Older Sub Zero fridges
 

Need a new fridge for the shop. Prefer older, quality brands. Are early 2000s Sub Zeros good fridges?

No.
We were explicitly told not to buy one when we redid the kitchen in 07. Compressors are not good.
The monogram we got is no prize but everyone I know with a subzero has spent more on it.

TBH the $600 standalone Samsung in the garage has been way less hassle. Cheap AF and just works.

[if not clear the two fridges I’m talking about are built in counter depth. No experience with free-standing]

I think Ironically the only way to buy a reliable fridge is to buy the cheap one with no options or a noisy comercial variant

Like cars more money gets you fancier but less reliable.

We put in a Sub Zero fridge in 1992 and it’s never been a problem. I do vacuum the heat exchanger every six months to keep it from collecting dust.

Shaun sub zeros are like porsches expensive and expensive to fix and like porsche you don't need one but want one. I do kitchens for a living and don't no how many have gone bad the good thing about cheep ones when they go bad you just throw them out.

Shaun,

If it’s for the shop and not something that is going to be for show, I would buy a modern no frills unit. It will be fairly inexpensive and most importantly energy efficient.

My take on commercial units is that they are energy hogs and can be noisier than household units.

Shop fridges around me are $50 on facebook marketplace....save the planet and keep them out of the landfill.

All kidding aside, pretty good fridges get pulled out of kitchen remodels all the time. If it's been running the past 5-10 years, it might outlast the crap sold now.

Not sure what a sub zero fridge is. But I just moved the one from my parent's house into my storage unit. Would have given it to you, Shaun. My storage unit has electric (2 outlets plus 2 overhead shop lights) - now a working fridge - and lift table - and soon to have stereo!

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Bought one about 17-18 years ago.

Damn. I love it.

Called the factory and asked how they justify the price. “We design for a 20 year life” was the instant answer.

I liked that. And bought one.

In laws have one as well. It lasted 30ish years.

I’m a fan boy.

The one in my post - a KitchenAide - is well over 20 years old. Runs like a clock - zero noise......

My Mom bought a Sub-Zero 24 cu ft freezer in 1954 and moved it to the new house in 1978. The motor failed a few years later when my parents were out of town for 6 months and came back to a defrosted mess of rotting food. They cleaned it out since it was lined with embossed aluminum and had it fixed. There was no smell in it after the clean out. Sold it in 2006 to a young couple and it was still working when we took it apart and carried it up the stairs. Took 6 people since it was so heavy.
I went to school just down the street from the factory.

We put in lots of those for our kitchens. No known issues but once, around 2006-7. They made a bad batch that had issues but Sub Zero took care of it. Other then that, they are good. I would buy one for myself if they went 10-15k.

My parents built their house in the early-80s. Their Sub Zero has broken down once in that timespan.

Look for a True or similar established brand commercial refrigerator, used and unpretty. Access to everything is easy, parts are available, reliability is - well, it’s commercial.

If I was in the market for a new fridge now, I’d get a True dual temp like T-23DT-HC and pair it with a True all-fridge. 1/4 fridge, 3/4 freezer.

As expected, excellent responses and advice, thank you. Turning in early, more tomorrow on what I’m looking for

John, I found them to be loud, with little to no insulation or sound proofing and not sure if they are energy efficient?

Buy a cheap one, 30" old fashion, floor model or dente/ scratched ref. from Bestbuy or something. 4-500 bucks all day long. Bought one for my mother's garage. It ran for the past 10 years without issue. Once that starts to go out, I am going to pitch it on the curb and get a new one.

True: I don’t find them loud, but they are for sure louder than a residential fridge, I’m just not noise sensitive. I doubt they are energy efficient. I like them for the volume, reliability, and serviceability.

Shaun they are ment to be built in as they are only 24inches deep if not they tip over very easy. Karl

Bought my GE in 1996. No issues until recently. Compressor’s starting to go. Clunk noise when it shuts off. I’m hoping it’s replaceable. Oh, and the light went out.

Yeah, if you have space for the big 'uns. They're great. They are loud, they have an actual compressor, not some residential thing.

Sub zero's get mixed reviews as above, those that have a good one love them, those that have problems hate them.

I'm currently shopping for a nice used true for the garage, and will keep the useless side by side that came with the house in the kitchen until it dies. Then a french door. Personally, I hate combo fridge freezers as the freezers are meat burn units due to the auto defrost.