Choosing an Integrated Fridge Freezer
If you are looking for a uniform style, an integrated refrigerator freezer can be seamlessly integrated into the doors of your kitchen cabinets. They can be concealed 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 with twin vegetable and fruit bins, and door racks.
Capacity
When it is about fridge freezers, integrated models tend to be more popular than freestanding models. They can blend into the background behind the doors of cabinets. This creates a sleek minimalist look that's appealing in many kitchen designs. This makes them an excellent choice if you're planning to give your kitchen a makeover or are designing it from scratch. They are not only beautiful, but they also offer a lot of storage space. This lets you keep all your food and beverages in a convenient location.
When you're deciding to purchase an integrated fridge freezer, there are some things you should take into consideration. First, you'll want to consider the capacity of the appliance. Fridge and freezer storage is typically measured in litres, so it is crucial to determine how much you need before buying. You'll want to choose the model with enough capacity to meet your requirements but not overly large so that you don't waste energy or end up with an overflow.
Depending on how big your family is, you may be considering a bigger capacity appliance. A capacity of 350 litres is ideal for most households, offering enough room for up to 19 shopping bags of groceries. Some manufacturers also offer integrated fridge freezers with a 420 litre capacity that are ideal for families with more than one child.
The quality of the appliance is important. Some cheaper models may not be as durable as more expensive counterparts. They may also experience issues with the hinges, which are often less durable and are prone to break. You should choose one with durable Hettich or Ingol hinges that last for years to be.
If you're replacing an existing integrated fridge freezer, make sure you select an identical model in terms of size and split style. You'll want to ensure that the doors of your cabinets in your kitchen are wide enough to accommodate the new freezer in your fridge and that the freezer and fridge are both the same height typically 178cm. If you're designing a new kitchen, be sure your plans align with these dimensions, so you can find an integrated fridge freezer that fits.
Design
The integrated fridge-freezers are designed to seamlessly into your cabinets without compromising the look you've worked so hard to achieve. Combining a fridge and freezer in one unit is an ideal option for those who wish to maximize their space.
Depending on the manufacturer, integrated fridge freezers can come in a variety of designs that can be adapted to different styles of interior. From fully clad models that cover the doors with your cabinets in the kitchen to panels that let you create your own unique style, there's something for all.
Fully integrated fridge freezers come with cabinet-mounting brackets that secure the appliance to the front of your kitchen cabinets, concealing it completely. This design allows you to customise your integrated fridge freezer to perfectly match the kitchen you have installed and reduce noise levels and improving the temperature control.
The door openings of fridge freezers with integrated fridges vary - you can find models with a midi height of that is around 130cm high, whereas extra-tall models are generally around 170-180cm tall. You can choose between a 50:50 split in which you get the same amount of freezer space and fridge storage or 60/40, or 70/30, which favours larger fridge space.
Because they are integrated into your kitchen, they're less accessible than freestanding refrigerators, which could mean it's more expensive to have them repaired or serviced. This doesn't mean that you should stay away from the fridge freezer that is integrated because you're on a tight budget. There are many high-quality models for affordable costs.
The cost of the cabinet which houses the integrated fridge freezers is higher than freestanding models. They also have more powerful motors to keep the refrigerator cool, which can result in higher energy bills. If fridge on sale select one with the latest food preservation technology you may be saving money in the long run by throwing out less food and reducing your energy consumption. This can result in significant savings over the lifetime of your integrated refrigerator freezer.
Energy efficiency
Refrigerator freezers are among the most used appliances in your kitchen - so it's important to choose one with a good energy rating. A fridge freezer with an energy rating of high will use less than one with a lower rating, which will reduce your energy bills over time. Find the Energy Label', which is usually located on the back or the user guide of the fridge-freezer. Hover your smartphone over the label to view the energy consumption and efficiency ratings, and click through to view all the information on the manufacturer's website.
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 high bigger models will need more energy to cool. If you're replacing a model that's older, think about how much space you'll require. Also, check the internal configuration to see whether there are any movable shelves or door storage, and if it can accommodate larger items such as milk bottles.
A fridge freezer that is frost-free is a different option to think about. Frost-free refrigerator freezers use a heating element to prevent the formation of ice within the freezer. This eliminates the hassle of having to defrost your fridge every now and again. Certain models don't have this feature. If you're looking to defrost your fridge, keep this in mind.
Aside from the energy efficiency, you should consider checking how easy your fridge-freezer is to keep tidy and clean. The majority of integrated fridge freezers have removable glass shelves and drawers that are easy to clean. Certain models also come with LED lighting, which is an added bonus.
Typically, integrated refrigerator freezers are more expensive than freestanding models. It's because you have to pay for the fridge housing cabinet, doors for kitchen cabinets and installation. It's also important to note that integrated fridge freezers are more susceptible to problems than freestanding ones. This is due to the fact that installers can leave out vital ventilation to the cabinets, or fail to set them up correctly and let in hot air and overheat.
Convenience
An integrated fridge freezer offers the ideal solution for those who wish to create a minimalist look in their kitchens, blending it seamlessly with their kitchen cabinets. These models are concealed behind the cabinet doors and blend seamlessly with the fitted kitchen cabinetry. This is a popular option for those who wish to achieve a contemporary aesthetic. Choosing an integrated model also offers the convenience of both a refrigerator and a freezer in one appliance making it easier to store and organise your food.
It can be more difficult to service an integrated fridge freezer than a stand-alone one because it is built into the furniture. Many kitchen engineers are unable to remove the cabinet door from its hinges to gain access to the appliance. This is something to keep in mind if believe you'll need repair or serviced in the 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 still fit. This is because integrated fridge freezers are a standard size and fit inside a 60cm wide x 60cm deep housing cabinet, so any doors are already in your existing cupboards should be compatible with these appliances. You should also check what kind of hinge your current fridge freezer is fitted with, if it has a fixed or sliding hinge, as this can impact the ease to open the cupboard doors.
When it comes to integrated fridge freezers, the latest innovations have pushed their performance and design further than ever before. The most effective models are designed to be easy to use in the kitchen by simplifying routine chores. Blomberg's HyperFresh Plus, HarvestFresh Salad Drawers and Holiday Mode are all smart features that can reduce or even remove the need to defrost. Storage options include adjustable shelves and other useful extras like wine racks.