Choosing an Integrated Fridge Freezer

If you are looking for a uniform design, a refrigerator freezer can be easily integrated into the doors of your kitchen cabinets. They can be hidden when not in use, unlike freestanding appliances.

These fridge freezers were designed to make your life easier. They can reduce the amount of work you have to do, for example, defrosting, and also add convenience features like adjustable shelves, dual fruit and vegetable bins and door racks.

Capacity

Integrated models are more popular than those that are freestanding. These fridge freezers can blend into the background behind cabinet doors. This creates a sleek minimalist look that's attractive in a variety of kitchen designs. This makes them an excellent choice if you're planning to transform your kitchen or are creating it from scratch. They're not just gorgeous, but they also offer plenty of storage space. This lets you keep all your food items and beverages within easy reach.

When you're deciding to purchase an integrated fridge freezer there are some aspects you should take into consideration. It is important to first take into account the capacity of the appliance. It is crucial to determine how much space you need for your refrigerator or freezer prior to purchasing. You'll want to choose one with a large enough capacity to meet your requirements but also one that doesn't be too large, so you don't waste energy or end up overflowing.

Depending on how big your family is, you might be considering a bigger capacity appliance. A 350-litre capacity is ideal for most families and can hold up to 19 grocery bags. Some manufacturers offer integrated fridge freezers with a 420-litre capacity. This is ideal for families with larger children.

The quality of the appliance is also important. Less expensive models may not have the same durability as their higher-end counterparts. They can also suffer from problems with the hinges, which are often less durable and can easily break. You'll want to choose one with durable Hettich or Ingol hinges that will last for many years to be.

If you are replacing an integrated fridge freezer that's no longer functional select a new model that is comparable in size and split type. You'll need to make sure that the doors of your kitchen cabinet are big enough to accommodate the new fridge freezer and that both the fridge and the freezer are the same height, typically 178cm. If you're designing a new home, ensure that the dimensions are compatible with these measurements to ensure that you find a fridge freezer that is integrated.

Design

Integrated fridge freezers are designed to slot seamlessly into your fitted kitchen, without compromising the style that you've spent time and money to perfect. By combining a freezer and fridge in one appliance, 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. From fully clad models that conceal the doors behind kitchen cabinetry to panels that let you express your own individual design, there's something for Fridge-Freezer all.

Fully integrated fridge freezers have cabinet-mounting brackets that secure the appliance to the front of your kitchen cabinets, hiding it completely. This design lets you customize your fridge freezer to match your fitted kitchen, while reducing noise levels and improving the temperature control.

Door sizes for integrated fridge freezers differ too. There is a midi model that's around 130cm high, while extra-tall models typically range from 170-180cm. You can pick a 50:50 split in which you get the same amount of freezer space and fridge storage or 60/40, or 70/30, which favors larger fridge space.

Since integrated fridge freezers are built into your kitchen they're more difficult to access than freestanding refrigerators, which can make it more costly to have them repaired or serviced. This doesn't mean that you need to avoid an integrated fridge freezer because you're on a tight budget. There are several high-quality models at reasonable prices.

The cost of the cabinet which houses the integrated fridge freezers is higher than those that are freestanding. They also have more powerful motors to keep cool, which can result in higher energy costs. That said, if you opt for a model with advanced food preservation technology it's possible that you could save money over the long term by wasting less food and lowering your energy consumption. This could result in significant savings over the lifespan of your refrigerator freezer.

Energy efficiency

Fridge-freezers are among the most commonly used appliances in your home, therefore it is crucial to choose one with a high energy rating. A fridge-freezer with a high energy rating will use less than one with a lower energy rating, which can lower your energy bills over time. Look for the 'Energy Label,' that is typically found on the back or in the user guide of the fridge freezer. Hover your smartphone over the label to read the energy consumption and efficiency rating and click to see full data on the website of the manufacturer.

The amount your fridge-freezer will use will also be influenced by the amount of food you keep in it. Even if the A+++ rating is very high bigger models will need more energy to cool. So, if you're replacing an older model, think carefully about how much capacity you'll need and then check the interior configuration - whether shelves can be rearranged and fridge freezer clearance whether there is doors for storage, and whether they can handle larger items such as milk bottles.

A fridge freezer that is frost-free is a different option to think about. Frost-free fridge freezers utilize an element of heating to prevent ice building up in the freezer, meaning you can save yourself the inconvenience of defrosting each and every now and. However, there are still some models available which don't include this feature, so if you do require defrosting you must keep this in mind.

It's also worth assessing the ease of cleaning and maintaining your fridge's freezer. The majority of integrated fridge-freezers have removable glass shelves and drawers, which are simple to clean. Some models come with LED lighting too which is a nice touch.

Typically, integrated fridge freezers are typically more expensive than their freestanding counterparts. This is because you'll need to purchase the fridge's housing cabinet as well as doors for the kitchen cabinet, and there's the cost of installation. It's important to understand that integrated fridge-freezers are more likely to experience problems than freestanding. This is due to the fact that installers can leave out vital ventilation to the cabinets or fail to install them correctly that means they let in hot air and can overheat.

Convenience

A fridge freezer integrated into the kitchen cabinetry is an ideal solution for those who want to create a modern minimalist look for their kitchen. These models are installed behind the cupboard doors and appear hidden from the view, making them a popular choice for those looking to achieve an elegant look. The choice of an integrated model offers the convenience of a refrigerator and a freezer in one unit making it easier to store and organise your food items.

It can be more difficult to maintain an integrated fridge freezer than a stand-alone one because it is built into the furniture. Most kitchen engineers have difficulty to take the door of the cabinet from its hinges to gain access to the appliance. It's worth keeping in mind that you might require your fridge freezer serviced or repaired in the near future, or if your plan is to sell your house and move.

It is essential to purchase an identical appliance when replacing an integrated refrigerator freezer, so that your cabinet doors will still fit. This is because integrated fridge freezers are of standard size and will fit into 60cm wide and 60cm deep cabinet for housing, so any doors that you already have on your cupboards are compatible with these appliances. You should also check what kind of hinge your current fridge freezer has, if it has either a sliding or fixed hinge, as this will determine how easy it is to open the doors of your cupboard.

When it comes to integrated fridge freezers, the latest developments have elevated their performance and design higher than ever before. The top models are designed to be easy to use in the kitchen by making it easier to do the routine chores. This includes reducing the time spent the need to defrost - or, like the case with Blomberg, eliminating it completely - as well as keeping food fresher for longer with smart features like HyperFresh plus, HarvestFresh salad drawers and Holiday Mode. Storage options include adjustable shelves and other useful additions such as wine racks.