Hello :-)
We are currently planning a completely new kitchen in our house and are already quite far along with various kitchen retailers and consultants. Our own ideas can mostly be implemented, but some are unsure about the desired refrigerator or point out that it definitely needs a 5-10cm (2-4 inch) clearance from the tall cabinets.
Refrigerator: "Haier HTF-710DP7 CUBE"
(important features: no water connection needed, water dispenser is nice-to-have but not essential, flexible cooling options—we already have large freezers in the basement, so it's great that part of this fridge can be used as regular refrigeration—french doors, frost-free, different zones and various features it offers, home-connect not required)
We plan to line up an entire wall with tall cabinets and place the refrigerator in the middle. It will protrude slightly due to the doors but will be directly adjacent to the cabinets or decorative strips on the sides. To the right, there will be a raised oven with a built-in microwave above.
We thought the issue of intake and exhaust air would be "solved" by circulation at the top (which is open) and at the bottom (fridge feet, no plinth in front). On the sides, perhaps just strips for covering, leaving enough airspace behind them up to the back wall.
The consultants’ advice was that this setup is possible, but the air circulation might not be sufficient and after about 1.5 years, the compressor could fail. Therefore, a 5cm (2 inch) clearance all around was recommended.
After weeks of waiting, Haier support finally replied but simply stated that there must be 10cm (4 inch) of clearance all around! On their product pages, however, you can see various refrigerators fully integrated with no gaps. This is probably a PR and aesthetic issue, but there is no mention anywhere of these clearance requirements.
What do you professionals think? Is all this correct—should we forget it? Is it nonsense—just go ahead? Or a compromise? If 10cm (4 inch) clearance is really necessary, it won’t look good between the cabinets, and cleaning will be even more annoying.
Thanks
We are currently planning a completely new kitchen in our house and are already quite far along with various kitchen retailers and consultants. Our own ideas can mostly be implemented, but some are unsure about the desired refrigerator or point out that it definitely needs a 5-10cm (2-4 inch) clearance from the tall cabinets.
Refrigerator: "Haier HTF-710DP7 CUBE"
(important features: no water connection needed, water dispenser is nice-to-have but not essential, flexible cooling options—we already have large freezers in the basement, so it's great that part of this fridge can be used as regular refrigeration—french doors, frost-free, different zones and various features it offers, home-connect not required)
We plan to line up an entire wall with tall cabinets and place the refrigerator in the middle. It will protrude slightly due to the doors but will be directly adjacent to the cabinets or decorative strips on the sides. To the right, there will be a raised oven with a built-in microwave above.
We thought the issue of intake and exhaust air would be "solved" by circulation at the top (which is open) and at the bottom (fridge feet, no plinth in front). On the sides, perhaps just strips for covering, leaving enough airspace behind them up to the back wall.
The consultants’ advice was that this setup is possible, but the air circulation might not be sufficient and after about 1.5 years, the compressor could fail. Therefore, a 5cm (2 inch) clearance all around was recommended.
After weeks of waiting, Haier support finally replied but simply stated that there must be 10cm (4 inch) of clearance all around! On their product pages, however, you can see various refrigerators fully integrated with no gaps. This is probably a PR and aesthetic issue, but there is no mention anywhere of these clearance requirements.
What do you professionals think? Is all this correct—should we forget it? Is it nonsense—just go ahead? Or a compromise? If 10cm (4 inch) clearance is really necessary, it won’t look good between the cabinets, and cleaning will be even more annoying.
Thanks
P
pagoni202027 Feb 2022 16:26I like refrigerators with plenty of space and have tried different models.
This unit costs about €1400, didn’t you ever consider, for example, a combination from Siemens/Bosch with two separate freestanding units placed side-by-side and connected together?
There are two of us, and we prefer an organized refrigerator without overcrowded compartments. Our current appliance has about 2cm (1 inch) of space on the side and naturally has some gap at the back due to its design; it is also open above.
I wouldn’t have any concerns about that; if I had side clearance, it would need to be a real gap so the unit clearly stands alone. I wouldn’t like 5-10cm (2-4 inches), at least that’s my opinion.
This unit costs about €1400, didn’t you ever consider, for example, a combination from Siemens/Bosch with two separate freestanding units placed side-by-side and connected together?
There are two of us, and we prefer an organized refrigerator without overcrowded compartments. Our current appliance has about 2cm (1 inch) of space on the side and naturally has some gap at the back due to its design; it is also open above.
I wouldn’t have any concerns about that; if I had side clearance, it would need to be a real gap so the unit clearly stands alone. I wouldn’t like 5-10cm (2-4 inches), at least that’s my opinion.
Yes, exactly, we have our own opinion about the design and are a bit frustrated that the technology doesn’t seem to cooperate! Two "standard" refrigerators are out of the question because a) we definitely want a "French door" model 🙂 and b) the advantage of a French door is having much more continuous space in the WIDTH of a compartment.
We are three people, including a 14-year-old child, and the current refrigerator (which is not small either) is always packed and cluttered because everyone organizes it differently ^^.
We are three people, including a 14-year-old child, and the current refrigerator (which is not small either) is always packed and cluttered because everyone organizes it differently ^^.
P
pagoni202027 Feb 2022 17:15Have you seen the original yet?
Currently, we still have a large Bosch that's 70cm (27.5 inches) wide, but soon we will switch back to the double version.
We also like frozen food, so the freezer section should be spacious; that wouldn’t be enough for me in a 90cm (35.5 inches) appliance. I would just recommend looking at the original models carefully. With a single unit, you have cooling and freezing space from top to bottom, which can fit quite a few yogurts and ice cream tubs. 😀
It was also important for us to have a special 0-degree Celsius (32°F) cooling zone for vegetables, etc. Make sure to check the volumes for each section carefully.
Currently, we still have a large Bosch that's 70cm (27.5 inches) wide, but soon we will switch back to the double version.
We also like frozen food, so the freezer section should be spacious; that wouldn’t be enough for me in a 90cm (35.5 inches) appliance. I would just recommend looking at the original models carefully. With a single unit, you have cooling and freezing space from top to bottom, which can fit quite a few yogurts and ice cream tubs. 😀
It was also important for us to have a special 0-degree Celsius (32°F) cooling zone for vegetables, etc. Make sure to check the volumes for each section carefully.
🙂 ....yes, we need fewer freezer compartments because we have a large freezer in the basement. That’s why we prefer a refrigerator with a flexible cooling zone, for example, the lower right door here... you can choose between cooling and freezing.
I have already seen such appliances "live!" at electronics stores and kitchen showrooms, yes 🙂.
I have already seen such appliances "live!" at electronics stores and kitchen showrooms, yes 🙂.
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