Home Appliance + Lighting Blog

When shopping for a new built-in integrated refrigerators, there is a much wider selection to choose from today then just a couple years ago. 

Our focus of comparison today is Thermador and GE Monogram integrated refrigeration. But also keep in mind there are tons of other great products to consider from brands such as Gaggenau, Miele, Sub-Zero and Viking.

Back when I wrote this 4 years ago, Sub-Zero seemed to be the best choice for a 48 inch refrigerator. With new competitors and new products, you may need an update.

So we will look at a few different types of configuring a 48 inch refrigerator, then look at the brands and then compare.

You probably did not have an option of column style refrigeration last time you renovated or built a new home.

Oddly enough, the government can be somewhat responsible for the sudden popularity, because columns meet all the energy standards now and in the future. Most upscale refrigerators do not as of yet.

The other reason is the coolness factor. Integrated refrigerators do not protrude from your cabinet and look seamless with your cabinets.

We have written extensively about colors on appliances. We even wrote about Black Stainless Steel last week. Even with these new colors and finishes, adding panels to your appliances are still the best options for a customized look. 

Refrigerator and freezer columns have become a popular option in the integrated refrigeration world. You will appreciate the versatility because you can now place your refrigerator and freezer anywhere in your kitchen.

Integrated columns look better than a traditional counter depth refrigerator as well. They fit within a 24 inch cabinet, so they are indistinguishable from the cabinet itself.

Columns are thin refrigerators or freezer units designed to fit within a 24 inch cabinet. You are seeing them more than ever for a couple of reasons.

First, they fit seamlessly into your kitchen and can totally disappear.

So you want the look of an integrated refrigerator but can’t figure out how where it will fit. Perhaps, the $7,000-$10,000 price tag for a Sub-Zero or Thermador could be an issue.

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.

I am toying with the idea of short videos to highlight different products. Instagram is perfect, because it is 15 seconds or less. So we will briefly detail and then link to other posts for more information.

We start with Gaggenau and integrated refrigerators because they have been featured on Makeover Mondays.

Service has become an important part of the appliance business. Service calls now average 20-25% within the first year as an industry.

Last year, I wrote the Most Reliable and Least Reliable Brands, but people wanted breakdowns by product type.

This is our fifth post by product type. Here are the other articles in our Most Reliable Brands series.