[BusNit]

I am looking to replace the Amana side by side in coach 312. Can someone with a similar vintage measure the space between cabinets from fridge to counter top across? My coach is at Leo getting some attention and not in my possession. Looking at a Fisher & Paykel 2 door stainless model that will fit the height but will need me to fabricate and laminate a filler as the new fridge is about 5-1/2" narrower. I am concerned the door may not open fully and particular the bottom freezer where the drawers can't be pulled out unless the door is open 90º. I believe the fridge measures 31-7/8" wide. Considering left hand hinge. Still up in the air but I think that may help prevent a violent door swing if it were right hand hinge with the door not being secured.

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www...wtQ1MpdFf7
Thank you!!

[encantotom]

when our amana went out in canada.....(fun story on getting a new one). i put in a side by side kitchen aid. of course the old one had the solenoid lock on the top to lock it shut when driving. we now use a sophisticated system of velcro holding the two side by side door handles together and it works great. my personal opinion is that pulling the drawers out would be awkward.

the regular counterdepth fridge is bascially the same width. but the bottom depth for the wheels was deeper on the fridge i put in making a need to extend the floor in the back.

the other thing we did was to build a plywood and 2x4 box the same height as the floor of the fridge. then we put a blanket on the floor under the wood box, slide the fridge out onto it and then pulled the blanket carefully while supporting the fridge to get it more out into the open to get it out the door.

we had to take the doors off the old and new fridge to get it through the door.

keep in mind that how they keep the fridge in the opening is using the wheels to raise it up and jam it against the top of the opening inside and then a couple of screws in the bottom brackets where the wheels and adjustors are.

so i guess what i am saying, is as we all say, no two are the same. and be prepared to make some modifications to the opening.

if the amana is still working, why do you want to change it?

tom

[BusNit]

It pulls too much power in its old age and will kill the house batteries in 4-6 hours. The interior wall plastics are cracked open and the space between the inside doors is rusted out from years of condensate buildup. We will eventually do solar. The new fridge we are looking at is very low power, has nice modern flat doors and no handles or through the door ice maker. It's that style we are after that doesn't exist on side by side fridges unless they are 70" and over in height. I can make a side filler piece to match like factory cabinets, but really do not want to cut and modify the top or bottom of the cabinet. I did see your thread on removal of the fridge. Aside from that, we want the least obtrusive into the aisle space refrigerator. This includes a fridge with no handles. There are very few choices for what we are looking for. ideally I lusted over the Samsung Bespoke fridge with the white glass (Which is closer to our antique white cabinets) but their doors are super thick and extend out into the aisle. So we have really only the Fisher & Paykel choice where both doors swing open. I think their 31 or 32" swing should clear the opposite side counter top but wanted to check. Seems if I ordered it today, I may get it mid January.

[BusNit]

If someone can get me a measurement from the fridge to the opposing counter, that would be great! I ordered the fridge but can still cancel it if the measurement falls less than 33”

Thank you!

[encantotom]

simon,

your coach will and already is a work of art.

tom

[BusNit]

Thanks Tom! I was looking for the "Love" button for your comment! Certainly didn't want to spend $2600 for a fridge. Oh well. I am picky. Really wanted to put that Samsung Bespoke fridge with the glass panels in but it's too much work. I need to spend time on batteries and mechanical stuff next. Bought it at Best Buy. (Fisher & Paykel). So they will remove and install the new one in the coach. I showed them pictures and management approved the delivery guys will bring it aboard. I just need them to bring it inside as I need to do my cabinet magic. I showed them pictures of the coach and what was involved. They said no problem. I'll believe it when it comes... November 12th

[BusNit]

Yia sas fíle mou!  (That's Greek for howdy my friends!) After a two month long wait, my sight unseen refrigerator arrived today. It's a Fisher & Paykel counter depth unit. I say sight unseen since I could only find it in pictures online and had Best Buy order/deliver it. Like most things, it was on backorder. I am quite pleased with the quality and space it has compared to the old Amana side by side it will replace. We are going from over 12 amps to 3 amps. My questions are as follows...

What suggestions to keep the doors from swinging open?

The interior drawers are on extension pullout glides and they may want to ride up against the inside door. I don't have any ideas on keeping them secure. They are super smooth and pullout with ease.

Overall the fridge is the same size height wise but I will need to do a side filler for the 4.5" difference. I was going to use the Amana's door panels since that laminate is a perfect color match.

[Tony Van Helden]

On your inside drawers, might an adjustable tension rod work provided you have room? We place several of those in our fridge. Tony

[folivier]

If there is room on the side I've seen people use a buckle type latch for the door, you can use 3m tape rather than screws. Search google and you'll see different methods.

[Jack Houpe]

Nice choice! 1.24 kw per day is nothing compared to the old, we also removed ours and going back with a Whirlpool 12.7 cu. ft unit with bottom freezer. We are not living in our coach full time so the sacrifice of size doesn't mean much compared to the savings of electrical usage.