So, you're considering buying a counter-depth refrigerator- a good decision.
These refrigerators improve the look of your kitchen by aligning with your countertops and hiding the sides, so you won't see black, textured edges protruding into your space.
But after bringing it home, you might realize you can't open the door wide enough.
That's one of the challenges with counter-depth refrigerators you should know before designing your kitchen.
However, that was until last week.
The new LG Zero Clearance Hinge, featured in LG’s Counter-Depth MAX refrigerators, is changing kitchen design forever.
Let's dive in.
I remember when the first counter-depth refrigerators hit the market.
You might think LG or Samsung designed the first one, but it was actually Sub-Zero in the 1960s.
Their models, however, were made for professional use.
Amana designed the first regular counter-depth refrigerators. They had the same height and width as a standard refrigerator but with a shallower depth.
Early counter-depth models even allowed you to personalize them with cabinet fronts, a feature you won’t find with conventional brands today.
This meant you could get a built-in look without the high price of a Sub-Zero.
But there was one issue.
The hinge extended beyond the 36-inch cabinet width, meaning you couldn’t place a counter-depth refrigerator directly against a wall—you’d need filler panels on each side.
As more brands like GE, Frigidaire, Electrolux, Samsung, and KitchenAid joined in, counter-depth models grew larger, reaching up to 22 cubic feet.
Still, none of them addressed the hinge issue.
Counter-depth refrigerators are smaller than standard models because they have less depth, which also reduces total storage space.
In 2023, Samsung and LG introduced “Mega Capacity” and “Counter Depth MAX” models, offering up to 26.5 cubic feet.
Now, you can buy a larger refrigerator within a counter-depth profile.
You still won’t see the sides.
However, the doors on these models are thicker, requiring more space in your kitchen.
Now, you need 5 inches of clearance to fully open the doors, compared to the 3 inches needed for smaller models.
The LG Counter Depth MAX has even become one of the most returned appliances sold at Yale because the doors won’t fully open if the refrigerator is placed at the end of a row.
The hinge extends beyond the standard 36-inch cabinet width.
But this will change in 2025.
I don’t know why zero clearance hinges weren't introduced 25 years ago.
LG developed and named the "Zero Clearance" hinge, a system designed to allow refrigerator doors to open fully without adding extra width.
This hinge opens on itself, so you can place the refrigerator directly against walls or cabinetry without needing filler panels.
The result is a built-in appearance that saves space.
Currently, the Zero Clearance hinge is featured in LG's Counter-Depth MAX models, such as the LF24Z6530S.
These models combine the Zero Clearance hinge with a thin door design, allowing for full door opening even in tight spaces.
In LG's own words: “Zero Clearance hinges and thin door design let you install the refrigerator in tight spaces and still fully open both doors.”
If you take a close look at the LG LF24Z6530S Counter-Depth MAX model with the Zero Clearance Hinge, you’ll notice a few problems stand out.
First is the price, starting at $2,699.
This model includes LG’s premium features, like slow-dissolving Craft Ice, an ice and water dispenser, and a fourth door for easy access to items stored in the door.
On the other hand, the basic Counter Depth MAX, the LRFLC2706S, is priced at $1,799.
You don’t get any of the additional features, and at $2,699, LG is currently offering the Zero Clearance hinge only on their higher-end models.
I imagine this will change in the future, but for now, this means you’ll pay an extra $900 for the hinge.
The standard LG Counter Depth MAX, the LRFLC2706S, provides 26.5 cubic feet of space—about four cubic feet more than average, comparable to a mini fridge.
However, the Counter Depth MAX with the Zero Clearance Hinge has a capacity of 23.7 cubic feet.
It’s still larger than average, but it only adds 1.2 cubic feet of extra storage.
With a thinner door design, most of this space is located on the door itself.
Here’s the breakdown: the Zero Clearance model offers 7.9 cubic feet in the freezer and 15.8 cubic feet in the refrigerator, compared to 8.6 and 17.9 cubic feet in the standard Counter Depth MAX.
The Zero Clearance Hinge will change kitchen design.
You can now place a refrigerator anywhere—even at the end of a row in your kitchen.
However, for now, you’ll pay more and get slightly less usable cubic footage.
By the way, KitchenAid is also expected to offer this hinge by the first quarter of next year.
Grab our Counter-Depth Refrigerator Buying Guide and unlock the secrets to finding the right fridge for your kitchen—without wasting hours googling or second-guessing. Brands like Sub-Zero, Miele, Thermador, LG, GE… it’s all in there.