Are Sub Zero refrigerators worth it? Our experts say yes, they are worth it for customers looking for an upscale refrigerator with durable construction and a great support network. This brand has been a trusted choice for decades, and there are many reasons for it that we will address in this article.
A brief history of the Sub Zero brand
If you’re familiar with luxury kitchens, then you’ve heard of Sub Zero. Sub Zero was the first upscale refrigerator brand and today is still sought out by homeowners, designers, and builders alike. Sub Zero refrigerators are American made and the company headquarters is in Madison, Wisconsin.
Sub Zero has been manufacturing top quality refrigerators for over 75 years. It all started in the 1930s. Westye Bakke was searching for a reliable way to refrigerate insulin to manage his young son’s diabetes. In 1943, Westye built his first refrigerator out of scrap metal in his basement, bending coils by hand. Westye launched Sub-Zero Freezer Company in 1945. He introduced the first refrigeration system for preserving food at ultra-low temperatures.
Throughout the years Sub Zero maintained a reputation for quality craftsmanship and innovation. Their strategy has always been to build a high quality product year after year. They maintain the philosophy that if you always build the best product possible, you will always have customers.
To complete the kitchen, Sub Zero acquired the Wolf brand for cooking and built Cove, a top of the line dishwasher brand for cleaning. In 2000, Sub Zero introduced Wolf cooking appliances to their family of products. Wolf was originally a commercial cooking brand. Over the years, Sub Zero has enhanced Wolf’s technology, durability, and design to be an ideal kitchen companion to Sub Zero refrigeration. In 2018, Sub Zero introduced their newest brand to label their launch into cleaning products, Cove dishwashers. Cove dishwashers were built after decades of research, testing, and technology to ensure perfect cleaning results every time. Like Wolf, Cove is dedicated to the same spirit of quality and innovation as Sub Zero.
Why buy a Sub Zero?
1. Selection
Sub Zero offers the largest selection of upscale refrigerators, wine preservation systems, and under counter storage. For full size refrigeration, pick from three different series: Classic Series, Designer Series, and Pro Series for a refrigerator that best compliments your design preferences.
Sub Zero has a large selection of under counter appliances. Adding extra refrigeration storage undercounter is great for any kitchen, entertainment space, or even outdoor kitchen. Matching under the counter, wine storage, and outdoor refrigerators will keep the brand consistent throughout your kitchen and home.
Sub Zero is a great appliance brand for all spaces large and small. Whether you have a large sprawling kitchen, or a small urban loft, Sub Zero has a solution that will deliver quality refrigeration to your space.
If you’re looking to replace an old refrigerator into existing cabinets, you might find that many new refrigerators call for a larger cabinet opening. That’s where Sub Zero comes in. The Sub Zero classic series is a great option as it will fit into many older built-in refrigerator cutouts.
2. Quality and Support
Sub Zero specializes in building high-quality refrigerators. They have been perfecting this technology for over 75 years. Sub Zero refrigerators are tested and built to last for 20 years of daily use. This life expectancy is more than double the industry average. A Sub Zero refrigerator is an investment in the quality of your food, the design of your kitchen, and the value of your home.
Sub Zero works hard to support their customers. They stand behind their products with an industry-leading service support network and warranty. You’re investing in a luxury appliance, Sub Zero understands this and wants to make sure you are satisfied with your products. Having a robust network of factory certified service technicians means that you will get a knowledgeable technician out to your home faster. Sub Zero refrigerators come with a great warranty, covering several components for years to come. This further illustrates that Sub Zero stands behind their craftsmanship and high quality products.
Sub Zero has been a trusted choice for decades. Real estate professionals will agree that adding Sub Zero refrigeration is an investment in the value of your kitchen, and your home. This also means that many designers, contractors, and building professionals are familiar with the Sub Zero products and brand. Many trade professionals have been specifying Sub Zero for years. Since it is a brand they’ve used before, many installers are more likely to know how to install - and service Sub Zero products. This leads to fewer headaches and a more seamless process.
3. Long-Term Food Preservation
Sub Zero was built for long-term food preservation. Sub Zero was first to market with a dual refrigeration system with separate cooling systems for the refrigerator and freezer. This system was designed to prevent hasty spoilage of fresh food and minimize freezer burn. Sub Zero refrigerators are designed to run within 1-degree of set point, maintaining a constant temperature and humidity level is best for longer-term food storage.
Sub Zero refrigerators also have a very good air filtration system, inspired by NASA technology, designed to scrub the air of food spoilage-hastening ethylene gas and odor-generating bacteria, mold, and viruses. The refrigerator doors are even built with secure seals that can maintain temperature, through even short-term power outages.
What kind of appliances does Sub Zero make?
The Sub Zero Classic Series features an iconic grille, concealing the refrigerator compressors and evaporators. Classic series refrigerators are designed in both stainless steel and panel-ready finishes.
The Sub Zero Designer Series features a seamless look with flush installation, customizable column configurations, invisible reveals, and either stainless steel or fully integrated custom cabinet panels.
The Sub Zero Pro Series features a commercial-inspired design with a bold professional look. A stainless steel interior, full extension slide-out glass shelves, and a filtered internal icemaker strike a balance between residential comfort and restaurant grade performance. The Sub Zero Pro series includes a 48-inch-wide side-by-side refrigerator in all-stainless steel or glass door and a new 36-inch-wide over-under refrigerator in all-stainless steel or with a glass door.
Sub Zero features a wide range of under counter refrigerators, freezers, and wine preservation appliances. Refrigerator drawers have been very popular as well as filtered clear ice makers, wine preservation refrigerators, and beverage centers.
Built-In vs. Integrated Design Options
There are two main styles of full size Sub Zero refrigerators: built-in refrigerators and integrated refrigerators.
Built-in refrigerators were the original design dating back a few decades. Built-in refrigerators are characterized by the grill at the top containing the refrigerator compressors and evaporators. Built-in refrigerators are often installed into a dedicated cabinet opening, and usually the doors and handles protrude slightly from the cabinet face. Both the Sub Zero Classic and the Sub Zero Pro refrigerator lines are built-in. Although you can order custom cabinetry to achieve a flush inset look with a Sub Zero Classic or Pro refrigerators, many customers opt for a built-in install offering a more pronounced, industrial look.
Integrated refrigerators are designed to install completely flush with your cabinets. The Sub Zero Designer Series is designed to achieve this look. Integrated refrigerators are often covered with custom cabinet panels, however Sub Zero offers a selection of stainless panel and handle options should you prefer a stainless steel door. Since the compressors and evaporators are located under the unit, the refrigerator height will feel a little bit taller making it easy to access the crisper drawers and bins. The Sub Zero Designer series also offers an optional internal water dispenser on select units.
Column Refrigeration
The Sub Zero Designer Series offers a selection of columns. Columns have been a top trend as they are all-refrigerator, all-freezer, and wine preservation towers that can be combined to best fit your needs. Columns come in a wide variety of sizes from 18-inch freezers to 36-inch wide refrigerators.
Small Space Refrigeration
Sub Zero recently released a line of small-space appliances. Great for urban loft areas, in-law apartments, and guest suites, Sub Zero’s 24-inch wide appliances deliver luxurious features for small spaces.
Outdoor Refrigeration
Sub Zero makes outdoor refrigerators that serve as the perfect companion to your Wolf barbecue grill in your outdoor entertainment space. Choose from a traditional under counter refrigerator or refrigerator drawers to compliment your design.
Are there any drawbacks?
Sub Zero is a great choice for many upscale kitchens. Sub Zero was first to market in the luxury refrigeration industry. With that said, there are many brands available today that offer a selection of products with similar features, sometimes at a slightly lower price.
Sub Zero offers an upscale luxury product. Sub Zero refrigerators are more expensive relative to freestanding premium and core refrigerators, but have more than double the life expectancy. There’s nothing wrong with buying an inexpensive refrigerator, per-se, but Sub Zero quality, service support, craftsmanship, and food preservation technology is worth it for many customers.
Does Sub Zero make smart refrigerators? Wi-fi Connectivity Benefits
If you’re designing a new home or renovating your kitchen, you’re probably exploring the wide variety of smart home products available to you. Home appliances are no exception! Select Sub Zero refrigerators have Wi-fi connectivity giving you the ability to monitor, control, and in some cases, fix your appliances remotely.
With the Sub Zero app, you will receive alerts and status updates to ensure your appliances are working optimally. In the event of a problem, the Sub Zero customer care team can diagnose and resolve issues from afar reducing service visits.
The Sub Zero app will also help you manage routine tasks with remote controls through your smart device, voice commands, automatic filter replacements, and routine maintenance notifications. The app will help you monitor or adjust your refrigerator temperature, or enhance ice production without having to make a trip to the kitchen.
Top Sub Zero Appliances 2020
Sub Zero IT-36CIID 36" Designer Over-and-Under Refrigerator/Freezer
with Internal Dispenser and Ice Maker - Panel Ready
Top Features:
- Monitor and control remotely with Wi-Fi connectivity
- Accepts custom panels for an integrated look within cabinetry or stainless-steel accessory panels and handles to match other Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove products
- Delivers fresh, filtered water through an internal dispenser designed to discreetly rest within the refrigerator
- Yields ice automatically and "max ice" for additional production.
- Keeps produce fresher with high-humidity, sealed crisper and deli drawers
Sub Zero IC-30R and IC-30F 30" Designer Column Refrigerator and Freezer Panel Ready
Top Features:
- Monitor and control remotely with Wi-Fi connectivity
- Accepts custom panels for an integrated look within cabinetry or stainless-steel accessory panels and handles to match other Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove products
- Preserves refrigerated foods with cool, moist air
- Creates a seamless look with single door design in your kitchen
- Locks in cold air with a magnetic door seal system
- Filters water and ice, removing contaminants, chlorine taste, and odor
Sub Zero IW-30R 30" Designer Wine Storage with Refrigerator Drawers - Panel Ready
Top Features:
- Accepts custom panels for an integrated look within cabinetry or stainless-steel accessory panels and handles to match other Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove products
- Offers any-occasion-86-bottle capacity
- Store reds and whites in separate temperature zones that keep wines at proper serving temperatures, within one degree of setpoint
- Refrigerator drawers create an additional temperature zone
- Maintains constant, moderate humidity with dual evaporators so corks do not dry out
- Shields wine from aging with UV-resistant glass door
- Select the wine you want without agitating others with textured roller-glide shelves that do not vibrate
- Organize your collection with our inventory tile system
- Connects to your home security system
Sub Zero PRO-4850G 48" PRO Refrigerator/Freezer with Glass Door
Top Features:
- Scrubs the air of ethylene, mold, viruses, and bacteria every twenty minutes using NASA-based advanced air purification technology
- Install directly within surrounding cabinetry for built-in, or add accessory panels for freestanding
- Makes an iconic stainless-steel statement, inside and out
- Dual refrigeration technology preserves refrigerated foods with cool, moist air and frozen foods with frigid, dry air
- Easy access to food with full-extension slide-out glass shelf with adjustable gates
- Protects food from spoilage through triple-pane, UV-resistant glass door
Sub Zero BI-36UG/S 36" Classic Over-and-Under Refrigerator/Freezer with Glass Door
Top Features:
- Monitor and control remotely with Wi-Fi connectivity
- Preserves refrigerated foods with cool, moist air and frozen foods with frigid, dry air
- Fight spoilage and odors with a NASA-inspired air purification system
- Locks in cold air to ensure freshness with magnetic door seals
- Keeps produce fresher with high-humidity, sealed crisper and deli drawers
- Controls temperature within one degree of setpoint
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