[Hoosierb4]

As long as you have at least a couple inches behind it and an inch or two on each side, the refrigerator will work fine. But, you might want to double check the height dimension to be absolutely sure it will fit. (Ex refrigerator engineer here.)

[karensue78]

IF, per chance, you don’t need the storage space over the fridge—remove the cabinet & turn the space into a wine rack of desired height. We have this same problem in our house up north & this is our project for next summer so I can get the new (taller) refrigerator that I want.

[ts12755]

You're asking the wrong people, what do we buy a fridge once every 15 years. Go ask an expert that sells them every day.

[ron32162]

Measure from the back of the refrigerator which is under the cabinet the front is 1 1/2 inches taller because of the hinges on top

[Ornamentlady]

We had about 1/2 inch expertly shaved from the cabinet and it was so worth it to get the fridge I really wanted.

[Heytubes]

I had the same issue and just jacked up my cabinets half an inch.

[JoMar]

This doesn't seem to be a major issue that warrants p***ing off your wife. Pick your battles

[rmd2]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Sorry to ear you are not cutting the cabinetry, you should be able to find a suitable carpenter to take off 1/2 inch. Other option, are you cabinets the full depth to the wall? You can call home warranty (or look inside all of your cabinets) to find the original installer, and you may be able to get a matching cabinet but not full depth, therefore the will be a space between the back of the cabinet and the wall for ventilation. Final solution, if the back wall is an INSIDE wall, you could cut a hole in each side of the wall for ventillation, and put nice grates over the holes.
Just some thoughts, hope these help.

I agree, I had my cabinets cut for more height. It's not that big of a deal and now I have more choices on refrigerators.

[Nevermore]

Originally Posted by JohnN

My DW is looking at a new fridge. Plenty of room on the width and depth, no problem.
However, the space is 69" high and the one she likes is 68-7/8".

I'm telling her that we cannot fit the fridge with only 1/8" clearance and no, I'm not cutting the cabinetry, so she's unhappy with me - again!

I know I'm old school, I know that. Has technology changed enough where plenty of side ventilation is enough? I know the grill is underneath now and not on the back, and maybe the airflow on the sides is enough.

Thoughts? Thanks.

You can raise the cabinets over the fridge. That is what I did.

[pepfalcon]

Be sure to check the opening - our opening measured 35" but because there was a wall on one side, we had to get a 33" wide refrigerator so the door would open. Only the sales person at Best Buy warned us about that. That is a problem in the villas. As far as the top, just move the cabinet up 1/2 inch or cut the bottom of the cabinet off- a handy man can do it for you in 15 minutes.

[Topspinmo]

If the house has had tile installed after the build, you loose 3/4”. And yes 3/4” will make difference in older houses. It did in mine. I also had to trim the bottom trim of cabinets above the refrigerator hole. I also had to buy smaller cabinet between the refrigerator and the stove and trim cabinet table top/.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by ts12755

You're asking the wrong people, what do we buy a fridge once every 15 years. Go ask an expert that sells them every day.

No refrigerator now days will last 15 years

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by pepfalcon

Be sure to check the opening - our opening measured 35" but because there was a wall on one side, we had to get a 33" wide refrigerator so the door would open. Only the sales person at Best Buy warned us about that. That is a problem in the villas. As far as the top, just move the cabinet up 1/2 inch or cut the bottom of the cabinet off- a handy man can do it for you in 15 minutes.

When refrigerator in corner I always get split door.

[tophcfa]

Am I missing something, why not just get one the same size as the one being replaced?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by JohnN

My DW is looking at a new fridge. Plenty of room on the width and depth, no problem.
However, the space is 69" high and the one she likes is 68-7/8".

I'm telling her that we cannot fit the fridge with only 1/8" clearance and no, I'm not cutting the cabinetry, so she's unhappy with me - again!

I know I'm old school, I know that. Has technology changed enough where plenty of side ventilation is enough? I know the grill is underneath now and not on the back, and maybe the airflow on the sides is enough.

Thoughts? Thanks.

As long as you have ventilation on the side same size or larger than the intake area it will flow air across the coils. If you have pet you will have to clean intake coils and fan, plus vacuum out the bottom area. I do mine every 6 months.

For those that don’t do it and you’re refrigerator stop cooling normal or runs excessively that’s first thing I’d check?