Integrated Fridge Freezers
Hidden behind subtly incorporated fascias, integrated fridge freezers serve as a subdued part of your dream kitchen. Don't be deceived they're stuffed with a wealth of storage and smart tech like wine racks, four adjustable door shelves, and twin fruit and vegetable bins.
They can be equipped with Hettich and Ingol hinges for long-lasting performance.
Size
Refrigerators with integrated fridge freezers are designed to be installed directly into your cabinetry. They tend to be smaller than freestanding models. If you want an elegant appliance that blends into countertops and cabinets they could be a great option. They're also a great option if you don't have room in your home for a separate freezer.
When fridge freezer frost free are choosing an integrated refrigerator freezer, you must take into consideration some things. For one, they tend to be more expensive than freestanding models. This is due to the additional expenses associated with buying and installing refrigerator cabinets, kitchen cabinet door, and a bridging cabinet to connect the refrigerator.
Another aspect to be aware of is that fridge freezers with integrated refrigerators aren't easy to maintain. It is essential to take the refrigerator from its cabinet and rehang the doors to the kitchen cabinet. This could take weeks or months. Therefore, it is essential to hire an experienced kitchen fitter who will take the time to do the job correctly.
If you are considering buying an integrated fridge freezer that you can buy, it's important to take a careful measurement of the space before purchasing it. Make sure you leave a bit of space on to either side of the appliance so that you can open the doors. You should also examine the hinges on the doors of the refrigerator. A lot of cheap models have inferior hinges, which aren't built to support the weight of a fridge and tend to fail after a couple of years.
The integrated fridge freezers are available in a variety of widths that will help you maximize storage. The depth of your fridge can also affect your kitchen cabinets. If you plan to add tall cabinets above your refrigerator, you could require the appliance to be cut according to a specified length to ensure that it will fit. Verify that the ventilation in the refrigerator is cut properly. If it's not, you could face issues in the future.
Style
It's important to consider several factors before making a decision. Freestanding fridge freezers are more popular because they're bulky and can take up a lot of space. The integrated models are more sleek and seamless and blend in with your cabinets.
They are usually flush with the counters and cabinetry surrounding them. Their doors are inset, so they do not protrude. They are also panel-ready to give your kitchen an edgier appearance. Many come with stainless-steel fronts to give them a modern and stylish appearance.
The freezer section is still quite big, and is usually in the lower part of the freezer to give ample space to store your frozen food items. There is also a range of widths available. The majority of brands offer between 20-24 inches of width which is more than freestanding freezers.
Because of their appearance and the fact that they are integrated into your kitchen, you will probably find integrated fridges to be more expensive than freestanding fridge freezers. This is mainly due to the cost of a fridge's housing cabinet as well as the kitchen cabinets to make the surround will push up the overall price.
They can be more difficult to move if you plan to move home which could be a problem for some people. You'll need to take out the entire unit and cabinetry. It's not as simple as disconnecting the appliance and then getting it removed like the freestanding model.
Integrated refrigerators can be more difficult to fix because they are installed in the kitchen you already have. If there is an issue, you'll require a refrigerator engineer to disassemble and replace damaged components. This is a costly process and is certainly more expensive than simply purchasing the fridge freezer a replacement.
Energy efficiency
A high-efficiency integrated fridge freezer can cut down on the cost of your household. It will also save power by reducing the time it runs and will be more eco-friendly since it consumes less power. Look for models with an A- or B-energy rating to make a difference.
Contrary to freestanding fridge freezers with a separate housing integrated models come with doors built into the cabinetry. This enables the fridge to blend in seamlessly with the kitchen's design and gives it a sleek, uniform look. Some models have sliding doors that allow you to open the fridge without opening the cupboard door. Others are panel-ready. This means that they can be layered with cabinet doors to essentially camouflage the refrigerator behind cabinets in your kitchen.
The downside to integrated fridge freezers are that they're generally more expensive than other alternatives. The reason is because they are made in smaller quantities and are part of a premium market. However installation costs are also a factor. Additional hinges and panels along with the additional cost of making your furniture fit around the fridge are all aspects.
Certain fridge freezers that are integrated require more maintenance, and others need to be defrosted frequently to eliminate the accumulation of ice. Beko's integrated fridge freezers have frost-free technologies that reduce maintenance and minimize defrosting.
The capacity of a fridge/freezer integrated is another important consideration. The larger the litres, the more food you'll be able to store. Make sure you choose models with at least 150 litres of space in the fridge and up to 350 for the freezer. There are a variety of storage configurations, with shelves that are flexible and drawers that provide plenty of space for fresh produce, as well as bottle racks that can accommodate your larger milk bottles. There are also fridge freezers that have 50/50 splits that can be used for both storing chilled and frozen foods.
Stores
The primary benefit of integrated refrigerator freezers is they take up less space than freestanding models. This allows you to make the most out of your kitchen. They can also be flush with cabinets and counters giving a seamless appearance. This design does mean that they are smaller in storage space than freestanding units.
They also cost more to purchase and operate than freestanding refrigerator freezers that meet the same specifications. This is due to a variety of factors such as their high price of development and manufacturing, the fact they are considered a luxury item, and the additional installation and customization costs.
Additionally, integrated fridge freezers can be more difficult to access than freestanding counterparts. This can cause problems when you require them to be serviced. This is particularly the case if you choose a cheap integrated fridge freezer that has hinges that are not well-made, and could break easily over time.
The best integrated fridge freezer for your home will be contingent on the size of your household and the storage requirements you have. Think about how much you would like to store in your refrigerator, and whether you'll need to store any large frozen foods or platters. The majority of integrated fridge freezers have storage capacities of between 150-350 litres. This is enough to store up 19 bags of groceries.
The top integrated refrigerator freezers have features that help keep your food fresh and healthy. For instance, some have airflow technology which circulates cool air throughout shelves, whilst others will have an antibacterial lining to minimize odours as well as prevent mould. Certain models have a quick freeze feature that lowers the temperature of your freezer quickly which allows you to freeze fresh-bought items without freezing solid.
If you like to keep your fish, meat and dairy products at a certain temperature, then look for refrigerators that have integrated freezers with a BioFresh section. They are kept at a low level of humidity and will keep meat, fish and dairy fresher for longer than standard fridge freezers. Meanwhile, fruit and vegetables can be kept crisper for longer in a HydroSafe compartment that is maintained at a higher level of humidity.