How to Choose a 50/50 Fridge Freezer

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

You can also pick an integrated unit that is tall and fits into a housing and comes with doors that have modern design. They're usually hinged on the left or fridge freezer freestanding right side to fit the kitchen layout.

Capacity

One of the most important factors when purchasing 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 to bags of groceries to make it even easier to compare fridge freezer sizes. Consider your family's needs to determine the right size for you.

A 50:50 refrigerator freezer is ideal for families who prefer to store food items that are fresh. The appliances offer plenty of shelf space and come with doors and shelves that can be adjusted and a salad crisper to keep your veggies and fruits fresher for longer. The fridge section also comes with a chrome wire wine rack, making it easy to store your favourite bottles.

If you're a big fan of frozen foods, a 60/40 fridge freezer is suited to your requirements. These models are great for busy families who frequently purchase large quantities of frozen food and prefer to keep their fridge space free for milk, yoghurt and fresh cut fruit. They are more freezer-friendly than the 50:50 models, with ample drawers and a clear front design for easy finding.

An integrated fridge freezer is built into your kitchen, which is why it is important to determine the available space prior to purchasing. You'll need to make sure that it is able to fit comfortably inside the cabinet doors and isn't in any way with other appliances. It may also be necessary to leave some extra space around your appliance for ventilation.

Candy's Integrated Fridge Freezer is a stylish, practical option for your home. This compact appliance comes with an impressive 87 litres of storage space inside the fridge freezer freestanding compartment, with four shelves, two door racks and a salad crisper to accommodate the majority of your favorite foods. It's also energy efficient with a low-wattage LED light and EcoAirflow technology to regulate temperature and humidity levels. For added 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 consume a lot energy, so it is important to choose models with high ratings for energy efficiency. A fridge with a higher energy rating can cut your electricity bills and help reduce carbon emissions. These refrigerators might cost a little more initially, but the savings they generate on your energy bills will pay for themselves in time.

The efficiency of the fridge-freezer depends on its energy consumption as well as the amount of heat it generates. Find an energy label with an overall rating of A to G. Next, examine the icons to see how the chilled and frozen compartments have been assessed.

Refrigerators with an A+++ rating are the most energy efficient. They consume less than 150 kWh per year, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 185 kWh. A+++ models use less gas than other freezers and fridges and are therefore safer for the environment.

You can also make use of the EU's EPREL database to determine the efficiency of an appliance. Simply hover your phone over QR codes on the energy label. Then, you'll be taken to the product page on the database, which gives you specific information regarding the fridge freezer's energy consumption and Fridge Freezer freestanding emissions.

Also, think about whether the model is frost-free and how easy it is to clean. Fridge-freezers with a frost-free setting don't need defrosting, which can save you the hassle and mess of taking and cleaning out the ice. It's also recommended to select an appliance that has a deep freeze function which will aid in keeping frozen food fresher for longer.

Smart technology in refrigerators and freezers can track the amount of food you have and notify you when you are running low. Some refrigerators have cameras, to let you see what's inside without opening the door. They are ideal to keep track of leftovers or shopping. You can also find interesting features such as LG's NatureFresh Technology, which circulates cool air to prevent food from rotting.

Design

When selecting a model, the design is crucial because it can impact how easily you can store and access food. Some models have features that help keep food fresher for longer and reduce food waste, such as humidity controls or LED lighting. You can also find a handy CrispZone or salad drawer that can be adjusted to suit different kinds of food. This is especially helpful if you plan to use the refrigerator-freezer integrated in an outbuilding or garage where the temperature could be lower than in a kitchen.

The arrangement of the freezer and fridge compartments will also differ according to model, with some fridge freezers offer 50/50 splits or 70/30 models where the freezer is larger than the fridge. There are also fridge-freezers that have doors that can be reversible so you can fit them into whatever position your kitchen allows. This is especially useful in kitchens where space is limited.

This freezer is frost-free. Beko fridge freezer has the capacity of 185 litres, which is enough for around 14 bags of groceries. It also features reversible shelves that can be moved upwards or down according to the type of containers. It also has an interior compartment for salads that maintains humidity to keep your fruit and vegetables fresher longer. You can even adjust the door tray to accommodate taller bottles and Jars.

This fridge-freezer also has a NoFrost feature, which means that you don't need to manually defrost the fridge. This saves you both time and energy. It also comes with a Super Cool function to quickly chill freshly added foods and drinks. It's a smart fridge-freezer that comes in a choice of finishes to match it to your kitchen 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.

Stores

When selecting a refrigerator freezer, storage capacity is a key factor. It is essential to ensure that the fridge freezer has enough space to store your food and beverages. The space inside can differ significantly between models therefore it's best to compare specifications closely. Certain models might have more drawers, shelves or doors than others. Look at the flexibility of the storage, as some can be rearranged to accommodate different sizes of bottles and containers.

Despite its small footprint, this Hisense model has an impressive 236L gross capacity. This is spread across four glass shelves as well as two door racks and a crisper in the fridge compartment. The shelves can be rearranged to accommodate tall items like milk bottles. The fridge freezer comes with Total No-Frost technology, a useful feature that eliminates the need for an ice scraper, and helps to cut down on energy and time. There's even a slide-out shelf at the top of the freezer, which is ideal to store ice cube tray storage.

If you host numerous parties, you can also activate Party Mode to quickly chill drinks and make extra Ice. The fridge comes with a salad drawer that retains moisture to keep fruits and vegetables fresher for longer. Holiday Mode is perfect for families who travel. It keeps your energy bills down and odours away when you're away.

This is a chic fridge-freezer that looks stunning in any kitchen. You can pick from a wide range of colors and finishes that will complement your decor. Stainless steel and Chrome models are contemporary, while classic white refrigerator-freezers offer the most affordable option. Many of these models come with either a one or two year manufacturer's warranty which gives you assurance in the event of any problems. You can also select from a wide range of features like sensors for air quality and LED lighting. Certain of these features could increase the price and you must be aware of your budget and personal preferences before purchasing.