A Guide to Buying a Fridge Freezer
A fridge freezer helps you to keep healthy meals on hand, and also keeps leftovers fresher for longer. Many fridge-freezers have smart features.
When choosing a refrigerator-freezer, the energy efficiency is a key factor. The kWh figure is located on the energy label and tells you the amount of electricity consumed per year.
Fast-freeze and quick-chill functions
Many fridge freezers have extra features that can help you keep your food fresher longer. Certain features can save you energy or time, while others aren't necessary. If you're planning to purchase one, take into consideration how much each feature will add to the cost and whether it will make a difference to your lifestyle before making your choice.
Quick-chill can give you an increase in cooling power so that you can quickly chill food items to safe temperatures. This helps to stop harmful bacteria and keep nutrients within. It's handy if you often do a big grocery shop and require food storage quickly.
Some fridge freezers are equipped with the feature of fast-freezing that lets you to freeze food at a lower temperature which preserves the quality and texture of the food. This is particularly useful when there are a lot foods to be stored in the freezer, such as after a large dinner party. Be aware that freezing food below 0°C may affect its taste and nutritional value.
Some models have a cold accumulation block that stores frozen ice to aid the appliance in maintaining its temperature if there's a power cut. Certain models have an outlet for drainage that can be removed to drain melted food spills and ice.
Ice-cube trays
Every refrigerator has ice-cube trays. These trays are great for storing leftover sauces, soups and juices. You can even keep small quantities of fresh herbs to use later on in the course of a meal.
But not all ice-cube trays are made equal. Some are made from hard plastic, which could break or splinter if you try to remove the cubes. There are numerous options that are sturdy and do not require a lot of pushing and twisting to break the frozen ice.
The speed at which the ice-cube tray froze is another factor to take into consideration. The smaller the surface area of the tray, the more quickly it will freeze. A tray that has compartments for each cube will also freeze faster than one that has divided compartments.
There are many different sizes and shapes available on the market and you can pick the one that best suits your needs. For instance, larger ice cubes work well for cocktails since they melt more slowly and don't dilute drinks as much. Cocktail lovers are increasingly attracted to spheres.
This set of four ice-cube tray by OMorc includes an oleo-silicone lid that seals tightly and helps keep freezer odors at low. It also has a convenient handle that makes it simple to carry and stack. It can make 14 ice cubes. The base is rounded to allow for Frydge.Uk easier removal. It is also BPA-free, dishwasher-safe and made of plastic. The tray can be frozen flat and are comfortable to hold. This prevents cracking when moving from the sink to the freezer. They can also be placed in the bin included for easy storage.
Aesthetics
Fridge freezers can be more than just functional appliances. They are also style icons. There's a fridge-freezer to suit every kitchen, from brushed stainless steel finishes to modern designs inspired by the 1950s.
Many fridge freezers provide bottle racks that allow you to store bottles safely away. They prevent them from bouncing across shelves and taking up valuable space, while also preventing them from breaking or cracking.
Some fridge-freezers are available in a variety of bold colors, like SMEG FAB32's bright chrome finish. This adds a modern spin to a classic style, and is in line with the latest trends that play around with texture and materials.
Integrated fridge-freezers are perfect for those who prefer an elegant design, as they can be concealed behind cabinet doors, and blend seamlessly into their home decor. They are also great for those with small kitchens and open living spaces, since they maximize space and give an appealing look.
Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency is essential since fridges are in use all the time and consume a lot of electricity. You can cut down on your electricity bill by choosing an energy-efficient fridge-freezer. You should also check the energy consumption of your fridge to get an idea of the price. You can do this with an energy usage meter or looking up the price of your electricity provider per kWh.
The energy labels on appliances indicate how much electricity each appliance consumes per year and how it compares to similar appliances. You should look for an A+ or higher rating because these are the most efficient. Look for the yellow Energy Guide Label on your fridge or freezer before you buy it. It will provide you with an estimate of the annual operating costs. You can also check the energy consumption to similar refrigerators.
There are ways to reduce the expense of running your fridge-freezer. For example leaving space between food and shelves allows cold air to circulate more easily and it requires less energy. This will also help to prevent condensation which is a huge energy drain.
This Energy Star-rated Frigidaire model could be the right choice for you should you be looking to buy an affordable refrigerator that can fit in any room. It's a bit more expensive than some other models but it's less expensive on electricity bills and comes in black, white and a finish that looks like stainless steel, but doesn't show fingerprints or smudges. It's also ideal for break rooms, office and dorm rooms.