Integrated Fridge Freezers

Invisibly concealed behind subdued fascias, integrated fridge freezers play an invisible role in your dream kitchen. Don't be deceived they're stuffed with a wealth of storage and advanced technology such as wine racks, four adjustable door shelves and twin vegetable and fruit bins.

They can also come with Hettich or Ingol hinges, ensuring long-lasting performance.

Size

The integrated fridge-freezers are designed to be installed directly into your cabinetry. They are usually shorter than freestanding models. They can be a great choice if you're seeking a sleek, modern appliance that blends in with your cabinetry and counters. You can also use them if your home doesn't have enough space to accommodate an additional refrigerator.

When you are choosing an integrated refrigerator freezer, you should consider certain aspects. First, they tend to be more expensive than freestanding models. This is due to the extra cost of purchasing and installing fridge cabinets as well as kitchen cabinet doors and a bridging cabinet in order to make the refrigerator integrated.

It is also important to note that refrigerators with integrated freezers can be difficult for service. It is essential to take the refrigerator from its housing cabinet and then rehang the doors of the kitchen cabinet. This can take months or even weeks. It's therefore important to hire a reliable kitchen fitting service that will be able to do the job right.

It is crucial to measure the area before purchasing a new integrated refrigerator freezer. Make sure you leave space on either side of the appliance to allow you to be able to open the doors. Also, you should examine the hinges on the doors of the refrigerator. A lot of cheap models have hinges that aren't made to withstand the weight of a refrigerator and frequently break after a few years.

The integrated fridge freezers are available in a variety of width sizes that can help you maximize storage space. Also, you should consider the depth of the refrigerator, as it can impact on your kitchen cabinetry. If you plan to add tall cabinets above your refrigerator, you may need the appliance to be cut to a specific length to ensure that it will fit. Verify that the ventilation in the refrigerator has been cut in the correct way. If not, you may have problems later.

Style

The decision whether to buy an freestanding or integrated fridge freezer will impact the design of your kitchen for some time to come and it's essential to take a number of considerations before making any final decision. Freestanding Intergrated Fridge Freezer freezers are more popular because they are bulky and can take up too much space. Integrated models are sleek and seamless, and blend seamlessly into the cabinets.

They typically sit in a flush position with the counters and cabinets with their doors being inset so that they don't stand out. They are usually panel-ready for a more sleek look to your kitchen. Many have stainless-steel fronts, giving them a stylish and modern design.

Despite their appearance they don't reduce storage space, as the freezer compartment can be quite large and is usually located at the bottom of the appliance to give ample space for your frozen goods. You can also select from a wide range of width sizes with most brands offering between 20-24 inches of width, which is more than what you'll find on freestanding freezers.

Integrated fridges are more expensive because of their design, and due to the fact that they are constructed in your kitchen. The cost of the fridge housing cabinet as well as the cabinets for kitchens which surround it will increase the overall price.

They can be more difficult to move if you are planning to move which could be a problem for some people. You'll need to take out the entire cabinet and unit. It's not as simple as unplugging the appliance, then taking it out like a freestanding one.

Integrated fridges can also be more difficult to repair since they are installed inside your existing kitchen. If something goes wrong you must call a fridge engineer in to remove the appliance and replace any broken parts. This is expensive and certainly more expensive than simply purchasing the fridge freezer a replacement.

Energy efficiency

A high-efficiency integrated refrigerator freezer can lower your household expenses. It also conserves energy by reducing how long it runs and will be more eco-friendly since it consumes less power. Make sure you buy a model with an A or B energy rating to make a huge difference.

In contrast to freestanding fridge freezers with a separate housing integrated models come with doors built into the cabinetry. This lets the fridge blend in seamlessly with your kitchen's design, and gives it an elegant, uniform appearance. Some models have sliding doors that permit you to open the fridge without opening the cupboard door. Others are panel-ready, meaning that they can be placed with a cabinet door to disguise the fridge behind kitchen cabinets.

The disadvantage of fridge freezers with integrated refrigerators is that they're usually more expensive than freestanding alternatives. This is partly because they're produced in smaller volumes and tend to be more of a luxury market however it's also due to the extra costs involved in the installation process. Additional hinges and panels as well as the extra costs of fitting your furniture around refrigerators are all factors.

Additionally integrated fridge freezers typically require more maintenance than freestanding counterparts, with a few require regular defrosting to get rid of the build-up of ice. Beko's integrated fridge freezers have frost-free technology that makes it easier to maintain and minimise defrosting.

The capacity of an integrated fridge/freezer is another crucial aspect to consider. The larger the litres, the more food that can be stored. Look for models with at 150 litres or more for your fridge and up to 350 litres for the freezer. You can choose from a range of storage options, including shelves that are flexible and drawers that provide plenty of space for fresh produce, or bottle racks that can hold larger milk bottles. There are integrated fridge freezers with 50/50 splits that can be used to store both frozen and chilled food.

Stores

The main benefit of integrated refrigerator freezers is that they require less space than freestanding models. This lets you make the most out of your kitchen. They can also be placed close to counters and cabinets which creates an elegant design. This design does mean that they have less storage space than freestanding models.

They're also more expensive to purchase and operate than freestanding refrigerator freezers with the same specifications. This is down to a variety of reasons, such as their cost of development and manufacturing and the fact that they're considered to be a luxury item, and the additional costs for installation and customization that are associated with them.

In addition to this integrated fridge freezers are harder to access than their freestanding counterparts, which can create problems when you require them to be serviced. This is particularly the case when you purchase a cheap integrated fridge freezer that has hinges that are not well-made, and could break easily over the course of time.

The best integrated fridge freezer for your home will be contingent on the size of your household and your storage needs. It is also important to consider how much food you will be keeping in your fridge, and whether you will be stocking large platters or frozen foods. Most fridge freezer undercounter freezers with integrated refrigerators have a storage capacity between 150-350 litres. This is enough to store up 19 bags of groceries.

The top integrated refrigerator freezers come with features that help keep your food healthy and fresh. For instance, some have airflow technology that distributes cool air throughout shelves, while others feature an antibacterial lining to minimize odours as well as prevent mould. Certain models come with a quick-freeze feature that reduces the temperature in your freezer quickly which allows you to freeze fresh-bought products without them forming solid.

For those who prefer to keep their fish, meat and dairy at a particular temperature, you should look for integrated fridge freezers that have a BioFresh compartment. They're maintained at a lower humidity level and will keep meat, fish and dairy fresh for longer than conventional fridge freezers. Fruits and vegetables stay fresher longer in the HydroSafe compartment, which is maintained at a high level of humidity.