Benefits of an Integral Fridge Freezer
Integral fridge freezers are designed to fit seamlessly into kitchen cabinets and give you a sleek and seamless appearance. These appliances offer a range of advantages, including energy efficiency, food preservation and more.
Make sure that the integrated fridge freezer is properly installed. Verify that the ventilation is as according to the instructions and is not blocked by other units such as dishwashers or cupboards.
Size
An integrated fridge freezer is a built-in appliance that's placed inside your kitchen cabinets, so it blends in seamlessly with your decor. They're ideal for those who prefer a sleek design or those with smaller living spaces and homes where freestanding appliances can make the space appear overwhelming.
Integrated fridge freezers come in various sizes, but they're all made to fit in your cabinet units. They're typically 60cm wide and 178cm tall and can be fixed or sliding hinge models. When replacing an existing integrated fridge freezer, it's vital to select like in terms of split type and door opening design so that the kitchen cupboard doors can still be opened over the appliance.
There are a few things to think about when choosing the size of a fridge freezer that is integrated in terms of capacity and storage space. In general, anything over 350 litres is suitable for families with moderate size and can accommodate 19 shopping bags of groceries. There are bigger capacities available for bulkier items like meat or frozen food.
The majority of integrated fridge freezers come with a 50:50 split with equal refrigeration and freezing space ideal for those who like mixing fresh food and chilled ready-to-eat meals. However, you can find 70:30 fridge freezers that provide more refrigerator space if you prefer to store a higher portion of fresh food in your kitchen.
It's important to know that it's not a good idea for you to overload your refrigerator freezer integrated with heavy cartons or oversized juice bottles. The hinges of the fridge freezer aren't designed to take this sort of weight, and they could cause damage to the appliance. This is why we suggest leaving a bit of space on to either side of the refrigerator freezer to allow you to easily access the items stored.
Style
Integrated fridge-freezers are designed to seamlessly into the cabinets you already have, hiding behind the fronts of cabinets to not ruin their overall appearance. They incorporate refrigeration and freezer storage into one unit. They usually have a built-in section at the top that lets you to store bags of ice cream or bags of food. The most recent fridge freezer models come with a variety of clever features that can increase energy efficiency and increase the freshness of your food items and taste.
Comparatively to freestanding refrigerators integrated freezers are usually much more expensive. However, they have an aesthetically pleasing contemporary design and are generally able to last more longevity than freestanding fridges. Our collection of integrated refrigerator freezers will complement your style, whether you're replacing an old fridge or building a new one.
Standard size for refrigerator freezers is 60cm. They can be purchased with a sliding or fixed hinge. The right hinge will determine the size of the cabinet doors.
Fixed hinge models are more cost-effective and provide a wider range of sizes for fridge freezers.
Slide-out fridge freezers, on the other hand are an excellent option for people who have limited space as these appliances are smaller in depth. Certain models that are newer come with antibacterial linings that help eliminate odours and help keep food fresher for longer. They also have advanced temperature controls that allow you to set various temperatures for different types of food items.
Other top features include a quick chill setting and a fast freeze setting that quickly reduces the size of the fridge or freezer to accelerate cooling and decrease the requirement for manual defrosting. They might also have air-flow technology that circulates cool air throughout the interior to reduce odours, mould and bacteria and ensure that your food stays fresher longer, while some have super-cool settings to boost your fridge's performance. There is also a dedicated wine rack, or glass shelves to provide additional storage for glasses and bottles.
Energy efficiency
Integrated fridge-freezers are not just a great way to create a dream kitchen. They also have a number of innovative features. From reducing the hassle of daily life to boosting energy efficiency, look out for smart fridge freezer technology such as air-flow or frost-free designs. Some models defrost automatically making it easier to save time and effort.
It is also important to take a look at the storage options available and whether doors or shelves storage can be moved to suit your needs, for instance when you have lots of fruit or have room for large milk bottles. Certain models can also be made larger to include wine racks.
To ensure heat is properly dissipated from the fridge, many integrated freezers require ventilation. This can be accomplished via the grill or vent on the back. They may also need hardwiring or a special outlet in accordance with the type of installation.
In order to reduce household costs as well as reducing energy costs, energy efficient refrigerator freezers are increasingly sought-after. Compare the kWh figures on the EU energy labels when you are shopping for a model that is integrated to determine how much energy the unit will use in the course of a year. This allows you to compare different models more easily and choose the most suitable option for you.
These models are typically equipped with a smaller capacity than freestanding refrigerators to permit them to fit inside housing cabinets. They can hold up to eight bags of groceries thanks to their large refrigerator compartments.
The latest refrigerator freezers are also more energy efficient than their predecessors and can reduce your electricity costs. If you're looking to buy an integrated model, choose one that is low in energy consumption and an A or B rating to help keep your expenses lower.
Remember that integrated refrigerator freezers are more difficult to reach than freestanding appliances, and will cost more to repair in the event of a problem. Make sure your new appliance is equipped with a simple-to-access service panel and a concise user's manual that is easy to read.
Storage
Fridge freezers are available in a variety of sizes and styles. Freestanding fridge freezers are a good fit in most kitchens and are the most popular. The integrated models are concealed behind a cabinet door to create a seamless look. There are also American style fridge-freezer s with more storage space and ice dispensers.
Whether you're replacing a broken appliance or redesigning your kitchen, a refrigerator with integrated freezer can help you create a sleek and stylish look. They are hidden behind a cupboard door to complement the style of your kitchen, and they're an excellent option for those with small spaces or open-plan living areas.
You'll want to consider the capacity of your new fridge freezer to ensure it will meet your storage needs. A model with a large capacity is ideal for families, while a smaller model may be adequate for couples or single people. Our fridge/freezer space calculator can help you determine the amount of space you need.
The capacity of storage for integrated fridge freezers varies however they are usually smaller than freestanding models to fit in with the kitchen design. This allows you to reduce the amount and size of cabinets you'll need which will allow you to store more food.
The standard size for integrated models is 60cm (including the cabinet housing) and they're usually 178cm tall - although some models are a little shorter. Depending on where you're installing the fridge or freezer, you may require a change to other components of your kitchen's design like removing or adding fillers and creating a bridging cabinet above it.
The hinges of integrated fridge freezers are made stronger to withstand the extra weight. It's important that you and everyone who is using the fridge/freezer be mindful of this by not swinging heavy items on the fridge or leaning on the door, as this can damage the hinges.
The cost of integrated fridge freezers can vary widely however, you can find cheaper models from brands such as Beko, Candy and Hotpoint for about PS250. Some premium brands, such as Neff Bosch and AEG can cost as much as to PS2,000.