One appliance that you'll find in almost every UK household is the fridge freezer. They are a convenient, space saving appliance that feature both a separate fridge and a separate freezer. This allows you to store both fresh and frozen food in one unit. But which fridge freezer is best? That all depends on your individual needs and the space in which you will be keeping the appliance. Before making the commitment, it's best to do some research. You should look at what the different types of fridge freezers are and which ones will offer you the most benefits. In this guide, we've done all of the hard work for you which will make choosing your new fridge freezer a lot easier.

What are the different types of fridge freezer?

So, where do you start when you're trying to figure out which fridge freezer is best for you? First of all, you'll need to decide between either a freestanding or integrated fridge freezer. This is more of a design choice based on your kitchen.

Integrated fridge freezers are usually chosen by people who want a sleek, minimalist look for their kitchen. They are built into the kitchen's cabinetry and are fitted behind a door that matches the rest of the décor. This gives a seamless finish but will limit your choice of models. Integrated fridge freezers are generally smaller than freestanding models and will usually need to be installed by a professional.

Freestanding fridge freezers allows you to slot the appliance in any available space. They can also be moved around with ease. You just need to make sure that you have the right amount of space for your fridge freezer and a source of electricity nearby. Unlike integrated appliances, these will always be visible.

Once you've decided between integrated and freestanding, you'll need to choose which style fridge freezer you prefer.

Top Mount - Often the most energy efficient, with a top mount fridge freezer you will find the freezer compartment located above the refrigeration section.

Bottom Mount - As the name suggests, this is the opposite to a top mount. With a bottom mount fridge freezer, you will find the freezer compartment is on the bottom underneath the refrigerater.

Side by Side - Usually the widest style of fridge freezer. This design has the refrigeration and the freezer compartments placed vertically side by side. They feature double doors which open up from the middle outwards.

Willow fridge freezer energy label

What do the different energy ratings mean?

Any time you buy a new appliance, you should be looking at the energy rating. The better the energy rating, the more efficient it will be. This means that it will use less electricity and therefore will save you money in the long run. Since 2021, the UK energy scale has been measured from A to G, with A being the most efficient and G being the other end of the scale. Each new appliance will come with an energy label which is really easy to understand. If you do want to know more we have a guide on energy ratings.

Where should you keep your fridge freezer?

If you choose to go for a freestanding fridge freezer, then this can be installed anywhere with sufficient space and a plug socket. You need to make sure that the ambient temperature is not above 43℃ and below -17℃. If it's kept anywhere outside of this temperature range, it will affect how the appliance runs. It can be kept in a garage or outbuilding, as long as you monitor the temperature. Should the temperature drop too low or reach high levels, then this can effect the performance of the fridge freezer.

You will also need to ensure that the fridge freezer is kept away from 'high traffic areas' such as near doors, but is still easy to access. It is advised that you keep 5cm space around the fridge freezer for ventilation.

How do you install a new fridge freezer?

Luckily, you won't need a professional to install your fridge freezer. They're really simple appliances, you just need to make sure you follow these important steps:

Let the appliance stand - It's really important that you let your fridge freezer stand for a number of hours before you plug it in. This allows all of the liquid refrigerant to settle in the right area and therefore avoiding any damage once it has been switched on.

So, how long should you let your fridge freezer stand for? That all depends on how the appliance was delivered. If it arrived on its side, then you'll need to put it upright and allow it to stand for at least 12 hours. If it was delivered in an upright position, then you should leave it to stand for at least 4 hours.

When your fridge freezer first arrives, remove all packaging, any film or stickers and put it into position before you let it stand for the right amount of time.

Reverse the doors - If your fridge freezer comes with reversible doors, now is the time to decide which way you want them to open. This is all down to personal preference and where you're placing the appliance. If you do need to reverse the doors, then check your user manual for full instructions.

Plug the appliance in and set the temperature - Once your fridge freezer has been left to stand for the right amount of hours, you can plug it in. Use the adjustable thermostat to choose the right setting for both the fridge and freezer. If you are unsure about which setting to use, then you can consult your user manual. You'll then need to leave the appliance for a few hours with the doors closed until it reaches the correct temperature.

How do I know which fridge freezer is best for me?

Once you've worked out whether you want to go for integrated or freestanding and what style you like, you should then look at capacity. Smaller households may prefer an undercounter fridge freezer. These are smaller appliances designed to slot underneath your kitchen counter. They're ideal for smaller kitchens and stand at around 80 to 85cm tall. They are also popular for use in offices and caravans.

American style fridge freezers (or side by sides) are often favoured by larger households with more kitchen space. They will have the biggest capacity of refrigeration and freezer space than any other type of fridge freezer on the market.

One of Home Feeling's most popular models of fridge freezer is the WFF157. This freestanding bottom mount fridge freezer comes in four colours, black, grey, silver and white. It has a net capacity of 157L with a 109L fridge and 48L freezer. The reversible doors feature recessed handles, which gives a sleek finish and allows the appliance to fit in with any kitchen décor. The WFF157 is also low frost - this feature reduces the amount of frost that builds up in the freezer compartment. Although the freezer will still need to be defrosted occasionally, the frost will be easier and quicker to remove than other freezers. Low frost freezers are also known to help keep food fresh for longer.

Do you need help choosing your new appliance?

If you've read this guide and you're still unsure about which appliance is right for you, we can help! Our friendly team of experts are on hand to answer any queries you may have. If you can't find what you're looking for, we can suggest the best model for you.

Our phone lines are open from 9am until 5pm every Monday to Friday, so give us a call on 01543 228622. Alternatively, you can drop us an email at support@homefeeling.co.uk and we'll get back to you as soon as possible within our opening hours.