How to Choose a 50/50 Fridge Freezer

A 50/50 fridge freezer splits into two equal sized compartments to store chilled and frozen food. Freestanding fridge freezers are available in a variety of sizes and colors to complement your kitchen.

You can also choose an integrated model that is tall and is able to fit into a unit housing that is fronted by contemporary doors. They are hinged to the left or right depending on your kitchen layout.

Capacity

One of the most important factors when buying a fridge freezer is its capacity. This is measured in litres and is useful for comparing different models against one another. At AO we convert this into bags of shopping, making it even simpler to compare fridge freezer sizes. Calculate the requirements of your family to determine the appropriate capacity.

A 50:50 refrigerator freezer is ideal for families who prefer to store food items that are fresh. Featuring plenty of shelf space These appliances are equipped with adjustable shelves, door racks and a salad crisper drawer to keep all your fruits and vegetables fresher for longer. The fridge section features a chrome-wire wine rack that allows you to easily keep your most loved bottles.

Alternatively, consider a 60:40 fridge freezer if your preference is to buy frozen food items. These models are perfect for busy households who often buy frozen food in large quantities and prefer to reserve the fridge space available for milk and yogurt as well as freshly cut fruits. They are more freezer-friendly than their 50:50 counterparts. They also come with large drawers and a clear front design for easy finding.

It is essential to measure your kitchen space prior to purchasing an integrated fridge freezer. You'll need to make sure that it's a good fit within your cabinet doors, and isn't interfering in any way with other appliances. It may also be necessary to leave a little space around your appliance for ventilation.

The Integrated Fridge Freezer from Candy is an elegant and practical option for your home. This compact appliance offers 87 litres in the fridge compartment. It features four shelves and two racks for doors, and a salad crisper to store all your favorite food items. It's also energy efficient, with a low-wattage LED light and EcoAirflow technology to regulate temperatures and humidity levels. For additional convenience, there's a Party Mode setting that activates the Super Cool function to chill drinks and makes extra Ice cubes.

Energy efficiency

Fridge freezers use a lot of energy, so it's worth opting for models with high energy efficiency ratings. A 428L Silver American Fridge Freezer By Fridgemaster that has a higher energy rating will reduce your energy bills and also reduce carbon emissions. These refrigerators may cost more initially, but the savings they make on your energy bills will pay for them in the long run.

The energy efficiency of a fridge-freezer is determined by its energy consumption as well as the amount of heat it releases. Look for an energy label with an overall rating of A to G. Then, take a look at the icons to see how the chilled and frozen compartments have been assessed.

Refrigerators with an A+++ rating are the most energy efficient. They use less than 150 kWh each year, which is substantially lower than the UK average of 85 the kWh. A+++ models use less gas than other freezers and fridges, making them safer for the environment.

You can also make use of EPREL an electronic database of EU appliances to determine how efficient they are. To do this, simply move your phone over the QR code on the energy label. You will be directed to a product page within the database. It will provide you with specific information about the fridge freezer's energy consumption and emissions.

Other factors to consider is whether a model is frost-free as well as how easy it is to clean. Fridge-freezers with a frost-free setting don't require defrosting, saving you the hassle and mess of removing and cleaning ice. It's also recommended to select an appliance that has a deep freeze function that can help keep frozen food fresher for longer.

Smart technology features in fridge-freezers can monitor the amount of food you have and alert you when you're running out of food. Some refrigerators have cameras, so you can observe what's inside without opening the door. These are handy to keep an eye on leftovers or shopping. You can also find innovative features like LG's NatureFresh Technology that circulates cool air to prevent food from rotting.

Design

When you select a model the design is important because it will affect the ease with which you can store and access food. Certain models have features that help keep food fresher longer and reduce waste, like humidity controls or LED lights. There's also a useful CrispZone or salad drawer that can be adjusted to fit different kinds of food. This is particularly useful if you're planning to use your integrated fridge-freezer in an outbuilding or garage where temperatures may be lower than in a kitchen.

The layout of the fridge and freezer compartments can also differ based on model, with some fridge freezers allow you to select between a 50/50 split, or 70/30 models where the freezer is larger than the fridge. You'll also find fridge-freezers equipped with reversible doors so you can fit them in any position your kitchen can accommodate. This is particularly useful in the case of a small space in your kitchen since it allows you to make the most of the space available room.

For instance the frost-free fridge freezer from Beko comes with a huge 185 litre capacity that can accommodate around 14 bags of grocery and has glass shelves that can be moved up or down depending on the type of container you own. It also has an integrated salad drawer that is designed to retain humidity so your vegetables and fruits stay fresher for a longer time. You can adjust the door tray so that it accommodates taller containers and bottles.

Another excellent feature of this Hotpoint Fridge Freezer with Water Dispenser: Ultimate Convenience-freezer is that it features the NoFrost technology. This means that you don't need to manually defrost it saving you time and energy. It also has a Super Cool function to quickly chill fresh food and drinks. It's a clever fridge-freezer that comes in a variety of finishes so you can make it a part of your kitchen's decor. It also has plenty of useful storage compartments, such as a BigBox in the freezer, VitaFresh fruit and veg drawer, and an EasyAccess shelf.

Storage

When selecting a refrigerator freezer, storage capacity is a major consideration. You want to ensure that the fridge has enough space to store all of your food and drink. The space inside can differ significantly between models, so it's a good idea to examine the specifications closely. Some models may have more drawers, shelves or door storage than other models. It is important to look at the flexibility of this storage because some of them can be moved to accommodate various sizes of containers and bottles.

Despite its compact footprint, this Hisense model boasts a staggering capacity of 236L gross. It is divided across four glass shelves with three door racks as well as a crisper drawer in the fridge compartment. The shelves are adjustable which allows you to accommodate tall items such as milk bottles with ease. This fridge freezer boasts Total No-Frost technology, a useful feature that eliminates the necessity of an ice scraper, and helps to cut down on energy and time. The top shelf of the freezer features an opening shelf that slides out, which is perfect for storing ice trays.

If you are hosting many events, you can use Party Mode to quickly chill drinks and make additional Ice. The fridge comes with a salad drawer that retains moisture to keep fruit and vegetables fresher for longer. And, for jet-setting families there's Holiday Mode which keeps energy costs at a minimum and odours at lower levels even when you're away.

This is a stylish fridge-freezer that looks great in any kitchen. It's available in a range of finishes and colors and you'll be able to find the one that will suit your home. Stainless steel and chrome models are modern and stylish and classic white fridge freezers are an affordable option. Many of these models are covered by either a one- or two-year manufacturer's guarantee which gives you assurance in the event of any issues. You can also choose from a wide range of features such as sensors for air quality and LED lighting. However, some of these features can increase the overall price which is why it's worth weighing your budget and personal preferences before you make the purchase.