Choosing a new appliance can be overwhelming, especially when it's a fridge freezer. With so many different types on the market, how do you know which one is right for you?

What is an integrated fridge freezer?

Integrated fridge freezers are an appliance that combine both a fridge and a freezer in one unit. Often also referred to as 'built in fridge freezers', these space saving appliances are designed to blend seamlessly with your kitchen design. They are built into the kitchen cabinetry and are hidden behind a door that matches your kitchen design

Integrated fridge freezers are available in various different sizes and designs. It is important that you choose the right one to ensure that appliance works with your kitchen design and utilises the available cabinet space. They are often smaller than freestanding fridge freezers as they need to fit in smaller spaces. However, they come in many different sizes with varying capacities, so there will always be one to suit your needs.

Why would you choose a built in fridge freezer?

Built in fridge freezers are popular among homeowners who are renovating their kitchen, those with smaller kitchens or open plan living spaces. Some people prefer a minimalist approach to their kitchen, so any appliance that can be seamlessly hidden away is preferred. When the appliances are concealed behind cabinet doors, this creates a uniform and streamlined appearance which is often more appealing than their freestanding counterparts.

What are the different types of integrated fridge freezer?

Depending on your needs, there are several different types of built in fridge freezer. Most integrated fridge freezers come in one of three splits. There's 50/50, 70/30 or 60/30. These numbers describe the split between the fridge and freezer. For example, a 50/50 fridge freezer means that both the fridge and freezer are around the same size. A 70/30 or 60/40 fridge freezer means that the fridge is bigger than the freezer.

When choosing a built in fridge freezer, you need to consider your storage requirements. This will help you to determine which split is best for you. How much frozen food do you need to store? Can you get away with a smaller freezer? Some people may choose to prioritise fresh food and have a 70/30 or 60/40 integrated fridge freezer and then get a separate chest freezer or upright freezer to store in the garage. It is also crucial that you ensure that the appliance's dimensions align with your kitchen layout.

Alternatively, if you have the space then you may wish to purchase an integrated fridge and an integrated freezer separately to install side by side.

You will also need to consider the noise levels and the energy efficiency of the fridge freezer.

Where would you put an integrated fridge freezer?

Where would you put an integrated fridge freezer?

If you are redesigning your kitchen and want to choose an integrated fridge freezer, then you need to think carefully about where you'll install it. Unlike freestanding fridge freezers, you won't be able to easily move it around if you change your mind down the line. Where it goes is part of the kitchen designing process.

As with all fridge freezers, you need to make sure that they are placed away from any heat sources. This includes other kitchen appliances such as your oven/cooker and hob. It will also need to be kept away from any radiators and out of direct sunlight. When a fridge freezer is exposed to external heat, it will have to work a lot harder to maintain its internal temperature. If your fridge freezer is being constantly overworked it could shorten the lifespan of the appliance. It may also lead to higher levels of energy consumption, which in turn will increase your electricity bills.

You also need to ensure that there is an electrical outlet nearby to plug the appliance into.

How do you install a built in fridge freezer?

Unless you have prior experience, it is recommended that you ask a professional fitter to install your integrated fridge freezer. Installation can be awkward if you don't know what you are doing and there is a risk of damaging the appliance and your kitchen. When you are choosing the panels/doors to disguise your fridge freezer, you will need to ensure that you get the correct measurements. You also need to consider the door split of the appliance. Is it 50/50, 60/40 or 70/30? The type of hinge is also important - is it fixed or sliding? Although these are not as easy to install as freestanding fridge freezers, they're worth the investment if you care about the aesthetics of your kitchen.

How do you maintain a built in fridge freezer?

As with all fridge freezers, it is essential that you organise your fridge properly to ensure that it runs efficiently. You need to make sure that there is room for proper air circulation, so avoid overloading the shelves. So you don't have to clean the fridge freezer more often than necessary, ensure that all foods are properly packaged. This will also help to prevent spillages and odours.

What is the difference between static, low frost and total no frost?

If you've decided to go for integrated over freestanding and you know the style you want, the next factor you need to look at is the defrost type. If you're looking to get a Willow built in freezer, you can choose between static and total no frost.

Any fridge freezer that is described as static will need to be defrosted on a regular basis. We would usually suggest that you defrost it every 6-12 months or when the layer of frost is exceeding 7mm. Defrosting your fridge freezer when needed will ensure that it continues to work as efficiently as possible. If you fail to defrost your fridge freezer when needed, then it can be detrimental to the appliance.

Low frost fridge freezers will also need to be manually defrosted, but a lot less often than a static fridge freezer. Depending on use, you may only have to defrost your appliance once every couple of years.

Frost free or total no frost don't need defrosting at all. There are no internal elements for frost to accumulate. They circulate dry air around the freezer and will usually have a slightly reduced capacity compared to the static equivalent.