Owner’s manual
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Is side-by-side better than a French door?
A side-by-side like the Maytag MZD2663KEW is better when you want freezer and fresh-food access at eye level and a narrower door swing; a French door is better when you want wider refrigerator shelves for platters and large fresh-food storage. Use your kitchen layout and storage habits to decide.
- Choose side-by-side if you want:
- More vertical freezer organization (bins, door storage)
- Easier access to both compartments without bending
- A narrower door swing in tighter kitchens
- Convenient in-door ice and water access (common on this style)
- Choose French door if you want:
- Wider refrigerator shelves for pizza boxes, trays, and platters
- More fresh-food space at eye level (freezer is typically a bottom drawer)
- Easier storage of oversized items in the refrigerator section
| Feature | Side-by-side (like MZD2663KEW) | French door |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Balanced fridge/freezer access | Fresh-food storage and wide items |
| Door clearance | Often needs less swing space | Often needs more swing space |
| Freezer layout | Tall, narrower shelves | Wide drawer, stacked baskets |
| Common tradeoff | Less width for large platters | Freezer items may require bending |
- Kitchen clearance: Side-by-side models typically work well when you cannot open a wide door fully. Our installation guidance for this style also emphasizes leaving space for airflow and door opening clearance; see the MZD2663KEW owner's manual.
- How you shop and cook: If you store sheet pans, party trays, or wide leftovers, French door layouts usually make that easier.
- Freezer habits: If you prefer organizing frozen foods in door bins and narrow shelves, side-by-side storage can feel more accessible.
Choosing the right door style reduces everyday frustration: you avoid blocked door swing, improve access to the foods you use most, and make it easier for the refrigerator to fit and ventilate properly in your opening.
Last updated: January 2026
What is the disadvantage of a side-by-side fridge?
A key disadvantage of a side-by-side refrigerator like the Maytag MZD2663KEW is narrower compartment width; wide platters, pizza boxes, and large bins often do not fit as easily as they do in a top-freezer or French door design.
- Narrow shelves can limit storage for wide items (party trays, sheet cakes, large leftovers).
- More bending for fresh-food items because the refrigerator section runs top-to-bottom.
- Freezer organization can feel “tall and narrow,” so bulky frozen foods stack awkwardly.
- Door storage can reduce usable interior shelf depth when doors are packed.
- Ice and water features add parts that can need maintenance over time.
| Feature | Side-by-side (MZD2663KEW style) | French door | Top freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fits wide items | Fair | Best | Good |
| Fresh-food access | Good, but spread vertically | Best (eye-level shelves) | Good |
| Freezer access | Good, but narrow | Good (drawer) | Fair |
| Door swing clearance | Often better than French door | Often better in tight kitchens | Good |
- Use shallow bins to group snacks and condiments so items do not get lost behind others.
- Store wide items diagonally when possible; rotate shelves to create one “tall” bay.
- Keep the most-used fresh items between chest and eye level.
- Avoid overpacking the door bins; it can make interior shelves feel tighter.
- Follow the storage and temperature guidance in the MZD2663KEW owner's manual.
Side-by-side refrigerators are great for separating fresh and frozen foods and can work well in tighter aisles, but the narrower shelf width is the tradeoff. Planning shelf layout and using bins usually fixes most day-to-day frustrations.
Last updated: January 2026
Is there a 30 wide side-by-side refrigerator?
Yes. 30-inch-wide side-by-side refrigerators exist, but the Maytag MZD2663KEW is a full-size side-by-side model and is typically wider than 30 inches. For exact cabinet and clearance requirements for your unit, use the measurements and installation clearances in the MZD2663KEW owner's manual.
Manufacturers list width as the cabinet width, but your real fit depends on door swing and required airflow space.
Measure these before buying or swapping models:
- Opening width: wall-to-wall at the front and at the back
- Depth: include handles if the fridge will sit flush
- Height: include hinge caps if the top is enclosed
- Clearance: space above and behind for air circulation
- Hinge-side clearance: extra room if the door opens against a wall
Most full-size side-by-side refrigerators are about 32 to 36 inches wide. A true 30-inch side-by-side is less common and usually has reduced capacity compared with standard-width models.
| Width class | Common availability | Typical capacity impact |
|---|---|---|
| 30-inch | Less common | Smaller interior volume |
| 33-inch | Common | Moderate volume |
| 36-inch | Very common | Larger volume |
Our installation guidance for this style of Maytag side-by-side includes:
- Allow about 1/2 inch at the top for clearance
- Allow about 1/2 inch behind the machine compartment cover for airflow
- Add more space on the hinge side if the refrigerator sits against a wall
(These clearances help prevent poor cooling and door-opening issues.)
Choosing a refrigerator by “30-inch wide” alone can lead to fit problems, blocked airflow, or doors that cannot open fully. Measuring the opening and planning clearances first helps you avoid returns and cooling performance issues.
Last updated: January 2026
