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Drawer Refrigerator Buying Guide

Everything You Need to Know About Drawer Refrigerators

Carly Reynolds
Carly Reynolds
Modern Kitchen with built-in refrigerator drawers in kitchen island.

Deliver a cool new update to your kitchen or home bar design with drawer refrigerators. These undercounter refrigerator drawers and undercounter freezer options are easy to incorporate into any lower cabinetry and provide spacious storage. Use them in tandem with a traditional refrigerator or alone to create a sleek and barely-there look.

What is A Refrigerator Drawer?

A refrigerator drawer is a kitchen appliance designed to nestle in among your lower cabinetry while providing ample refrigerated or frozen storage. They come in a wide variety of styles and size options, making it easy to find one that you’ll include in your home or industrial kitchen design. Thoughtful interior configurations and adjustable temperature controls make undercounter refrigerator drawers ideal for storing ingredients, finished dishes, beverages, and even favorite snacks. 

3 Places to Feature Refrigerator Drawers

Once you understand what goes in refrigerator drawers and what all they have to offer, you’re going to want to feature them in multiple rooms of the home. Three of our favorite places to include undercounter freezer and refrigerator models include: 

Kitchen

Kitchen island with wine cooler fridges and built-in refrigerator drawers.

If you find that you’re always maxing out the space available in your traditional refrigerator, adding a refrigerator drawer is a fantastic solution.

Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor kitchen, BBQ, sink and refrigerator drawers.

Outdoor-grade undercounter refrigerators are a fantastic choice for any custom outdoor kitchen.

Rec Space / Home Theater

Stainless steel refrigerator drawers, cheese, bottled drinks.

If you have a casual rec room or home theater, consider adding an undercounter refrigerator into the design. It’s a great place to store refrigerated snacks and favorite beverages. Best of all, you won’t have to run down to the kitchen every time you get thirsty.

Choosing the Ideal Drawer Refrigerator for Your Space 

The multitude of drawer refrigerators available makes it easy to discover a make and model that will coordinate flawlessly with the rest of your kitchen design. 

Brand 

Kitchen with matching Cafe stainless steel appliances, refrigerator drawers

Get a consistent look in your kitchen by choosing all your appliances from the same brand and line, or shake things up by selecting a model from a brand you haven’t yet experienced. You’ll even discover brands that have been a favorite in restaurants for years.

Style

3 Refrigerator drawer appliances, blue, white and wood finishes.

With so many different styles available, it really is easy to find one that enhances the overall design style of the kitchen. As you shop, consider the finishes of the other appliances in your kitchen. Keep it bright and timeless with stainless steel or achieve a more contemporary vibe with gray or brown. You can also select panel ready refrigerator drawers designed to accept your cabinetry drawer fronts for that built-in look.

Number of Drawers

Single drawer, double drawer and 3 drawer undercounter refrigerators.

Many of the models offered come with two spacious drawers, although there are some models with three drawers and a single drawer, according to your needs. Sometimes, all drawers in the unit are refrigerated. Other options feature a combination of an undercounter freezer and refrigerator for double the functionality.

Size

The layout is always an important factor when it comes to designing your kitchen. Check out the dimensions of each unit to ensure it will fit well in the footprint of your lower cabinetry. Make sure to take careful measurements of the space you have available and compare those measurements against the dimensions of the drawer refrigerator you’re considering.

Interior Configuration

24 inch undercounter refrigerator drawer. Head of purple cabbage, bottle.

Each make and model is slightly different. Once you’ve narrowed down the options to a few of your favorites, check out the interior configuration of the drawers. Think about the largest things you need to refrigerate, such as party platters and large sheet cakes. Many designs also offer removable dividers within the drawers that allow you to organize produce, drinks, and other refrigerated favorites. The total cubic feet of the refrigerator will show you just how much room is in the drawers.

Residential Vs. Industrial  

Consider where you’ll be using your refrigerator drawer and purchase a model designed to hold up to that level of use. If you are an avid home cook creating a professional-grade kitchen at home, you can always select industrial-grade appliances.

Energy Efficiency

Blue Energy Star logo.

Lowering the carbon footprint in the home is not only environmentally conscious, but it is also a great way to lower your energy bills. As you shop, check to see which refrigerator drawers are ENERGY STAR Rated.

Free-Standing Vs. Built-In 

The vast majority of undercounter refrigerator drawers feature a design that makes them suitable for a built-in look with the rest of your appliances and lower cabinetry. When you don’t want to take on a complete remodel or mobility is a necessity, there are some free-standing drawer refrigerator designs available, as well. 

 Special Features

Stainless steel drawer with touch screen controls. Panel ready finish.

No two undercounter refrigerators are the same. Before you make your final selections, check out the special features that set some designs apart from the rest. Digital touch controls, RAPIDcool technology, soft-close drawers, ADA compliant designs, Sabbath mode, and bottle storage are just a few of the different features you’ll see sprinkled throughout this incredible selection of appliances. 

Introduce industrial-grade functionality to your home kitchen with undercounter refrigerator drawers and experience the difference they can make in your home cooking routine. These aren’t the only super-handy appliances you can incorporate into your kitchen design. Built-in ice makerswine coolers, and beverage refrigerators are all great options.

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