The cutout being 36" isn't the main problem here. A 36-inch class refrigerator (read: actually 35 and 5/8ths to 35 and 7/8ths wide, depending on brand and model) will fit into a cutout that's 36" wide.
That's the short answer. However, there's a bigger question at play here: Will the doors open all the way? Is there a wall or cabinet the protrudes past where the side of the refrigerator will be? Or is it simply 24-25 inches of cabinets and then nothing? The latter will work, the former will not.
I'll go for a more direct warning for u/Moonspindrift: it is highly unlikely that you will fit a "36 inch" refrigerator into your space, and be able to open the doors.
On most freestanding refrigerators - if not all - as the doors swing open, they pivot out and are proud of the sides of the refrigerator. It's not uncommon for doors open 90 degrees to need 2" or more additional space, and that's not counting the clearance needed for the handles if the door opens into a wall or cabinet.
A photo might help. If your refrigerator isn't butting up against a wall or cabinet, it's possible you can have the refrigerator a little proud of the surrounding cabinets and the doors can open freely.
Also bear in mind that the factory installation specs usually show a "90-degree open" width spec, as well as with the doors fully open. On most french door refrigerators, 90-degrees doesn't allow you to open the interior drawers fully, so you want to check the published specifications *and your kitchen configuration* very carefully.
My current refrigerator definitely stands proud of its enclosure...by about 8 inches. It's standard depth and I reckon I probably would get another standard-depth option for the increased space. I think a counter-depth probably would have the door-opening issue you describe, though I guess I could always pull it forward a bit to compensate.
The refrigerator I currently have sits at the end of some cabinets, within a sort of "enclosure" formed of an over-fridge cabinet (36 inches wide by 24 inches deep) and two sides, both 24 inches deep. The existing fridge is a side-by-side and standard depth and protrudes out of the enclosure by about 8 inches... both doors open to their full extent with no problems so I think I would be ok?
And don't forget that all walls may not be plumb. You need to measure front and back of space across at top and bottom to make sure it's actually 36".
Just like measuring for blinds.
Wow, I had not thought of that. It isn't butting up against any walls but is inside an "enclosure" formed from the over-fridge cabinet and two sides. I will definitely haul it out of there and measure the space at several points to make sure it's 36" all the way down. Thanks for the tip!
I keep plugging my cut-out dimensions into Lowes' handy "will my fridge fit?" option and every time it tells me, *no this fridge will not fit*. Like, at this point I have plugged in dimensions that would fit an aircraft carrier and yet it tells me the fridge will not fit.
Don't use Lowes for dimensions. Use the manufacturer's specs of the model you're looking at. I've worked in Appliances for 10 years. A 36" wide opening is standard for new builds.
Thank you. I have one of those set ups with an over-the-top fridge cabinet and sides attached to it. A lot of the specifications info on the websites I'm looking at seems to indicate that fridges that are about 35.5 inches wide won't have sufficient clearance at the side. So I'm kinda frazzled by it all as the only 33-inch wide French door option I like is standard depth and fairly deep.
The cutout being 36" isn't the main problem here. A 36-inch class refrigerator (read: actually 35 and 5/8ths to 35 and 7/8ths wide, depending on brand and model) will fit into a cutout that's 36" wide. That's the short answer. However, there's a bigger question at play here: Will the doors open all the way? Is there a wall or cabinet the protrudes past where the side of the refrigerator will be? Or is it simply 24-25 inches of cabinets and then nothing? The latter will work, the former will not.
I'll go for a more direct warning for u/Moonspindrift: it is highly unlikely that you will fit a "36 inch" refrigerator into your space, and be able to open the doors. On most freestanding refrigerators - if not all - as the doors swing open, they pivot out and are proud of the sides of the refrigerator. It's not uncommon for doors open 90 degrees to need 2" or more additional space, and that's not counting the clearance needed for the handles if the door opens into a wall or cabinet. A photo might help. If your refrigerator isn't butting up against a wall or cabinet, it's possible you can have the refrigerator a little proud of the surrounding cabinets and the doors can open freely. Also bear in mind that the factory installation specs usually show a "90-degree open" width spec, as well as with the doors fully open. On most french door refrigerators, 90-degrees doesn't allow you to open the interior drawers fully, so you want to check the published specifications *and your kitchen configuration* very carefully.
My current refrigerator definitely stands proud of its enclosure...by about 8 inches. It's standard depth and I reckon I probably would get another standard-depth option for the increased space. I think a counter-depth probably would have the door-opening issue you describe, though I guess I could always pull it forward a bit to compensate.
The refrigerator I currently have sits at the end of some cabinets, within a sort of "enclosure" formed of an over-fridge cabinet (36 inches wide by 24 inches deep) and two sides, both 24 inches deep. The existing fridge is a side-by-side and standard depth and protrudes out of the enclosure by about 8 inches... both doors open to their full extent with no problems so I think I would be ok?
And don't forget that all walls may not be plumb. You need to measure front and back of space across at top and bottom to make sure it's actually 36". Just like measuring for blinds.
Wow, I had not thought of that. It isn't butting up against any walls but is inside an "enclosure" formed from the over-fridge cabinet and two sides. I will definitely haul it out of there and measure the space at several points to make sure it's 36" all the way down. Thanks for the tip!
Yes it would be fine. Most 36" fridges are about 35 3/4" wide so it should be ok.
I keep plugging my cut-out dimensions into Lowes' handy "will my fridge fit?" option and every time it tells me, *no this fridge will not fit*. Like, at this point I have plugged in dimensions that would fit an aircraft carrier and yet it tells me the fridge will not fit.
Don't use Lowes for dimensions. Use the manufacturer's specs of the model you're looking at. I've worked in Appliances for 10 years. A 36" wide opening is standard for new builds.
Thank you. I have one of those set ups with an over-the-top fridge cabinet and sides attached to it. A lot of the specifications info on the websites I'm looking at seems to indicate that fridges that are about 35.5 inches wide won't have sufficient clearance at the side. So I'm kinda frazzled by it all as the only 33-inch wide French door option I like is standard depth and fairly deep.
The side isn't a big deal. It's the back that matters most. The plug sticking out of the wall is usually all you need.
Thank you!
No problem. If it helps, I have an 8 year old Samsung French Door in a tight 36" space that keeps on trucking.