# Are refrigerators deeper now compared to 1989?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-refrigerators-deeper-now-compared-to-1989/742498>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 8, 2016, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-refrigerators-deeper-now-compared-to-1989/742498 "2016-01-08T15:02:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-refrigerators-deeper-now-compared-to-1989/742498/1 "2016-01-08T15:02:22Z")

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I’m ready to replace my refrigerator. Purchased after buying my house in 1989. I didn’t do anything special. Randomly pointed at a 19.5 cubic foot white Fridge and asked when it could be delivered.

Fits flush next to my free-standing stove and cabinets.

I measured the fridge from the wall to its door. approx 28.5 in to 29 in not including the door handle.

I start looking at specs on Home Depot and Best Buy. A 19.5 cubic foot is 32 inches in depth (without the handle). :rolleyes:  
[http://www.sears.com/kenmore-19.5-cu-ft-bottom-freezer-refrigerator-stainless/p-04673003000P?prdNo=38&blockNo=38&blockType=G38](http://www.sears.com/kenmore-19.5-cu-ft-bottom-freezer-refrigerator-stainless/p-04673003000P?prdNo=38&blockNo=38&blockType=G38)  
32.8 inches deep  
[http://www.sears.com/whirlpool-19-cu-ft-top-freezer-refrigerator-w/p-04609862000P?prdNo=13&blockNo=13&blockType=G13](http://www.sears.com/whirlpool-19-cu-ft-top-freezer-refrigerator-w/p-04609862000P?prdNo=13&blockNo=13&blockType=G13)

I have a island connected to a faux brick room divider. L shaped  
Space to walk by is limited. We have about 24 in clearance. We can’t lose almost 4 inches of that.

L…Front of Fridge

Whats happened to refrigerators in the past 25 years? 😕 I wondered if they are including a 4 inch air gap from the wall to the fridge?

[They do sell counter depth fridges.](http://www.sears.com/whirlpool-20-cu-ft-counter-depth-french-door/p-04607292000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4) At a premium cost. about 400 to 500 bucks more to get one thats 28 inches deep. :smack: Only premium models offer it. Includes useless features like water dispensers and ice makers.

WTH have these fools done?

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**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-refrigerators-deeper-now-compared-to-1989/742498/2 "2016-01-09T04:09:09Z")

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I just ordered a counter depth refrigerator. Kills me to pay that extra $400.

But to hire a carpenter to dismantle that faux brick partition, trim 6 inches off it, and reassemble would have required a full days labor, repainting the frame, and easily cost close to $700. My floor would have a bare spot too, where the partition was cut back. It would have looked pretty shabby.

so a counter depth fridge is what I had to have.

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**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-refrigerators-deeper-now-compared-to-1989/742498/3 "2016-01-09T04:51:56Z")

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‘standard’ sizes when it comes to fridges got completely thrown out. Now it’s a game of measuring and limiting your choices to ones that can fit in a given space.

Cubic foot capacity is a sales driving number and manufacturers are pressured to get as many cubic feet as possible into a unit. Making them deeper was an unavoidable outcome.