This fridge-freezer buying guide from mychoice has been designed to help you make an informed decision about your next fridge-freezer purchase. Your fridge freezer is one of the most important appliances in the home, keeping your food constantly cool and fresh. A wide choice of sizes means there’s a model to fit every kitchen and every lifestyle. There are a number of different styles, including American fridge-freezers (also known as side-by-sides) as well as top mount and combi models. Check out the entire fridge-freezer collection as we run through the different types of modal.                   

 

American fridge-freezers are a growing part of the market, with models offering total capacities of up to 700 litres. They are not only great looking, but also come packed with great design ideas to help make your life easier.

 

Combi fridge-freezers’ total capacities are typically between 180 and 450 litres and provide flexibility with separate compartments, all combined with great features.                

 

Top mount fridge-freezers’ total capacities are typically up to 250 litres, with all the benefits of the fridge and easy access to the freezer at the same time.                  

 

You can either read the full guide or click on one of the links below to find the answers to some of the most common questions people ask about fridge-freezers.                   

 

• What Size Does My Fridge Freezer Need To Be To Fit Into My Kitchen/Utility Room?
• What Capacity Will I Need From My Fridge Freezer?
• How Do Fridge Freezers Keep Food Fresh And What Features Do They Have?
• How Much Does A Fridge Freezer Cost To Run?
• What Price Do I Need To Pay For My Fridge Freezer?

 

 

What Size Does My Fridge Freezer Need To Be To Fit Into My Kitchen/Utility Room?                 

 

Everyone has their own needs and preferences when it comes to space in their kitchen or utility room. Most people prefer their fridge-freezer out in the open so they can access it easily, while other people have specifically designed kitchens and need a very specifically-sized fridge-freezer.                     

 

Freestanding Fridge-Freezers are good if you want your machine to be seen and they’re fairly easy to fit in as they just slot into a specific gap in your kitchen.

 

Built-in/Integrated Fridge-Freezers - These are designed not to be seen. They have a flat front and space to attach door hinges so they can be completely hidden behind a door. A semi-integrated model is a fridge-freezer covered mostly by a door panel that matches the rest of your kitchen units. When closed, the machine will be completely hidden – except for the controls.                   

 

To help you get the best fit, fridge freezers are commonly available in three widths and a wide variety of heights. If space is not an issue, then you could consider the option of a huge-capacity, American-style fridge freezer. They come in all sorts of shapes, styles, colours and sizes. The three most common widths are:                   

 

45-55cm Models                   

55-65cm Models                   

65-75cm Models                   

 

You should always check you have enough room for your appliance by looking at its specification. Please note that all fridge-freezers need to be connected to an electricity supply. Select models also have reversible doors making it possible for you to have your fridge-freezer opening whichever way is most convenient for you. If you would like mychoice to connect your appliance or offer a reversible door service.          

 

 

What Capacity Will I Need From My Fridge Freezer?

 

Look at the split between the fridge and freezer areas and choose the combination that best suits your needs and the types of food you eat. If you shop regularly, prefer fresh produce and only use the freezer compartment for storing things like frozen vegetables, ice cream and ice cubes - go for a larger fridge area. But if you tend to buy in bulk and prefer the convenience of frozen food - choose a model with a bigger freezer. 

 

Storage Space

 

Storage space for fridge-freezers can be hard to understand as it’s measured in total litres and cubic capacity rather than the physical dimensions of each compartment. This might sound complicated but, in general, if you have:                   

 

**A fridge-freezer with 100-250 litre total capacity should give a small family approximately enough space to store a week's worth of food.

**A fridge-freezer with 250-450 litre total capacity should be suitable for a medium-sized family.

**A model with 450+ litre total capacity will be suitable for large families and households.                  

 

 

The 3 styles of Fridge Freezer available usually offer the following capacities:                   

 

**American fridge-freezers offer total capacities from 400 litres to 700 litres and are capable of storing anything you could possibly need for a big family or for frequent parties with friends!                  

**Combi fridge-freezers offer total capacities from 200 litres to 450 litres and are designed with almost even fridge and freezer storage, which is ideal for medium to large families.  

**Top-mount fridge-freezers offer total capacities from 100 litres to 250 litres and are designed with the refrigerator at the bottom and the freezer at the top, perfect for small families who don’t need much freezing space.                   

 

 

How Do Fridge Freezers Keep Food Fresh And What Features Do They Have?

 

Some fridge-freezers come with a cooling system that solves the problem of uneven temperatures caused by warm air rising. Many manufacturers have their own cooling systems that keep food fresh in this way.                    

 

There are many models in the market and most have specific features that help keep your food fresh for longer. The following features come with many of our models:

 

**Frost free – choose a 'Frost Free' fridge freezer and you will never have to worry about defrosting your freezer again.  

**Auto-defrost automatically regulates the temperature in your fridge, preventing frost build up.  

**Easy-clean shelves  are often just glass, as they only require a quick wipe over with a damp cloth to keep them clean.  

**Salad crisper features are ideal for keeping fruits and vegetables crisp as they keep produce separate from other food, preventing bruising.

**Deep-door shelves are highly practical for storing bottles, fruit juices etc.

**Dairy compartments allows you to store products like butter, in a special isolated compartment, preserving them better and preventing odour mixing.

**Ice/Water Dispensers give you instant pure cubed or crushed ice and fresh, chilled water — ideal for hot summer days

**Cooler/Chiller compartments keep temperature and humidity at a lower level than the rest of the fridge cavity, creating perfect storage conditions for foods like meat and fish  

**Temperature control helps you monitor and maximize the freshness of your food.

**Anti-bacterial protection selected models have Microban built into the lining of the fridge, which acts by killing bacteria, micro-organism and algae growth, giving you permanent safe protection for your food and family.

**Vacuum storage in a small container, where a vacuum is created to ensure food stays fresher for longer without compromising texture or flavour.

**Temperature Warning Systems alert the user by sounding an alarm when the temperature rises too high. This is usually because the door has been left open.                    

 

Please note that all models featured on our website have full product feature descriptions on their specific features page.                 

 

 

How Much Does A Fridge Freezer Cost To Run?

 

When energy labelling was introduced, all fridge freezers received an energy efficiency grading ranging from A - G, with A being the most efficient. However, since manufacturers have striven harder than ever to make their refrigeration appliances more efficient, the only 2 energy grades you’ll find in use are A+ and A++. Standardised tests, monitored by Trading Standards, are carried out by manufacturers, who are responsible for grading their appliances.                   

 

You'll often find that the more expensive the appliance, the better the running costs, because energy-saving features, such as thicker insulation, automatic door closing or 'door open' audible alerts will be included.                   

 

If you are upgrading your old appliance remember mychoice offer a recycling service, where we collect and recycle your old appliance when we deliver your new one; for full details of this service please see our link, Appliance Connection Services.                   

 

 

What Price Do I Need To Pay For My Fridge Freezer?

 

Fridge-freezers are ideal for not only saving space in your kitchen, but buying a standard fridge-freezer is generally cheaper than buying a separate refrigerator and freezer model

 

**Fridge-freezers which are priced lower than £250 generally come in a basic white finish, with an A energy rating. They offer a choice of capacities depending on whether you would prefer a top mounted model with a 80/20 split (perfect for couples those who live alone and don’t need much freezing space); or a 40/60 or 50/50 split capacity giving you almost equal fridge and freezer storage.

**Fridge-freezers which are priced between £250 and £500 are generally A or above energy rated. A number of different of colours are available along with more stylish designs. They offer total storage capacities for food, which are normally ideal for small/medium sized families (3 - 4 people).        

**Fridge-freezers which are priced between £500 - £1000, you can expect to find a wider selection of shapes and sizes available including advanced American fridge-freezers with special features such as water and ice dispensers. The larger capacities available in this price range are ideal for bigger families.                

**Fridge-freezers which are priced over £1000 will get you a lot for your money. In this price range the very best features are available. Not only are the designs slick but the colours available are exciting and can really make a feature in your kitchen. Most models are A+ rated within this category meaning they are extremely energy efficient.

 

You can call us Monday – Friday 9am-6pm on 01442 563 147 or on 0800 197 5391 at anytime from 9am to 10pm 7 days a week. Alternatively you can contact us by email on info@mychoice.co.uk and we will respond within an hour if received 9am-5pm Monday to Friday or as soon as possible outside of these times. Please feel free to call mychoice if you have any questions you’d like to ask us about our fridge-freezer range or our buying guide.