The Liebherr CS1360 24 In. Counter Depth Freestanding Refrigerator is the kind of appliance that quietly walks into a compact kitchen, straightens its stainless-steel jacket, and says, “Relax, I know exactly where the orange juice goes.” Designed for apartments, condos, galley kitchens, small luxury homes, and anyone who believes a refrigerator should not stick out like a filing cabinet in a tuxedo, this 24-inch bottom-freezer refrigerator focuses on smart storage, European styling, and precise cooling.
At first glance, the Liebherr CS1360 looks slim. Very slim. But that is the trick. Inside its counter-depth body, it offers a total capacity of about 13 cubic feet, including approximately 9.7 cubic feet of refrigerator space and 3.3 cubic feet of freezer space. That may not sound like a warehouse, but the interior layout is clever enough to make a grocery run feel less like a puzzle created by a mischievous raccoon.
This article takes a close look at the Liebherr CS1360 refrigerator, including its design, capacity, cooling performance, storage features, installation needs, energy use, ideal buyers, and real-world ownership experience.
What Is the Liebherr CS1360?
The Liebherr CS1360 is a 24-inch counter-depth freestanding bottom-freezer refrigerator with stainless-steel styling, a right-hinged reversible door, NoFrost freezer technology, digital temperature controls, LED lighting, adjustable glass shelving, and a factory-installed ice maker. It was designed as a compact premium refrigerator for kitchens where standard 30-inch, 33-inch, or 36-inch refrigerators would feel too bulky.
Its biggest appeal is simple: it gives you a built-in-inspired look without requiring a full custom built-in refrigerator budget or a giant kitchen footprint. The refrigerator can stand freely or be placed in a semi-built-in cabinet opening, provided proper ventilation and clearance requirements are followed.
Key Specifications at a Glance
- Type: Freestanding or semi-built-in bottom-freezer refrigerator
- Width: 23 5/8 inches
- Height: 79 3/16 inches
- Depth: 24 13/16 inches
- Total capacity: Approximately 13.0 cubic feet
- Refrigerator capacity: Approximately 9.7 cubic feet
- Freezer capacity: Approximately 3.3 cubic feet
- Freezer style: Bottom freezer with transparent drawers
- Cooling system: DuoCooling with separate cooling zones
- Freezer technology: NoFrost with FrostSafe drawers
- Lighting: LED light column
- Ice maker: Factory-installed fixed water connection ice maker
- Sabbath Mode: Yes, Star-K certified on many listings
- Finish: Stainless steel with SmartSteel surface on select versions
Design: Slim, Tall, and Very European
The Liebherr CS1360 does not try to look like a typical American refrigerator. It is narrower, taller, cleaner, and more architectural. The stainless-steel front gives it a modern look, while the slimline handle keeps the design from feeling heavy. In a small kitchen, that matters. A bulky refrigerator can dominate the room; the CS1360 behaves more like a well-tailored cabinet.
Because it is counter depth, the refrigerator aligns more naturally with standard cabinetry. That means fewer awkward corners, fewer hip bumps, and fewer moments where the refrigerator door becomes the kitchen’s main traffic director. In narrow galley kitchens, this is a serious advantage.
Counter-Depth Advantage: Why 24 Inches Matters
Many standard refrigerators are deeper than surrounding cabinets, which can make a kitchen feel cramped. The Liebherr CS1360 is designed around a 24-inch cabinet-depth concept, so it can sit more flush with cabinetry when installed correctly. This creates a cleaner sightline and a more intentional kitchen design.
The counter-depth format is especially useful in apartments, condos, studios, guest suites, in-law units, and compact remodels where every inch matters. It is also helpful for homeowners who care about aesthetics but do not want to commit to a fully integrated refrigerator hidden behind custom panels.
Interior Storage: Small Footprint, Smart Layout
The CS1360 makes strong use of vertical space. Inside the refrigerator compartment, adjustable glass shelves help accommodate everyday items such as meal-prep containers, yogurt, leftovers, produce, condiments, and beverages. The shelves feel more premium than basic wire racks and are easier to wipe clean after the inevitable “mystery sauce incident.” Every refrigerator owner knows the one.
Door storage is another highlight. Liebherr’s GlassLine door racks are designed to hold larger containers, including gallon-size items. That is a major win in a narrow refrigerator because gallon jugs can quickly hijack shelf space. By moving them to the door, the interior becomes more flexible for bowls, trays, and fresh food.
VarioBox and Flexible Organization
The CS1360 is often associated with Liebherr’s VarioBox door storage concept, a removable container that can be taken directly to the table. This is useful for small items like cheese, spreads, breakfast packets, snack cups, or condiments. It may sound minor, but smart removable storage can reduce refrigerator chaos dramatically. Nobody wants to conduct a full archaeological dig just to find the mustard.
Foldable Shelf and Beverage Rack
The foldable glass shelf and beverage rack provide extra flexibility for taller bottles and mixed grocery loads. This is one of the reasons the CS1360 feels larger in daily use than its cubic-foot number suggests. The design favors practical zones over raw bulk.
Cooling Performance: DuoCooling and Freshness Control
The Liebherr CS1360 uses DuoCooling, which means the refrigerator and freezer compartments are controlled as separate cooling zones. This helps maintain more stable conditions in each compartment and reduces odor transfer between the refrigerator and freezer. In plain English: your ice cubes are less likely to taste like last night’s garlic leftovers. Civilization advances one clean ice cube at a time.
The refrigerator also includes SuperCool and SuperFrost functions. SuperCool quickly lowers refrigerator temperature after loading fresh groceries, while SuperFrost rapidly freezes new items in the freezer. These features are useful after a large grocery trip, especially when adding room-temperature items that could temporarily raise the internal temperature.
NoFrost Freezer: Less Ice Scraping, More Living
The bottom freezer includes NoFrost technology, which helps prevent frost buildup. This is a practical feature because manual defrosting is nobody’s idea of a charming Saturday activity. The freezer drawers are transparent, making it easier to see frozen vegetables, ice cream, meats, and leftovers without opening every drawer like a contestant on a game show.
The FrostSafe drawer design also helps keep cold air better contained when the freezer is opened. That can improve organization and reduce temperature swings during normal use.
Ice Maker: Convenient but Plan the Water Connection
The Liebherr CS1360 includes a factory-installed ice maker with a fixed water connection. This is convenient for daily use, especially in households that prefer automatic ice over trays. The listed ice production is modest, which fits the refrigerator’s compact design. It is not a party ice machine, but it can handle regular household needs.
Before installation, buyers should confirm water-line access. In older apartments or remodeled kitchens, adding a water connection may require extra planning. This is not a reason to avoid the refrigerator, but it is absolutely something to check before delivery day. Refrigerators are heavy. Regrets are heavier.
Energy Use and Efficiency
The CS1360 has appeared in listings as Energy Star rated, though published annual energy consumption may vary by version, production year, or retailer documentation. Some older product literature lists 491 kWh per year, while certain retailer specifications list lower figures. For the most accurate number, buyers should check the yellow EnergyGuide label on the exact unit being purchased.
In general, the refrigerator’s compact size, LED lighting, precise controls, and efficient cooling system make it suitable for energy-conscious households. It is also a good reminder that efficiency is not only about the appliance itself. Placement, ventilation, door habits, temperature settings, and coil cleanliness all affect real-world energy use.
Installation Considerations
The Liebherr CS1360 can be freestanding or semi-built-in, but it is not a “shove it anywhere and hope for the best” appliance. Proper ventilation is essential. Liebherr installation guidance calls for adequate airflow at the inlet and outlet, and cabinet openings must be planned carefully if the refrigerator is placed into a built-in-style surround.
The refrigerator’s approximate cutout dimensions are 80 inches high, 23 7/8 inches wide, and 24 inches deep. Door swing must also be considered, especially near walls. Even though the unit is slim, the handle and hinge side still need clearance. Always measure the kitchen path too: doorways, hallways, stairs, elevators, and tight turns. A refrigerator that fits the kitchen but not the hallway is just an expensive hallway sculpture.
Who Should Buy the Liebherr CS1360?
The Liebherr CS1360 is best for buyers who value design, precision, and compact luxury over maximum storage volume. It is a strong fit for:
- Small urban kitchens
- Condo and apartment owners
- Galley kitchen remodels
- Minimalist households
- Couples or small families
- Secondary kitchens, guest suites, or ADUs
- Design-focused homeowners who want a premium counter-depth look
It may not be ideal for large families, bulk shoppers, or anyone who buys groceries like they are preparing for a month-long snowstorm. With 13 cubic feet of total capacity, organization matters. This refrigerator rewards tidy habits and mildly judges chaotic ones.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent 24-inch counter-depth design for compact kitchens
- Premium stainless-steel appearance
- Smart interior layout with adjustable glass shelves
- DuoCooling helps separate refrigerator and freezer climates
- NoFrost freezer reduces frost maintenance
- Factory-installed ice maker
- LED light column improves visibility
- Can be freestanding or semi-built-in with proper planning
Cons
- Limited total capacity compared with wider refrigerators
- Tall height may not work under some cabinets
- Requires careful ventilation planning
- Ice maker needs a water connection
- Premium pricing compared with standard compact refrigerators
- Availability may vary because some CS1360 versions are discontinued or replaced by newer models
How It Compares With Standard Refrigerators
Compared with a standard 30-inch or 36-inch refrigerator, the Liebherr CS1360 is smaller but more refined. A typical American refrigerator often prioritizes bulk capacity, wide shelves, and large freezer space. The CS1360 prioritizes cabinet alignment, temperature control, smart storage, and visual harmony.
That makes it less of a bargain-capacity appliance and more of a design-forward solution. It is similar to choosing a compact luxury car over a large SUV. The SUV carries more, but the compact luxury car parks beautifully, drives smoothly, and does not make the garage feel like a wrestling match.
Maintenance Tips for Better Performance
To keep the Liebherr CS1360 performing well, owners should maintain clear ventilation, avoid overpacking the refrigerator, wipe seals regularly, clean spills promptly, and keep the door closed as much as possible. If the ice maker is connected to a filter, filter replacement should follow the recommended schedule.
Temperature settings should be checked occasionally, especially after power outages or heavy grocery loading. The SuperCool and SuperFrost functions should be used when adding large amounts of food, then allowed to return to normal operation. The NoFrost system reduces freezer maintenance, but organization still matters. A tidy freezer drawer is a small act of household peace.
Real-World Experience: Living With the Liebherr CS1360
Using a refrigerator like the Liebherr CS1360 changes the way you think about food storage. With a large refrigerator, it is easy to buy everything, stack everything, lose everything, and eventually discover a sad cucumber from another geological era. With the CS1360, the compact footprint encourages better planning. You become more aware of what you buy, where it goes, and whether you really need three jars of pickles open at once.
The first thing most people notice is the height. The CS1360 is slim, but it is tall. This vertical design means the fresh-food section is comfortable to access at eye level, while the freezer sits below in drawers. For daily cooking, that layout makes sense. Most households open the refrigerator more often than the freezer, so fresh items are easier to reach.
The LED light column is another everyday benefit. In smaller refrigerators, lighting can be weak or blocked by food. Liebherr’s vertical lighting helps brighten the compartment more evenly. That makes it easier to spot small items tucked near the back. It also makes the interior feel more premium, which is nice when you are staring into the fridge wondering whether dinner can be made from eggs, spinach, and optimism.
The door storage is surprisingly important. Because the refrigerator is narrow, every inch of shelf space matters. Moving milk, juice, and tall bottles to the door opens the main shelves for meal containers, produce, and prepared foods. The removable storage elements also help with breakfast routines, snack organization, and condiment control. Families with kids may appreciate having a dedicated zone for yogurt cups, cheese sticks, or small lunch items.
The freezer drawers are convenient for organization but require discipline. Instead of one large open freezer cavity, you get divided spaces. That makes it easier to separate meats, vegetables, frozen meals, and desserts. However, bulky items may require rearranging. A giant frozen pizza may need negotiation. A Thanksgiving turkey may require a backup plan, or at least a friend with a chest freezer and a generous personality.
The ice maker is a welcome feature in a refrigerator this size. Many compact refrigerators skip automatic ice entirely, so having one built in feels like a luxury. Still, buyers should understand that compact ice makers are not designed for massive entertaining. For everyday drinks, smoothies, and small gatherings, it works well. For a backyard party with thirty guests, buy a bag of ice and save the refrigerator from stage fright.
Noise is generally one of Liebherr’s strengths, and the CS1360 is designed with quiet operation in mind. In open-plan apartments, that matters. A loud refrigerator can turn a peaceful evening into a low-budget spaceship soundtrack. The CS1360 is better suited to spaces where the kitchen, dining area, and living room share the same air.
Cleaning is straightforward. Glass shelves wipe easily, stainless surfaces look elegant, and the SmartSteel finish on select versions helps reduce the visibility of fingerprints. That does not mean the refrigerator cleans itself, sadly. Science continues to disappoint us there. But it does mean the appliance can stay presentable with routine wiping.
The biggest adjustment is capacity. This refrigerator works beautifully for people who shop frequently, cook with fresh ingredients, and prefer an organized kitchen. It is less ideal for bulk shoppers who buy oversized warehouse packs every weekend. The CS1360 is not trying to be a suburban mega-fridge. It is trying to be a smart, stylish refrigerator for kitchens where space is precious.
In daily life, the CS1360 feels most rewarding when paired with intentional habits: rotate leftovers, use clear containers, group similar items, avoid overbuying, and keep freezer drawers categorized. Do that, and the refrigerator feels efficient and elegant. Ignore that, and any compact refrigerator will eventually become a cold box of confusion.
Overall, the Liebherr CS1360 delivers a premium compact refrigerator experience. It is best appreciated by people who care about proportions, quiet performance, clean design, and thoughtful food storage. It is not the largest refrigerator in the room, but it may be the most composed. And in a small kitchen, composure is worth a lot.
Final Verdict
The Liebherr CS1360 24 In. Counter Depth Freestanding Refrigerator is a smart choice for compact kitchens that deserve more than a basic apartment fridge. It combines a slim 24-inch footprint, premium stainless design, practical organization, NoFrost freezer convenience, DuoCooling performance, and a built-in-inspired appearance.
Its limitations are real: capacity is modest, installation requires planning, and the price is typically higher than mainstream compact models. But for the right kitchen, the CS1360 is not just a refrigerator. It is a space-saving design decision that keeps food fresh, cabinets aligned, and kitchen traffic from turning into bumper cars.
