Is a spacious under the counter fridge out there??

[growingweeble]

We're moving to a new house, which needs a new kitchen. I've spent the past 3 weeks trying to solve the puzzle of how to fit everything we need into the space (and driving DH mad with all the different combinations). We need to make a decision really soon as work starts next week... but the best layout I can come up with only has space for an under the counter fridge.

Our current kitchen has a full height fridge freezer with more than half dedicated to the fridge. I think we're really going to miss having a spacious fridge which is easily accessible.

Does anyone know of a large under the counter fridge? We're considering a drawer fridge (like this one...
www.appliance-world.co.uk/Hotpoint_NCD191I_Fridge+Drawer.html), but I don't think it actually is any bigger than a standard under the counter fridge, although it would probably be easier to get stuff out. It's an expensive option if it isn't that much better.

Does anyone have any experience with the drawer fridge, or know of a big under the counter fridge?

I only had room for under-counter appliances in my new kitchen, and I solved this problem by getting TWO built-in under-counter fridges to replace my old trusty tall fridge.

It works really well - there's plenty of fridge space and the fridges are on different sides of the kitchen, so I've got the right things where I need them.

The first one is under the kettle/drinks making bit of counter, and I use it for milk, bread, fruit, butter, cheese yoghurts and stuff that DS likes to grab/make breakfast/packed lunches with.

The second one is under the food prep counter, and it's for meat, fish, eggs, veg, salads and stuff for proper cooking.

I had to get used to bending down to see what's there and get stuff out, but it's not been a problem at all. I got both the fridges second-hand on ebay to make it affordable.

yes, the bending down means you will lose things at the back as you won't see them. I like a tall FF much better.

I have a feeling you will buy an undercounter now and change to a tall one in a couple of years when you're fed up with it.

I've always had under the counter fridge and don't find it an issue, they come in different widths, check out the cubic capacity too.

I Hated with a capital H my old, came-with-the -house under counter fridge. Small, difficult to find anything and a total PITA.

Sorry - that wasn't very helpful was it. No idea about the large version - but if I had to do under counter thing again I would really seriously consider the drawer version. Or if you do have to do the normal under counter one consider if you have room for a second fridge somewhere - eg garage/utility - you will need extra space for beer/wine/Christmas/entertaining food.

I agree with FFAOK, especially about the drawers

Got rid of the utility/garden beer and soft drinks fridge last year, will be putting the old FF there when the new one goes into the kitchen.

I had one once, and hated it. For some reason, lettuce always got squashed to the back, and ended up all half frozen, dark green and slimy. Yuck.

Have had big American water/ice dispenser one for nearly 6 years now, and love it.

We've got an undercounter fridge for frequent items (milk / cheese / open drinks). We've got a FF in our alleyway extension for everything else, and also a chest freezer in the garage!

However, the FF didn't like the cold winter & failed for a few days, so consider that if you stash one somewhere.

Surely an undercounter fridge can only be as large as the height of your counters? Are you looking for an extra-wide one?

most under counter fridges are around 125v- 150ltr capacity.
The fridge drawers are 190ltr but over double the cost, space for two if you have could/would work best.
Liebherr have just brought out a 600 wide pullout fridge, again a little high on the cost side as it Liebherr and neew. has a smaller capacity due to the internal pullout drawers around 120ltr

They are awful, really really try to fit a tall fridge in your new kitchen.

Having to bend down all the time was a total pain in the bum usually, and impossible by the time I was heavily pregnant.

Loads of space is taken by the insulation, so you end up with something not much bigger than a hotel room fridge.

We ended up converting ours into a cupboard (because they also use up valuable cupboard space) and putting an American fridge in.