Curto's Appliances – Kitchen Appliance Package Kings!

Remember, whether you want a flush inset look or a panel-ready look that will jut out from the cabinet, you must buy an “overlay” Sub-Zero model.
Then, you need to let your cabinet people go to work. Flush inset style requires the cabinets to be a 2 3/16″ deeper.

So, it’s the same fridge, just different measurements for the cabinets.

Let the pictures tell the story.

Sub-Zero Refrigerator With Flush Inset Application

Sub-Zero Overlay Refrigerator With Custom Panels - Notice How the Sides Jut Out Compared to the Flush Inset Model.

Psyched about this news…love this fridge and did not want to see it go bye-bye.

…if you are looking for a cabinet-depth refrigerator LESS than 36″.

If you’ve been researching cabinet-depth refrigerators, you’re research has undoubtedly shown that most are 36″ wide. Why? Because they need to make up for the lack of depth by going WIDER.

However if you are replacing an old fridge with funky dimensions or you are working within the constraints of
a tiny kitchen/cabinet layout, Fisher Paykel has an answer for you.

The E522 bottom freezer fridge is cabinet depth yet only 31 1/8″ wide. The height is 66 3/4.
The fridge comes in 2 funky shapes – a flat door with a squared-off handle (e522BRXFD) and a version with a slightly curved door and handle (E522BRX). Color options are white, black and stainless.

Most E522 models don’t offer an icemaker, instead opting for ice cube trays.
However, if you must have an icemaker you can go with the E522BRXU which not only has said
icemaker but also offers filtered water through the door. NOTE – a very cool feature with the E522BRXU is that even though it offers water through the door, the water dispenser does not take away any room inside the fridge as the water line is plumbed inside the door. Funky.

The only drawback with the E522′s are that they aren’t Energy Star rated. I’ve also had a few shoppers note that they didn’t like the slide-out freezer drawers. If the freezer configuration is an issue, I would move to to the newer RF175WCRX1 which has a full extension slide-out freezer (but is over an inch wider). I’ll post more on that later.

So if you’re pinched for space and want to roll cabinet-depth style these Fisher Paykel refrigerators are the the ones to check out.

Fisher Paykel E522BRXFD - flat door fridge

Fisher Paykel Curved Front with Water Dispenser

Just as I was waxing about the new Electrolux French door fridges I recently saw at our buying show (and heralding their imminent release) I received the news that they were being delayed until the beginning of 2012. Of course my first question to my Elux rep was “So what went wrong this time?”. I was told that there aren’t any problems, they just decided to slow the launch, ensure perfection, and roll these fridges out in the 1Q of 2012. I can’t blame them for wanting to get things right after being blasted for the last two years about all of their problems, but why did you have to excite me at the show?! In any case, if there is any further change to the release date I will post the details here.

I’ll add to this list as I draw closer to my Fall buying show and I receive a complete list of what’s new….

- Liebherr CS-2060 36″ single door fridge: This shares a similar design to the smash hit CS-2062 french door model. 20 cu ft, LED lighting, 2 compressors…winner!
The CS-2060 is definitely headed for my showroom floor.

- GE Monogram 30″ Integrated Refriegrator What’s not to love about this fridge?
The seamless integrated look that melts into your cabinetry, the options (84″ or 80″ height, Euro or Pro handles), and pricing that won’t surpass the GDP of a Central American country.

- The new GE Cafe line of appliances – no pics to link to, but I’ve seen the dishwasher, new refrigerator, double oven, double oven range and cooktop. Nice stuff, won’t break the bank. Pics to follow.

- DCS pro dual fuel ranges – DCS rebooted the entire line of indoor appliances back in the Spring but the dual fuel ranges lagged the rest of the line in obtaining UL approval. Well I’ve been told they’ve received that stamp and product is rolling out now. You can’t mess with DCS’ reputation for making killer pro cooking ranges. I think the new ones look sweeter than before and they’ve made a few tweaks which will let them hold their position as one of the premier pro range manufacturers.

Liebherr's New CS-2060 Single Door Refrigerator.

The popularity of Liebherr 36 refrigerators has skyrocketed in the last year. Appliance shoppers seem to be smitten by the Liebherr French door fridges’ great looks, reasonable price points (for built-in looking refrigerators) and quality craftsmanship.

With the increase in attention and sales also comes a bit of confusion as Liebherr is not the easiest line
to sell. For instance, every single consumer I have dealt with that eventually bought their most popular fridge – the CS-2062 – ultimately asked what the differences were between that model and the HC-2062 and the HCS-2062.

Liebherr CS-2062
If you want a freestanding unit, wrapped in stainless, buy this one.
If you want to save money, put the fridge in-between cabinets and still get a “built-in” look,
buy this fridge. It’s about $1000 less than the HC series that I will describe next.
Biggest difference is that these units 1) have the “Liebherr” logo faintly emblazoned on the front of one of the doors and 2) use a different hinge system than the HC series. The hinge system difference is very important bc if you want the CS-2062 to appear built-in, you need to compensate for it’s hinges which stick out on the top.

Hinge on Liebherr CS 2062 refrigerator

Liebherr logo on CS 2062 refrigerator. This is not visible on the HC 2062 integrated stainless model.

Liebherr HC(S)-2062
This is the 36 French door refrigerator that Liebherr classifies as their “integrated” refrigerator.
To me, it’s called a built-in. Similar to the SubZero 700 series, these fridges are meant to be flush with your cabinets. If you are paneling your fridge with custom cabinetry, buy the HC-2062. If you want the flush look but opt for stainless, buy the HCS-2062 AND the stainless panel kit. They are NOT sold together so make sure your salesperson includes the kit or you will be staring at a fridge with no front on it.

I’ve received many queries regarding the new Monogram 30 inch refrigerators and many questions
deal with how they are ordered.

There are two models to start with:

ZIC30GNZII – this is the refrigerator that will use a solid door.

ZIK30GNZII – this is the glass door refrigerator. Not available until Sept/Oct 2011.

You will then need to order the right door for the 30″ refrigerator so the following questions needs to be answered:

Do you want stainless or are you going to put a custom panel on it?
What side do you want the door swinging from?
Are you using an 84″ or 80″ high design?
What types of handles do you want – Monogram Pro or the thinner Euro style, or your own custom
handles to match your cabinetry?

Other Details to Consider:
CAPACITY
Total Capacity (cubic feet) 14.09 cu ft
Refrigerator Capacity 10.37 cu ft
Freezer Drawer Capacity 1.11 cu ft
Convertible Drawer Capacity 2.61 cu ft

Freezer Drawer on Monogram 30 Refrigerator

After a delay of a few months, the new GE Monogram fully-integrated 30″ refrigerators are rolling into dealer warehouses and onto showroom floors. As GE puts it:

“Now Monogram is opening a new door in built-in design with models that can not only be customized, but also fully and seamlessly integrated with surrounding cabinetry. It’s the perfect answer when you’re looking for a true flush fit.”

continuing…

“Glass- and solid-door refrigerators can be customized with your choice of stainless steel European or professional exterior panels in an 80- or 84-inch height. Or, for a custom look, order wood panels from your cabinetmaker.”

They're Here! New Monogram 30" Refrigerators Are Available.

The translation:

- Solid door refrigerators are available NOW.
- Glass door refrigerators will be available in October
- If you don’t order the fridge in stainless you will have to order both a front AND handles from your cabinetmaker.
GE will not be selling their handles as accessories like Sub-Zero does.
- If you order a stainless unit you’ll have your choice between the thinner, tubular “Euro” handle, or the chunky, thick,
pro handle.
- The fridges comes with 2 drawers…the lower one is a freezer and the upper one is convertible between a fridge or freezer.
- Fridges are using a HFC-free system meaning that it’s ozone-friendly!

I’ve had a lot of interest in these fridges come out of NYC. Strapped for space and/or looking for a sleek, contemporary look with the flexibility of hiding the appliances behind your cabinet, rocking the stainless look or for those who keep a fastidiously neat fridge and want to show glass…GE Monogram is giving you options.

Monogram 30″ refrigerator, glass door – Coming in October!

Monogram 30″ refrigerator, solid door – ZIC30GNZII

Update – Jan 5 – 2011 – Below you will find a quote from the designer of SubZero’s refrigeration line on how he went about crafting the hinge system.

Update – Jan 4 – 2011 – And here’s the vid to prove that these hinges are mofo’s! Video ends without comparison to other competitors but worry not, the graphic evidence of the competitions’ inferior hinges/doors is listed below as photos.
PS – please excuse my drab, comatose delivery in the video. I’ve been handling the 3am feedings for my 3 week old son and I’m hurting!

More times than not I’m asked why one should spend the several thousand dollar upcharge on a SubZero when you can find built-in models from other manufacturers for a fraction of the cost.
There’s a couple of ways to tackle this question. The popular answer, and one that I think most appliance guys will spout is that it’s the brand-name. Sub-Zero is to pro refrigerators like Xerox is to copiers. It IS the category. Others will get a bit more technical and will talk about SubZero’s reliance on 2 compressors which prevents air flow between the freezer and fridge ( a good thing).

For me, it’s all about the hinges.

Check out the photos I’ve posted below which compare the hinge action on a Sub-Zero with the hinge on two competitor’s built-in fridges. The SubZero hinge is thick, robust and glides effortlessly when opening the door. The other fridges had hinges that were tiny and didn’t offer a smooth feel when accessing the door.

Hinge on a SubZero Bi-36 refrigerator.

Hinge on an unamed built-in refrigerator. Weak!!!

This thing is going to hold up a 40 lb door?

My point is that the feel of a door, whether it’s a refrigerator, dishwasher or oven says ALOT about the quality of the appliance. If you open up a door and the thing is rattling, uneven or doesn’t open smoothly it’s going to give off the vibe that the product is cheap. You can’t say that about any SubZero doors.

And the hinges on Subs do more than just hold the doors up. The upper hinge adjusts the door up and down which is a great feature for flush inset or overlay Sub-Zero refrigerators. Plus it has a 90 degree stop pin included which will hold your door open when your loading the fridge up with your wares from Whole Foods.

Here’s another tidbit on the vaunted hinges. This is a quote from Jerome Caruso, the man who designed most of SubZero and Wolf’s current offerings. In an interview with Business Week magazine he talked about how he went about re-designing the Sub-Zero and mentioned the hinges:

“Caruso broke with the standard blueprint. He removed the metal shelving and compartments and created an all white and glass interior. “I asked women what they thought,” he says. “I didn’t know if they’d like it, but they said it was so much easier to clean.” And he installed a fully lit ceiling that supplies even illumination. His internal hinge pulls the door out two and half inches before swinging open, preventing it from touching or scraping any other cabinetry or appliance.”

Did you know that the 27″ SubZero 700TCI does NOT come with a crisper? That means that your fruit and vegetables will be exposed to the main temperature within the cabin, which isn’t optimal. Luckily SubZero offers a crisper as an optional accessory. This crisper needs to be ordered based upon whether your 700TCI is hinged right or left and will provide a humidity-controlled environment that will provide optimal storage for items requiring a crisper. Price is around $250.