How to Choose a Fridge-Freezer

There are many factors to consider when buying a new fridge, and what makes the decision difficult is, that despite sometimes lacking space, we still want to include and benefit from the various features and technologies on the market. Fear not, with the wide choice we have been offered in recent years, it’s still possible to find a fridge-freezer that will suit our needs, lifestyle and budget, without having to compromise. Or at least - not too much. Hopefully this buying guide will help you to navigate and choose the best appliance for you.

1. Consider Space and Installation Needs

Before even considering any specific brand or model, measure the space where you will install the fridge. Think about the following:

• Dimensions: Measure height, width, and depth, and make sure to leave space for ventilation.
• Door Swing: Ensure the doors can open fully without obstruction. Some models give you the option to change the fridge door’s opening direction.
• Water Supply: If you intend to buy a model with an ice maker or water dispenser, you’ll need access to a water supply.

2. Capacity

• Small Families: A compact fridge-freezer with 150–250 litres should be enough.
• Large Families: Consider larger models with 350 litres or more.

3. Consider Your Storage Needs

Think about your lifestyle and cooking habits, and what kind of food you’ll be storing in the fridge-freezer. There are various features you can benefit from that could help you store and preserve your food in a smarter and more convenient way.

Cooking Habits

• If you buy in bulk, cook often and batch-freeze, prioritising freezer space is a good idea
• If you’ll be storing mostly fresh produce, consider larger fridge sections.

Fresh Produce and Vegetables

• Adjustable Crisper Drawers: Humidity control helps to keep vegetables and fruits fresh for longer.
• Dedicated Produce Compartments: For separating fruits and vegetables to prevent cross-contamination and promote freshness.
• Temperature-Controlled Drawers: These help with keeping in good condition foods that would otherwise easily spoil, like leafy greens and berries.
• Vacuum-Sealed Drawers: Ideal for storing foods that require extended freshness and long-term storage.

Meat, Fish, and Dairy

• Chiller Zones: Separate compartments with slightly lower temperatures to better preserve meat, fish, and dairy products.
• Anti-Bacterial Coatings: Prevents the growth of bacteria inside the fridge. Keeps raw meat and dairy fresher for longer by reducing the risk of contamination.

Frozen Foods

• Freezer Compartments: If you store lots of frozen food, look for a model with a spacious, well-organized freezer compartment.
• Frost-Free Technology: A system designed to eliminate the need for manual defrosting.
• Convertible Freezer Sections: Can be converted into a fridge when extra cooling space is needed.
• Quick Freeze Mode: Rapidly cools items placed in the freezer.
• Separate Freezer Zones: Customisable zones for the storing of specific frozen foods where they are kept at optimal temperatures.

Special Features

• Deodorizing Systems: Uses activated carbon or UV light to keep the fridge odour-free.
• Air Filters: Maintains the air clean and fresh, preventing the mixing of smells.
• Airflow Technology: This feature maintains consistent cooling to prevent spoilage.

Drawers and Compartments

• High-Capacity Shelves: Adjustable shelves for when you need to fit larger food items or containers.
• Dual Cooling Systems: Separate cooling for freezer and fridge compartments to maintain optimal humidity and temperature in both sections.
• Multiple Compartments: For better and more convenient organisation for various types of food.
• Snack Drawers: Convenient for smaller items like yogurt, cheese sticks, and other prepackaged snacks.

Specialty Items

• Wine Coolers: For wine enthusiasts, a refrigerator with precise temperature and humidity control for wine bottles.
• Herb Boxes: Keeps herbs fresh by maintaining the right humidity levels.
• Allocated Beverage Storage: Built-in can holders, bottle racks, or beverage coolers.
• Ice and Water Dispensers: A convenient feature but bear in mind that it will increase cost as the system’s filters need to be changed regularly.

4. Smart Features

Modern fridge-freezers come with a variety of integrated features designed to make our lives easier. Here are some of the most popular and useful smart features.

Inventory Management

• Internal Cameras: You can check the contents of your fridge remotely via an app, which helps tremendously with grocery shopping.
• Food Tracking: Monitors expiry dates and suggests recipes based on the ingredients in your fridge.
• Barcode Scanning: Automatically logs items as you put them in or take them out.

Temperature and Humidity Control

• Precise Temperature Settings: Allows you to control separate zones (fridge, freezer, or variable drawers) via an app or touchscreen.
• Humidity Monitoring: Helps to keep optimal storage conditions for different items like fruits, vegetables, or meats.

Energy Efficiency

• Energy Monitoring: Tracks energy usage and sends alerts for unusual consumption.
• Adaptive Cooling: Adjusts cooling cycles to save energy based on when and how often you open the fridge’s door.
• Door Open Alerts: Sends notifications if the fridge door is left open.

Connectivity and Integration

• Wi-Fi and App Control: Allows you to monitor and control the fridge remotely from your smartphone.
• Smart Home Integration: Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, or other smart home systems to respond to voice commands or sync with other devices.
• Family Hub Displays: Includes a built-in screen for calendars, reminders, and photo sharing.

Convenience Features

• Smart Ice Maker: You can use it to schedule ice production or monitor ice levels remotely.
• Smart Water Dispensers: Allows you to track how much water’s being used or dispense preset amounts for recipes.
• Touchscreens: You can use them for grocery lists, weather updates, or music streaming. Also to manage settings or access recipes
• Shopping Assistance: Some models can connect directly to online grocery services.

Notifications and Alerts

• Maintenance Alerts: Notifies you about filter replacements or any issues with the appliance.
• Power Outage Notifications: Sends an alert when there’s a power failure and estimates how long food will remain safely cooled or frozen.
• Temperature Alerts: Notifies you of temperature changes when the door is open or due to a mechanical issue.

Sustainability Features

• Eco Mode: Reduces energy consumption when the appliance hasn’t been used for a prolonged period of time, during holidays when no one is home, for example.
• Smart Defrosting: Automatically defrosts only when necessary.
• Recyclable Materials: Some smart fridges are built with eco-friendly components.

5. Choose Your Style

Fridge-freezers come in various configurations, each with their pros and cons.

• Bottom Freezer: More popular than top freezers, with easier access to fresh items. Freezers usually have drawers for better organisation of food.
• Top Freezer: As the name suggests, the section for fresh food is at the bottom of the appliance. More suitable for people who store mostly frozen food.
• Side-by-Side: With equal capacity access to fridge and freezer, this appliance is great for narrow spaces but bear in mind that the shelves are not very wide.
• French Door: This fridge-freezer has a large fridge area on top and a pull-out freezer drawer below. Spacious and convenient.
• Integrated Models: Easily blend with kitchen cabinetry but usually have less storage capacity.

6. Consider Energy Efficiency

Energy-efficient appliances save money in the long run and reduce environmental impact.

• Energy Star Rating: The energy star system uses a scale to measure how energy-efficient a product is, with A+++ indicating the most energy-saving appliance.
• Annual Energy Consumption: Check the kWh/year figure to estimate probable costs.
• Inverter Technology: Provides better energy efficiency and quieter operation.

7. Be Aware of Noise Levels

If your kitchen is near a living area, try to choose a model with a low noise rating. Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB), and most models range between 35–45 dB.

8. Think About Aesthetics

Your fridge-freezer is an important part of your kitchen, choose its finish to suit your style, and reflect your personality.

• Stainless Steel: Sleek and modern, but bear in mind that you’ll have to clean fingerprints quite often.
• Matte or Black Finishes: Contemporary and much easier to keep clean.
• Custom Panels: Perfect for a seamless, integrated look.

9. Set a Budget

Fridge-freezers come in a wide price range. Take into consideration your storage needs and cooking habits, the size of the available space, and energy efficiency as an essential base for choosing the right appliance. It’s always tempting to go for a more expensive product loaded with smart features, but consider whether you’d use them regularly before making your purchase.

10. Read Reviews and Warranties

Before making a final decision, check customer reviews and expert ratings to find out about the models’ reliability and performance.

11. Warranty and Customer Support

Search for models with comprehensive warranties covering both parts and labour, and make sure to check the brands’ reputation for after-sale customer service. Some brands and retailers allow for extended warranties you can take advantage of.

12. Make Your Purchase

Once you’ve chosen your fridge-freezer, shop around for the best deals. Make sure to compare prices across retailers. Watch and wait for seasonal sales if you don’t need to bay your fridge straight away. Check for package deals if you’re buying multiple appliances.

13. Find Reliable Repair Services Near You

Even if your fridge-freezer comes with a long warranty, it’s still wise to find a reliable kitchen appliance repair company or tradesman, preferably in the area where you live. Timely professional help could save you frustration and money, and reassure you that your appliance will be fixed in no time when needed.