Freezer / Refrigerator Combinations

[ttmott]

My two SubZero refrigerator and freezer are getting a bit long in the tooth and I'm going to replace this winter. They are both under the counter units.
The plan is to install drawer type of refrigeration rather than door type as I have now.
The question is, from a technical aspect, is it best to have two refrigerator/freezer (upper/lower drawers) units or a refrigerator dual drawer unit and separate freezer dual drawer unit?

 

[swaterhouse]

I have only seen these advertised, never talked to anyone that has one, but if I was in the market I would strongly look at the all in one unit by vitrifrigio. Either drawer can be fridge or freezer. For most of our cruising we don't need a lot of freezer space, so having one freezer drawer and three fridge drawers is very appealing.

https://www.vitrifrigo.com/ww/en/drw180a-all-in-one-double-compartment

 

[Henry Boyd]

Swaterhouse’s post highlights the logistical advantages of combination units. But my inner engineer reminds me combination machines trade off performance for convenience. “Jack of all trades, and master of none” comes to mind.

 

[ttmott]

I have only seen these advertised, never talked to anyone that has one, but if I was in the market I would strongly look at the all in one unit by vitrifrigio. Either drawer can be fridge or freezer. For most of our cruising we don't need a lot of freezer space, so having one freezer drawer and three fridge drawers is very appealing.

https://www.vitrifrigo.com/ww/en/drw180a-all-in-one-double-compartment

Yes definitely Vitrifrigo - I had one on my last boat and really liked the construction quality.
I have an Isotherm clear ice maker on this boat and it's quality is up there also.

 

[ttmott]

Swaterhouse’s post highlights the logistical advantages of combination units. But my inner engineer reminds me combination machines trade off performance for convenience. “Jack of all trades, and master of none” comes to mind.

Like a motorsailer...... I tend to agree but have no performance facts...

 

[rlynch03]

My two SubZero refrigerator and freezer are getting a bit long in the tooth and I'm going to replace this winter. They are both under the counter units.
The plan is to install drawer type of refrigeration rather than door type as I have now.
The question is, from a technical aspect, is it best to have two refrigerator/freezer (upper/lower drawers) units or a refrigerator dual drawer unit and separate freezer dual drawer unit?

Jeremy has the newer matching (Isotherm Cruise 130 and Cruise 90 Freezer, I think) Refrigerator and separate Freezer like we have now. We appreciate the separate freezer to store meat, vegetables, ice cream, etc. for longer trips and not eat up space in the fridge for a small freezer in the top.

When we have to replace the SubZero's we plan to get separate units again.

The only thing I don't like is the separate internal doors in the Isotherm Cruise 90 freezer. I suppose it helps efficiency.

Would like to hear Jeremy's opinion's...

 

[my3sons]

Henry might be on to something. We have a Vitrifrigo, just an 8 cuft combi, freezer on top that works well, different animal, but the freezer is suceptable to ambient temperature swings, much more so than the fridge I think. We just finished 11 days at a location without shorepower where the night time temps were in the upper 40's/low 50's and some days were pretty cool. As an experiment, I shut off the 12v power to the unit and monitored the temps. with the thought that maybe I could cut down on battery usage by shutting it down for several hours a day. Not to be. After 3 hours, the fridge only rose 3 degrees. But the freezer went from -1* to 20. It seems as though the fridge runs alot and I am now convinced that it's the freezer portion. If it was a seperate unit that might not be a problem? Or at least it would be easier to maybe add insulation to the cabinet. Just a thought. The unit doesn't have any trouble keeping things cold though. But then again you are in Florida and I'm up north.

temperature fluctuations over the last couple of weeks. Fridge is high right now because weather stinks and she’s been in and out of it making sauce and soups for easy meals going forward. It’ll be back to 33/ 34 in an hour or so