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 providing a chic and seamless look. These appliances offer a range of benefits such as energy efficiency, food preservation and more.

Check that your integrated refrigerator freezer is properly installed. Make sure that the ventilation is as per the directions and is not blocked by other units such as dishwashers or cupboards.

Size

An integrated fridge freezer is a built-in appliance fitted within your kitchen cabinets, so it blends in seamlessly with your decor. They're great for those who prefer a sleek design or have small living spaces and homes where freestanding appliances can make the space seem overwhelming.

Refrigerators with integrated freezers are available in different sizes but they're all designed to fit in your cupboard units. They're usually a standard 60cm wide and 178cm high and are available as fixed or sliding hinge models. It is important to select the same split type and design of door opening when replacing an integrated fridge freezer. This will ensure that the cabinet doors can be opened in the same manner as the appliance.

When choosing the size of your fridge freezer, you should be aware of a few things. These include capacity and storage space. In general, anything that is greater than 350 litres is ideal for households with moderate size and can accommodate up to 19 shopping bags of food items. There are  fridge freezer collection  for larger items such as frozen food items or meat.

Most integrated fridge freezers are divided 50:50, allowing equal space for freezing and refrigeration. This is great for those who like mixing fresh food with chilled ready-to-eat meals. But, you can also find 70:30 fridge freezers which provide more space in the refrigerator if you prefer to store a higher amount of fresh food in your kitchen.

It's worth noting that it's never a good idea to overfill your refrigerator freezer with items such as huge milk cartons or huge fruit juice bottles. The hinges of the fridge freezer aren't built to withstand this kind of weight, and they could cause damage to the appliance. To avoid this, we recommend leaving a little space between the fridge freezer to be able to easily access the items stored.

Style

Refrigerators with integrated freezers are designed to slot seamlessly into your kitchen, tucked away behind cabinet fronts so they don't obstruct the overall appearance. They incorporate refrigeration and freezing storage into one unit and often feature a built-in freezer section on top of the unit to let you store bags of frozen food or ice cream. The latest models of fridge freezers come with a variety of clever features that maximize energy efficiency and enhance the freshness and flavours of your food.

Compared to freestanding refrigerators, integrated freezers are usually much more expensive. However, they have a more seamless modern design and have more longevity than freestanding fridges. Our collection of refrigerator freezers with integrated refrigeration will suit your taste regardless of whether you're replacing an old fridge or building a brand new one.

The typical size for refrigerator freezers is 60cm wide and these appliances can be fitted with either a fixed hinge or sliding hinge. The right hinge will determine the fit of the cabinet doors.

Fixed hinge models are less expensive and offer a wider selection of sizes for fridge freezers.

Slide-out fridge freezers are a great option for those with limited space as they come with a shallower depth. The latest models contain antibacterial linings which eliminate odours and also keep food fresher for longer. They also have sophisticated temperature controls which allow you to set various temperatures for different types of foods.

Other premium features include fast chill or quick freeze settings that can reduce the fridge or freezer quickly to speed cooling and decrease the need for manual defrosting. Certain models come with air-flow technology which circulate cool air through the interior of the fridge to reduce odours and bacteria and extend shelf life. Some models come with super-cooling settings to boost your fridge's performance. Depending on the model that you select, there could be a wine rack or glass shelves to provide additional storage for bottles and glasses.

Energy efficiency

The integrated fridge freezers don't just serve as a hidden part of your dream kitchen, they also bring a variety of innovative features to the table. Smart fridge freezers, like air-flow and frost-free designs can ease the burden of daily life and increase energy efficiency. Some models can even defrost themselves automatically, saving your time and effort.

It is also important to take a look at the storage options available and whether door or shelf storage can be moved around to suit your needs, for instance in the event that you have a lot of fruit or have room for large milk bottles. Certain models can be upgraded to include built-in wine racks.

To ensure that heat is correctly dissipated from the fridge, many integrated freezers require ventilation. This can be achieved by a small vent or grill on the back. Depending on the type of installation, they might require hardwiring or an outlet special.

Energy-efficient fridge freezers are becoming increasingly popular because they can reduce household bills. When shopping for an integrated model ensure that you look at the kWh figure on the EU energy label to find out how much energy it will consume over the course of a year. This allows you to compare different models more easily and choose the most suitable option for you.

The integrated models typically have a smaller capacity than freestanding fridges to allow them to fit inside cabinet housings. They can hold up to eight shopping bags of groceries due to their large refrigerator compartments.

The latest fridge freezers are also more energy efficient than their predecessors and could reduce your electricity bills. 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 bills lower.

It's important to keep in mind that fridge freezers integrated into refrigerators are more difficult to access than freestanding models and will cost more to repair when something goes wrong with them. Make sure your new appliance has an easy-to-access service panel and a concise, clear user guide.

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 commonly used. Integrated models are hidden behind a cabinet door to create a seamless look. There are also American style fridge-freezers that have more storage space and Ice dispensers.

An integrated fridge freezer is the perfect option to create a fashionable and modern look for your kitchen. They are hidden behind a cabinet door to complement your kitchen design, and they're an excellent choice for those with smaller spaces or open-plan living areas.

Take a look at the capacity of your refrigerator freezer. This will help you determine if it meets your storage requirements. A large capacity model is ideal for families, whereas smaller models may be sufficient for singles or couples. You can use our fridge/freezer capacity calculator to help you work out the amount of space you require.

The capacity of storage for integrated fridge freezers varies, but they're usually smaller than their freestanding counterparts to blend into your kitchen design. This could reduce the number of cupboards you'll need to install and provide more space for food items.

The standard width for integrated models (including the cabinets that house them) is 60cm. They're usually 178cm high, although some may be slightly shorter. It's possible to alter other aspects of your kitchen based on the location you'll install the fridge/freezer. For example you might have to remove or add fillers or create the appearance of a bridging cabinet.

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

Prices for fridge freezers that are integrated vary widely, but you can get lower-cost models from brands such as Beko, Candy, and Hotpoint starting at around PS250. Some top brands, like Neff Bosch and AEG, can cost up around PS2,000.