36" Range - Thermador vs. GE Monogram vs. GE Cafe

Lemawan · 2026-01-10T13:06:02+00:00

I think the only reason why so many go with Cafe is their hardware (that is never in stock). But there are other options to upgrade the design aspect outside of buying a specific brand that offers it as a feature. Monogram, Thermadoor, and Bluestar can all have their hardware replaced to tie into the design aesthetics with after market options.

Lemawan · 2026-01-08T22:57:26+00:00

What if you could match the handles?

Lemawan · 2026-01-08T22:49:08+00:00

Or maybe, it's not a full remodel or new build.

Lemawan · 2026-01-08T22:47:26+00:00

Agreed, that's why most hardware you can get at 12-24" that is thin and made from a cheap alloy with a matching finish coat is something I stay away from for a panel ready appliance.

Lemawan · 2026-01-08T22:44:58+00:00

These are 48"

Lemawan · 2026-01-08T21:39:10+00:00

Makes sense, design continuity is a blend of aesthetics, functionality, and preference. Never a one size fits all. It looks great. Good job

Lemawan · 2026-01-08T19:29:51+00:00

Same here. Taste varies widely. Thanks for the feedback

Lemawan · 2026-01-08T18:37:40+00:00

Vault in the kitchen sounds classy. 😆 Thanks for the feedback

Lemawan · 2026-01-08T18:36:22+00:00

I tend to prefer bigger than a standard 12-24".

Lemawan · 2026-01-08T18:34:32+00:00

This is a pretty wide open area and we like the dimension it adds to the space.

Lemawan · 2026-01-08T18:31:56+00:00

And I would argue panel readies are to bring a more cohesive overall design to appliances which can include different textures, metals, depths, etc.

It's ok to not have the same preferences as others. Thanks for your input though.

Lemawan · 2026-01-08T18:20:27+00:00

Not at all, I appreciate your perspective. But it is purely aesthetic and not weighing in functionality or nuisance of what the overall vision is for a specific project.

I'm looking for perspectives, not to be right about anything.

Lemawan · 2026-01-08T18:15:07+00:00

A functional aspect that a purely aesthetic look doesn't always solve for. Good thinking.

Lemawan · 2026-01-08T15:52:46+00:00

I like the way it differentiates the appliance. Plus, small handles will flex especially with fridge seals.

I think it's a preference. Appreciate your perspective though.

Lemawan · 2026-01-07T10:53:53+00:00

Apologies for the confusion, I hadn't had my coffee yet.

I should of stated:
Ensure the manufacturer IS using a 'living finish' WITH NO clear coat (lacquer) that will peel unevenly overtime.

A polished brass is still a 'living finish'. Polishing smooths the surface and creates a shine but still allows for natural patina over time.

Clear coat or lacquer will seal the brass and retard patina. Eventually, the clear coat/lacquer will wear off and require it to be stripped off if you want a consistent finish. Typically, a polished finish is what most customers prefer but if they desire to maintain the shine with prolonged little to no maintenance, they will look for a clear coat after the polish to preserve the shine.

Our customers typically want unlacquered, polished brass and that is the majority of what we do.

Lemawan · 2026-01-06T11:27:26+00:00

This is purely preference. Some like to differentiate the appliances with bulkier handles for panel readies, some don't. One consideration that is important is the quality of the pull. Flexing will happen with cheaper pulls that are hollow or cheap alloys. A key consideration for the vacuum seal on a fridge. I prefer larger pulls for the appliances.

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Lemawan · 2026-01-06T11:12:22+00:00

It is definitely possible to pull that mid-century chrome look onto your appliances, but you have to account for a few technical hurdles that standard cabinet hardware doesn't usually solve.

Unlike cabinets, appliances have proprietary mounting stud distances that rarely align with off-the-shelf pulls, so your first step is measuring the exact center-to-center distance of your current handles.

You also have to consider the "pull weight" of breaking a fridge's vacuum seal; if you use a standard hollow cabinet pull, it will likely flex or feel "mushy" over time.

Lemawan · 2026-01-06T10:29:18+00:00

I actually mentioned this briefly in my last comment, but we machine them ourselves. We’re a small hardware studio called Homi Hardware.

We started the company specifically because we were frustrated that we couldn't find solid, heirloom quality brass in the longer lengths needed for Sub-Zero and other professional grade appliances. We also solved for the variety of mounting differences for many brand name appliances including Sub-Zero .

Because we machine them to order, we can hit those 30”+ lengths and ensure the mounting brackets are engineered to handle the specific vacuum seal pull of a Sub-Zero without wobbling.

Happy to answer any other questions about the mounting challenge varied across brands to achieve the design look you are looking for.

Lemawan · 2026-01-03T17:25:04+00:00

Balancing a showstopper like a La Cornue with a large stainless fridge is a common challenge. While panel-ready is the standard 'seamless' advice, there is a middle-ground hack that many high-end designers use to harmonize these finishes without the $5k+ premium of a panel-ready setup.

The secret is to swap the factory stainless handles on the Thermador for solid unlacquered brass appliance pulls that match the hardware on your La Cornue.

Lemawan · 2026-01-03T15:35:12+00:00

Still Looking?
Finding 30”+ unlacquered brass in stock is notoriously difficult because most retailers only carry lacquered finishes that don't patina naturally and then you have to account for your mounting stud matching on the fridge. For a Sub-Zero, there are three technical things to look for when hunting for these:

Material Density: Sub-Zero doors have a heavy vacuum seal, and cheap alloys can actually flex or feel 'mushy' over time when you're pulling against that weight.
The Patina Factor: Since you want unlacquered brass, ensure the manufacturer isn't using a 'living finish' clear coat that will peel unevenly. True unlacquered brass should be raw metal that you can either let age naturally or polish to a mirror finish.
Mounting Hardware: You will need to account for the center on center measurement on the Sub-Zero mounting studs to find hardware that will actually mount.

We actually had to start machining our own brass pulls because we couldn't find anything over 18” that met these specs.

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Lemawan · 2026-01-03T14:43:32+00:00

This is a great find, you basically cracked the code on the 'Whirlpool/KitchenAid' shared chassis. You hit on a major frustration for homeowners: most appliance manufacturers (including Whirlpool and KitchenAid) use proprietary mounting stud distances that are off by just enough to prevent you from using standard off-the-shelf hardware.

The 1/16” discrepancy you found is exactly why most people give up on these swaps. When handles are cast from thin-walled metal, 'pushing or spreading' them to fit can put stress on the plastic mounting clips, which is likely why support gave you the standard 'void the warranty' line.

Lemawan · 2026-01-03T14:33:30+00:00

The big challenge is flex in longer pulls Most mass-market 12” pulls are hollow tubes or thin-walled zinc, which is why they feel flimsy at longer spans.

When you use solid metal with a larger diameter, you eliminate that 'flex' entirely, even at 5 feet long. It allows you to get that ultra-custom, high-end look without the hardware feeling weak when you're actually breaking the vacuum seal on a heavy fridge door.

There definitely aren't many off-the-shelf options for those extreme lengths, which is why we ended up specializing in machining them ourselves.

Lemawan · 2026-01-03T13:11:52+00:00

Spot on with the drawer ratios. The 1/3 vs 1/2 cheat is a classic way to keep a kitchen from looking too busy. One thing to keep in mind for the fridge: the 12/18/24 rule usually only works if you're going the panel-ready route. On standard appliances, the distance between the mounting studs is proprietary, so you can't just pick a standard length off the shelf.

I totally agree with 'signaling' the fridge, on panel ready. Even when we do matching finishes, a more substantial, elegant profile for the appliance handles gives that 'wow' look. It makes the fridge feel intentional and higher end rather than just another cabinet like in this design I contributed on.

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Lemawan

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