Professional advice from:
Joan Fraser of Smeg
Richard Treffler of Miele
Craig Davies of Sub-Zero & Wolf UK
Alex Maguire Photography
Freestanding or integrated?
The choice between a freestanding or integrated fridge-freezer comes down to the look you want in your kitchen. As its name suggests, a freestanding unit (like this one) stands free of the kitchen cabinetry and can be positioned anywhere practical, providing there’s a plug socket nearby.
‘Freestanding fridge-freezers are now available in a host of different colours, allowing you to create a style statement in the kitchen,’ says Richard Treffler of Miele. ‘Plus they are generally easy to fit and can be taken with you if you move house.’
An integrated fridge-freezer, on the other hand, is designed to sit behind a front panel that coordinates with the rest of your units. ‘Integrated fridge-freezers become part of the kitchen design, which is great if you are looking for a clean and seamless finish,’ adds Treffler.
The choice between a freestanding or integrated fridge-freezer comes down to the look you want in your kitchen. As its name suggests, a freestanding unit (like this one) stands free of the kitchen cabinetry and can be positioned anywhere practical, providing there’s a plug socket nearby.
‘Freestanding fridge-freezers are now available in a host of different colours, allowing you to create a style statement in the kitchen,’ says Richard Treffler of Miele. ‘Plus they are generally easy to fit and can be taken with you if you move house.’
An integrated fridge-freezer, on the other hand, is designed to sit behind a front panel that coordinates with the rest of your units. ‘Integrated fridge-freezers become part of the kitchen design, which is great if you are looking for a clean and seamless finish,’ adds Treffler.
Nicholas Anthony
Top- or bottom-mounted?
There are pros and cons to both options for the position of your freezer. ‘Top-mounted models generally have a bigger fridge capacity with a smaller freezer section above. They are ideal if you like to buy a larger amount of fresh produce but still require some form of freezing space,’ explains Treffler.
Bottom-mounted freezers (as seen here) generally provide easier access to frozen food.‘Look for models that offer a pull-out freezer drawer, ideally with an automatic ice maker, for ease of use and a clear view of the contents of the freezer section,’ suggests Craig Davies of Sub-Zero & Wolf UK.
There are pros and cons to both options for the position of your freezer. ‘Top-mounted models generally have a bigger fridge capacity with a smaller freezer section above. They are ideal if you like to buy a larger amount of fresh produce but still require some form of freezing space,’ explains Treffler.
Bottom-mounted freezers (as seen here) generally provide easier access to frozen food.‘Look for models that offer a pull-out freezer drawer, ideally with an automatic ice maker, for ease of use and a clear view of the contents of the freezer section,’ suggests Craig Davies of Sub-Zero & Wolf UK.
APD Interiors
What’s the best fridge-freezer ratio?
There is now a wide variety of fridge-to-freezer ratios available, so shop around. ‘You’ll find the standard 60:40 fridge-to-freezer ratio, with other sizes, such as 70:30 and 50:50 also available,’ says Treffler.
Think about your lifestyle and what you would normally store in the freezer versus what capacity you need for your fridge. If you bulk buy and spend a lot of time cooking batches of meals, for example, then you’ll want to invest in a fridge-freezer with a decent amount of freezing capacity.
‘Most people underestimate their fridge space requirements, forgetting that most jars and bottles need refrigerating once opened,’ adds Joan Fraser of Smeg. ‘People also need to consider seasonality factors, such as having lots of fresh fruits in summer, and special time periods, such as Christmas.’
There is now a wide variety of fridge-to-freezer ratios available, so shop around. ‘You’ll find the standard 60:40 fridge-to-freezer ratio, with other sizes, such as 70:30 and 50:50 also available,’ says Treffler.
Think about your lifestyle and what you would normally store in the freezer versus what capacity you need for your fridge. If you bulk buy and spend a lot of time cooking batches of meals, for example, then you’ll want to invest in a fridge-freezer with a decent amount of freezing capacity.
‘Most people underestimate their fridge space requirements, forgetting that most jars and bottles need refrigerating once opened,’ adds Joan Fraser of Smeg. ‘People also need to consider seasonality factors, such as having lots of fresh fruits in summer, and special time periods, such as Christmas.’
Drury Design
What about side-by-side fridge-freezers?
If a regular fridge-freezer doesn’t offer the storage capacity you need, consider a side-by-side model featuring a full-height freezer (generally located on the left) and a wider, full-height refrigeration cavity on the right.
‘These are very popular with families, especially the wider models at 1067mm and 1219mm wide. They offer large-capacity storage and a good view of the contents of both fridge and freezer, and often include ice and water dispensers,’ explains Davies. ‘The only possible drawback for this type of configuration is if you select a narrow model, say less than 914mm wide, as it can make the compartments a little narrow. If you only have space for a 914mm width or less, I would recommend a model with the fridge above and freezer below for wider, easier and more usable storage.’
If a regular fridge-freezer doesn’t offer the storage capacity you need, consider a side-by-side model featuring a full-height freezer (generally located on the left) and a wider, full-height refrigeration cavity on the right.
‘These are very popular with families, especially the wider models at 1067mm and 1219mm wide. They offer large-capacity storage and a good view of the contents of both fridge and freezer, and often include ice and water dispensers,’ explains Davies. ‘The only possible drawback for this type of configuration is if you select a narrow model, say less than 914mm wide, as it can make the compartments a little narrow. If you only have space for a 914mm width or less, I would recommend a model with the fridge above and freezer below for wider, easier and more usable storage.’
Compass and Rose
What’s the best location for a side-by-side fridge-freezer in your kitchen?
If your side-by-side fridge-freezer features an ice and water dispenser, ideally it should be located as close as possible to the water source. ‘This will ensure the water pressure is not affected. Also, you’ll reduce the amount of plumbing required and avoid any potential damage to the pipework,’ advises Davies.
‘A new option is an internal ice and water dispenser, which offers all the convenience of an external dispenser without disturbing the clean lines of the appliance and overall look of your kitchen design,’ he adds.
Read expert advice on choosing the perfect kitchen tap
If your side-by-side fridge-freezer features an ice and water dispenser, ideally it should be located as close as possible to the water source. ‘This will ensure the water pressure is not affected. Also, you’ll reduce the amount of plumbing required and avoid any potential damage to the pipework,’ advises Davies.
‘A new option is an internal ice and water dispenser, which offers all the convenience of an external dispenser without disturbing the clean lines of the appliance and overall look of your kitchen design,’ he adds.
Read expert advice on choosing the perfect kitchen tap
Roots Kitchens Bedrooms Bathrooms
How can you customise your perfect solution?
If you can’t find your ideal fridge-freezer split, why not choose a stand-alone refrigerator and install it next to a stand-alone freezer? ‘By choosing one left-hand- and one right-hand-hinged model, you create your ideal combination and capacity, depending on how much freezer and fridge space you prefer,’ says Davies.
‘Another option is to place two fridge-freezers side by side, with the fridge above and the freezer below, with one left-hand hinged and one right, to create a double-size fridge-freezer.’
If you can’t find your ideal fridge-freezer split, why not choose a stand-alone refrigerator and install it next to a stand-alone freezer? ‘By choosing one left-hand- and one right-hand-hinged model, you create your ideal combination and capacity, depending on how much freezer and fridge space you prefer,’ says Davies.
‘Another option is to place two fridge-freezers side by side, with the fridge above and the freezer below, with one left-hand hinged and one right, to create a double-size fridge-freezer.’
Nicholas Anthony
How do you calculate your space correctly?
It sounds obvious, but always make sure there’s enough room for your chosen fridge-freezer. Measure the height, depth and width of the space more than once and think about door opening and easy access.
All refrigeration appliances need sufficient ventilation to work effectively, especially built-in models. ‘You need to allow for airflow below the plinth line or by adding a vent,’ explains Fraser. ‘If there’s insufficient airflow, the compressor and condenser will have nowhere to expel excess heat. This will shorten the life of the appliance.’
Installation and operating instructions will be specific to each model, so always check the user manual for exact details.
It sounds obvious, but always make sure there’s enough room for your chosen fridge-freezer. Measure the height, depth and width of the space more than once and think about door opening and easy access.
All refrigeration appliances need sufficient ventilation to work effectively, especially built-in models. ‘You need to allow for airflow below the plinth line or by adding a vent,’ explains Fraser. ‘If there’s insufficient airflow, the compressor and condenser will have nowhere to expel excess heat. This will shorten the life of the appliance.’
Installation and operating instructions will be specific to each model, so always check the user manual for exact details.
Clermont Carpentry
What’s an energy label?
Energy labels show the energy rating of your chosen fridge-freezer as well as the amount of electricity the unit will consume in kilowatt-hours (kWh). ‘Also displayed is the capacity of the fridge-freezer and the relevant decibel noise rating,’ explains Fraser. ‘This gives you a very easy way to compare any refrigerator you may look at beyond the aesthetic element.’
Fridge-freezers guzzle a lot of energy, so choosing a model with a higher energy rating will save more money on energy bills. Since July 2012, all new fridge-freezers must have a rating of A+, A++ or A+++. If you want the most efficient, choose an A+++ model.
Get more inspiration for mix and match kitchens
Energy labels show the energy rating of your chosen fridge-freezer as well as the amount of electricity the unit will consume in kilowatt-hours (kWh). ‘Also displayed is the capacity of the fridge-freezer and the relevant decibel noise rating,’ explains Fraser. ‘This gives you a very easy way to compare any refrigerator you may look at beyond the aesthetic element.’
Fridge-freezers guzzle a lot of energy, so choosing a model with a higher energy rating will save more money on energy bills. Since July 2012, all new fridge-freezers must have a rating of A+, A++ or A+++. If you want the most efficient, choose an A+++ model.
Get more inspiration for mix and match kitchens
Sola Kitchens
Should you go frost-free?
Auto defrost or frost-free is a great and convenient feature to have. ‘It means that manual defrosting is no longer required, as cool air circulates throughout the fridge cabinet, preventing ice forming on food,’ explains Treffler.
Also look out for models that benefit from dynamic cooling. ‘This provides a consistent temperature throughout the fridge, thanks to a fan that ensures excellent circulation and distribution of cold air,’ adds Treffler.
However, if you are working to a strict budget, a manual defrost fridge-freezer is generally cheaper.
Auto defrost or frost-free is a great and convenient feature to have. ‘It means that manual defrosting is no longer required, as cool air circulates throughout the fridge cabinet, preventing ice forming on food,’ explains Treffler.
Also look out for models that benefit from dynamic cooling. ‘This provides a consistent temperature throughout the fridge, thanks to a fan that ensures excellent circulation and distribution of cold air,’ adds Treffler.
However, if you are working to a strict budget, a manual defrost fridge-freezer is generally cheaper.
Kitchen Culture
What other features should you consider?
Adjustable shelving, bottle and egg racks, salad drawers or crispers and temperature-controlled compartments that keep meat, fish and dairy at their optimum storage temperatures are standard fare on modern fridge-freezers.
A holiday mode, which allows you to switch off the fridge compartment without affecting the freezer, is also an increasingly popular function. There are also quick-chill and quick-freeze functions, and even models designed to run independently for 18 hours in case of power cuts.
TELL US…
Which of your fridge-freezer’s features would you recommend? Please share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Adjustable shelving, bottle and egg racks, salad drawers or crispers and temperature-controlled compartments that keep meat, fish and dairy at their optimum storage temperatures are standard fare on modern fridge-freezers.
A holiday mode, which allows you to switch off the fridge compartment without affecting the freezer, is also an increasingly popular function. There are also quick-chill and quick-freeze functions, and even models designed to run independently for 18 hours in case of power cuts.
TELL US…
Which of your fridge-freezer’s features would you recommend? Please share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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