Choosing an Integrated Fridge Freezer

For homeowners who prefer a cohesive decor, an integrated fridge freezer fits seamlessly into kitchen cabinet doors. In contrast to freestanding appliances they can be easily hidden from view when not in use.

These fridge freezers are designed to make your life easier, minimising chores like defrosting and adding convenience features like adjustable shelves, twin fruit and vegetable bins and door racks.

Capacity

Integrated models are more popular than those that are freestanding. They can blend in with the background behind the cabinet doors. This creates a sleek and uncluttered appearance that is pleasing in a variety of kitchen designs. They are a great option for those who want to renovate your kitchen or start from scratch. Apart from their aesthetic appeal, they also offer plenty of storage space, so you can keep all your food and beverages easily within reach.

However, when you are choosing an integrated fridge freezer, there are a few things to take into consideration. First, you must take into account the capacity of the appliance. Storage in the fridge and freezer is usually measured in litres, so it's crucial to know the amount you'll need before purchasing. You'll need to select the model that has a large enough capacity to meet your needs, but one that won't be too large so that you don't use up your energy or end up bursting.

Depending on the size of your family is, you may be considering a bigger capacity appliance. A capacity of 350 litres is ideal for most households, providing enough space to hold up to 19 grocery bags. Some manufacturers provide integrated fridge freezers with a 420-litre capacity. This is ideal for families with larger children.

Another factor to consider is the quality of the appliance. Less expensive models may not have the same durability as their more expensive counterparts. They can also suffer from issues with the hinges, which are often less robust and easily break. You'll want to opt for a model with reliable Hettich or Ingol hinges that will last for many years to be.

If you're replacing an old integrated fridge freezer, make sure to choose an identical model in terms of size and split style. It is essential to ensure that the doors of your kitchen cabinet are big enough to accommodate the new fridge-freezer and that both the fridge and integrated fridge the freezer are the same height, usually 178cm. If you're planning to build your new home, make sure that the dimensions are in line with these measurements so you can find a fridge freezer that is integrated.

Design

Integrated fridge-freezers are designed to seamlessly into your cabinets without compromising the look you've achieved so hard for. They incorporate a refrigerator and freezer into one unit. This is a great option for those who want to maximize their space.

Based on the manufacturer, integrated refrigerator freezers come in different styles to match different interior designs. There are many different models available, ranging from fully clad models that blend in with the cabinets in your kitchen to panels that allow you to express your personal style.

Fully integrated fridge freezers come equipped with brackets for cabinet mounting that anchor the appliance to the front of kitchen cabinets, hiding it completely. This design allows you to modify the integrated fridge freezer to fit perfectly with the kitchen you have installed, while reducing noise levels and enhancing the temperature control.

The door openings of integrated fridge freezers also differ. You can find a'midi' height model that is around 130cm high, whereas extra-tall models are usually around 170-180cm high. You can also choose between 50:50 splits, which gives you equal amounts of fridge and freezer storage, or 60/40 or 70/30 splits to take advantage of more fridge space.

Because integrated fridge freezers are integrated into your kitchen, they're less accessible than freestanding refrigerators, which could result in a higher cost to have them repaired or serviced. However, this doesn't mean you should avoid the fridge freezer that is integrated because of your budget. You can still find several high-quality models at reasonable prices.

Refrigerators with integrated freezers are more expensive than freestanding counterparts due to the cost of creating the housing cabinet that they are in. They also use stronger motors to keep the fridge cool, which could lead to higher energy bills. If you choose a model that has advanced food preservation technology you may be saving money by throwing away less food items and reducing your energy usage. This can add up to huge savings over the life of your refrigerator freezer.

Energy efficiency

Refrigerators are among the frequently used appliances in your home, which is why it is crucial to choose one that has a high energy rating. A fridge freezer that is rated high will consume less energy than one with a lower rating, and over time this will lower your energy bills. Find the Energy Label', which is usually found on the back or user guide of the fridge freezer. Place your smartphone in the vicinity of the label to view the energy consumption and efficiency rating and click to view all the information on the website of the manufacturer.

The amount of energy your fridge-freezer consumes will also be affected by the amount of food you keep within it. Even even if the A+++ rating is very high bigger models will need more energy to cool. If you're replacing a model that's been in use for a while be sure to think about how much capacity you need and then check the interior configuration to see if shelves can be rearranged and whether there is doors for storage, and if they can accommodate larger items such as milk bottles.

Another thing to consider is whether you'd like an frost-free model. Frost-free refrigerator integrated fridge freezers use heating elements to stop the formation of ice inside the freezer. This eliminates the trouble of having to defrost the refrigerator every now and then. However, there are some models available which don't include this feature, so if you do require defrosting, it's worth bearing this in your mind.

Apart from energy efficiency, it's worth looking into how easy your fridge is to keep clean and tidy. The majority of integrated fridge freezers have removable glass shelves and drawers that are easy to wipe clean. Some models have LED lighting as well, which is a nice touch.

Typically, integrated fridge freezers are more expensive than freestanding models. This is because you must pay for the fridge housing cabinet, kitchen cabinet doors and installation. It is important to be aware that fridge freezers with integrated refrigeration are more prone to problems than those that are freestanding. This is mainly because installers may not provide enough ventilation for the cabinets or fail to install them correctly, which means they let in hot air and overheat.

Convenience

A fridge freezer that is integrated in the cabinetry of the kitchen is a great solution for those who are looking to create a contemporary minimalist look for their kitchen. They are positioned behind the cupboard doors and appear hidden from view, which is popular with those looking to achieve a modern aesthetic. A model that is integrated gives you the convenience of both fridge and freezer in one unit which makes it easier to store and organise your food items.

It can be more difficult to service an integrated fridge freezer than a stand-alone one as it is built into the furniture. Many kitchen engineers have difficulty to remove the cabinet door from its hinges in order to gain access to the appliance. It's worth keeping in mind that you may require having your fridge freezer serviced or repaired in the future, or if your plan is to sell your home and move.

It is crucial to buy the same appliance when replacing an integrated refrigerator freezer, so that your cabinet doors still fit. This is because integrated fridge freezers are standard size and will fit in 60cm wide and 60cm deep housing cabinet, so any doors that are already in your cupboards are compatible with these appliances. It is also important to determine what kind of hinge your current bar fridge for sale freezer is using, if it has an adjustable or sliding hinge, as this can impact the ease to open the doors of your cupboard.

When it is about integrated fridge freezers, the newest innovations have pushed their performance and design higher than ever before. The best models are designed to be easy of use in the kitchen by reducing everyday chores. Blomberg's HyperFresh Plus, HarvestFresh Salad Drawers and Holiday Mode are all smart features that reduce or eliminate defrosting. Storage options include adjustable shelves as well as other useful additions such as wine racks.