A 42-inch professional refrigerator measures almost 26 cubic feet, four cubic feet larger than the standard 36-inch width.
This results in a significant difference in storage capacity.
When it comes to 42-inch refrigerators, the French door style is the most popular option, although side-by-side models are also available. In some cases, a side-by-side refrigerator is a good choice, especially if you need more storage capacity.
However, forty-two-inch refrigerators are less common, limiting your choices and the number of available brands.
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In this article, you will learn about the best 42-inch refrigerators and their features. We'll also briefly compare side-by-side refrigerators with French door refrigerators.
Lastly, we'll discuss several additional options for filling a 42-inch space, including using a single unit or two smaller integrated types.
Over the past few years, smaller integrated refrigeration columns have gained popularity due to their customizable options and flexible placement. We will delve into these aspects as well. So, let's get started.
You have the most selection for 42 inches in the Sub-Zero brand. You have side-by-side and French door options, both of which you can place a custom panel on to match your cabinets. Both also have the option of a water dispenser.
Sub-Zero refrigerators have the best food preservation system, capacity, adjustability, and overall longevity. Sub-Zero was the original refrigerator with two compressors keeping the warmer refrigerator air separate from the colder, drier freezer.
Odors and temperatures don’t cross, so your food will taste better with less defrosting in the freezer.
The vacuum seal is designed to keep the outside air out of your refrigerator along with magnetic crispers to keep the air in the crisper,
Their food preservation system scrubs the air of ethylene (the gas that fruits and vegetables give off that makes them go bad quick), mold, bacteria, and viruses every 20 minutes, keeping your food fresh longer.
It's the most sophisticated on the market. Imagine an avocado lasting two to four weeks in a refrigerator – that's how well this system works.
Their nanotechnology coating does not allow the spills to spread, so you won't be cleaning sticky juicy bits months after a spill.
Lastly, you can now operate and control your refrigerator from the Sub-Zero app. You will receive text alerts when the door is open or when you need to replace the filter.
True is the one refrigerator company with the ability to out-design Sub-Zero. In many ways, they are similar. Both are family-owned American companies manufacturing in the US.
True is a huge company. If you bought ice cream at your local supermarket, you pulled it out of a True freezer.
This unit reflects its commercial styling. However, you can customize this refrigerator with 12 colors and another six for the hinges for a truly unique finish. Plus, the True 42-inch refrigerator is available with a glass door as well.
Color has become a trend for appliances, and True has some interesting combinations. A few of my favorites include white with gold accents, green with pewter accents, and blue with copper accents.
They have copied Sub-Zero's innovations, including two compressors and two evaporators. True's temperature can be controlled in one-degree increments, like a Sub-Zero as well.
True is a solid piece of steel inside as well as outside. True's all stainless steel interior absorbs cold better than plastic or painted metal. Stainless also doesn't retain odors and resists spillage to a certain degree.
True may not have an air purifier like Sub-Zero, but they do have an all stainless steel interior. Then again, Sub-Zero does not have a scrubber in their all-stainless professional models either. Additionally, True's inside crisper bins and shelving are solid glass and steel.
True is one of the only luxury brands available within eight weeks, six months to a year faster than most competitive brands.
If you want to learn more about True, then listen to their CEO from our series, Behind the Brand.
Monogram offers a redesigned 42-inch refrigerator in stainless steel or panel-ready options, allowing for a customized cabinet front. Additionally, you can choose whether or not to include an outside dispenser.
The well-designed stainless steel dispenser can accommodate various types of glassware, including pitchers. It is a thoughtful feature that adds convenience to the refrigerator.
Monogram's 42-inch refrigerator has a unique temperature management system. Instead of a top-down approach, they utilize an air tower encompassing each shelf, ensuring consistent cooling throughout the unit.
This system extends to their climate-controlled drawer, allowing you to quickly thaw meats or chill beverages with a button.
Monogram provides an excellent Wi-Fi experience with their SmartHQ app, making it the best in the industry for connectivity and smart features.
Although it's challenging to identify weaknesses since our experience with Monogram is limited, one aspect worth mentioning is that handles need to be purchased separately, even for the stainless steel models.
Additionally, the Monogram refrigerator lacks the air scrubbing or nanotechnology found in Sub-Zero models and the customization options and stainless steel interior found in True refrigerators.
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Haven't heard of Signature Kitchen Suite (SKS) before? SKS is the premium line of LG.
The SKS 42-inch refrigerator has a linear compressor. It's worth mentioning that linear compressors were involved in a class action lawsuit back in 2019. However, they have fewer working parts, which translates to fewer problems.
LG refrigerators, including this SKS model, are known for their reliability and are considered one of the most dependable options on the market.
Similar to an SKS refrigerator, this model offers several features, such as dual evaporators, Wi-Fi technology, and strategically placed vents throughout the body for optimal cooling performance.
While it's not entirely made of metal like True refrigerators, it does have a metal backing, which allows for better absorption of cold temperatures.
The ice maker is conveniently located in the door, ensuring you don't lose valuable freezer space.
This fridge should be reliable, reasonably priced, and comes with a great ice maker.
Unlike other models, this refrigerator does not offer panel options for customization, limiting your ability to integrate it with your kitchen décor seamlessly.
Additionally, since this is a relatively new product, it has not yet undergone extensive testing or proven itself in the market.
While the reputation of SKS as the premium line of LG provides some assurance, it's worth considering the potential risks associated with a newly introduced and untested product.
JennAir is the least expensive brand on this list and has the best rebate program. They also have the only model with water and ice on the door.
When the big innovation is an "Obsidian" or a black interior, it's a sign that JennAir has fallen a bit behind the market leaders for pro-style refrigeration.
This unit has decent shelving and two evaporators to maintain temperature and humidity in the two compartments.
At 25 inches deep overall, including the doors, it is over two inches shallower than the Sub-Zero and over three inches shallower than the True.
Their professional refrigerator has similar measurements as their integrated without some features. Some deeper items are harder to fit. It also does not have spill-proof shelves like the rest on this list.
Still, JennAir is a solid choice for a price, while the others are clearly better units.
Integrated column refrigeration has become increasingly popular, as we mentioned at the beginning of this article. It's seamless to the cabinets and allows you to customize your refrigerator and freezer for location and size.
Integrated fits within a cabinet, whereas the door of a professional refrigerator will protrude past your cabinets. However, that shallower depth decreases the internal cubic footage due to the shallower depth. The difference in cubic footage is over 10%.
That Sub-Zero pro is 24.2 cubic feet compared to 21.3 cubic feet for the integrated. They offer two different looks in your kitchen. The professional style is noticeable, and the other is completely hidden.
More manufacturers also produce the integrated type because it's easier to comply with energy laws with two smaller units than one larger refrigerator.
For 42 inches, you must buy two units, a 24-inch refrigerator and an 18-inch freezer. An industry term you may have heard is columns.
Good-looking would be the word to describe Thermador's new integrated refrigeration. Inside and out, the 18-inch freezer and 24-inch refrigerator columns make a 42-inch pair.
Then again, Thermador abandoned the one 42-inch unit for integrated refrigerators long ago.
This series is well-conceived from being able to use these without handles to the interior ramp-up theater-style LED lighting.
The display is the most intuitive and controls many of the refrigerator functions. You can also set the door to a "push to open" mode. If your hands are full, you can push the door, and it will open automatically.
Their air management system and bin storage keep food fresher as well. New last year, they added the stainless interior as well.
However, at a 25-inch total depth with doors, you may have problems fitting larger trays and platters. Consider a backup fridge in the basement for those extra-large items.
Thermador has a great rebate program, with free dishwashers and hoods with qualified purchases.
Sub-Zero's freshness system of twin compressors, vacuum seal, magnetic crispers, and air scrubber was also designed into their integrated units.
Read More: Sub-Zero vs. Thermador Column Integrated Refrigerators
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Two brands that have gained popularity in refrigeration are SKS and Fisher & Paykel. Both brands have significantly shorter lead times, ranging from 1 to 3 months, compared to the longer wait times of 8 to 15 months for most other brands.
SKS stands out for its impressive size, offering a generous capacity of 23.5 cubic feet for refrigerator and freezer compartments. Moreover, it boasts an all-stainless interior and features an internal ice maker, adding to its overall appeal.
On the other hand, Fisher & Paykel also offers intriguing integrated units. While they may not match the size of SKS, Fisher & Paykel models provide an all-stainless interior, ensuring durability and a sleek aesthetic.
Considering the reduced lead times and unique features offered by SKS and Fisher & Paykel, these brands present compelling options to consider when exploring the world of refrigeration.
French door refrigerators are more popular because you have more lateral storage and refrigerator space than side-by-side refrigerators.
Side-by-side refrigerators tend to be narrower in smaller sizes, but not at 42 inches. You have more freezer space in a 42-inch refrigerator than in a side-by-side refrigerator.
Since COVID-19 and quarantining, people have looked at their freezer capacities more critically to store food. Unfortunately, they were limited to standalone freezers and side-by-side refrigerators as they have again become more popular.
In 42-inches, side-by-sides are a legitimate option because you have space, and you are not pulling a heavier freezer drawer like the bottom freezer of a French door.
Side-by-side refrigerators have fewer ice dispenser issues than French door refrigerators because frozen cubes are stored and passed through the freezer instead of the refrigerator.
I recommend viewing both before buying. Sub-Zero is the only 42-inch French door refrigerator on this list.
Read More: French Door vs. Side-By-Side Counter Depth Refrigerators
There are some great options available for 42-inch refrigeration, offering significantly improved storage compared to a 36-inch model. With options available for 42-inch refrigeration, you don't have to sacrifice lateral space even if you opt for a side-by-side refrigerator.
However, when it comes to deciding whether to buy one unit or two, as well as choosing the brand, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and the layout of your kitchen.
Established and well-featured brands like Sub-Zero and Thermador are worth considering, but you might want to consider options such as True, SKS, or Fisher & Paykel.
What do you think? Share any questions or comments in the comment section below.
Additional Resources
Want to learn more about counter depth, professional and integrated refrigerators? Get the Yale Counter Depth Refrigerator Buyers Guide with features, specifications, and inside buying tips for all the brands. Well over 1 million people have read a Yale Guide.
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