Fridge door won't open - not enough space in 60cm space for 59cm F/F

sparkyshark · 22 Dec 2020

Hi, I wonder if you guys have some suggestions and advice on this issue please. Assuming this is the correct forum.

We've had a makeover in the kitchen and the space between the last set of drawers to the wall is about 60cm. The fridge is 59cm. The top door opens partially but not fully, door opens to the right hitting the wall. The bottom door doesn't want to open at all.

The only thing I can think of in terms of the original layout before the makeover was that their wasn't any end panels at the start of the worktop and at the end. However, I assumed that with a 60cm opening the fridge wouldn't be an issue - how wrong was I !

The options I can think of.
1.) replace with a smaller fridge/freezer - we don't want to do this as it would become too small (there is no other place to put the fridge/freezer).
2.) Buy a fridge freezer with reversible doors or one that opens on the left hand side, however this would become awkward as everything is to the left of the fridge, the kitchen is already small (galley type).
3.) Remove the end panel and cut the worktop - however, how would one do this as we would not be able to remove the worktop as everything is now screwed in place sink/hob etc now is position.

Cheers,
Sparky.

flameport · 22 Dec 2020

3 - a jigsaw or router for most of it, finish the last bit near the wall with a hand saw.

The problem looks to be the wall not being vertical, so the space is tapered, narrower near the floor.

just pumps · 22 Dec 2020

Are you certain that the doors aren`t reversable, only ask as most are.

sparkyshark · 22 Dec 2020

Hi both, thanks for the replies.

I was under the impression that if you bought a 59cm fridge it would require a 59cm opening. But that doesn't appear to the case, I don't see any references that show door opening measurements on a few random fridge's I've just checked online. The wall indeed is not straight I would call it!

The fridge isn't new, though even if I could, I'd rather not reverse it as everything becomes an opposite problem, so if I took out a few items for example i'd have to put them on the floor or close the door and then place on the worktop, doesn't sound like a big deal, but I reckon it will be for the family

Such a shame as I thought we'd finally finished the house.

sparkyshark · 22 Dec 2020

I'm also thinking that if I did take off the end panel, that may still pose an issue due to the bent wall towards the bottom, this still might not give me enough room for the bottom door...

just pumps · 22 Dec 2020

sparkyshark said:
Hi both, thanks for the replies.

The fridge isn't new, though even if I could, I'd rather not reverse it as everything becomes an opposite problem, so if I took out a few items for example i'd have to put them on the floor or close the door and then place on the worktop, doesn't sound like a big deal, but I reckon it will be for the family

Such a shame as I thought we'd finally finished the house.

You might be suprised how quickly one adapts.

foxhole · 22 Dec 2020

All fridge doors require clearance due to there depth .Switch the hinges .

sxturbo · 22 Dec 2020

Removing the end panel.will look crap, and likely still won't provide you with the clearance required, it will only give you 18mm.

Only option is to reverse the doors and adapt.

Tigercubrider · 22 Dec 2020

I am not sure that the issue is the corner wall? It looks to me that the LHS is lower than the RHS?
Have you tried adjusting the feet on the fridge to lean it slightly to the Right? (Just bung a plank under it as a test?
I had a similar cock up when I planned my kitchen, I left a gap and bought a spare door so that when I replaced my dishwasher I could fit an integrated one but didn't allow for the skim.
I had to shift every cupboard unit and sink along by 2cm to get it to fit.

Another option might be to remove the plaster from the corner wall just at the front? Messy and as expensive as a slimmer fridge.

But I do think that the fridge as shown is leaning over

lostinthelight · 22 Dec 2020

Removing the clad on panel and cutting the WT should give you an extra 18mm to play with ,the wall would have to be a long way out for it not to work. B&Q kitchen? it looks like their new range with Garcinia integrated handle doors

freddiemercurystwin · 22 Dec 2020

What's the wall made of? First thing is to pull the fridge out and work out exactly what space it needs, I too couldn't live with the door reversed. The easiest solution is a tall 55cm FF.

diy_fun_uk · 23 Dec 2020

freddiemercurystwin said:
What's the wall made of? First thing is to pull the fridge out and work out exactly what space it needs, I too couldn't live with the door reversed. The easiest solution is a tall 55cm FF.

This. Personally, I'd leave all the building works as is and buy a circa 55cm wide fridge freezer. Sorted.

ETAF · 23 Dec 2020

i wonder if you can move the hinge brackets slightly to the left , so that the door is more over the fridge , as looking at the picture you have a bit of room to be able to move to the left and still the rubber will seal

sparkyshark · 23 Dec 2020

Hi All, thanks for the comments.

I've managed to switch the hinges over without having to buy any additional components, this is good as we can see how it looks, youtube vid helped

. Initial thoughts are that it's not to bad due to the worktop on the other side, so guessing we could put items on that, but the fridge is currently empty so lets see how this pans out...

I tried the suggestion with altering the wheels/putting a plank underneath and that didn't really change anything other than line up the gap bringing it closer to the wall.
The wall is brick/with bonding/multifinish. I was speaking to my brother earlier today after seeing some of your comments and he also mentioned maybe taking a section of the wall out, but only for the door area i.e. an indent making it look like a picture frame affect...
Worse case, if we just can't get along with it we'll have to buy a smaller width but taller fridge/freezer though this still won't give us the same capacity as the one we currently have

screamer · 24 Dec 2020

i can see why you wanted the doors to open on the right, it's a narrow kitchen!

Me personally, i'd buy a smaller width FF to get the doors on the right for easier access

Have you anything above the FF just now? just in case you're limited for height, if not, you get some tall FF and even if you're losing a bit of width you'll gain a lot more in the height

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Fridge door won't open - not enough space in 60cm space for 59cm F/F

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