Where to Find a Bisque-Colored Refrigerator and What Your Options Really Are

Bisque refrigerators exist, but they're rare and getting rarer

Yes, manufacturers do make bisque refrigerators, but you won't find them in most showrooms or online catalogs. Bisque — a warm, creamy beige that sits between white and taupe — was more common in the 1990s and early 2000s, when it competed with stainless steel and white as a standard finish. Today, most major brands have dropped it from their regular lineup. If you want bisque, you're looking at discontinued stock, special orders that take months, or a smaller manufacturer willing to build one for you.

The shift happened because stainless steel became the default "premium" look, and white became the budget standard. Bisque fell into an awkward middle — too warm-toned for modern kitchens that wanted cool metals, and too expensive to produce in small batches. Retailers stopped stocking it, so manufacturers stopped making it. That doesn't mean it's impossible to find; it just means you need to know where to look and what to expect in terms of cost and wait time.

Key Takeaways

• Bisque is no longer a standard finish at major appliance retailers, but some manufacturers will still produce it as a special order.
• Your best options are checking scratch-and-dent clearance sections, contacting manufacturers directly, or looking at smaller appliance brands that still offer it.
• A special-order bisque refrigerator typically costs 10 to 20 percent more than the same model in white or stainless steel.
• Lead time for a custom bisque order is usually 8 to 16 weeks, depending on the manufacturer and current production schedules.
• If bisque is no longer available in the exact model you want, painting or refinishing the exterior is possible but requires professional work to avoid damaging the cooling system.

Which manufacturers still offer bisque as an option

Whirlpool, Maytag, and Amana occasionally produce bisque units, but you have to contact them directly or work through a dealer who handles special orders. These are not colors you'll see on the manufacturer's website or in a big-box store. You call the customer service line, describe the model you want, and ask whether they can produce it in bisque. Some will; some won't. It depends on whether that particular model line is still in production and whether the factory has the paint or coating in stock.

GE and LG have largely abandoned bisque for their mainstream lines. Specialty brands like Viking and Sub-Zero occasionally offer it for their high-end models, but again, only as a special order and at a significant premium. Smaller regional manufacturers and appliance shops that build custom units are more likely to have bisque as a standing option, though the selection of models is limited.

Before you call a manufacturer, know the exact model number of the refrigerator you want. You can find this on the product sheet or by looking at the manufacturer's website. Having the model number in hand makes the conversation faster and gives the manufacturer a clear target to quote on.

Checking clearance and floor-model inventory

Appliance warehouses and scratch-and-dent outlets sometimes have bisque refrigerators sitting in their back rooms — units that didn't sell when they were new, or display models that were never purchased. These are your fastest and cheapest route to a bisque refrigerator. Call local appliance dealers and ask whether they have any bisque units in stock, even if those units aren't listed online. Many dealers don't photograph or list every item in their warehouse.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations and similar secondhand appliance shops occasionally receive bisque refrigerators from estate sales or kitchen renovations. The selection is unpredictable, but prices are often 30 to 50 percent below retail. The trade-off is that you get whatever is available that day, not the exact model or size you had in mind.

Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist sometimes have bisque refrigerators listed by homeowners who are replacing them during kitchen remodels. These are used units, so you'll want to inspect them in person and ask about their age and repair history. A bisque refrigerator that's 15 years old may have another 5 to 10 years of life left, but that depends on how well it was maintained.

The cost and timeline for a special order

If you order bisque as a special color, expect to pay 10 to 20 percent more than the same refrigerator in white or stainless steel. A refrigerator that costs $1,200 in white might cost $1,320 to $1,440 in bisque. This premium covers the extra setup and paint application at the factory, plus the smaller production run. Some manufacturers charge a flat upcharge; others calculate it as a percentage of the base price.

Lead time is typically 8 to 16 weeks from the date you place the order. This is not a refrigerator you can pick up next week. The factory has to schedule your unit into the production line, which means waiting for a slot that fits the color you want. During busy seasons (spring and early summer), wait times can stretch to 20 weeks or longer. During slower months, you might see 6 to 8 weeks.

You'll usually need to pay a deposit — often 50 percent of the total price — when you place the order. The balance is due when the refrigerator is ready to ship or arrives at the dealer. Some dealers require full payment before the order is placed; others allow you to pay in stages. Ask about the payment schedule before you commit.

Refinishing or painting as an alternative

If the bisque refrigerator you want is no longer made, you can hire a professional refinisher to paint or coat the exterior of a white or stainless steel unit. This is not a DIY job — the cooling system, electrical components, and door seals all need to stay untouched, and any damage to the exterior can lead to rust or seal failure. A professional refinisher knows how to mask and protect these areas.

The cost of professional refinishing ranges from $400 to $800, depending on the size of the refrigerator and the complexity of the finish. A simple solid-color paint job is cheaper than a textured or specialty finish. The work takes 2 to 4 weeks, including prep, painting, and curing time. You'll need to arrange for the refrigerator to be picked up and delivered, or have it refinished on-site if the shop offers that service.

The durability of a refinished surface depends on the materials used and the skill of the refinisher. A high-quality appliance-grade paint or powder coat can last 10 to 15 years with normal kitchen use. Cheaper paint jobs may chip or fade within 3 to 5 years. Ask the refinisher what warranty they offer and what maintenance the finish will need.

Why bisque fell out of favor and what replaced it

Bisque was popular because it was warm and neutral — it worked in kitchens with wood cabinets, granite counters, or traditional tile. It didn't show fingerprints as easily as stainless steel, and it looked less clinical than pure white. But as kitchen design shifted toward modern and transitional styles, the preference moved to cooler tones: stainless steel, black stainless, and matte finishes.

Stainless steel became the aspirational finish — it signaled "new" and "professional" — even though it requires constant wiping to stay clean and doesn't work well in all kitchens. White became the budget option and the choice for farmhouse and cottage styles. Bisque was caught in the middle: too expensive to be a budget option, too warm-toned to be trendy, and too niche to justify the factory setup costs.

If you love the bisque aesthetic, you're not alone. Some homeowners specifically seek it out because it's less common and because it genuinely does work better in certain kitchens. The scarcity is partly a market-driven choice by manufacturers, not a sign that bisque is objectively outdated.

How to start your search for a bisque refrigerator

Begin by deciding whether you need a specific model or whether you're flexible on features. If you have a particular refrigerator in mind — say, a French-door Whirlpool with an ice maker — contact Whirlpool's customer service and ask if that model can be ordered in bisque. Have the model number ready. If the manufacturer says no, ask whether they have any discontinued bisque models still in inventory.

If you're flexible on the model, call local appliance dealers and ask about bisque inventory. Ask specifically about floor models, display units, and clearance stock. Don't rely on their website; call and speak to someone who can check the warehouse. Then check secondhand sources: Habitat ReStore, Facebook Marketplace, and local appliance resellers.

If none of those yield results within your timeline, get quotes from professional refinishers in your area. Compare the cost of refinishing a white refrigerator against the cost of a special-order bisque unit, including the wait time. Sometimes refinishing is faster and cheaper; sometimes a special order is worth the wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order any refrigerator model in bisque, or only certain ones?

Only certain models are available as special orders in bisque, and it depends on the manufacturer and whether that model is still in production. Contact the manufacturer directly with the model number. They'll tell you whether it's possible and what the cost and timeline would be. Some models are too old or too new to accommodate a bisque order.

Is bisque the same color as almond or cream?

Bisque, almond, and cream are similar but not identical. Bisque is typically warmer and more beige; almond is slightly more yellow; cream is lighter and more off-white. If you're ordering a special color, ask the manufacturer to send you a color sample or show you a photo of the actual finish on a refrigerator, not just a paint chip. Lighting and monitor settings can make colors look very different.

Will a refinished refrigerator look as good as a factory-painted one?

A high-quality professional refinish can look nearly identical to a factory finish, especially from a distance. Up close, under bright light, you might notice slight differences in texture or sheen. The durability depends on the materials and workmanship. Ask the refinisher for photos of previous work and references from past customers before you commit.

What's the resale value of a bisque refrigerator compared to stainless steel?

Bisque refrigerators typically resell for less than stainless steel or white models, simply because there's less demand. If you're buying a bisque refrigerator and planning to sell the house in a few years, factor in that you may not recover the premium you paid for the color. That said, if bisque matches your kitchen design better than stainless steel, the aesthetic value to you now is worth more than the resale value later.

Can I paint a refrigerator myself with appliance paint?

You can buy appliance-grade paint and attempt it, but the results are usually disappointing. The exterior needs to be properly prepped, primed, and sealed, and any drips or uneven coverage will be visible. More importantly, if paint gets into the door seals, vents, or electrical connections, you can damage the refrigerator. Professional refinishers have the equipment and experience to avoid these problems. The cost difference is usually worth it.