GE 20.6 Cu. Ft. Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator Review: GYE21JYMFS

Counter-depth design

The main reason to look at this model is its counter-depth configuration. Standard-depth refrigerators can provide more storage, but they can also extend noticeably beyond the kitchen cabinets. The GYE21JYMFS is designed to sit closer to the surrounding cabinetry, giving the kitchen a cleaner, more built-in appearance. GE lists the overall depth at 30.94 inches.

Keep in mind that counter-depth does not mean the refrigerator will be completely flush with the cabinets. Door swing, handles, ventilation and installation clearances still need to be considered.

Good use of the available space

At 20.6 cu. ft., this is not the largest French door refrigerator available, but the interior is arranged sensibly. GE gives the refrigerator section 14.3 cu. ft. of capacity and the freezer 6.3 cu. ft.

There are five glass shelves, including adjustable shelves and a Quick Space shelf. The refrigerator also has two humidity-controlled drawers and a full-width temperature-controlled drawer. That gives you several ways to organize fresh produce, drinks, prepared food and larger containers.

Door-mounted ice maker

The factory-installed ice maker is positioned in the refrigerator door rather than taking up a large section of the main refrigerator compartment. GE describes this as a space-saving design, with integrated door bins around the ice maker.

That arrangement can be particularly useful in a counter-depth refrigerator because every bit of usable interior space matters.

External water and ice dispenser

The dispenser provides chilled water along with cubed and crushed ice. There is also an LED dispenser light and a water-filter indicator.

For families that regularly use filtered water or ice, having these functions on the outside of the door can be convenient. It also means you do not have to open the refrigerator every time you want a glass of water.

Fingerprint-resistant finish

The stainless-steel exterior has a fingerprint-resistant finish, which is useful if the refrigerator gets a lot of daily use. French door refrigerators tend to collect fingerprints around the handles, so a finish that is easier to wipe clean can make a noticeable difference over time.

20.6 cu. ft. is not especially large for a French door refrigerator

The counter-depth design comes with a capacity trade-off. At 20.6 cu. ft., the GYE21JYMFS offers substantially less storage than many standard-depth French door refrigerators.

For a couple or a smaller family, that may be perfectly adequate. Larger households that regularly buy large quantities of groceries may find the refrigerator and freezer compartments fill up more quickly.

Some owners report noise concerns

Owner feedback is not completely consistent. Many customers praise the refrigerator's capacity and layout, but some reviews mention noticeable humming or other operating noise. Current Lowe's reviews also include complaints involving noise and temperature-related behavior.

Refrigerators naturally make sounds as compressors, fans and ice makers operate, so occasional noise is not necessarily a defect. However, if a quiet kitchen is important to you, this is an area worth considering and checking after installation.

Water dispenser and freezer complaints appear in owner feedback

There are also customer reports describing problems with the water dispenser, freezer performance and ice maker. These are individual owner experiences rather than evidence that every GYE21JYMFS will develop the same problem, but they are worth knowing about before buying.

The overall Lowe's review page currently shows a 4.2 out of 5 rating from more than 3,300 reviews, with 64% of reviewers giving five stars and 11% giving one star. That spread suggests that experiences vary considerably between owners.

The refrigerator section has five glass shelves, seven door bins, two humidity-controlled drawers and a full-width adjustable-temperature drawer. Four of the shelves are split and adjustable, while the Quick Space shelf can be repositioned to make room for taller items.

The seven door bins are useful for bottles, condiments and other frequently accessed items. Three are adjustable and can accommodate gallon-sized containers.

The freezer has three storage baskets, including a full-width, full-extension plastic basket. The 6.3-cu.-ft. freezer is reasonable for a refrigerator this size, but shoppers who freeze a lot of food should compare the freezer capacity carefully with larger models.

GE lists annual energy consumption at approximately 647 kWh per year for this model. The GYE21JYMFS is also marketed as an ENERGY STAR refrigerator.

Your actual electricity cost will depend on your local utility rate, kitchen temperature, usage and how frequently the doors are opened. For that reason, the annual kWh figure is more useful for comparison than trying to estimate a universal yearly electricity bill.

Installation: Measure Before You Buy

Counter-depth refrigerators can be easier to fit into a kitchen visually, but they still require careful measuring. GE lists the GYE21JYMFS at 69.875 inches high, 35.625 inches wide and 30.9375 inches deep. GE also specifies clearance requirements around the appliance.

Do not measure only the cabinet opening. Check the entire path from your front door to the kitchen, including hallways, corners and doorways. Also account for door opening, handle clearance and the space required for ventilation.

GE's specifications list approximately 43.375 inches of depth with the door open 90 degrees and 43.375 inches of width with the door open 90 degrees including the handle.

Product Information

• Brand: GE
• Model Name: GYE21JYMFS
• Model Number: GYE21JYMFS
• Item Type: French Door Refrigerator
• Manufacturer: GE
• Manufacturer Part Number: GYE21JYMFS
• GTIN: 00084691929314
• UPC: 084691929314
• ASIN: B0FHBPDY3S
• Number of Items: 1
• Number of Packs: 1
• Unit Count: 1 Count
• Warranty: 1-year limited

Features & Specs

• Configuration: Full-Sized French Door
• Additional Feature: Door Ajar Alarm
• Number of Doors: 3
• Defrost System: Frost Free
• Voltage: 120 volts
• Form Factor: French Door
• Number of Shelves: 5
• Door Shelf Count: 7
• Door Orientation: Horizontal
• Installation Type: Freestanding

Capacity and Measurements

• Total Capacity: 20.6 cu. ft.
• Fresh Food Capacity: 14.3 cu. ft.
• Freezer Capacity: 6.3 cu. ft.
• Dimensions: 30.94"D x 35.63"W x 69.88"H
• Item Weight: 270 pounds
• Annual Energy Consumption: 646 kWh/year

GE's published specifications list the same 20.6-cu.-ft. total capacity, 14.3-cu.-ft. fresh-food capacity and 6.3-cu.-ft. freezer capacity. GE lists energy consumption at 647 kWh/year, so buyers may see a one-kWh difference depending on the source or listing.

Style and Appearance

• Color: Solid Black
• Listed GE finish: Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel
• Style: French Door
• Form Factor: French Door

Note: The product information supplied for this listing describes the color as "Solid Black," while GE's official product page identifies the GYE21JYMFS finish as Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel. Buyers should verify the finish and seller listing before ordering.

Pros

• Counter-depth design gives the refrigerator a cleaner kitchen profile
• 20.6 cu. ft. of total storage in a relatively compact configuration
• 14.3-cu.-ft. fresh-food compartment
• 6.3-cu.-ft. bottom freezer
• Door-mounted ice maker helps preserve refrigerator shelf space
• External water and cubed/crushed ice dispenser
• Five glass shelves with adjustable storage
• Humidity-controlled produce drawers
• Full-width adjustable-temperature drawer
• Fingerprint-resistant stainless finish
• ENERGY STAR qualification
• Door alarm and digital temperature controls

Cons

• 20.6 cu. ft. may feel small for a large household
• Counter-depth design sacrifices some storage compared with larger standard-depth models
• Some owners report noticeable operating noise
• Some customer reviews mention water dispenser problems
• There are reports of freezer and ice-maker issues among some owners
• Current GE listing indicates the model is no longer being manufactured, so availability may depend on remaining inventory

The GYE21JYMFS is worth considering if your priority is a French door refrigerator that does not project as far into the kitchen as a standard-depth model. It is also a sensible size for households that want a full-size refrigerator layout without moving up to a 24- or 25-cu.-ft. appliance.

The adjustable shelves, multiple drawers, door bins and door-mounted ice maker make the interior reasonably flexible. The external water and ice dispenser is another useful feature for households that use those functions regularly.

If you regularly buy groceries in bulk, store large frozen-food quantities or have a large family, a refrigerator with more than 20 cu. ft. of capacity may be more practical.

You may also want to compare other models if your priority is exceptionally quiet operation or if you prefer a refrigerator with fewer externally accessible components. Current customer reviews show that experiences with noise and dispenser performance are not completely uniform.

The following models can help put the GYE21JYMFS into perspective. They are not identical alternatives, so the main differences are capacity, width, depth and configuration.

Kenmore 17.5 Cu. Ft. 30-Inch French Door Refrigerator

The Kenmore 46-75525 is a narrower French door option with 17.5 cu. ft. of capacity, an inverter compressor, Multi-Flow air circulation and a factory-installed icemaker. Its smaller footprint may appeal to kitchens where width is more restrictive.

GE Profile 21.9 Cu. Ft. Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator

The GE Profile GWE22JYMFS provides 21.9 cu. ft. of storage and a counter-depth French door configuration. It is slightly larger than the GYE21JYMFS while maintaining a similar overall kitchen-friendly concept. Its approximately 35.6-inch width also makes it a useful comparison for shoppers looking at counter-depth models.

Hamilton Beach HBFR1504 17.9 Cu. Ft. Refrigerator

The Hamilton Beach HBFR1504 uses a 17.9-cu.-ft. French door design with two freezer drawers and electronic temperature control. The manufacturer manual lists 9.75 cu. ft. of refrigerator capacity and 5.86 cu. ft. of freezer capacity.

KoolMore 30-Inch 18.5 Cu. Ft. Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator

The KoolMore KM-RERFDSS-18C is an 18.5-cu.-ft. counter-depth French door refrigerator designed for kitchens where width and depth matter. It is smaller than the GE GYE21JYMFS, making it another option to consider if kitchen dimensions are the main constraint.

For help comparing refrigerator sizes, configurations, features, and installation requirements, see our French Door Refrigerator Buying Guide .

Is the GE GYE21JYMFS a counter-depth refrigerator?

Yes. GE identifies the GYE21JYMFS as a true counter-depth French door refrigerator. Its overall depth is approximately 30.94 inches.

How much food can the GE GYE21JYMFS hold?

The refrigerator has 20.6 cu. ft. of total capacity, including 14.3 cu. ft. of fresh-food storage and 6.3 cu. ft. of freezer storage.

Does the GE GYE21JYMFS have an ice maker?

Yes. It has a factory-installed ice maker positioned in the refrigerator door. The external dispenser can provide cubed and crushed ice as well as chilled water.

Does the GE GYE21JYMFS have a water dispenser?

Yes. The refrigerator has an external water dispenser with a GE XWFE water filtration system and a water-filter indicator light.

Is the GE GYE21JYMFS frost free?

Yes. The model uses an automatic frost-management system, and GE lists its defrost type as Frost Guard.

What are the dimensions of the GE GYE21JYMFS?

The refrigerator measures approximately 69.88 inches high, 35.63 inches wide and 30.94 inches deep. Always check the manufacturer's installation requirements and the available clearance in your kitchen before purchasing.

Is the GE GYE21JYMFS ENERGY STAR certified?

Yes. GE markets the GYE21JYMFS as an ENERGY STAR refrigerator. Its listed annual energy consumption is approximately 647 kWh.

Does the GE GYE21JYMFS have a door alarm?

Yes. GE lists a door alarm among the refrigerator's features.

Is the GE GYE21JYMFS still being manufactured?

GE's current product page states that this model is no longer being manufactured and may be available through remaining inventory or retailers. The GE support site continues to provide product manuals, installation information and support resources for the model.

The GE GYE21JYMFS is built around a fairly straightforward idea: provide the familiar French door refrigerator layout while keeping the appliance closer to the kitchen cabinets. The 20.6-cu.-ft. capacity is enough for many households, and the interior provides useful flexibility through adjustable shelves, multiple door bins, humidity-controlled drawers and a temperature-controlled drawer.

Its counter-depth design is the biggest reason to consider it. The door-mounted ice maker also makes good use of limited interior space, while the external water and ice dispenser adds convenience.

At the same time, shoppers should not overlook the owner feedback. Although the model has many positive reviews, there are also reports involving noise, water dispensing and freezer performance. Those experiences are not universal, but they are relevant when evaluating an appliance that is expected to run every day for years.

Overall, the GYE21JYMFS is best understood as a space-conscious 20.6-cu.-ft. French door refrigerator . If counter depth, organization and a relatively compact footprint are high on your list, its specifications are worth a closer look. If maximum capacity or long-term owner reliability is your primary concern, compare it carefully with newer models before making a purchase.

Last checked: September 2026