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Fridges & Freezers - Buying Guide |
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Before you choose an appliance, you need to carefully consider your requirements and how much space you have available to you. These are important factors in deciding whether you need a separate refrigerator and freezer or a fridge-freezer. Fridges
Freezers Fridge-freezers Energy efficiency
You can assess the efficiency of individual appliances by checking the rating shown on the energy label - A being the best, G the worst. The label will also state the annual energy consumption of the appliance. Most inefficient fridges and freezers (ie those with a D, E, F or G rating) were banned in September 1999. All those manufactured after this date have been required to have the equivalent of a C rating or better. Chest freezers are the exception - these must have a minimum rating of E. As a result of this legislation, manufacturers have been striving to improve the efficiency of their products, and there are now more A-rated appliances available than ever before; some brands even offer an A+ rating. Although not yet officially recognised, the European Commission is expected to restructure the energy label to incorporate an A+ rating. Broadly speaking, an A+ appliance is about 25% more efficient than an A-rated one. CFC- and HFC-free Most appliances need a minimum 50mm to 100mm clearance between the top edge and any high-level cupboard that may be above. Many worktop-height refrigerators and matching freezers have removable top panels, allowing them to fit neatly under worktops. Dimensions Internal capacity is measured in cubic feet or litres. A standard size under-worktop fridge will have a capacity of around five cubic feet, which is usually the minimum storage space required, even for a single-person household. Tall, upright fridges with a capacity of around 10 cubic feet should give plenty of space for the average family. Fridge temperature Freezer temperature Some of the benefits of frost-free versions include:
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Fridges
You can choose from two kinds of refrigerator; standard (which has an icebox),
or Larder (which doesn't). Providing you don't need the extra refrigeration
capacity, an icebox can be useful - especially if your freezer is not situated
next to the fridge or you don't have one at all. The icebox will have a star
rating that tells you how long frozen food can be stored and whether fresh
food can be frozen. Be aware though, these won't have the four-star rating
of a proper freezer, and therefore won't be able to store food for anything
like the same amount of time.
Refrigerators with a fan in the rear of the cabinet circulate air more effectively
and help maintain an even temperature. Frost-free fridges also have circulating
cold air, ensuring even temperatures throughout.
The door is generally cool, but not the coldest part. Items ideally stored in the door compartment include drinks, butter, hard cheese, eggs and jars. The salad crisper is usually the warmest, more humid section and is ideal for certain vegetables, fruit and salads.
At the very least expect interior lights, egg-holders and adjustable shelves.
If you're buying a top-end model you can choose from luxury features like ice-makers,
ice-crushers, drink-dispensers, can-holders, anti-bacterial systems, door locks
and shaped bottle-shelves.
On all models check that the door shelves are adjustable and that they feature bottle-grippers to hold different-sized bottles steady. Look out for fridges with solid shelves - they're not only easier to clean, but can prevent cross-contamination caused by spillages, or defrosting meat dripping through wire shelves. Newer models increasingly feature safety glass shelves that not only look good, but are also tough and designed to hold a full load. Shelves that tilt or can be folded in half to accommodate tall items are also useful.
Fridges with anti-bacterial coatings offer lifetime-protection against bacteria, micro-organisms and algae growth.
Fridges are now getting 'smarter', and many of the top models feature intelligent cooling which helps to keep food fresher for longer, maintains a safe hygienic environment and keeps energy consumption down. These models use microprocessors to monitor internal conditions, adjusting the cooling fans as required. You can even get fridges with Internet access; although this has proved to be more of a gimmick than a useful feature. Fridges are currently still incapable of figuring out that your milk is going out of date and ordering you some more from your local online retailer.
Freezers
There are four main types of freezers:
Worktop-height models that often sit side by side with matching fridges
Upright ones, which are usually paired with similarly sized fridges.
Chest freezers with a top-opening lid and baskets rather than shelves (though models are now available with a lower drawer so you don't have to bend down to reach into the depths). If you have young children, a lock might be useful if you decide on a chest freezer, especially if you intend to keep it out of sight.
Microwave size-models, which are designed to sit on your worktop and are ideal if you are short of space.
Handy for separating different types of food and helping to prevent cold air
escaping when the door is opened. Transparent storage drawers enable you to
find what you want more quickly.
Look for external controls that indicate on/off and fast-freeze plus a temperature
warning light. An audible temperature-rise warning alarm is useful if the appliance
is to be stored out of sight or in a little-used area. Some freezers have automatic
sensors, so if they feel the temperature rising - perhaps because you have
left the door open - they will switch into fast-freeze mode, dropping the temperature
to compensate. To avoid this happening many fridges and freezers feature doors
that swing back to shut automatically.
Fridge Freezers
A fridge-freezer is usually more economical to run than two separate units,
and is also ideal if you are short of space. There are many combinations available,
the most popular being the straightforward half-and-half option. Remember to
buy one where the most frequently used compartment is at the top, allowing
for easy access. Some also offer a larger fridge section, sitting below a smaller
freezer unit - roughly split two-thirds to one - which are ideal if you don't
use much frozen food or have a larger freezer out of sight in a garage or basement.
Large, American-style side-by-side fridge-freezers are also now available.
These look great and are very practical, providing masses of storage capacity
- from 500 litres to well over 700 litres. They are now more accessible and
affordable than ever before, with prices starting at under £1,000. Check
if it needs to be plumbed in (though some don't many will, particularly if
they have ice and drinks-dispensers). It's important to make sure that you
have enough space for one - and that you can get it through the kitchen door.
Finally, they are very heavy, so make sure that your floor can accommodate
the weight (certain companies will check this before they deliver to you).
Although a fridge-freezer with two independently controlled compressors is
more expensive, it will offer several important benefits, including saving
energy and reducing the risk of the freezer defrosting if the ambient (outside)
temperature drops. It will also allow you to defrost one section while the
other is still on, and you will be able to switch the fridge off but leave
the freezer on if you are going away.
Some fridge-freezers have zoned cooling, where different areas of the fridge
and freezer are maintained at different temperatures for different foods. For
example, a 0 C zone is ideal for meat, fish, and ready meals, while a 6 C zone
is perfect for fresh fruit and vegetables. In a zoned freezer, low-temperature
drawers will fast-freeze foods and help maintain their quality - some freezers
have this facility in all drawers.
With the increasing popularity of wine, fridge-freezers with dedicated wine
racks are becoming more popular. Liebherr is the first brand to go one step
further and introduce a model where one half of the no-frost freezer is given
up to a temperature-controlled wine cabinet.
Hotpoint fridge-freezers now have Microban protection against the build up
of harmful bacteria.