10 Easy Pieces: The Best Under-Counter Refrigerator Drawers

The days of the space-hogging fridge may be numbered. Under-the-counter refrigerator drawers–almost all of which come with a choice of stainless-steel- or custom panel-ready fronts–are offering a discreet new way to keep things cool.

The hitch: These designs currently come at a steep cost (that’s an understatement). Most often they’re used as fridge supplements that hold drinks and fruit and vegetables, and allow the main fridge to be a bit less monstrous.

Above: Sub-Zero, the brand best known for refrigerator drawers, offers under-the-counter options (and full-size fridges, too) designed to be integrated into the kitchen cabinetry. Panel-Ready Refrigerator Drawers come in a range of widths, from 24 inches (same as a standard dishwasher) to 30 inches, starting at $3,955. Separate freezer and ice-making drawers are also available.

Above: Summit’s 24-Inch-Wide Triple Drawer Refrigerator has all stainless-steel construction that allows it to be used freestanding or built-in. It’s $1,779 with recessed handles (shown) and $1,899 with towel bar handles from AJ Madison. For more details, go to Summit.

Above: One of the advantages of refrigerator drawers is that they’re cabinet-depth, so they can be tucked in unobtrusively, freeing up other parts of the kitchen. Double-Drawer Refrigerator Modules from GE’s Monogram Collection are $2,899 for a set of two with tubular steel handles.

Above: A look inside a Monogram Collection drawer; the compartments and temperatures are adjustable and some Monogram models work as both refrigerators and freezers.

Two fridge drawer challenges to keep in mind: Arranging the contents, can, as one of our readers put it, “require a Tetris-like approach.” And most necessitate bending down, making them less than ideal for those with bad knees.

Above: The Viking Professional 5 Series 24-Inch, Double-Drawer Refrigerator is made of stainless steel inside and out; $3,139 from AJ Madison. See more at Viking.

Above: Under-counter refrigerator drawers incorporate well into kitchen islands. The KitchenAid 24-Inch Stainless Steel Double Refrigerator Drawer is $2,899.

Above: Commercial refrigerator company True offers a residential set of two 24-inch Stainless Steel Under-Counter Refrigerator Drawers. Go to True for dealers and pricing.

Above: True drawers with overlay panels situated under a coffee station.

Above: Marvel, the North American subsidiary of UK company Aga, makes 24-Inch Built-In Refrigerator Drawers with stainless steel interiors; $2,999. For more details, go to Marvel.

Above: A pair of Electrolux 24-Inch Refrigerator Drawers, tall enough to hold nine-inch bottles and wide enough for serving trays, is $2,549. Compact refrigerator drawers are also being used in bathrooms to store medications and beauty products.

Above: U-Line, longtime makers of beverage refrigerators, offers 24-Inch Solid Refrigerator Drawers, $4,109, that hold up to 90 bottles or 142 cans; each drawer can be set to a temperature ranging from 34°F to 70°F.

Above: New Zealand company Fisher & Paykel’s refrigerators win our prize for aesthetics (I own a counter-depth Fisher & Paykel ActiveSmart fridge that I love). The brand’s CoolDrawer Multi-Temperature Refrigerator Drawer changes from refrigerator to freezer at the press of a button; $2,309 from US Appliance. Go to Fisher & Paykel for full details.

Addendum: A number of under-counter fridges are being made for use in outdoor kitchens (picture a well-stocked barbecue). Perlick, like Sub-Zero, manufactures its products in Wisconsin. A specialist in brewery parts, it offers a collection of refrigerator drawers, including these 15-Inch-Wide Signature Series Outdoor Refrigerator Drawers; $3,524 panel ready and $3,649 in stainless steel (shown).

Still looking? Peruse Refrigerators to find more options that we recommend, including Compact Refrigerators, Colored Refrigerators, and Skinny Refrigerators.

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on July 22, 2015.