This looks to be a good refrigerator contender for a midcentury modern kitchen: It’s the Bosch 500 Series model B22CS50SNW and it has a number of features that I really look for: Side-by-side… counter-depth… Energy Star… in white. The only thing I don’t like is that ice-maker in the door… and while a lot of folks will balk at the $2,500 list price, (1) I’m guessing you can wait for a big sales event and get it for significantly less and (2) it’s still gonna be cheaper than the Sub-Zero.
Why do I like these features?
- Side-by-side — I really like a side-by-side for a small kitchen — less door to have to wiggle around.
- Counter-depth — I like counter depth for similar reasons: Midcentury kitchens tend to be small, non-countertop depth are so honkin’.
- Energy Star — is good. I don’t think we had Energy Star available in side-by-side units until recently
- White is classic. Note: This refrigerator also is available in stainless steel.
- Free-standing — You can build it in, or not.
- Design — The lines are modern – yes, like the Retropolitan and my Sub-Zero, more Jetsons than Donna Reed.
I have not seen this puppy in person — I wish I could see what that white exterior is made of. Nonetheless, from the website photos and description, it looks like one to consider if you’re doing a kitchen remodel or need a new fridge and have the space to work with. Link: Bosch B22CS50SNW counter-depth, side-by-side, Energy Star, white refrigerator.
- And, see all my other stories about refrigerators, stoves and other appliances and accessories suitable for mid century kitchen remodels here.
Chris H says
I’m another one who does not care for side by side models. The compartments are narrow but deep, so you have to pull things out to get at other things. As others mentioned, big items don’t fit.
When we do our kitchen remodel, hopefully next year, we will ditch the side by side and get this ‘fridge –
http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SpecPage&Sku=GBSC0HCXWW#APPEARANCE
The top of the upper door is slightly arched, and while it does not look as curvy as a ’40s or ’50s ‘fridge, it seems like a reasonable and cost effective choice for a pre-MCM kitchen.
Lisa says
We just bought a “French door” model. Not all that retro looking, but the Samsungs are available in basic white or black. You get the space savings of the smaller door but I think it will be less restrictive on storage than side-by-side. The one we bought has a drawer-type freezer on the bottom and is counter-depth. Got it at Lowes on sale for about $1000, so pricey but not crazy expensive.
Carole says
It’s a great looking appliance! I wish I could do a side by side, but it simply isn’t possible. Our fridge space is fairly small (by the standards of the overly large refrigerators on the market these days), but I’ve finally come across a few that might fit the space we have.
Jay says
Wow Pam, you really are getting into the 70’s; you would probably be floating in mid-air if it came in avocado. Bosch does make a good product but that price!!!.
You make a good point about the small kitchens. I cleared the underside of the original overfridge cabinet with less then one inch when I bought my Amana bottom mount freezer. Yes it sticks out into the room but I love the abundant space the open interior affords for fresh and frozen foods.
Christa says
I have an old GE side by side with the door water/ice and I had to disable it because it constantly made a sound like a cow giving birth. Plus, the ice tasted like the freezer. Not good.
Zane Barlow says
How tall is it? Our current problem is that the upper cabinets are too close to fit modern fridge height…. if anyone has some leads on side by side that’s short then normal would love to hear about it. At the moment when this original fridge goes we’ll need a total cabinet remodel to fit a new fridge.
Nutmegger says
I have this same problem! The overfridge cabinet in our 1950 kitchen is too low to accommodate any new fridge I’ve come across. Does anyone know of a full-size, modern-day refrigerator of any style that is 64″ tall or less? Width is not an issue. The fridge that’s there now is a 1980s model and it’s periodically sounding like a giant swarm of bees.
Christa says
Nutmegger, if you go to http://www.ajmadison.com you can search for appliances by height, width or almost any other criteria. It’s a great resource even if you end up buying locally — at least you know what to ask for.
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
We had a really hard time finding a refrigerator that would fit our under-sized spot, so we hardly even got to choose a style! This one looks great, but I agree with your icemaker assessment (that’s what ice cube trays are for). And the price is a little painful. You can waste a lot of energy with an older model for that kind of money.
Dawn says
We have had a hard time too. We have a built in cabinet in our 1959 Ranch. The fridge there currently is not original and very very small. When we look around at possible replacements, we ALWAYS have very few options as the opening is so small. I think we will go for a very plain and basic brushed stainless…Because I cant afford the fridge I really want at Big Chill.
Holland says
Just yesterday I was tracking counter-depth fridges for my tiny kit. Right now BestBuy has a 22.6 cu Frigidaire side-by-side in stainless on sale for about $1050. Same model comes in black and white, currently their best price I can find is about $1450.
Dan says
I used to love side-by-sides (too much time spent watching 1970’s game shows, I suppose). But then we got one. It’s almost impossible to get a frozen pizza (a staple in this home) in the freezer, and you’re always moving stuff around to get at other stuff.
Still, this is a handsome refrigerator. and I can forgive a lot of things for both energy star and counter depth…..
Dulcie says
I can’t understand people’s love of the side-by-side either. I guess the narrower door would be a plus in a small kitchen, but otherwise, I hate the things. Every rental house we lived in had one and I hated each with a passion. Give me a good old freezer on top (or bottom) any day. Same with stainless steel. One house I lived in had a very expensive stainless steel fridge, every smudge and fingerprint showed and it always looked like garbage. There’s a lot to be said for good old white, traditional appliances.
pam kueber says
I love my side-by-side.
Melanie says
Oh, I want one! Counter depth would be so awesome in my kitchen! It would be the difference between getting the frig door open or not when we have a family dinner. I’ll have to wait for a big discount sale on these.
Ally Cat says
FYI: anyone wanting a one almost exactly like it, IKEA is selling out of last years white glossy front side-by-side,(Nutid S23) counter-depth for $899! We have trouble selling white appliances over the stainless, so I’m not sure if it’s being replaced by a 2012 model or not. Not sure if all stores still have stock.
pam kueber says
thanks for the tip, Ally Cat!!! Nice to have an “inside source”
Ally Cat says
How long do you think it’ll be before enamel-front appliances show up in the mainstream market? I’ve been predicting that for a while, look at washers & dryers! I bet the colors will be slate gray, or other stainless-y colors without the fingerprints.
I dig my stainless fridge but the upkeep is fussy. Luckily one of my customers recommended using Orange-Glo Floor Polish on it. That keeps the fingerprint mess under control!