Whirlpool 36 Inch 36" Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator Wrqa59cnkz

This model offers 19.4 cubic feet of capacity in a counter-depth footprint (36 inches wide, 30 inches deep, 70 inches tall), making it ideal for kitchens with limited space. Many owners report it fits perfectly under cabinetry without protruding, and several note it actually provides more usable space than their previous side-by-side or larger refrigerators despite the smaller overall footprint.

The 4-door design features a bottom freezer with separate drawers and an open-plan refrigerator section. Most owners praise the layout for keeping food organized and easy to see. However, the refrigerator shelves are not adjustable—they have limited or no flexibility in height positioning, which some owners find restrictive for taller items like gallon jugs or wine bottles. The freezer drawers are highly regarded for organization.

The ice maker is consistently praised for producing ice quickly and in good quantity, with real cubes rather than crushed ice. However, this model does not include a water filter, which several owners note is a significant drawback—the ice is made from unfiltered water, and some report experiencing sludge or sediment in glasses. Owners who want filtered water must purchase a separate filtered water container.

Multiple owners report that interior lighting is only at the very top of the refrigerator, leaving lower shelves dim and requiring a flashlight to see contents clearly. Several owners have also experienced LED light failure within 2–3 years of ownership, which is a recurring concern. Some newer owners praise the brightness of the lighting when it is working, but the durability and coverage remain issues.

Most owners report the refrigerator runs very quietly during normal operation. A few owners noted an initial loud hum or buzz immediately after installation, but this typically resolved within a few hours. The quiet operation is consistently cited as a positive feature.

Several owners report temperature regulation problems, including food freezing unexpectedly in the refrigerator compartment and crisper drawers, as well as the refrigerator running warmer than the set temperature. Some owners have experienced the freezer vent causing vegetables to freeze in the crisper drawer. A few owners also report difficulty with the convertible freezer-to-fridge section, which cannot actually warm above 19 degrees despite being advertised as flexible.

Most owners report easy plug-and-play installation with no issues. However, several owners note that the door opening width is limited by the design, making it difficult to remove shelves and drawers for cleaning, especially in tight kitchen spaces or against walls. Measure your available space carefully, as the full door swing may require more clearance than the stated depth.

While many owners are very satisfied in the first few months to a year, several report significant issues emerging after 2–3 years, including LED light failure, temperature control problems, gasket sealing failures, and ice maker malfunctions. A few owners have also reported difficulty obtaining service or replacement parts, with some models appearing to be phased out of warranty support. Early reviews are generally positive, but longer-term durability appears to be a concern.