Schaub Empire Cabinet Appliance Pull (880-, 881-)

The Empire appliance pull solves a specific problem contractors face with high-end paneled appliances — standard cabinet hardware can’t handle the weight and daily abuse of heavy refrigerator doors. Schaub builds these pulls from Zamac die-cast zinc alloy with 1/4-20 machine screws instead of the typical 8-32 screws used on regular cabinet pulls. That heavier mounting hardware matters when you’re dealing with solid wood appliance panels on Sub-Zero refrigerators or Viking ranges.

Heavy-Duty Construction That Handles Montana’s Climate Swings

The Zamac construction — die-cast zinc alloy — gives these pulls the heft needed for appliance duty. Standard cabinet pulls use hollow steel tubes or thin stamped metal. Empire pulls are solid throughout. The 1/4-20 mounting screws are nearly twice the diameter of standard 8-32 cabinet screws, providing the holding power needed for doors that get yanked open dozens of times daily.

Two sizes handle different appliance configurations. The 880 model spans 12 inches center-to-center with a 13-1/8 inch overall length. The 881 stretches to 15 inches center-to-center, 16 inches overall, with a deeper 1-7/8 inch projection that gives better leverage on heavy side-by-side doors. The base diameter runs 1-1/8 inches on the 880, while the 881 features a slightly larger 1-3/16 inch base.

Specification	Model 880	Model 881
Center-to-Center	12” (305mm)	15” (381mm)
Overall Length	13-1/8” (333mm)	16” (406mm)
Projection	1-5/8” (42mm)	1-7/8” (48mm)
Base Diameter	1-1/8” (29mm)	1-3/16” (30mm)
Mounting Hardware	1/4-20 machine screws	1/4-20 machine screws

With 4.9 stars from 103 reviews, customers consistently praise the finish quality and fast shipping. The transitional style bridges contemporary and traditional design, making these pulls versatile enough for mountain modern kitchens or traditional ranch homes.

Mounting Options and Finish Durability

Standard through-mount installation comes included, but Schaub offers something most appliance hardware doesn’t — optional concealed surface mounting through their CS880 and CS881 series parts. This matters for integrated appliances where visible screws would ruin the clean panel look.

Ten finish options cover every kitchen style: Polished Nickel (PN), Satin Nickel (15), Brushed Nickel (BN), Antique Nickel (AN), Polished Chrome (26), Signature Satin Brass (SSB), Matte Black (MB), Ancient Bronze (ABZ), Brushed Bronze (BBZ), and Empire Bronze (EBZ). These are high-quality plated finishes over the Zamac base, not painted or powder-coated surfaces that chip and flake.

Montana’s dry climate and temperature swings demand quality plating. Cheap chrome flakes off when moisture gets underneath. Poor nickel plating develops spots and corrosion. Schaub’s plated finishes over Zamac hold up to the daily thermal cycling between -20°F winter nights and 70°F heated interiors.

Compatible with custom appliance panels for Sub-Zero, Viking, Wolf, and Bosch, these pulls handle the weight of solid wood overlay panels common in high-end Montana kitchens. The smaller Empire series pulls (4”, 5”, 6”, 8”, 10”) let you match cabinet hardware throughout the kitchen, though those standard sizes use smaller 8-32 screws appropriate for regular cabinet doors.

Installation and Applications

Each pull includes two 1/4-20 mounting screws. Installation follows standard appliance pull procedure — measure and mark holes at 12 or 15 inches center-to-center, drill through the panel, insert screws from behind, then align and tighten the pull. For concealed mounting, order the dedicated CS-prefix part numbers and follow the surface-mount instructions.

Applications include paneled refrigerators and freezers, integrated dishwasher panels, wall ovens and warming drawers, large pantry doors or heavy cabinet doors, and trash compactor fronts. The 12-inch 880 works best on single doors and dishwashers. The 15-inch 881 provides better leverage and visual proportion on wide side-by-side refrigerator installations.

The warranty covers defects in material and workmanship under normal residential use. Schaub includes the standard California Proposition 65 warning for lead content, which applies to most brass and plated hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between the 880 and 881 models? The 881 offers a more robust projection and larger base compared to the 880, making it more suitable for side-by-side refrigerator doors. The 880 works better on single doors, dishwashers, and smaller appliances where the 12-inch span provides proper proportion.

Can these pulls work on regular cabinet doors? Yes, but they’re overbuilt for that application. Schaub makes matching cabinet hardware in smaller lengths (4”, 5”, 6”, 8”, 10”) for coordinating throughout the kitchen. Those smaller pulls use standard 8-32 screws sized appropriately for cabinet doors.

How does the concealed mounting option work? Order the CS880 or CS881 series parts for concealed surface mounting, which come with specific surface-mount instructions. This option eliminates visible screw heads on the front of integrated appliance panels.

Which finish holds up best in Montana’s climate? All ten finishes use high-quality plating over Zamac, making them more durable than painted finishes. The chrome and nickel options typically show the best long-term durability in dry climates with temperature extremes.

Do these pulls come with a template for drilling? The research doesn’t indicate a drilling template is included. Most contractors use a simple tape measure for the 12-inch or 15-inch center-to-center spacing.