Refrigeration columns are becoming more and more popular in today’s kitchen design. A large reason is due to the endless possibilities for styles and flexible placement.
You can add custom panels , so that they blend in with your cabinetry. You can also buy stainless steel panels to complete the look of a professional kitchen.
They can be installed side by side for a seamless look.
They can also be installed in different parts of the kitchen separately, allowing you to decide how much refrigeration and freezer storage you really need. Their flush installation hides them completely.
Columns are also incredibly energy efficient. With efficiency standards increasing, you will see more columns instead of professional style refrigeration.
Let’s look at both companies, their products and then compare.
Sub-Zero
Sub-Zero, a family owned American Company, has always specialized in refrigeration. They are out of Madison, Wisconsin as well as Scottsdale, Arizona. They are the oldest built-in refrigerator brand on the market.
For the longest time, their exclusive dual refrigeration system keeps food fresher for a longer period of time. Many of their competitors have followed suit.
Sub-Zero has relaunched their columns in new sizes in 18”, 24”, 30” and 36” with some really cool new features.
Viking Range Co.
Viking Range Corporation was founded by Fred Carl Jr., a fourth-generation building contractor. It was a speculative venture aimed at developing the first commercial-type range specifically designed for home use.
The Viking refrigeration plant was totally renovated in 2000 after being built by older Amana tooling. Viking was acquired by Middleby, a global leader in food service equipment in February of 2013. At this writing, we no longer sell Viking products.
Viking Professional 5 Series VCRB
- $6,799 - $8,299
- 30” and 36” options
- ProChill Temperature Management System
- Variable Speed Overdrive Compressor
- Multi-channel airflow system and Odor Eliminator Evaporator
- Plasmacluster Ion Air Purifier
- Adjustable Cold Zone Drawer
- Quick chill option chills food and beverages
- Two Adjustable Humidity Zone drawers
- Two conveniently located deli drawers with soft-close feature
- Spillproof Plus shelves
- LED lighting
Subzero IC series Refrigerator Columns
- $6,249 - $7,199
- 18", 24”, 30”, 36” options
- Internal Water Dispenser (Optional)
- Air Purification System
- Water Filtration System (internal dispenser models)
- Crystal Interior Featuring Nano-Coated Spill-Proof Shelving
- Soft-Close Doors and Drawers
- Soft-On LED Lighting
- Smart-Touch Control Panel
- Low Temperature / High Humidity Storage Zones
- Energy Star Qualified
- Star-K Certified
Comparison
Most of our comparison articles like Bosch vs. KitchenAid dishwashers or Jenn-Air vs. Electrolux are very close. This one is not.
You may look and see many similarities.
They both have LED lighting, nano-technology shelving design to stop spills.
Sub-Zero has an air cleaner to scrub gasses off to slow food spoilage and eliminate cross contamination to other foods. Viking has an ion purifier, designed to perform like the Sub-Zero's air cleaner...at least in theory.
Sub-Zero has the GUI based temperature controls like your phone. Viking has electronic controls.
It all looks so similar until we talk about reliability.
Final Thoughts
Viking is the most serviced brand in the industry without question. Sub-Zero actually performs well for a product with tremendous consumer expectations.
Between the two, at almost any price: buy a Sub-Zero.
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Additional Resources
Read The Yale Counter Depth Refrigerator Buying Guide with features, specs and inside tips to all the brands like Sub-Zero, Thermador, Jenn-Air, GE Monogram and more. Over 100,000 people have read a Yale Guide.
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