need enough space for their doors to open fully so that interior drawers and shelves can be pulled and removed for cleaning or rearranged to accommodate different sized items.</p>
<p>Don&rsquo;t put away the tape measure yet, though&mdash;measure the width of the path and doorways your future refrigerator would need to fit through during installation. It&rsquo;s not enough to know that a fridge could fit into the kitchen space; it must also be able to fit through the front door and around any corners in the path to the kitchen.</p>
<p>Armed with these measurements, food storage habits, and a maximum amount you could afford to pay, you are ready to go shopping.</p>
<h2><strong>Refrigerator Style Options</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>Top Freezer</strong></h3>
<p>Top freezer models, as their name implies, have the freezer compartment on the top third of the unit with the refrigerator section on the bottom. This style is most frequently purchased probably because it is also usually the lowest cost option. It comes in widths ranging from 24 &ndash; 33 inches. Keep in mind that because the doors to both the freezer and refrigerator sections span the entire width of the refrigerator, you&rsquo;ll need at least that same radius of space for the doors to open fully.</p>
<p>With this model, fresh fruits and veggies tend to be in drawers at the bottom of the unit. If those are staples in your diet, you&rsquo;ll be doing a lot of bending to access them with this style.</p>
<h3><strong>Bottom Freezer</strong></h3>
<p>Aptly named, this style has the refrigerator section at the top and the freezer on the bottom third of the unit. So, you&rsquo;ll be bending for frozen goods, but not for mainstay refrigerator items. Those will be at a more ideal viewing level. Bottom freezer models range in widths from 24 &ndash; 36 inches. Because their doors span the entire width of the unit, you&rsquo;ll need enough space to accommodate them. The bottom freezer compartment is often structured as a large drawer, however.</p>
<h3><strong>French Door</strong></h3>
<p>French door refrigerators have the refrigerator portion on the top and freezer on the bottom. In this style, the refrigerator section has two doors. This feature can save energy because when only one door is open, less cold air is escaping. French door refrigerators have become increasingly popular because all the refrigerated food is at chest height and more easily accessible.</p>
<p>Instead of having a door for the bottom freezer section, the French door style features a large drawer. If you don&rsquo;t mind digging through frozen goods to find what you need, this style might work. It is ideal for those who don&rsquo;t need to see at a glance the entire contents of their freezer.</p>
<p>This style comes in widths of 28 &ndash; 36 inches. These models cost more than the others and can also come with an increasing number of optional features, like in-door water, ice, and coffee dispensers.</p>
<h3><strong>Side by Side</strong></h3>
<p>Side by side refrigerators are split lengthwise such that the thinner length houses the freezer, leaving the larger length for the refrigerator. For narrow kitchens, this may be the ideal style as the doors require less swing space. Also, this style of refrigerator allows for better visibility of both freezer and refrigerator contents. Plus, for those who crave organization or who tend to eat a lot of frozen foods, this style&rsquo;s freezer features adjustable shelving.</p>
<p>Ranging in widths from 24 &ndash; 33 inches, the side by side can hold a lot of food. This style also costs less than French door styles. This style can also come with in-door water and ice dispensers.</p>
<h2><strong>Refrigerator Design Considerations and More</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>Built In</strong></h3>
<p>For those who don&rsquo;t want their refrigerator to stand out, built in models are available in widths of 30 &ndash; 48 inches. These styles fit tightly within the space and are almost flush with counters. Their door panels can be customized to match cabinetry. The end result is that when the doors are closed, the refrigerator looks just like the cabinets. Because of the customization, these units tend to be the most expensive.</p>
<h3><strong>Counter Depth</strong></h3>
<p>This is not so much a style of refrigerator as it is a size. Counter depth refrigerators are only approximately 25 inches deep. This gives them a lower profile that is almost&mdash;but not quite&mdash;flush with counters. They will still jut out an inch or two to enable the doors to open. Counter depth refrigerators are only available in French door and side by side styles. Though they are smaller than standard-sized refrigerators, counter depths cost more.</p>
<h3><strong>Energy Guide</strong></h3>
<p>Since 1992, the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Dept. of Energy have been rating appliances for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.energystar.gov/products/appliances/refrigerators" target="_blank">energy efficiency</a>. Any refrigerator with energy efficiency in the top 25% of all others in that same style will receive an Energy Star label. Look for the yellow Energy Star sticker on the models you&rsquo;re considering. These stickers indicate how much electricity that unit will need to operate for a year as well as the estimated cost of that electricity.</p>
<h2><strong>Refrigerator Features</strong></h2>
<p>Refrigerators today do more than just keep food cold and fresh. They can also serve ice, water, and coffee right from the door. Some models even come with their own refillable pitcher that, when placed in the correct spot in the refrigerator, gets automatically refilled.</p>
<p>Shelving in modern refrigerators has also been upgraded. Now, refrigerators can come with glass shelves that are not only adjustable but also can retract and fold up out of the way entirely. Because no one wants to clean the entire fridge when something spills, refrigerators can also come with spill containment shelves.</p>
<p>Drawers have traditionally been plastic that slide on plastic edges or tracks. Now, drawers can have rollers for an easier glide.</p>
<p>Modern options include those that improve temperature control, like dual cooling systems so the freezer and refrigerator have their own separate system.</p>
<p>Some style refrigerators also have drawers instead of doors for the refrigerator section. Each of these drawers can hold items at a different temperature than the rest of the refrigerator.</p>
<h2><strong>Smart Refrigerators</strong></h2>
<p>Undoubtedly, the most impressive advancements in refrigerators involve Smart technology. These include a touch screen panel on the door and being Bluetooth and WiFi enabled such that you can listen to music or watch YouTube on the fridge. These systems also have apps for your phone so you can use the refrigerator&rsquo;s system to generate a grocery list for you. Some even have cameras so that wherever you are, you can use your phone to see what&rsquo;s in your fridge.</p>
<p>While these advancements are impressive, they also come with risks. For one, anything that is WiFi enabled can be hacked. Also, the touchpad screens may not last as long as the refrigerator will.</p>
<p>If you just have to have the latest and coolest, be prepared because Smart technology adds at least an extra $1,000 to the price of the refrigerator.</p>
<h2><strong>Best Brands</strong></h2>
<p>Now that you know what style fridge you want and the features you need, you&rsquo;ll still have to choose a brand. The brands that consistently make top ten lists are GE, Kenmore, Whirlpool, Maytag, Frigidaire, LG, and Samsung, all of which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kaappliance.com/our-brands/">we regularly have in stock</a>&nbsp;here at K&amp;A Appliance! When choosing between brands, consider not only the brand&rsquo;s reputation for quality and performance in that particular style of refrigerator but also their warranty. If you still have questions or you&rsquo;re ready to shop,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kaappliance.com/contact/">contact us</a>&nbsp;or visit our friendly K&amp;A Appliance showrooms in Lancaster and Willow Street, PA.</p>

A CONCISE REFRIGERATOR BUYING GUIDE

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TOP QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN SHOPPING FOR THE BEST COUNTER DEPTH REFRIGERATOR

A CONCISE REFRIGERATOR BUYING GUIDE

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