Why You Should NEVER Buy an Integrated Refrigerator: Key Reasons Explained

[@pctomactechtalk]

If doing custom cabinets better to purchase a “counter depth” fridge and build your refrigerator cabinet deeper so fridge will sit flush. You have the look of integrated with more space. A win in my book. The True units look really nice when installed this way.

[@YaleAppliance1]

Great idea for the True...we cover that in other videos.

[@AndrewSavant-qc9yi]

Be careful with the hinge on a counter depth refrigerator. Most (non that I am aware of) do not have zero clearance hinges so if you build the cabinet return panel flush with the door of a counter depth refrigerator you would not be able to fully open the door. Just triple check the specs.

[@YaleAppliance1]

LG will have an articulating hinge that is zero clearance

[@LlyleHunter]

Aside from the extra expense I just feel that the installation takes too long with built in refrigerators and needing to have new panels often means that an entire section of the cabinetry winds up needing to be replaced in order to appear integrated. That’s why I have not bothered. I’d rather just have a black or stainless refrigerator. Besides this way I know where my refrigerator is and I. Don’t mistakenly put my Milk in a cabinet instead of a refrigerated compartment.

[@drwisdom1]

Good explanation. I could care less if the refrigerator is flush with the counter or sticks out. All that matters to me is the fridge works and doesn't break. But the people we bought our house from put in an island and a Sub-Zero "integrated refrigerator". They put the island too close to install a regular refrigerator that sticks out, so we are stuck with an integrated fridge unless we tear out that area of the island and its sink. But our Sub-Zero is from the 1990s and is a really simple device compared to today's refrigerators. I really like that the mechanicals are on top rather than behind or below. I have found I am able to maintain and fix it myself to get it working optimally. But like all appliances, someday it will need to be replaced. At that point either we will have to buy an integrated fridge of the same dimensions, or like my father get the Sub-Zero repairman to replace the refrigeration system with an updated version (but ours may be too old to do that). I don't think having a bigger and deeper fridge is an advantage, it just needs to be big enough and no more. When you have a big fridge it ends up getting full of old expired food that then has to be cleaned out and discarded. If you have a deep fridge then you have to move things out of the way to get at items, if you know they are even there. The wider and shallower integrated fridges are ergonomically superior. Specifically, width is better than depth.

[@saragianettitamargo990]

You are an appliance giant, man. Thanks for these informative videos. I appreciate you.

[@YaleAppliance1]

Thank you....much appreciated

[@MainelyElectrons]

Excellent video, thanks Steve! I had no idea drawers were an option

[@Its_Me0000]

Steve, thank you for sharing. I did not know.

[@sloopy5191]

I can tell you that the conversation between me, myself, and I when it comes to getting something off the top shelf of an integrated fridge...would be...entertaining at the least!

[@YaleAppliance1]

So lets be entertained...What do you have?

[@georgedoolittle7574]

*"drawer style microwaves"* and induction ovens would really like to know your thoughts on this one actually as really got a bad rap when introduced as apparently had all sorts of problems but maybe the Industry has found a way to fix that now. Outdoor Kitchens have been huge going on forever now as well so be nice to go there if so inclined😊

[@YaleAppliance1]

I have a drawer style microwave and really like induction. Not sure of the problems...BTW, I have webinars on outside kitchens.

[@deanfisher1753]

My wife is 5' 2" and she in no way wanted an integrated for the height reason. She tends to like a side by side Subzero for this reason and is pissed that they stopped making the 36 inch side by side (which we have and it needs replacing).

[@lorrilewis2178]

I know built-in fridges last longer, but do integrated fridge's last longer than free-standing? Also, if you build the cabinetry out to made a free-standing fridge look more built-in, wouldn't it impede the door swing?

[@YaleAppliance1]

No it wouldnt impede the swing

[@natecaplin4374]

I’m 5’8” like you and have no problem putting something on a shelf in the top of a fridge whose interior ceiling is 6’3” or 6’6”. I don’t understand why you keep saying “you have to be 6’3” [tall to use a refrigerator with an interior height of 6’3”].” Since when do humans not have the ability to reach 4-6” above their own head? It’s also not as if the top shelf in such a fridge is that high, unless you intentionally put it so high there is only a couple inches between the shelf and the inside ceiling of the fridge. Anyway, I take your point, but your videos seem to keep emphasizing this very strongly, and it just seems weird to do so. Would love to see you do a side by side real world comparison in your showroom (not with manufacturer stock pics and video) of the newer popular pro style 36” multi-drawer fridges from Sub-Zero, True, Thermador and Viking (7-series). I know you don’t sell Viking anymore, but seems like their new 7-series fridges address the complaints you’ve levied against Viking refrigerators before (now has dual compressors and evaporators, stainless interior, improved capacity, features like interior water dispenser and blue zone presevation tech, etc). By the way, small nerdy nit pick, but stainless steel (not anything) “conducts cold”. Materials conduct heat. Plastics insulate and prevent conduction of heat. Metal doesn’t “conduct cold” to the items in the fridge, it conducts heat away from things, including air.

[@YaleAppliance1]

OK...let me ask: What do you have on that top shelf. Sure can you reach it, but whats up there for you? I dont have anything because of an innate desire of not lifting or grabbing anything from over my head. Lets see what you have....

[@natecaplin4374]

Things I use less frequently but which need to be kept as cold as possible: box of extra butter sticks & cream cheese, jar of smoked fish, bottle of white wine on its side, etc. All easy to reach on a shelf that is about 5’9” above floor. A typical stacked laundry pair is similar height with controls for dryer at very top, yet as a 5’8” tall person, I never struggled to use them. Sheesh, I even keep laundry detergent & bleach bottles & dryer sheets on a shelf above and it’s not stressful to access them, and they’re higher and heavier than typical things I put in my refrigerator. Again, I take your point, and certainly someone shorter than, say, 5’5” should definitely carefully consider the height of their appliances.

[@YaleAppliance1]

Thank you...but you are not putting up anything substantial on that shelf :{

[@JamesYale1977]

"Because you are poor". Integrated fridges are a rich people's game, same with veneers... they remove your teeth and give you teeth like appliances that need upkeep every 5-10 years.

[@YaleAppliance1]

But use a ton less energy....I see your point except for the teeth part

[@80396]

It looks like there is a hidden rubber band that keeps pulling Steve's left fist back to his sternum, and that he previously had a stroke, so he can't use his right hand very well.

[@YaleAppliance1]

No...I am just awkward

[@natecaplin4374]

OMG, I never noticed before but now I can’t unsee it. 😂

[@klwarhouse]

​@@YaleAppliance1 HA! 🤣😃

[@YaleAppliance1]

Cmon Nate....I will improve

[@natecaplin4374]

@@YaleAppliance1 I didn’t mean to pile on, really. The other commenter’s description just made me literally laugh out loud when I rewatched with his words in mind. I would have never thought that before reading his comments.

[@rjScubaSki]

The judgemental titles really detract from what you are trying to do. Stop implying that potential customers are idiots for doing exactly what you have done

[@YaleAppliance1]

What I am trying to do is make people think before they buy......by not heavily endorsing everything and calling out issues before people buy.

[@rjScubaSki]

@@YaleAppliance1 the word NEVER has a meaning. Humpty dumptying it helps nobody

[@SK-lf1cr]

That’s how everyone does Titles🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ it gets traffic to the video

[@YaleAppliance1]

Did the video help you?

[@rjScubaSki]

@@YaleAppliance1 it didn’t, because it listed trade offs that in no way disqualify integrated appliances from being considered. I expected to see disqualifying aspects that would also mean nearly every high end kitchen in Europe was completely unusable due to featuring integrated fridges