Integrated fridge - is it possible to put an ordinary fridge behind cabinetry, or does it have to be an 'integrated' fridge to do this?

[FannyPriceless]

We eventually want to have an integrated fridge once we have done the new kitchen - by which I mean tall cabinetry doors that look the same as the rest of the cabinetry, but this one has a fridge behind it.

The problem is, our existing fridge is now dying, but it is probably at least a year until we are ready to do the new kitchen. So we need to buy a new fridge now that will be a standalone fridge, but can become integrated later.

If you buy an 'integrated' fridge it kind of has no front and looks very weird. I don't really want that in my kitchen for the next year. Plus they seem to be more expensive that standalone fridges.

Has anyone bought an ordinary fridge and then fitted it behind cabinetry? Would this work, or am I bonkers?

[trixymalixy]

Yes, we have had ordinary fridges and freezers fitted into ikea units in our past two kitchens. You need to buy the appliance carcasses as they are strengthened. The only thing I will say is that it has worked because they are stacked in a really tall cabinet. I don't think it would work for under counter fridges and freezers as they normally rest on the floor whereas ours rest on the base of the cabinet so raised off the floor.

[trixymalixy]

If you want me to send you a photo of how it works I can. Obviously you have to open two doors to get into the fridge but it's not really a massive problem.

[FannyPriceless]

Oooo, interesting, trixy! Yes, we are only thinkg of a tall fridge for this.

I hadn't thought about the 'raised off the floor' question. So yours actually sit on top of a plinth of some sort, rather than resting on the floor?

Is the two doors thing a pain?

[ASillyPhaseIAmGoingThrough]

I always loved the idea of a fridge mid height, I recently saw in Homebase they also have a function to have a washing machine mid height too.

[FannyPriceless]

Trixy - do you mean this sort of thing from Ikea? high cabinet for fridge It states reinforced shelves.

Is there any problem with the depth of the cabinet?

[tyler80]

I'd be tempted to look on freecycle for a fridge to tide you over until next year. We gave ours away there when we had our kitchen fitted and there seemed to be a few people doing similar in our area.

Our ikea fridge cabinet is not wide enough to take a stand alone fridge, I think you could possibly build something around a fridge that stands on the floor but it wouldn't be quite the same as a built in.

[DaisySteiner]

Agree with tyler than another alternative would be to get a cheap second hand/free fridge and then get a nice new one at the same time as the kitchen.

[PandaG]

we've had under the counter freestanding fridge behind a door before, we just had the kitchen built to accommodate it.

[OliviaLMumsnet]

With the two door thing - we put a metal joist between the two cabinet doors so that they opened at once.
(took out integrate fridge/freezer and replaced with mahoosive fridge)
Will have to re-integrate into a new cupboard when we redo the kitchen in time.
You could always cover the integrated weirdness look with magnets and DC paintings etc - the sides are stainless steel. Old fridge freezer doesn't look that weird (It's in cellar)

[annalouiseh]

The internal width of a a 600 carcass is 564 - freestand fridge is 600.
if a tall fridge, you will need to buy 2 x tall end panels and a min of 346 wide doors making a 700 wide unit then slide the fridge in, same with a base fridge.
integral appliances are built without the casing of a freestand and built to fit the unit.
if you are having made to measure doors then you can get the door made to 650 wide so only have one door to open.
Also freestand appliances protrude more so if under counter and deeper top is needed - if tall wider end panels will be needed

[trixymalixy]

Fanny, yes, I'm pretty sure that's the unit we have. The fridge sits on the bottom plinth and the freezer on the shelf. I think we didn't put the backs on to allow for the extra depth, but not a problem as the cabinets are supposed to have room behind for pipes etc anyway.

The two door thing isn't a pain at all really.

[FannyPriceless]

Olivia, when you replaced the integrated fridge/freezer, did you replace with a mahoosive 'integrated' fridge, or one with its very own door front, but with the cabinet door(s) in front?

If the latter, did you have any trouble fitting it into the existing cabinet space?

(And obviously, as you are from MNHQ, I am going to need to see multiple, detailed photos of your kitchen to verify your description. )

[OliviaLMumsnet]

Sorry Fanny yes, we replaced with integrated mahoosive fridge.
I think you will struggle to put a normal fridge in an integrated carcass.
Happy to bore you with post multiple details pics when I do the kitchen but not now

[OliviaLMumsnet]

Distracts with pic of Carrie's old kitchen

[FannyPriceless]

Daisy / panda - our fridge isn't bad enough to replace with a freecycle one. It's just quite old and the door seal is not perfect, plus last week the bottle rack on the door cracked so we are having trouble fitting in all the wine bottles - currently wedged diagonally in the vegetable drawer.

I have been doing some energy usage stuff at work recently and have come over all evangelical about needing a pristine, super new A++ low energy use fridge. I don't think freecycle will meet that need...

[FannyPriceless]

That's Carrie's old kitchen? We are paying you lot too much. Oh, wait....

[tyler80]

If you don't need a new fridge then I think you'd be better off waiting and getting an integrated fridge at the same time as the kitchen.

[trixymalixy]

proof it can be done!

[FannyPriceless]

That link is not working for me trixy. I logged in to flickr but still no photos appeared. Want to see!

[trixymalixy]

Weird, it says it can be viewed by anyone and has been viewed 17 times so clearly some people can see it!!

I can't upload to my profile from my phone. If you pm me your email address I could email it?

[FannyPriceless]

Thanks very much - have now got the photo.

I am a litle bit amazed that 17 people other than me are interested in integrated fridge questions!

Or maybed MNers are just nosey about other people's kitchens... (more likely ).

[trixymalixy]

It's up to 25 now!!!

Can I just point out that the picture is of units in our conservatory that will be knocked down next year. They were bought to hide the scabby fridge and freezer until we could knock down the whole lot next year and replace it and they in no way represent a kitchen I am proud of!!!!!!

[pickledpenny]

trixy! I'd be more than happy with that!

[trixymalixy]

The units are actually quite nice, they're on stainless steel legs and look like a piece of furniture when closed, it's more the horrid floor tiles, dark green paint on the woodwork and the scabby appliances I'm embarrassed about!! I didn't realise so many people would view it when I posted the picture!

[FannyPriceless]

Oh trixy, you do realise that it is now going to be up on the interweb FOREVER....!!