Hidden behind subtle fascias, fridge freezers that are integrated play an invisible role in your dream kitchen. But don't let them fool you - they're packed with cavernous storage and advanced technology such as wine racks, four adjustable door shelves and twin fruit and vegetable bins.
They can also come with Hettich or Frydge Ingol hinges, ensuring long-lasting performance.
Size
The integrated fridge-freezers are designed to be installed directly into your cabinetry. They're usually smaller than freestanding models. They're a great choice if you're seeking a sleek, modern appliance that will blend with your cabinetry and counters. They're also a great option when you don't have space in your home for an additional freezer.
When choosing an integrated refrigerator freezer you should consider a few things. One of the primary reasons they are more expensive is the fact that they are built-in models. This is due to the extra costs of buying and installing a fridge cabinet and kitchen cabinet doors and a bridging cabinet in order to make the refrigerator integrated.
It is also important to remember that fridge freezers with integrated refrigerators can be difficult for servicing. It is essential to remove the refrigerator from its cabinet and rehang doors of the kitchen cabinet. This can take several months or even weeks. It is therefore essential to find an experienced kitchen fitter who will take the time to complete the task correctly.
It is essential to measure the space before buying a new refrigerator with integrated freezer. Be sure to leave some space on to either side of the appliance to ensure you can open the doors. It's also recommended to take a take a look at the hinges of the refrigerator. A lot of cheap models have inferior hinges, which aren't made to withstand the weight of a fridge and often fail after a couple of years.
The integrated fridge freezers are available in a variety of width sizes that will assist you in maximizing storage space. The depth of your fridge can also affect the kitchen cabinets. If you plan to add tall cabinets above your refrigerator, you could need the appliance to be made according to a specified length to ensure it is a good fit. Check that the ventilation of the refrigerator is cut properly. If not, you may have issues in the future.
Style
The decision 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 lot of things into consideration before making any decision. Integrated fridge freezers are often preferred over freestanding models because they provide a sleek and seamless look to your kitchen and are designed to blend into cabinets rather than stand out and dominating the space.
They are typically flush with the cabinetry and counters surrounding them. The doors are set, so they do not protrude. They can also be panel-ready to give your kitchen an elegant appearance. A lot of them have stainless steel fronts, giving them a sleek and contemporary design.
Despite their appearance, they don't compromise storage space since the freezer section can still be very large and is typically located in the lower part of the appliance, allowing ample space for your frozen goods. There are also a variety of widths available. Most brands have between 20 and 24 inches in width, which is larger than freestanding freezers.
Because of their design and the fact that they are integrated in your kitchen, you are likely to find integrated refrigerators to be more expensive than freestanding fridge freezers. The cost of the fridge housing cabinet and the cabinets in the kitchen that surround it will add to the total cost.
They are also more difficult to move should you are planning to move which could be a problem for some people. You'll need to remove the whole appliance from its cabinetry. It's not as simple as disconnecting the appliance and taking it off like you would do with a freestanding model.
Integrated fridges can also be more difficult to repair as they are a part of the kitchen you already have. If something goes wrong you have to call a fridge engineer in to remove the appliance and replace the damaged components. This is a costly process, and certainly more costly than buying a new freezer for your refrigerator.
Energy efficiency
A high-efficiency fridge freezer can reduce your household bills. It will also help save energy by reducing how long it runs, and be more eco-friendly since it uses less power. Invest in a model with an A or B energy rating to make a huge difference.
Unlike freestanding models, which have their own housings integrated models are built into the cabinetry. This lets the fridge blend seamlessly into your kitchen design and create an elegant, uniform appearance. Some models have sliding doors that permit you to open the fridge without opening the cabinet door. Certain models are panel-ready. This means that they can be covered with cabinets to disguise the refrigerator behind cabinets.
The drawbacks of integrated fridge freezers are that they're generally more expensive than other alternatives. This is partly because they are made in smaller quantities and are more of a high-end product however, it's also due to the extra costs involved when installing them. Additional hinges and panels as well as the extra cost of making your furniture fit around a fridge are all aspects.
Some integrated fridge freezers require more maintenance, and others need to be defrosted frequently to remove ice accumulation. Beko's integrated fridge freezers come with frost-free technology that makes it easier to maintain and minimise defrosting.
Another factor to consider is the capacity of a fridge/freezer integrated. The larger the litres, the more food you can store. Look for models that have at least 150 litres of space in the fridge and as much as 350 litres in the freezer. You'll find a range of storage configurations, with drawers and flexible shelves offering plenty of space for fresh produce, or bottle racks that can hold your larger milk bottles. There are fridges that have integrated freezers with 50/50 splits that can be used for both storing chilled and frozen foods.
Storage
The primary benefit of refrigerator freezers with integrated refrigeration is that they take up less space than freestanding models. This allows you to maximize the space in your kitchen. They can also be flush with cabinets and counters and create a seamless look. This style does mean that they have less storage space than their freestanding counterparts.
Additionally, they're usually more expensive to purchase and operate than fridge freezers that are freestanding and have similar specifications. This is down to a variety of reasons including the cost to develop and manufacture as well as the fact that they're considered an expensive product and the extra installation and customization costs that are associated with them.
In addition to this, integrated fridge freezers can be harder to access than their freestanding counterparts, which could cause problems when you require them to be serviced. This is especially true if you purchase an integrated refrigerator freezer that isn't worth the cost with poorly-made hinges that can break in time.
Choosing the right integrated fridge freezer for your home will depend on the size of your household and your storage needs. Think about how much you'd like to store in your refrigerator, and whether you'll need to store any large frozen foods or platters. Most fridge freezers with integrated refrigerators have a storage capacity between 150-350 litres. This will allow you to store 19 shopping bags.
The best integrated fridge freezers can include additional features that help to keep your food fresh and healthy. For instance, some have airflow technology that distributes cool air throughout shelves, while others include an antibacterial lining that will minimize odours as well as prevent mould. Certain models may even have an option for fast-freezing that quickly reduces the temperature of your freezer, so you can freeze freshly-bought goods without them forming a solid.
If you prefer to keep your fish, meat and dairy products at a certain temperature then you should look for refrigerators with integrated freezers with a BioFresh section. These compartments are kept at a lower level of humidity, and will keep your meat, fish and dairy fresher for longer than a standard fridge freezer. Fruits and vegetables will stay crisper longer in the HydroSafe compartment which is kept at a high humidity level.
