A Guide to Buying a Fridge Freezer
A fridge freezer allows you to keep healthy meals on hand, and also keeps leftovers fresher longer. Many fridge-freezers have smart features.
Efficiency in energy is a major aspect when selecting a fridge-freezer. You should check the kWh number on the energy label, which will tell you how much energy it consumes in a year.
Fast-freeze and quick-chill functions
A lot of fridge freezers come with extra features that can help you to keep your food fresher for longer. best integrated fridge freezer can help you save energy or time, whereas others aren't necessary. If you're considering buying one, consider the value each feature adds to the cost. Also, think about whether it will enhance your life.
A quick-chill feature provides an extra boost of cooling power to chill fresh food to safe temperatures quickly. This helps to stop harmful bacteria and keep nutrients within. It's handy if you often go through a huge grocery store and need to store food quickly.
Some fridge freezers come with a feature called fast-freeze that lets you freeze food at a lower temperature, which helps to retain the quality and texture of the food. This is useful if there are lots of food items to store in the freezer, for instance after a large dinner party. Remember that freezing food at temperatures below 0°C can alter its taste and nutritional value.
Some models have a cold accumulation block that stores ice in the freezer to aid the appliance in maintaining its temperature if there's a power cut. Some models have an outlet for drainage that can be pulled out to drain melted food spills and ice.
Ice-cube tray
Ice-cube trays are an essential item in every fridge. These trays are great to store leftover soups, sauces, and juices. You can freeze small quantities of herbs to use later in a meal.
Not all ice cube tray are made the same. Some are made of tough plastic which can crack or splinter if you try to take the cubes off. There are numerous options that are sturdy and do not require a lot of banging and twisting to release the frozen ice.
The speed at which the ice-cube tray freezes is another aspect to consider. Typically, the smaller the size of the tray's surface the faster it will freeze. Similar to the tray that has distinct compartments for each cube will freeze faster than a tray that only has the dividers.
There are a variety of different shapes and sizes available on the market and you can pick from whatever best fits your requirements. For example, bigger ice cubes are ideal for cocktails because they melt more slowly and don't cause as much dilution. Cocktail enthusiasts are increasingly drawn to spheres.
This set of four ice cube trays by OMorc comes with an oleo-silicone lid that seals securely and keeps freezer odors out. It also comes with a convenient handle that makes it easy to carry and stack. It makes 14 ice cubes, and the base is rounded for an easier removal. It's also dishwasher-safe and BPA-free. The trays are easy to grip and can be frozen flat to stop cracking during transportation from the sink to the freezer. They can also be stacked in the bin included for easy storage.
Aesthetics
Unlike their freestanding counterparts, fridge freezers aren't just practical appliances. They can also be stylish, too. From polished finishes to elegant, 1950s-inspired designs There's a fridge freezer to suit every kitchen.
Many refrigerators and freezers have bottle racks that can be used to store bottles securely. These racks prevent bottles from rolling around on shelves which can take up valuable space, and causing them to break or crack.
Certain fridge freezers are available in a range of bold color finishes, such as the chrome-colored finish of the SMEG FAB32 fridge. This adds a modern twist to an icon of design, and is in tune with current trends that play with texture and materials.
Integrated fridge-freezers are great for those who want sleek design, since they can be concealed behind cupboard doors, fitting in seamlessly with their home decor. They are also ideal for those who have small kitchens and open-plan living spaces, as they maximise space and create an appealing look.
Energy efficiency
It is crucial to be energy efficient because fridges are operational all the time and consume lots of energy. You can cut costs on your electricity bill by selecting an energy efficient fridge-freezer. You should also examine your fridge's energy consumption to get an idea of the price. You can do this by using the plug-in energy usage meter or by checking your electricity supplier's price per kWh.
New models have been getting ever more efficient and energy labels will tell the amount of kWh that each appliance consumes per year and how it compares with similar appliances. Look for an A+ or higher because they are the most efficient. Check the yellow Energy Guide Label on your refrigerator or freezer prior to you purchase it. It will provide you with an estimate of the annual operating costs. You can also compare energy consumption with similar refrigerators.
Refrigerators are typically the most expensive appliances to operate but there are some things you can do to cut down on this. By leaving space between the shelves and the food so that cold air circulates more easily. This will consume less energy. This can help stop condensation, which is a huge energy drain.
This Energy Star-rated Frigidaire model might be just the right fit for you should you be looking to buy an affordable refrigerator that can fit in any space. It's a bit more expensive than some other models but it's a breeze on your power bills and is available in white, black and a glossy finish that looks like stainless steel, but does not show smudges or fingerprints. It's also great for offices, break rooms and dorm rooms.