April 14th, 2022 | 4 min. read
Learn how to find the perfect refrigeration products with our Counter-Depth Refrigerator Buying Guide
So, you’re shopping for a counter-depth refrigerator that doesn't protrude into your kitchen.
Buying a counter-depth refrigerator is an inexpensive way to upgrade your kitchen and a front control range. Yet, buying a counter-depth refrigerator can be difficult.
In this article, you will learn the differences between GE Profile and KitchenAid counter depth refrigerators despite looking the same externally.
The crispers look the same, and the dimensions and capacities are similar. Yet they are different in how they cool, their reliability, and prices.
For this comparison, I picked two refrigerators with comparable prices, the KitchenAid KRFC302ESS and the Profile PYE22KYNFS, but I will be referencing other models as well.
Let's get started.
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KitchenAid
KitchenAid is a division of the Whirlpool Corporation. Like GE Profile, KitchenAid is marketed behind JennAir as Whirlpool’s affordable luxury line. They were purchased in the early 1990s from Hobart, the commercial dishwasher manufacturer.
Thirty years later, Kitchen is still known as a dishwasher company. It's still their best product. Their refrigerators are limited and are like the Whirlpool models.
The KRFC302ESS is their 22 cubic foot counter-depth French door refrigerator. You can buy their smaller, shorter 20 cubic feet, the KRFC300ESS.
You can also buy their KRFC704ESS refrigerator with the ice dispenser for $4,699 and their better "Preserva" cooling system for a better model. You will learn about cooling in the comparison section.
GE Profile
GE Appliances is still the parent company of GE Profile but is now a subsidiary of the Haier Chinese conglomerate. Most of GE’s appliances are still made in the US.
Profile is GE's affordable luxury line after their more customizable Café Appliances and built-in Monogram lines.
GE started in refrigerators, and their lineup is huge for a 36-inch French door counter depth. We will be comparing the PYE22KYNFS with the ice and water dispenser. However, you can also buy without the dispenser, the model PWE22KYNFS, for $3,299.
At $3,999, you can buy the PYD22KYNS with smart functionality to set the temperature on your phone. You can receive push notifications to change your filter or receive alerts when the door is left open.
Additionally, you can buy a similar refrigerator in the more customizable Café Appliances line at a higher price. The regular GE appliances refrigerator has fewer features for a lower price.
GE Profile vs. KitchenAid French Door Counter-Depth Refrigerators
Let's compare the GE Profile PYE22KYNFS and KitchenAid KRFC302ESS French door refrigerators.
What They Have in Common
GE Profile PYE22KYNFS Refrigerator ($3,329) | KitchenAid KRFC302ESS Refrigerators ($3,899)
Size
Both have similar capacity at 22 for KitchenAid (21 47/50) versus GE at 22.1 because the outside is almost identical.
Humidity-Controlled Crispers
Both brands have airflow from the back to keep your fruits and vegetables longer.
Black Stainless
Both still offer Black Stainless incredibly. Black Stainless is an oxide coating. The finish can scratch, showing the stainless underneath easily, as we showed in this video. You should probably stay away from both and look at their other finishes.
In Profile, it's Black Slate. White is also offered on a few models for KitchenAid, though not this refrigerator. White is a trending design finish. You can buy your appliances in Matte White from Café Appliances as well.
Key Differences
GE Profile PYE22KYNFS Refrigerator ($3,329) | KitchenAid KRFC302ESS Refrigerators ($3,899)
How They Cool
Over the last few years, the trend in refrigeration has been towards two evaporators or two separate cooling systems, one for the refrigerator and one for the freezer.
Sub-Zero started this trend in the 1960s with two compressors. Sub-Zero was the first to focus on keeping the refrigerator's more humid air from commingling with the dryer air of the freezer.
In theory, two compressors are better for temperature management and energy efficiency as the warmer air doesn't need to be frozen. Also, the frozen air doesn't need to be warmed.
GE has twin evaporators, whereas KitchenAid operates by sensors for the refrigerator and freezer. But which is better? KitchenAid's best model has twin evaporators at $4699, so you would think twin evaporators are better.
Water and Ice Dispensers
The Profile has ice and water on the door, whereas KitchenAid has the interior water dispenser and separate ice maker in the freezer. You can also buy another icemaker for GE and have two.
Dispensers are convenient. You will like GE Profile's dispenser because you can automatically hit a button and have it filled.
Yet dispensers were a service problem as well until last year. You can always buy the Profile without the dispenser and save $400. The better KitchenAid also has the dispenser at $4,699.
Ethylene Gas Filters
Spoiled foods emit ethylene gas. Scrubbing or filtering the gas slows spoilage and cross-contamination with other foods. Sub-Zero has a NASA-inspired air scrubber. Other companies have filters.
The KitchenAid "Produce Preserve" is an ethylene filter. Over four weeks, we did a test with five brands and identical fruit and vegetables called Project Produce.
The following video shows the time-lapse results for KitchenAid. Soon, we will run another test with GE Profile and KitchenAid. A test will be interesting to see how a twin evaporator fares against an ethylene filter.
Which Refrigerator Brand Is More Reliable?
Most Reliable Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator Brands for 2022
The following service rates are based on a minimum of 90 refrigerators sold and a total sample of over 2500 products sold.
| Service Rate | |
| LG | 4.5% |
| Samsung | 8.4% |
| GE Profile | 10.2% |
| Café Appliances | 12.6% |
| Bosch | 14.9% |
| JennAir | 15.8% |
| GE Appliances | 16.5% |
| KitchenAid | 17.0% |
| Beko | 32.6% |
| Grand Total | 15.5% |
The Profile is 7% more reliable than KitchenAid based on service calls. I was not expecting the difference because dispensers have been a problem in the past. Then again, most refrigerators improved last year.
Read More: Most Reliable Counter-Depth Refrigerators
Key Takeaways
Most of our articles end with a mixed message. Usually, one brand is better at one feature while the other is better at another.
One brand does not dominate appliances or refrigerators. However, Profile seems like a more reliable, updated refrigerator with better cooling technology.
It will be interesting to see if Whirlpool or KitchenAid will respond with their twin system at a lower price.
Additional Resources
Want some more information about counter-depth refrigerators? Get the Yale Appliance Counter Depth Buying Guide with features, specs, and detailed profiles of the major brands. Well over 1 million people have read a Yale Guide.
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A Note About Pricing
Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.
