Integral Fridge Freezer: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

· 6 min read
Integral Fridge Freezer: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Benefits of an Integral Fridge Freezer

Integral fridge freezers are designed to fit seamlessly into your kitchen cabinets and give you a sleek and seamless appearance. These appliances provide a variety of advantages, including energy efficiency, food preservation, and more.

Check that your fridge's integrated freezer is installed properly. Check that the ventilation is as according to the instructions and is not blocked by other appliances such as dishwashers or cupboards.

Size

An integrated fridge freezer is a built-in appliance that's installed inside your kitchen cabinets, which means it blends seamlessly with your decor. They're perfect for people who prefer a minimalist style or those with smaller homes and open-plan living areas where freestanding appliances can cause things to appear overwhelmed.

Integrated fridge freezers come in a variety of sizes, but they're all made to fit in the cabinets. The standard dimension is 60cm wide by 178cm in height. They can come with either a fixed or sliding hinge. It is important to select the same split type and style of door opening when replacing a fridge freezer that is integrated. This will ensure that the kitchen cabinet doors can be opened in the same manner as the appliance.

There are a few aspects to take into consideration when choosing the size of a fridge freezer that is integrated that include capacity and storage space. Generally, anything above 350 litres is ideal for families with medium-sized households. It can accommodate up to 19 bags of groceries. Larger capacities are also available when you're looking to store larger items like frozen food items or meat.

The majority of integrated fridge freezers are divided 50:50, which gives equal space for freezing as well as refrigeration. This is perfect for those who like mixing fresh ingredients with chilled ready-to-eat meals. However, you can also find 70:30 fridge freezers which provide more refrigerator space if you prefer to store a higher proportion of fresh food items in your kitchen.

It's worth noting that it's not a good idea overload your integrated refrigerator freezer with items like massive cartons of milk or oversized bottles of fruit juice. The hinges on the fridge freezer aren't designed to handle this type of weight, and they could damage the appliance. We recommend leaving a small space on either side of your fridge freezer in order to provide an easy access to your stored items.

Style

Integrated fridge freezers are designed to slot seamlessly into your fitted kitchen, hidden behind cabinet fronts to ensure they don't ruin the overall look. They integrate refrigeration and freezer storage into one unit and usually have an integrated freezer section on top to allow you to store bags of frozen food or ice cream. The most modern fridge freezers are equipped with many innovative features that increase energy efficiency and enhance the freshness and taste of your food.

In comparison to freestanding refrigerators integrated freezers are usually much more expensive. They provide an elegant, modern look and tend to last longer than freestanding refrigerators. When you're building your new kitchen or replacing an old fridge, our selection of fridge freezers that are integrated from top brands like Bosch, Hotpoint and Neff will ensure that the appliance fits your style.

The standard size for refrigerator freezers is 60cm wide. These appliances are available with either a fixed hinge or sliding hinge. The hinge you choose is crucial because it determines how well the doors of your cabinet fit.

Fixed hinge models are more affordable and offer a wider selection of sizes for fridge freezers.

Slide out fridge freezers, on the other hand, are an excellent option for people who have limited space since these units are smaller in depth. Some of the latest models have antibacterial linings that minimize odours while keeping food tasting fresher for longer. They also have advanced temperature control that permits you to set temperature settings for different types of foods.

Other top features include a fast chill setting and a quick freeze that quickly reduces the size of the fridge or freezer to accelerate cooling and decrease the need for manual defrosting. Certain models come with air-flow technology that circulate cool air around the interior of the fridge to reduce bacteria and odours and extend shelf life. Other models have super-cooling settings that increase the efficiency of your fridge. You can also find a dedicated wine rack, or glass shelves for extra storage for glasses and bottles.

Energy efficiency

Refrigerators with integrated fridge freezers aren't only a great option to create a dream kitchen. They also come with a variety of innovative features. Smart fridge freezers, like air-flow and frost-free models, can ease the burden of everyday life while increasing energy efficiency. Some models defrost automatically making it easier to save time and effort.

It is also important to look over the storage options available and whether door or shelf storage can be moved around to suit your needs, such as if you have a lot of fruit or need space for large milk bottles. Some models can be enlarged to include wine racks.

To ensure that heat is correctly dissipated, most integrated fridge freezers require ventilation. This can be achieved with the grill or vent on the back. Depending on the type of installation, they might also require a hardwire or a specific outlet.

As they reduce household bills and energy consumption, energy efficient fridge freezers have become increasingly popular. When shopping for an integrated model be sure to check the kWh number on the EU energy label to see how much it will use over the course of a year. This allows you to evaluate the various options and find the best option for you.

Integrated models are usually smaller than freestanding refrigerators to allow them fit into cabinets for housing. But, they're capable of holding up to 8 bags of food due to their spacious refrigerator compartments.

The latest fridge freezers are also more energy efficient than their predecessors and can save you money on your electricity costs. If you're planning to purchase an integrated model, pick one that has a low energy consumption and an A or B rating to keep your costs down.

Remember that integrated refrigerator freezers are more difficult to reach than freestanding appliances and are more expensive to repair when something goes wrong. Make sure that the appliance you purchase has an easy-to-access service panel and a short user's manual that is easy to read.



Stores

Refrigerator freezers are available in a variety of sizes and styles. Freestanding fridge freezers are a popular option and can be easily incorporated into most kitchens. Integrated models are tucked away behind a cupboard door for a more seamless design. There are also American style  fridge-freezer s that have more storage space and ice dispensers.

A fridge freezer that is integrated is the perfect way to create a stylish and modern look in your kitchen. The appliances can be hidden behind the cabinet door to complement the style of your kitchen. They're an excellent choice for those with small spaces or living areas that have open-plan layouts.

Consider the capacity of your fridge freezer. This will allow you to determine if it will meet your storage needs. A larger capacity model will be ideal for families. A smaller model may be enough for singles or couples. You can use our capacity calculator for fridges/freezers to assist you in determining the space you'll need.

The storage capacity of fridge freezers that are integrated can vary in size, but they're generally smaller than their freestanding counterparts to be able to fit into your kitchen design. This can decrease the amount of cupboards you need to fit and allow more space to store your food.

Standard width for integrated models (including the cabinet housing) is 60cm. They are typically taller than 178cm, though some models may be a little shorter. Depending on where you're installing the fridge/freezer, you may have to alter other elements of your kitchen's design for example, removing or adding fillers, or even constructing an bridging cabinet over it.

The hinges of fridge freezers that are integrated are built stronger to withstand the extra weight. Anyone using the fridge or freezer should be mindful of this by not leaning or swinging heavy objects on the fridge. This can cause damage to the hinges.

The price of integrated fridge freezers varies widely, but you can find less expensive models from brands like Beko, Candy and Hotpoint for about PS250. More premium brands such as Neff, Bosch and AEG can cost upwards of PS2,000.