A Guide to Buying a Fridge Freezer
A fridge freezer can help you keep healthy meals in the fridge and helps keep leftovers fresher for a longer period of time. Many fridge freezers are equipped with smart features, too.
When you are choosing a refrigerator or freezer energy efficiency is an important factor. Look up fridge freezer undercounter on the energy label, which tells you how much electricity it consumes per year.
Quick-chill & fast-freeze functions
There are many fridge freezers available with additional functions that aid in keeping your food fresher for longer. Some can boost your energy efficiency or save you time and effort, but others are more optional. If you're planning to purchase one, think about how much each feature will add to the price and whether it will make a difference to your life before making a decision.
The quick-chill function provides an increase in cooling power to cool fresh food items to safe temperatures quickly. This can help to stop harmful bacteria from forming and helps keep nutrients locked inside. It's useful if you frequently go through a huge grocery store and need to store food quickly.
Some fridge freezers come with a feature called fast-freeze that lets to freeze food at a lower temperature, which preserves the texture and quality of the food. This is useful if there are a lot foods to store in the freezer, for instance after a large meal party. Keep in mind that freezing food below 0°C may affect the taste and nutritional value.
Certain models come with a cold accumulation block that stores ice in the freezer to aid in maintaining the appliance's temperature in the event of a power cut. Some models have a drainage spout which can be pulled out to drain melted ice and food spillages.
Ice-cube trays
Every fridge has long had ice-cube trays. They are an excellent way to store leftover sauces, soups, buttermilk and juices. You can even keep small quantities of fresh herbs to use later in a dinner.
But not all ice cube trays are created in the same way. Some are made from hard plastic that can break or break if you attempt to remove the cubes. Fortunately, there are now numerous options that are sturdy and do not require a lot of turning and banging to release the frozen ice.
The speed at which the ice-cube tray frozes is another thing to take into account. The smaller the surface of the tray, the quicker it will freeze. A tray that has compartments for each cube will also freeze faster than one that has dividers.
You can choose from a range of sizes and shapes on the market. For instance, larger ice cubes are ideal for cocktails as they melt more slowly and don't dilute drinks as much. Other popular shapes include spheres, which are becoming more and more popular with drink enthusiasts.
This set of four ice cube trays from OMorc comes with the lid made of silicone that seals tightly and keeps freezer odors from getting out. It also comes with a convenient handle to make it easy to carry and stack. It can produce 14 ice cubes. the base has been rounded for easy removal. It's BPA-free and dishwasher safe. The trays can be frozen flat and are easy to hold. This prevents cracking when moving from the sink to the freezer. They can also be placed inside the bin that comes with them to make it easy to store them.
Aesthetics
Contrary to their freestanding counterparts fridge freezers aren't just functional appliances: they can be real style icons as well. From brushed steel finishes to modern, sleek designs inspired by the 1950s There's fridge freezers to fit every kitchen.
Many fridge freezers provide bottle racks to stow bottles safely away. These racks prevent bottles from slipping off shelves, taking up valuable space and causing them break or crack.
There are fridge freezers that come in a variety of bold color finishes, such as SMEG FAB32's bright chrome finish. This adds a modern twist to an icon of style, and responds to current trends that play with textures and materials.
Integrated fridge-freezers can be hidden behind cabinet doors, blending seamlessly with your home decor. They are also great for those who have small kitchens and open-plan living spaces, as they maximise space and create an attractive appearance.
Energy efficiency
It is crucial to be energy efficient because fridges are on all the time and consume lots of electricity. If you opt for an energy efficient fridge-freezer then it will save you money on your electricity bill and also help reduce carbon emissions. It is also advisable to check the energy consumption of your refrigerator to get an idea of the cost. You can do this using the plug-in energy usage meter or by reviewing the cost of your electricity provider per kWh.
New models have been getting ever more efficient and the energy labels show you how many kWh each appliance uses per year and how it compares to other appliances. The most efficient appliances have an A or higher rating. If you're thinking of buying a freezer or fridge, look for the yellow Energy Guide label which gives you an estimate of the annual operating expenses and lets you compare energy usage with similar refrigerators.
Refrigerators are typically the most expensive appliances to operate but there are some things you can do to reduce the cost. By leaving space between the food and the shelves so that cold air circulates more easily. This will require less energy. This can also help stop condensation, which is a huge energy drain.
If you're looking for a small fridge that can be tucked away in any room This Energy Star-rated model from Frigidaire could be a good choice. It's a bit more expensive than some other models but it's a breeze on your power bills and is available in black, white and a finish that appears like stainless steel but doesn't show fingerprints or smudges. It's also ideal for break rooms, office and dorm room.