Invisibly concealed behind subdued fascias, integrated fridge freezers are a hidden feature in your dream kitchen. Don't be deceived they're stuffed with a wealth of storage and smart tech like wine racks, four door shelves and twin fruit and vegetable bins.
They can also come with Hettich or Ingol hinges, ensuring long-lasting performance.
Size
Refrigerators with integrated fridge freezers are designed to be inserted directly into your cabinetry. They tend to be smaller than freestanding models. If you're looking for an elegant appliance that blends in with countertops and cabinets They can be a great choice. They're also a great choice when you don't have space in your home for a separate freezer.
When you are choosing an integrated refrigerator freezer you need to consider certain aspects. One of the primary reasons why they cost more is that they are built-in models. This is due to the additional cost of purchasing and installing a fridge cabinet and kitchen cabinet doors and a bridging cabinet that integrate the refrigerator.
Another thing to keep in mind is that integrated fridge freezers can be difficult to service. This is due to the fact that the refrigerator needs to be removed from its cabinet, and doors to the kitchen cabinet have to be re-hung, which can take several weeks or even months. It is therefore essential to find a good, reliable kitchen installer who will invest the time and attention needed to do the job properly.
It is essential to measure the space before buying a new integrated refrigerator freezer. Make sure you leave a little space between the two sides of the appliance, so that you can open the doors. It's also a good idea to examine the hinges on the doors of the refrigerator. Many cheap models have inferior hinges that are not designed to support the weight of a fridge and may break after a couple of months.
Integrated fridge-freezers are available in different width sizes that will help you increase the storage capacity of your home. The depth of your fridge can also affect your kitchen cabinets. For instance, if you're planning to install tall cabinets over the refrigerator, you might need to have the appliance built in a custom-length to ensure it is suitable. Make sure that the ventilation of the refrigerator is cut properly. If not, you could have problems in the future.
Style
The decision to buy an freestanding or integrated fridge freezer is one that will affect your kitchen design for quite a while to come and it's essential to take a lot of considerations before making any final decision. Freestanding fridge freezers are preferred because they're bulky and can take up too much space. Integrated models are sleek and seamless, and blend seamlessly into the cabinetry.
They usually sit in a flush position with the counters and cabinets, with doors that are inset so they don't protrude. They are often panel-ready to give a more streamlined finish to your kitchen. Many have stainless-steel fronts that give them a stylish and modern design.
The freezer section is very large, and it's usually located at the bottom to give you plenty of space to store your frozen food items. You can also select from a variety of width sizes with most brands offering between 20-24 inches in width which is larger than the freezers that are freestanding.
The cost of integrated fridges is higher due to their design and also because they are built within your kitchen. The cost of the fridge housing cabinet as well as the cabinets in the kitchen which surround it will increase the overall price.
They can be more difficult to move should you are planning to move which may be an issue for some. You will need to disassemble the entire appliance from its cabinetry and it's not as simple as unplugging and removing the appliance as you would do with a freestanding model.
The integrated fridges are also more difficult to repair as they are a part of your kitchen. If something goes wrong you must call an engineer from your fridge to take the appliance apart and replace any damaged parts. This is a costly process and is certainly more expensive than simply buying an entirely new fridge freezer as replacement.
Energy efficiency
A high-efficiency integrated refrigerator freezer will reduce your household bills. It will also save energy by reducing the amount of time it requires to run, and will be more sustainable by making use of less energy. Invest in a model with an A or B energy rating to make a real difference.
Unlike freestanding models, which have their own housing integrated models are incorporated into the cabinetry. This allows the fridge to blend seamlessly into the kitchen design and give it a sleek, uniform appearance. fridge freezers for sale come with sliding doors that permit you to open the fridge without opening the cabinet door. Some are panel-ready, which means that they can be overlaid with cabinet doors to essentially camouflage the fridge behind cabinets in your kitchen.
The drawback of fridge freezers with integrated refrigerators is that they're usually more expensive than freestanding options. This is partly because they're made in smaller quantities and tend to be more of a high-end product however, it's also due to the extra costs involved when installing them. The additional hinges and panels are a big factor here as are the additional costs associated with having your furniture fit in the refrigerator.
Some integrated fridge freezers require more maintenance, while others require frequent defrosting to get rid of ice accumulation. Certain models have been designed to minimise the need for this, such as Beko's range of fridge freezers that are integrated featuring frost-free technology that minimises defrosting and eases maintenance.
The capacity of an integrated fridge/freezer is another important consideration. The more litres you get and the more food items you'll be able to store. Look for models that have at least 150 litres in the fridge and up to 350 for the freezer. There are a variety of storage configurations, including shelves that can be arranged in a variety of ways, including drawers that have plenty of room for fresh produce, as well as bottle racks that can be used to store your larger milk bottles. There are integrated fridge freezers with 50/50 splits and can be used to store both frozen and chilled food items.
Stores
The primary benefit of integrated fridge freezers is that they consume less space than freestanding models, allowing you make the most of your kitchen. They can also be positioned flush with counters and cabinets, creating a seamless look. However, this design implies they have a smaller storage capacity than freestanding models.
They're also more expensive to purchase and operate than freestanding refrigerator freezers that meet similar specifications. This is down to a variety of factors including the cost of development and manufacturing as well as the fact that they're regarded as an expensive product, and the additional installation and customization costs that are associated with them.
Additionally integrated fridge freezers can be more difficult to access than their freestanding counterparts, which can create problems when you require them to be serviced. This is especially true when you purchase a cheap integrated fridge freezer that uses hinges that are not well-made, and could break easily over the course of time.
The size of your family as well as your storage requirements will determine the best integrated refrigerator freezer. You must also think about how much food you will be storing in your fridge, and whether you'll be stocking large platters or frozen food items. The majority of integrated fridge freezers can store between 150-350 litres. This will allow you to store 19 bags of groceries.
The most efficient refrigerator freezers will have additional features that will help keep your food fresh and healthy. Some models will feature airflow technology, which circulates cool air evenly over the shelves, while other models will come with antibacterial linings to lessen the smell. Some models even come with an option for fast-freezing that quickly reduces the temperature of your freezer, ensuring that you can freeze fresh-bought items without them freezing solid.
If you prefer to keep your meat, fish and dairy products at a specific temperature, then look for integrated refrigerator freezers that feature a BioFresh section. These compartments are kept at a low level of humidity, and will keep your fish, meat and dairy fresher longer than a typical fridge freezer. In addition, vegetables and fruits can be kept fresher for longer in a HydroSafe compartment that is maintained at a higher humidity.
