What are my maximum dimensions for a refrigerator?

First, let's discuss the depth of the refrigerator.  Take a look at a couple different refrigerators. Some have doors that when you open the doors, they are just as wide as the frig cabinet. Others have doors that when they are open, they are wider than the frig cabinet. It also depends on how much floor space you have in front of the refrigerator. You may want to consider a counter-depth refrigerator.  As for space around the refrigerator, no, you don't need space around them.  Most of the full size refrigerators ( 25-28 cuft ) are 35 1/2" - 35 5/8".  They would fit in your area perfectly.  Hope this helps. 

Hello - I think we can help out.  The first thing to consider in this case is whether you want a full depth or a counterdepth model.  A counterdepth model will give you more of a flush, built in look.  The depth of its cabinet runs 24" (same as your countertops) with the door protruding out another 3 - 4."  Otherwise, you'll be looking at a full depth which will stick out from cabinets 4 - 5."  Height and width are less important in your space.  If your cabinets overhead stick out 26" or less, hinges shouldn't create a problem and you could buy any refrigerator up to 70" high (generally up to a 25 cuft model).  Width is the same:  most larger capacity (25+ cuft models) are designed to fit a 36" opening; so, they are designed to be 1/4" to 3/8" more narrow.  Because (as you correctly noted) the coils are now located in the walls and under the unit, you don't need to facilitate any additional "breathing space."  These models all "breath" from the bottom through the kick plate.  Hopefully this gives you what you need, if you need anything more, please let us know!  Thanks for the question!

The width with door open is the critical dimension if you put it in a corner as I found out.  Our old one opens flush with the wall on the hinge side.  On the new ones the door protrudes  out to the side such that the door won't open if the hinge side is up against a wall that extends beyond the front of the refrigerator.

OK, this comes from a kitchen designer (the guy who actually has to make these things fit in real life):

First, there are no standard dimensions for refrigerators. You will have to check the actual dimensions for the model you select before you buy it.

Each model could have different requirements for clearance as well, but there are a couple of generalizations I have learned in 16 years of kitchen design:

1. The refrigerator doors should always be in front of the side panels for a free-standing refrigerator. As noted above, free-standing fridges are designed for doors to swing a little wider than the fridge case, so the depth without doors is the critical dimension for you.

2. Most free-standing refrigerators are designed for minimal side clearance, so if you have a 36" opening, then you could get away with a width slightly less (unless the fridge butts up against a side wall that's deeper than the fridge itself - doesn't sound like this is the case for you).

3. Free-standing refrigerators are designed to pull air across the top, down the back, and out the bottom. Generally, you will want about an inch of clearance above the fridge, meaning a 69" high fridge for you. Depending on how the hinge/door configuration is for the model you select, you might be able to get away with a tighter dimension.

So for you, I would say your new fridge should be no more than 35 3/4" wide by 69" high, by 29" deep (without the doors). BUT the most important thing is to verify the exact requirements for the model you select before you buy it.

Hope this helps.

ok, so I have a question

I have an opening of 33w x 70h x 30d

There is a wall on the right where the fridge would be placed. On the left are cabinets but don't hamper with the door opening. Since there is a wall on the right, I am not interested how deep the fridge as there is a cabinet above.

I see that I need to keep a 2" clearance on the wall side but aren't the doors now with a ZERO clearance operating.Meaninng that the doors don't exceed the cabinet case on opening. Is this true on the zero clearance or what is the maximum width I can get?

I have an opening of 32"W x 65" H x 26" D .There is a wall on the left and a sink on the left.there is a cabinet above 70".The demiensions given are of the Fridge that is there now.Facing the Fridge door it opens to the left.

To aiaman: 

Check out the Frigidaire FRS23KF6E, available in white, black and silver:  http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_04634312000P

So long as the wall on the right does not interfere with the door handle, allowing it to open beyond 90 degrees, you should be fine.

We have a side by side that is over 25 years old and I am trying to avoid a last minute replacement. Both doors open 180 degrees with no problem. The depth of the space is only 24", the width is 37", and the heighth is just under 70" with a cabinet above, a pantry cabinet on the right, and a partition wall on the left that separates the space from a hallway.

To complicate things, when we replaced the stove and dishwasher a few years ago we replaced the almond ones with Whirlpool bisque color, that I understand is going away. Would a stainless look (platinum, titanium) work with the bisque?

Hoping to get this settled ASAP before the old one gives up. Thanks.

Bisque isn't "going away," but it's only found on a few models here and there, so it will limit your choices.

If you're thinking of going with an accent color rather than a matching color, I'd recommend going with stainless, as it will give you the ability to match appliances down the line. The metallic finishes are harder to match, if not impossible. It would also give you a far wider selection of appliances from which to choose.

Thanks for your reply.  We have already replaced the stove and dishwasher in the last 3 years, so I don't expect to replace them again while we live in this home.  The stove has a light tan color on the stovetop, so I'm not sure about the stainless - I also am not crazy about keeping it looking "clean".

I am only concerned about the refrigerator, since that is the only large appliance I still will need to replace.  I consider the metallic finishes more practical for that reason.  What I am most concerned about is finding one with the dimensions that will fit in my space.  When I used the "advisor" feature, and gave it 7 different brands it brought up only 3 refrigerators that were not brands I wanted.  That is why I am searching before it is needed.  Any additional information would be appreciated.

I need a refrigerator for an opening 32.5" wide by 59.5" high. Is there a model that would fit? Considerably smaller would be OK, too.

I am looking for a refrigerator with a bottom freezer, water in the door, ice maker, max width 35", max height 68".

I'm looking for a French door refrigerator 36" wide, max height 68". I don't care about water and ice in the door, in fact they are a bit of a nuisance. Why are all the new French door models taller? My cabinets were standard sizes.

I bought a counter depth refrigerator that fits perfect...except I forgot to consider the double hung stove door with handles . So now I have a counter depth that has to stick out to accommodate the handle on the stove.  I would like to replace the built in double hung stoves but not sure if this will solve the problem...aany suggestions?

My wife and I took all the measurements that you could possibly imagine in the space we were placing our refrigerator.  We also listed the things that we needed and the things that we wanted in our refrigerator.

Then we took our tape measure with us as we were shopping.  That way, it was impossible for us to fall in love with a model that we knew right off the bat didn't fit and/or didn't work for us.

I just had this refrigerator delivered today.  We measured everything as well, my husband is a carpenter.  Our opening is 36inches (cased in standard door frame) and it did not work. The refrigerator will NOT go back in the space, you can force it but then you can not pull it out.  We are going to have to rip out the molding and redo the opening.  I am not happy and I am sure my husband is not either.  The delivery men (contract labor for Sears) said they have been doing this for many years and the dimension's are usually off by anywhere from an 1/8 th to a 1/4 th of an inch.  Salesman said it would work.  Now I have this big refrigerator sitting in the middle of my kitchen floor.  Unhappy.

If your husband is a carpenter, then why didn't he measure the fridge before you bought it?

Yes, we should all check our measurements before purchasing, but none of this explains why refrigerators are not sold in standard sizes like dishwashers and stoves.

I have a height requirement of 66 1/2 inches.  Any width is fine.  I want black french door refrig.  Can anyone make a suggestion?  Am I asking for the impossible without taking a cabinet down?

You probably are asking for the impossible. I gave up searching myself. The person who installed my dishwasher said they knew someone who would trim the cabinet as it happens all the time. I think I'll stick with my side-by-side until it breaks down.