Fridge freezers are a great option for households looking to save space in the kitchen. Combining two appliances into one, you'll have all your favourite foods in one handy location.
Perfect for small apartments or a large family, making sure you purchase the correct appliance for your household will make your life much easier.
INSTALLATION
The first choice you'll have to make is whether you would like a freestanding or integrated fridge freezer. This will depend on your kitchen interior design and space available.
Freestanding
Allowing greater flexibility than integrated models, freestanding fridge freezers come in a larger variety of widths, height and depths. Furthermore, as they only require a plug, you can place the appliance wherever is most convenient.
Integrated
For households with seamless interiors, integrated fridge freezers can be installed into your existing kitchen units. However, these tend to be a standard width and height which can restrict the capacity.
Please bear in mind that there are two hinge types with integrated models, fixed or sliding hinge. A fixed hinge is when the cabinet door is attached directly to the appliance, whilst the sliding hinge is fixed to the door.
CAPACITY
The second consideration you need to make is how much capacity you want for your fridge freezer. This will depend on your lifestyle, household size and how often you buy food.
It is worth noting that freestanding models often have larger storage capacities whilst integrated models have restricted capacities due to the kitchen units.
- 1-2 people: we suggest 100-200 litre appliance that can hold around 5-10 bags of shopping.
- 3-4 people: we recommend a 200-300 litre appliance that can store 10-15 bags of shopping.
- 5-6 people: we propose a 300+ litre appliance that can hold over 15 bags of shopping.
FEATURES
Making sure your fridge freezer is working for your household's need is important for making your life much easier. Here are a few features you should keep an eye out.
Auto Defrost
To keep your fridge section working efficiently, it is vital to keep ice build-up away. Auto defrost functions work by regularly warming up the back wall, ensuring optimum performance every day of the year.
Antibacterial
Preventing bacteria from growing or entering your fridge freezer is crucial for keeping your food fresh. This is achieved with a special antibacterial coating or with the door seals.
Fast Freeze/Chill
When loading up freshly cooked food or your weekly shop, the fridge and freezer sections can warm up. Fast freeze or chill functions rapidly cool down food for lock in freshness and flavour.
Frost Free
Having to constantly manually defrost the freezer section can be a laborious task. Frost free fridge freezers prevent any ice build-up which keeps your appliance working efficiently.
Energy Rating
As refrigeration appliances have to run 24 hours, 365 days a year, utility bills can rise easily. That's why it's important to look out for the energy efficiency rating. Most fridge freezers range from A to A+++ for energy efficiency ratings.
FRIDGE FREEZER FAQs
We have been asked a multitude of questions over the years, so we've compiled a list of the most common.
What is the difference between a fixed and sliding hinge?
When looking for a new integrated model, you'll have a choice of two door hinges. A fixed hinge attaches the cabinet door directly to the appliance door which supports the full weight.
On the other hand, a sliding hinge is attached to the cabinet door which allows it to slide across when the door is opened and closed.
How long should I leave my new appliance to settle?
When your new appliance arrives in your kitchen, it is important to leave the appliance to settle. We suggest you leave your fridge freezer to stand for at least 4 hours before plugging in.
What temperature should a freezer and fridge be?
Ensuring your fridge freezer temperatures are correct will impact how long your food stays fresh. For the fridge section the recommended temperature should be at or below 4°C, whilst freezers should be maintained at around -18°C.
What is the cost of the cheapest fridge freezer?
Here at Kitchen Economy we have a selection of fridge freezers under £250.
