Choosing an Integrated Fridge Freezer
For homeowners who prefer a cohesive decor An integrated fridge freezer is a perfect fit for the cabinet doors of kitchens. Unlike freestanding appliances, they can be hidden away from view when not in use.
These fridge freezers are designed to make life easier, minimising chores like defrosting and incorporating convenience features like adjustable shelves with twin vegetable and fruit bins, and door racks.
Capacity
When it comes to fridge freezers integrated models are more popular than freestanding ones. These fridge freezers can blend in with the background behind the doors of cabinets. This creates a sleek, uncluttered look that is attractive in a variety of kitchen designs. They are a great option if you want to remodel your kitchen or begin from scratch. In addition to their aesthetic appeal, they provide plenty of storage space, so you can keep all your food and drinks conveniently within reach.
When you’re deciding to purchase an integrated fridge freezer there are a few things you should take into consideration. First, you must consider the appliance’s capacity. It is crucial to determine the space you require for your refrigerator or freezer prior to buying. You will want to select the model with enough capacity to meet your needs but not overly large so that you don’t waste energy or end with an overflow.
Depending on the size of your family is, you might be considering a bigger capacity appliance. A capacity of 350 litres is ideal for most households, providing enough space for 19 shopping bags of groceries. Some manufacturers offer integrated fridge freezers with capacities of 420 litres, which is perfect for families with more than one child.
The quality of the appliance is also crucial. Less expensive models may not have the same durability as their more expensive counterparts. They can also suffer from problems with hinges, which are usually less durable and can easily break. You’ll want a model that has reliable Hettich and Ingol hinges. They will last you for many years.
If you’re replacing an old integrated fridge freezer, make sure to choose the same model in terms of size and split type. You’ll need to ensure that the doors of your kitchen cabinet are large enough to accommodate the new fridge freezer and that both the fridge and the freezer are the same height, usually around 178cm. If you’re designing your new home, make sure that the dimensions are compatible with the measurements in order to find a fridge freezer that is integrated.
Design
Refrigerators with integrated freezers are designed to slot seamlessly into your fitted kitchen without ruining the aesthetic that you’ve invested time and money to perfect. By combining a freezer and fridge together, they’re an ideal choice for those who want to maximize their space.
Depending on the brand, integrated fridge freezers can offer a wide variety of designs to suit different styles of interior. There are many different models available, from fully clad ones that blend seamlessly with your kitchen cabinets to panels that let you show your individuality.
Fully integrated fridge freezers are equipped with cabinet mounting brackets that anchor the appliance to the front of kitchen cabinets, hiding it completely. This design lets you customize the fridge freezer that is integrated to match your kitchen layout. It also reduces noise levels and helps with the temperature control.
Door heights for fridge freezers with integrated doors differ too. There is a midi model that’s around 130cm high, while extra-tall models typically range from 170-180cm. You can also pick between 50:50 splits, that gives you equal amounts of freezer and fridge storage or 60/40 or 70/30 splits in favour of more fridge space.
Because integrated fridge freezers are built into your kitchen they’re less accessible than freestanding refrigerators, which could make it more costly to repair or maintained. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you should avoid buying an integrated fridge freezer in case your budget isn’t too limited as you can locate a variety of top-quality models at reasonable prices.
The cost of the cabinet which houses the integrated fridge freezers is more expensive than the freestanding counterparts. They also use larger motors to keep the fridge cool, which could lead to higher energy bills. If you opt for a model that has advanced food preservation technology you may be in a position to save money over time by wasting less food and reducing your energy consumption. This could translate into big savings over the lifetime of your fridge freezer integrated.
Energy efficiency
Fridge freezers are some of the most used appliances in your kitchen – so it’s crucial to select one that has a high energy rating. A refrigerator that is highly rated will use less energy than one with a lower rating and over time, this will reduce the cost of energy. Look for the ‘Energy Label’, that is typically found on the back or in the user guide of the fridge freezer. Move your phone over the label to see the energy consumption and efficiency rating and click to view all the information on the manufacturer’s site.
The amount of food you store in your fridge freezer will also determine how much energy it consumes. Even if the A+rating is high, larger models will require more energy to cool. So, if you’re replacing an older model be sure to think about how much capacity you need and then check the interior configuration to see if there are flexible shelves and door storage and whether they can handle larger items like milk bottles.
Another thing to think about is whether you want an frost-free model. Frost-free fridge freezers use an element of heating to prevent ice building up in the freezer, so you’ll avoid the hassle of defrosting every now and then. Some models do not come with this feature. If you need to defrost your fridge, bear this in your mind.
It’s also worth assessing the ease of cleaning and maintaining your fridge freezer. The majority of integrated fridge freezers have removable glass shelves and drawers, which are simple to wipe clean. Some models also feature LED lighting which is a nice bonus.
Typically, integrated fridge cheap fridges & freezers (relevant webpage) are typically more expensive than freestanding models. This is because you need to pay for refrigerator housing cabinets and doors for kitchen cabinets, and there’s the cost of installation. It’s important to understand that fridge freezers with integrated refrigeration are more likely to experience problems than freestanding. The reason is that installers may not have the cabinets installed correctly or leave vital ventilation out. This can result in hot air entering and causing them to overheat.
Convenience
A fridge freezer integrated in the cabinetry of the kitchen is a great solution for those looking to create a modern and sleek look for their kitchen. These models are installed behind the cabinet doors and are hidden from the view, making them a popular choice for those seeking to achieve a modern aesthetic. A refrigerator and freezer can be combined in a single model which makes it simpler to store food items and organize it.
The downside of an integrated fridge freezer is that it can be harder to service than a freestanding model because it’s integrated into your furniture, and removing the cupboard door from its hinges to get access to the appliance could be a challenge for the majority of kitchen engineers. It’s important to keep in mind that you may require your refrigerator freezer repaired or serviced in the future or in the event that you plan to sell your house and move.
It is crucial to buy an identical appliance when replacing an integrated refrigerator freezer to ensure that your cabinet doors will still fit. This is because integrated fridge freezers are of standard size and can fit into a 60cm wide x 60cm deep housing cabinet therefore any doors you have on your existing cupboards should be compatible with these appliances. You should also check what kind of hinge your current fridge freezer is using and if it is an adjustable or sliding hinge, Fridges & Freezers as this can impact the ease to open the cupboard doors.
The most recent innovations in integrated fridge freezers have improved their performance and design. The top models are designed for ease to use in the kitchen by making it easier to do the daily chores. This includes minimising defrosting – or, like the case with Blomberg eliminating it completely – as well as making sure your food stays fresher for longer with smart features such as HyperFresh plus, HarvestFresh salad drawers and Holiday Mode. You can expect a variety of storage options that include adjustable shelves, as well as useful extras like wine racks, too.