Full integration side-by-side/French - refrigerator

Hello :-)

we are currently planning a completely new kitchen in our house and are already quite far along with various kitchen showrooms/advisors. Our own ideas can be implemented so far, only with the desired refrigerator some are not sure or point out that it definitely needs a 5-10cm gap to the tall cabinets.

Refrigerator: "Haier HTF-710DP7 CUBE"

(important features: no water connection needed, water dispenser nice-to-have but not essential, variable cooling options (we already have large freezers in the basement, so what’s great about this one is that part of it can also be used as normal refrigeration), french door, no frost, different zones and various features that this one has, home-connect not necessary)

We plan to cover a wall completely with (tall) cabinets and the refrigerator should stand in the middle. Slightly protruding because of the doors, but directly next to the cabinets or decorative strips on the side walls. To the right a raised oven and above it a built-in microwave.

We thought the issue with the air supply/exhaust was "solved" by circulation at the top (which is free) and bottom (standing feet, without a strip in front), and on the sides maybe just strips for covering so that there is plenty of space (air) behind the strips up to the back wall.

The advice from the consultants was that this all works but the air circulation might not be sufficient and after 1.5 years at the latest the compressor would be broken. Therefore, 5cm should be left free all around.

After weeks of waiting the Haier support finally got back to us and just matter-of-factly said that 10cm space is required all around! On their product pages, you can see the various refrigerators but "fully integrated," so no gaps. Certainly a PR and "prettier appearance" issue, but nowhere a note about the "air gaps."

What do you professionals say? All correct, forget it? All nonsense, just do it? A compromise? If 10cm space really has to be left, of course that does not look nice between the cabinets and cleaning will be even more annoying.

Thanks

I like refrigerators with space and have had different models. The unit costs about €1400.-, hadn't you ever thought about, for example, a combination from Siemens/Bosch but with two separate freestanding units side-by-side, which can be connected to each other? There are two of us and we like an organized fridge or no overstuffed compartments. Our current device has about 2cm of space on the side and, due to its design, also has clearance at the back; above it is also open. I would have no concerns; if I had space on the side, then really distance so that such a device visibly stands alone. 5-10cm would not please me, at least that's my opinion.

Yes, exactly, we also share the opinion about the appearance and are a bit annoyed that the technology apparently doesn't cooperate! Two "normal" refrigerators are out, because a) such a "french" must absolutely be it :) and b) the advantage of the "french" is that you have so much more space "in one piece" in the WIDTH of a compartment. We are three with a child (14) and the current refrigerator (also not the smallest) is always packed full and confusing because everyone arranges things differently^^.

Have you already seen it in the original? Currently, we still have a large Bosch with 70cm width, but in the foreseeable future, it will be the double version again. We also like frozen foods, so the freezer compartment should be big, that wouldn't be enough for me in a 90cm device; I would just look at the original each time. With the single device, you have only cooling and freezing from top to bottom, so you can fit quite a few yogurts and ice cream bars in there :D. It was also important to us that there is a special 0-degree cooling zone for vegetables etc., so be sure to check the volumes each time.

:) ....yes, we need fewer freezers because we have a large freezer in the basement. Hence the desire for a refrigerator that can cool a compartment flexibly, for example here the lower right door... you can choose between cooling and freezing. I have already seen such cooling devices as "Live!" at expert and Media Markt and in kitchen furnishing stores, yes :).

Hi, just an idea: artificially drive circulation with a battery connected to quiet fans. Otherwise, it's not even a €10 depreciation per month, which wouldn't be ideal environmentally, but bearable?