Small fridges

November 6, 2013 8:21 AM

Does anyone make an undercounter refrigerator that's somewhere between a dorm fridge and a Sub-Zero bar fridge?

I swear I've googled this.

I'm trying to layout a small kitchen that has a lot of windows that limit the locations for counter space. A full-size fridge would just make it worse. We'd like to use a small fridge in the kitchen for day-to-day food prep items and produce, and run a full-size fridge/freezer in the basement for more typical storage. But our only options seem to be the dorm room fridge (which I don't trust for storing food), or incredibly top-of-the-line Sub-Zero stuff, which is just stupid money. Surely there has to be something in between where a 5 cf fridge doesn't cost more than a 20 cf fridge.

Also, same question for undercounter ice maker?

posted by hwyengr to Home & Garden (8 answers total)

I don't know about under-counter sizes, but they definitely make fridges that are bigger than 5cf and smaller than 20cf. I had one in law school. It was maybe 10cf or something, perhaps 5 feet tall. But if you're looking to put something under the counter, than I think you're really stuck with 5cf and lower.
posted by valkyryn at 8:38 AM on November 6, 2013

What about a drawer refrigerator? You might find one on Craigslist.

Or this Maytag undercounter fridge?
posted by barnone at 8:39 AM on November 6, 2013

Oh, and if you're willing to have one that's taller than a counter but not as large as a full-sized fridge, there's always the Smeg. Other manufacturers make compact fridges too, but the Smeg is so cute!
posted by barnone at 8:42 AM on November 6, 2013

Best answer: The term of art is "compact refrigerator." Here's Amazon's inventory, by capacity.
posted by carmicha at 8:42 AM on November 6, 2013

Best answer: You should be able to find something suitable at Compact Appliance.
posted by sageleaf at 9:40 AM on November 6, 2013

Compact refrigerators work better if they don't include a freezer. A lot of them are not frost-free so be prepared to defrost. Those undercounter drawers are great if you can afford them. Going up and down basement stairs with food does not sound appealing unless you rarely cook or eat at home. Any chance you can steal some space from an adjacent room?
posted by mareli at 10:44 AM on November 6, 2013

Summit models are likely the way to go. They have a variety of in-between sizes at lower prices than subzero.
posted by iamscott at 11:56 AM on November 6, 2013

I have this fridge at the office and it has been great. Has a little freezer compartment, but the freezer stays cold enough to make good, solid ice cubes and keep ice cream bars nice and firm, without freezing the rest of the food in the fridge. Runs quiet, door seals very well.
posted by xedrik at 9:09 PM on November 6, 2013