A fresh outlook

found at guardian.co.uk june 26, 2010

Buying a new fridge can seem complicated. Not only do you have to contend with size, capacity and what ratio of fridge to freezer you might want, there are also a myriad of extra features to consider from salad crispers, high-humidity compartments and digital touch screens. But the trick to buying the best product is keeping your cool

Space – inside and out

The first things to think about are where you want to put your fridge and how many people you're storing for. Fridges can fit under worktop surfaces or come as much larger standalone units. Measurements do vary but the standard depth and width of a built-in fridge is around 60cm by 60cm. Don't forget to allow for gaps like the swing of the door when thinking about where to put your fridge.

Think also about your eating habits, for example how much fresh food you keep or how much bulk cooking you do. If you're a fruit and veg fanatic, look for more ample fridge space – measured in litres – and if you like a bit of a tipple, you could go for a special wine cooler. If you tend to make meals in advance then think about getting a suitable freezer compartment.

"Three things to think about are where it is going to fit, how much food you want to store and what you want to spend on running it," says Matthew Bath, technology editor at consumer organisation Which? "Try and match up the type of food you buy with the space. Also bear in mind that some fridges have more space inside despite similar [external] dimensions."

What type of unit?

● Freestanding fridge freezers use less floor space than separate units and tend to be cheaper, though they may also be less energy efficient and make more noise. Freezer compartments can come either at the top or, in a generally larger size, on the bottom.

● American-style, or side-by-side fridges, can double the space. If your flat is a little pokey, this may not be the best choice. The fridge freezer is vertically split down either side and can have a capacity of up to around 650 litres, though compartments tend to be slimmer and top-end prices can reach over £2,000. Some may need plumbing in, but LG's American fridge freezer does not, which may be a consideration.

● Built-in fridges can be more discreet as they are fitted into worktop units or hidden behind kitchen cupboards.

When choosing your fridge look for the freezer star rating, which tells you the range of temperatures the freezer compartment operates at. This runs from 4* (-18C or colder) to 1* just for ice.

"It's also important to look at reviews before you buy. A salesperson in a shop might be helpful but there's a lot you won't know until you get home," says Bath. "On our website you can compare the cost of running different fridge freezers and also cooling efficiency – how much food a freezer can freeze in 24 hours and how quickly it can chill to 5C."

Special features

While some fridges happily come without many frills, all-singing, all-dancing models have all manner of devices and gadgets: from open door alarms and ice and chilled-water dispensers (generally standard in American-style fridges) to radios.

● Frost-free or automatic defrost technology prevents ice building up in your freezer compartment by regulating the temperature, saving you from having to defrost manually.

● Fast-cooling and express fast-freeze switches are particularly useful if you want to retain more nutrients when freezing fresh food or when putting a number of items in the fridge at the same time.

● Two thermostats or motors give you the option of running temperatures separately in your fridge freezer. Some appliances let you switch off the fridge but leave the freezer running – handy when going on holiday.

● Compartments include high humidity drawers that maintain a 0C temperature for keeping items such as meat super fresh.

Energy efficiency

Fridge units have EU energy ratings from A++ (the most efficient) to G. The most energy efficient can use around 50% less energy than 10 years ago and 25% less than the market average. Fridge freezers use the most energy of any domestic appliance, which is no surprise since we leave them on 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year – and running costs can range from £18 a year to £100, depending on the model.

"Go for one that suits your needs size-wise – don't go for a huge fridge if you rarely fill it because a smaller one is likely to use less energy, even if both products are A-rated," says Sarah Campo, information and knowledge manager at Energy Savings Trust Recommended, which accredits hundreds of the most energy-efficient fridges.

"We only put our blue triangle sticker on fridge freezers that are A+ or A++, which could save you around £12 a year on your bill and around 45kg of CO2."

Although the majority of fridges are now A-rated or higher, buy online if you're after the most efficient says Campo. "A lot of the big retailers aren't stocking the A+ models – most of these sales are online. Consumers don't always know about the higher ratings."

Style

If you want to play less safe or see less dirt there are a whole range of different colours and designs from ultra-modern to 50s retro. Or even one decorated with the England flag.

"The fridge is a major element of a kitchen's design," says Ronnie Whelan, editor of Essential Kitchen magazine. "Freestanding fridges will make a statement in any scheme – colourful, retro-styled, black, white or stainless steel – with a configuration that depends on your food storage needs.

"For a streamlined look that suits open-plan living, a built-in model is ideal. It can be hidden behind cabinet doors to blend in with the rest of the kitchen or you could choose customised panels for a more tailor-made finish. But there are designs to suit all tastes and budgets."

With kitchens taking a higher profile in today's home and fridges becoming more of a status symbol, modern ranges are now reflecting this trend with greater choice and stylish design.

Useful links

Which?

Energy Savings Trust Recommended scheme

Essential Kitchen magazine, monthly consumer title

Reevoo, online consumer reviews

LG – visit the What You Need to Know About … section

Jargon busters

● Capacity: The amount a fridge can hold which is measured in litres. Fridges with similar dimensions can vary inside.

● Frost free or automatic defrost: Technology that prevents ice building up in the freezer compartment by regulating the temperature, saving you from having to defrost manually.

● Fast cooling and fast freeze: Settings that allow you to cool or freeze items extra fast, which are particularly useful if you want to retain more nutrients when freezing fresh food or when putting a number of items in the fridge at the same time.

● Dual control thermostat: Gives the option of adjusting separate temperatures in the fridge and freezer. On some appliances the fridge can be switched off while keeping the freezer running which is handy for going away on holiday.

● Energy rating: EU rating system that ranges from the most efficient A++ to the least- G. The most efficient use around 50% less energy than a decade ago and 25% less than the market average. Choosing the right rating can save money on running costs.

● Side-by-side: An American-style fridge freezer which is vertically split and can have huge capacities of up to around 650 litres. Models often come with convenient devices such as ice-makers. Compartments tend to be slimmer and top end prices can be high.

● Freezer star rating: Tells you the range of temperatures a freezer operates at. This runs from a 4* rating which is –18C or colder, to a 1* – suitable only for making ice.

Top tips when buying a fridge freezer

● Three main things to think about when buying a fridge freezer are where it is going to fit, how much food you want to store and what you want to spend on running it. Remember that fridges with similar dimensions can differ in capacity.

● Think about running costs before you buy. The difference could be as much as £80 a year for different models and shop online if you want to get the most energy efficient models as there is a wider range than in the shops.

● Look at reviews online before you buy as these will give you a better picture of how the fridge freezer performs and any problems other people have had.

● Websites like Which? can give you a space to directly compare functions and independent tests carried out on the appliances.

● Features such as two thermostats can allow more flexibility for turning off some parts of your appliance if you go on holiday.

● Fridges come in all sorts of colours and finishes, don't just think polar white.

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