Choosing an Integrated Fridge Freezer

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

These fridge freezers are designed to make your life simpler, reducing chores such as defrosting and adding convenience features such as adjustable shelves as well as twin vegetable and fruit bins, and door racks.

Capacity

When it comes to fridge freezers, integrated models tend to be more popular than freestanding ones. These appliances do an excellent job of disappearing from sight behind cabinet doors, giving an uncluttered and sleek appearance that is a great fit in many kitchen designs. This makes them a great choice if you're planning to transform your kitchen or are planning to design it from scratch. In addition to their aesthetic appeal, they also provide an abundance of storage space so you can keep all your food and drinks conveniently in reach.

When you're selecting a fridge freezer that is integrated, there are a few aspects you should consider. You'll first want to take into account the capacity of the appliance. It's important to consider the space you require to store your fridge or best Fridge-freezer freezer prior to buying. You should choose one with enough capacity to meet your needs but not overly large so that you don't waste energy or end in a situation where you have an excess.

Depending on the size of your family is, you may 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 fridge freezers with integrated refrigerators that have capacities of 420 litres. This is ideal for families with children who are larger.

Another thing to consider is the durability of the appliance. Certain models that are less expensive may not be as durable as more expensive counterparts. They may also experience problems with the hinges, which are often less robust and easily break. You should choose one with durable Hettich or Ingol hinges that last for years to come.

If you're replacing an integrated fridge freezer, be sure you select 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 the freezer and fridge are the same height, usually 178cm. If you are designing a new home, ensure that the dimensions are compatible with these measurements so you can find a fridge freezer that is integrated.

Design

Integrated fridge freezers are designed to fit seamlessly into your fitted kitchen, without compromising the style that you've put in time and money to perfect. Combining a fridge and freezer in one appliance, they're an ideal choice for those who want to make the most of their space.

Depending on the manufacturer, integrated refrigerator freezers are available in various styles to match different interior designs. From fully clad models that cover the doors in your kitchen cabinetry to panels that let you express your own individual style, there's something for all.

Fully integrated fridge freezers come equipped with cabinet mounting brackets that place the appliance in the front of the kitchen cabinets, obscuring it completely. This design lets you customise your integrated fridge freezer to match the kitchen you have installed, while reducing noise levels and enhancing the temperature control.

Door heights for fridge freezers with integrated doors vary as well. There is a midi model that's about 130cm high, while extra-tall models are typically around 170-180cm. You can also choose between 50:50 splits, where you get equally sized freezer and fridge storage or 60/40 or 70/30 splits to take advantage of larger fridge space.

Since integrated fridge freezers are built-in, they could be more costly to repair or service. This doesn't mean that you should avoid an integrated fridge freezer because your budget is tight. You can still find numerous high-quality models at affordable costs.

Integrated fridge freezers are more expensive than freestanding counterparts due to the cost of making the cabinet they sit in. They also make use of larger motors to keep the fridge cool, which could result in higher energy costs. If you choose one with the latest food preservation technology you may be able to save money by throwing out less food and reducing energy usage. This can result in significant savings over the life of your integrated refrigerator freezer.

Energy efficiency

Refrigerator freezers are among the most used appliances in your kitchen - therefore it is important to select one that has a high energy rating. A high-rated best fridge-Freezer will use less energy than one that is less rated, and over time this will help reduce the cost of energy. Look for the 'Energy Label,' which is usually located on the back or in the user guide of the fridge-freezer. Place your smartphone in the vicinity of the label to see the efficiency and energy consumption, and click through to view all the information on the website of the manufacturer.

The amount of food you keep in your fridge-freezer will influence the amount of energy it consumes. Even if the A+rating is high, larger models will require more energy to cool. If you're replacing a model that's been in use for a while take a look at how much capacity you'll need and then check the interior configuration to see if shelves are adjustable and doors for 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 refrigerator freezers incorporate an element of heating to stop the formation of ice in the freezer. This saves you the hassle of having to defrost the fridge each and every now and then. Certain models don't have this feature. If you need to defrost your fridge, keep this in your mind.

Aside from the 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 also feature LED lighting, which is an added benefit.

Typically, refrigerator freezers that are integrated are more expensive than freestanding models. This is because you must pay for the fridge housing cabinet, doors for kitchen cabinets and installation. It's also worth knowing that fridge freezers integrated into the fridge are more prone to problems than freestanding ones. It's mainly because installers may not install the cabinets correctly or leave vital ventilation out. This can result in hot air getting in and causing them overheat.

Convenience

A fridge freezer that is integrated in the cabinetry of the kitchen is an ideal solution for those looking to create a contemporary minimalist look for their kitchen. These models are installed behind the cupboard doors and appear hidden from view, which is an ideal choice for those seeking to achieve an updated look. A refrigerator and freezer can be combined in an integrated model which makes it simpler to store food and organize it.

The downside of an integrated fridge freezer is that it can be more difficult to maintain than a freestanding model as it is built into furniture, and removing the door from the hinges in order to get access to the appliance could be a challenge for the majority of kitchen engineers. This is something to be aware of if you think you'll need repairs or serviced in the near future, or in the event that you plan to sell your property and move house.

It is important to buy an identical appliance in the event of replacing an integrated refrigerator freezer, so that your cabinet doors will still fit. This is because integrated refrigerator freezers are of standard size and can fit into a 60cm x 60cm housing cabinet. Therefore, any doors you have on your existing cabinets must be compatible. It is also important to determine what kind of hinge your current fridge freezer is fitted with and if it is a fixed or sliding hinge, as this can impact the ease to open the cupboard doors.

The latest advancements in integrated fridge freezers have enhanced their performance and style. The top models are designed to be easy of use in the kitchen, by making it easier to do the daily chores. Blomberg's HyperFresh Plus, HarvestFresh Salad Drawers and Holiday Mode are all smart features that help reduce or completely eliminate defrosting. Storage options include adjustable shelves as well as other useful additions such as wine racks.