It seems silly to pay so much more for less space

That depends. It was really really important to me to have a built-in paneled fridge that doesn't stand out from the cabinetry, so I got a Thermador (living room, dining room and kitchen are all one very large room). Recessing a full-size fridge is the second best alternative, but only if you don't care about paneling (I don't think there are any that you can panel). Third-best for me would be a "regular" counter-depth fridge (which are not really counter-depth). There is no fourth best for me, because I would never have a full-size fridge protruding into the room.

I posted a reply in the Appliances forum too, with a picture of the kitchen in my previous house.

I also replied in the other forum.

@sjhockeyfan: My fiance dislikes paneled fridges and I am ambivalent so luckily that isn't a factor for us. :)

Yes, to answer your question.

We went from a standard depth 36" fridge to a 42" counter depth fridge with less cubic footage. I was worried about the size but the fridge is one of our favorite things in the kitchen! It's so much easier to keep organized because things are not stacked so deep. Everything is easily reachable.

I'd do the 42" CD for sure.

Eek... well, a lot of times it's not an option. With true counter depth fridges starting at $6k and sky's the limit from there, it's not even a choice for me. I'd love a counter-flush fridge, but with "regular" fridges coming in at $1k... well.. beggars can't be choosers.

We also went to a CD frig (not built in) and absolutely love it. It is so much easier to keep it organized and to see where everything is. Less wasted food IMHO. I am totally a fan of CD now.

Btw, if anyone knows of a true counter depth fridge for

I feel compelled to throw this out there - we went from an old (but large) top freezer model to a FD fridge of about the same size last summer. We were always losing stuff in the back of the old fridge - because we had to stand on our heads to see into the back on the lower shelves.

With everything at eye level, we don't lose anything in the back of the new fridge, even though it's full depth.

What's your definition of "true" CD, unkinected?

eta: I can't get my link to work. Go to ajmadison.com and do a search. There are a bunch there.

Here is a link that might be useful: Here's a whole bunch of CD FD fridges

This post was edited by ck_squared on Wed, Oct 8, 14 at 12:58

Interesting. ck_squared - most fridges I've seen advertised as "counter depth" have cabinets that are around 27" deep. That's obviously not "true" counter depth, which is typically 24".

Looking on AJ Madison I searched for a cabinet depth of 0-25", and everything was either a micro-fridge or $9k+. 0-26" produces some in the $6k range.

However if I don't use the cabinet depth search tool, I see a few that are in the $3k range whose specs show a true counter depth. Hmm.

Maybe I've been confused...

We just had a 42" GE Monogram panel ready built in installed this week, and even without using it yet, I know I'm going to love it. No more lost leftovers pushed to the back of the fridge and not seen until they start growing things and smelling! We also wanted panels made to match our cabinets, but our next choice would have been a counter depth fridge. We have another fridge in our basement for pizza boxes & other hard to fit items. And for extra soda and beer.

Unless its a built-in or "integrated" fridge, what's advertised as counter-depth isn't really. It's more counter-depth than a full-depth fridge is, but not nearly as counter-depth as a builtin.

From priciest to least expensive:

1. there are built in fridges like sub-z and that ilk where the doors are flush to the surrounding cabinets. you can get panels for these, generally.

2. there are counter depth fridges where the doors stand proud of the counters by a few inches but the body of the fridge is flush to the counter. you can get panels for some of these.

3. there are standard fridges where the body of the fridge stands forward of the counters. I don't think these come with a panel option.

I found about 1-2K difference in price between #2 & #3 so bought #3 for a new build and made a 6" alcove for the back to recess into. I had no problems with "lost" items, it seemed very similar to a #2 type fridge I had of the same manufacturer in a prior home. A fridge will last 10-20 years, your kitchen may last longer than that. I really liked the alcove option, it seems you will always win when you can buy a less expensive appliance with more space.