Under-counter fridge

I see you have a narrow kitchen, DotScot, so my suggestion may not work, but I have a newish tall fridge/freezer and really dislike it. Had I realised how difficult it is to see and retrieve things from the top two shelves, I would not have opted for one like that.

My choice would be an American style fridge/freezer, ie side by side. Not all are huge but much more accessible. Our son has one.
Of course, you might be taller than me as well.

Ps I just read out your dilemma to my husband and he said to tell you that you're welcome to ours!!

JenniRen : "he said to tell you that you're welcome to ours!!"
If only! I have no room for one until I get a new kitchen! But when I do that's a very useful observation about the top shelves. I am not tall, and that would not have occurred to me. Thanks!

I have similar problems to DotScot and use plastic baskets in the fridge. One for cooked meats, one for fresh meat or fish etc., It works for me, at the moment!

Yes, I use plastic baskets too.
If you buy them, make sure they are not too deep otherwise the door won't shut if it's one with shelves.
I speak from experience!

I am cringing at you calling - I am assuming your husband - the boss. He's not your boss. If you need a new kitchen organise it and fuck what he says.

Generally speaking a major outlay like a new kitchen would be a joint decision in our house.

However, perhaps you live alone or control the purse strings in yours, Seabear?

I assumed The Boss was tongue-in-cheek?

Hi DotScot, we recently got a new fridge freezer from John Lewis - replacing one with a small fridge. My OH was reluctant but I kept quietly saying ‘we need a bigger fridge’… it worked in the end!
Keep persisting with your quest…

Btw, we had the other one for a very long time, so felt justified in replacing it…;-)

You're exactly on my wavelength! JenniRen

Seabear the OP is clearly using the term Boss tongue in cheek.
Your post is rather aggressive and the use of the F word is unnecessary.

Quite, Aldom.

Treat yourself to a new fridge freezer, your a adult NOT a child, get it on intrest free credit if you haven't got the money, and pay someone to cut your work top away, its not a big job

I have a little fold up stool that fits between my units so that I can sit and have a good shuffle around in both undercounter fridge and freezer. Handy for great grandson to stand on to wash his hands too.

midgey I don't think the fridge would function as a fridge if you took the door off!!

An under-counter fridge becomes an over-counter one if you put it ON the counter. And don’t forget a tall fridge has a lower half, which you’ll also want to access!

Astitchintime

I was thinking much the same at the weekend when I was taking something out of the washing machine. The tumble dryer is just as awkward and I’m considering having that put on a sturdy raised base to make it easier to retrieve lost socks etc. However, that wouldn’t work for the washing machine as it frequently goes for a walk as it is…….put it up higher and it’ll be taking flight!! They’re both in a utility space btw.
Don’t know what the answer is for your fridge though DotScot.

When you have the sturdy raised base made, ask the joiner to fit a frame round the base of the washing-machine so it cannot move about, or alternately buy a new washing-machine that is heavy enough to spin dry clothes without dancing around.

DotScot are you serious when you say the Boss, whom I presume is your husband won´t allow you to change anything?

An entire new kitchen is expensive, but the idea of sawing off part of the counter top and buying a new fridge works. Just order a fridge, dear lady for goodness sake, pay for it from your pension and tell your better half to go and chase himself, or take on all the cooking himself.

I suggest clear containers that fit on the fridge shelfing and you can pull out to see what they hold. If you google fridge organisers or fridge containers you can find a selection of suppliers at varying prices. Hope you find a solution that works for you.

We have a 3-drawer under counter fridge, and you have to fit all frozen foods in.
Not sure whether the OP's fridge has 3 or 4 drawers, but the latter would be much better as items could be spaced out more.

I have an under counter fridge. It’s a Bosch with transparent pull out drawers. It’s a dream to use and easy to clean.
As long as you put up with it, he’ll let you.

Are your fridge and freezer also 30 years old ? I’d be telling “the boss” that they must be costing a fortune to run now ! Maybe an American or French style F/F wouldn’t be such an extravagance then 😉

Could you stack the fridge on top of something else, or on a space on the top of the counter. Or do yiu have a dining room or utility room where yiu could stack the fridge on top of the freezer making it similar to a fridge freezer.

I suggest either 'The Boss' becomes the fridge 'monitor' and you excuse yourself from this all together or else he decides to sanction a kitchen refit with a larder fridge freezer.
I assume The Boss is your husband in which case have you told him how difficult this is for you? Why allow him to decide on the kitchen or any other room without your input being taken into consideration?

DotScot we have recently replaced a 23 years old under counter fridge. It was freezing things when these hot days kicked in. I can’t squat now so would bend upside down to find stuff and then get dizzy. Check out “pull out door’’ fridges. the interior shelves all pull out towards you. You can see everything. Game changer. It’s a Liebherr, very quiet, can’t hear it running at all, doesn’t freeze anything, keeps food fresher and the electricity bill has gone down! Only snag it’s expensive.
Bought it at The Appliance Centre, Newark.

I hate undercounter fridge and freezer epecially the old built in ones, which in their day must have been top of the range. Having to defrost every month and clean out the water in the fridge kneeling on a cushion covered by a thick towel...I now have in my rented flat. Gosh how I miss my Bosh slim fridge freezer now sitting in my daughters garage as an overflow..

Could not bear to have one now. I got an Amerucan fridge freezer 12 ywars ago when I got my new kitchen. Love love it. Would nothave anything else now.