Should I buy a counter-height fridge?
October 16, 2021 10:51 AM Subscribe
I am considering buying a counter-height refrigerator for my loft. I cannot afford a new one but often see them for sale on out-of-biz-restaurant auction sites. Caveats and other advice? I live in a loft in Toronto, Canada, if that matters. Most ones I see are by Nella, True, or similar brands.
I hate my kitchen as there is no counter space and it cannot be expanded. I have lived here for 18 years and it's the only thing I hate about my space.
As a solution, I thought about getting a fridge / "cold table" from a restaurant, similar to this.
Some questions:
1. General caveats?
2. I assume they run on usual current / standard outlet, yes?
3. I also assume that because they're commercial, they're pretty robust. Is this a stupid assumption? Difficulty of repair?
4. Best way to test such a thing before purchasing?
5. With the exception of a lack of freezer and perhaps the lack of organizing salad drawers and such, any other things I should consider?
There are no issues with the loft I'm in (it's a rental) as the tenants supply their own appliances.
I hate my kitchen as there is no counter space and it cannot be expanded. I have lived here for 18 years and it's the only thing I hate about my space.
As a solution, I thought about getting a fridge / "cold table" from a restaurant, similar to this.
Some questions:
1. General caveats?
2. I assume they run on usual current / standard outlet, yes?
3. I also assume that because they're commercial, they're pretty robust. Is this a stupid assumption? Difficulty of repair?
4. Best way to test such a thing before purchasing?
5. With the exception of a lack of freezer and perhaps the lack of organizing salad drawers and such, any other things I should consider?
There are no issues with the loft I'm in (it's a rental) as the tenants supply their own appliances.
Commercial fridges may be louder than residential fridges. Since you’re in a loft, this may mean you can hear the fridge in your entire space.
posted by A Blue Moon at 11:42 AM on October 16, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by A Blue Moon at 11:42 AM on October 16, 2021 [5 favorites]
Make sure you understand the maintenance requirements for this kind of unit. Also make sure you understand how it drains, what needs to be cleaned and when, and how to access the parts you need to clean.
You may also be limited in who can (or will be willing to) work on it if you have a problem. You might have to work with a company that only services restaurant equipment, and not your average appliance repair person.
And as A Blue Moon mentions, these things can be louder than what you're used to from a consumer model.
posted by ralan at 12:03 PM on October 16, 2021
You may also be limited in who can (or will be willing to) work on it if you have a problem. You might have to work with a company that only services restaurant equipment, and not your average appliance repair person.
And as A Blue Moon mentions, these things can be louder than what you're used to from a consumer model.
posted by ralan at 12:03 PM on October 16, 2021
The only thing I need a freezer for is for my dog's food. Suggestions for such a thing?
I have a counter height upright freezer. They are somewhat difficult to actually find in stores but you can order them on the internet. It might be overkill for your needs but it might also give you additional counterspace that you are looking for if you top it with a sturdy cutting board.
posted by jacquilynne at 12:45 PM on October 16, 2021
I have a counter height upright freezer. They are somewhat difficult to actually find in stores but you can order them on the internet. It might be overkill for your needs but it might also give you additional counterspace that you are looking for if you top it with a sturdy cutting board.
posted by jacquilynne at 12:45 PM on October 16, 2021
I will just say, I have lived with a below-counter fridge and would never choose to do so again. Bending down everytime I want to get the milk out got old, really fast. The angle is wrong for finding things, so looking for jars at the back of the fridge requires properly crouching down to search. This also meant it was easy for stuff to get forgotten/ lost at the back of the fridge to be discovered much, much later.
Obviously YMMV, but I didn't think I would hate it until I used one, and boy I really hate it.
posted by stillnocturnal at 2:02 PM on October 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
Obviously YMMV, but I didn't think I would hate it until I used one, and boy I really hate it.
posted by stillnocturnal at 2:02 PM on October 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
You can get small under the counter domestic fridges which avoid all the complications of commercial equipment. The choice is limited because they aren't very popular but they do exist.
I would not buy a used fridge, too easy to be landed with something that smells funky or has reliability issues.
posted by Lanark at 2:29 PM on October 16, 2021
I would not buy a used fridge, too easy to be landed with something that smells funky or has reliability issues.
posted by Lanark at 2:29 PM on October 16, 2021
Used restaurant equipment stores will have several options and usually have a salesperson who can answer questions and make suggestions.
posted by mightshould at 4:40 PM on October 16, 2021
posted by mightshould at 4:40 PM on October 16, 2021
I had commercial appliances in my kitchen including a True under counter freezer. If it is stand alone like in the picture, go for it. If you plan to have it in a built in space like a dishwasher, don't. Mine over heated all the time and would turn off. I ended up having to get a residential one designed for the purpose.
My commercial refrigerator was a Traulsen. Greatest purchase ever. Double door. I could fit more in there than 3 teenagers could eat or drink. This when I was buying 4 or 5 gallons of milk at a time.
As stated above, commercial appliances tend to be louder than residential ones. Not much louder, but a consistent hum.
posted by AugustWest at 7:04 PM on October 16, 2021
My commercial refrigerator was a Traulsen. Greatest purchase ever. Double door. I could fit more in there than 3 teenagers could eat or drink. This when I was buying 4 or 5 gallons of milk at a time.
As stated above, commercial appliances tend to be louder than residential ones. Not much louder, but a consistent hum.
posted by AugustWest at 7:04 PM on October 16, 2021
Vissani makes a 7.4 cubic inch refrigerator with a separate freezer. I sold my 4.4 cu ft Danby, to help pay for the newer bigger. Danby makes great little fridges, I put mine up on a really solid low table, so there was storage underneath, and I was not bowing to the floor. There is room for my microwave on top of the Vissani. I am back to bowing down to the crisper drawer, but there is plenty of room in the little freezer. So when buying a small fridge remember to get one with a separate freezer door, not just a lift up cover inside the fridge. I first bought the little fridge for my art studio. So freezing stuff was not such a thing. The smallest regular frost free fridge I sorta coveted is a Magic Chef 10.1 cu ft that is around $389 at home depot. Otherwise Magic Chef makes 7.4 cu ft unit, a couple of them in colors, and some small 2 door ones too. The smallies are around $250 any more.
posted by Oyéah at 7:51 PM on October 16, 2021
posted by Oyéah at 7:51 PM on October 16, 2021
RE: general caveats, will you just be trading one thing you hate for another thing you hate? You know your own priorities, but I would be really unhappy with a counter height fridge. Being able to have produce and such at eye level does a surprising amount to help me eat better.
posted by ktkt at 9:56 PM on October 16, 2021
posted by ktkt at 9:56 PM on October 16, 2021
Commercial fridges may be louder than residential fridges.
Yes! I have known of two places where they had a commercial under counter fridge installed and they were loud AF.
posted by oneirodynia at 10:47 PM on October 16, 2021
Yes! I have known of two places where they had a commercial under counter fridge installed and they were loud AF.
posted by oneirodynia at 10:47 PM on October 16, 2021
Commercial kitchen equipment in home kitchens can be great!
You said the kitchen can't be expanded, but if you already have a fridge/freezer, then is there any reason you can't put a small work table on casters and keep it in/near the kitchen? Lots of sizes, it's available when you need it but can easily be rolled to another area. Storage shelf underneath and either a butcher block or metal top based on your preferences.
OK, back to the fridge. Yes, undercounter units are built for efficient food storage. But within the framework of a professional kitchen. This assumes using commercial storage equipment - square or rectangular containers of a certain height. They really aren't designed for convenience or comfort or even the food packaging that is used in a home kitchen. Due to these factors, you might not be able to store as much in one as you might expect - there could easily be a lot of wasted space.
I suggest you snap some photos of your current fridge when it's at its fullest. Make sure to take note of the height of any tall bottles or containers that need to be stored upright. Then, head to a restaurant supply store and see if the commercial equipment will actually serve you well. You also want to open the doors and see what it's like to grab something from the back of the floor of the fridge.
Important advice for buying used kitchen appliances: Take it off the truck and while it is still outside, spray the motor and fan area with Raid or similar - you don't want to inadvertently bring roaches or other vermin into your loft.
posted by jenquat at 12:21 AM on October 17, 2021
You said the kitchen can't be expanded, but if you already have a fridge/freezer, then is there any reason you can't put a small work table on casters and keep it in/near the kitchen? Lots of sizes, it's available when you need it but can easily be rolled to another area. Storage shelf underneath and either a butcher block or metal top based on your preferences.
OK, back to the fridge. Yes, undercounter units are built for efficient food storage. But within the framework of a professional kitchen. This assumes using commercial storage equipment - square or rectangular containers of a certain height. They really aren't designed for convenience or comfort or even the food packaging that is used in a home kitchen. Due to these factors, you might not be able to store as much in one as you might expect - there could easily be a lot of wasted space.
I suggest you snap some photos of your current fridge when it's at its fullest. Make sure to take note of the height of any tall bottles or containers that need to be stored upright. Then, head to a restaurant supply store and see if the commercial equipment will actually serve you well. You also want to open the doors and see what it's like to grab something from the back of the floor of the fridge.
Important advice for buying used kitchen appliances: Take it off the truck and while it is still outside, spray the motor and fan area with Raid or similar - you don't want to inadvertently bring roaches or other vermin into your loft.
posted by jenquat at 12:21 AM on October 17, 2021
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posted by dobbs at 10:51 AM on October 16, 2021