"The Fridge-Freezer Awards: The Best Worst And Weirdest Things We ve Ever Seen

A Guide to Buying a Fridge Freezer

A fridge freezer helps keep leftovers fresher longer and helps you keep healthy meals on hand. Many fridge freezers are equipped with smart features.

Energy efficiency is a key aspect to consider when choosing a fridge freezer. The kWh number is displayed on the energy label and tells you the amount of electricity used annually.

Quick-chill and fast-freeze functions

There are lots of fridge freezers available with additional functions that assist you in keeping your food fresher for longer. Some features can help you save energy or time, while others aren't necessary. So if you're looking to buy one, consider how much each feature will cost to the cost and whether it will make a difference to your life before making a decision.

A quick-chill feature provides an extra boost of cooling power to cool fresh food to safe temperatures quickly. This helps to stop harmful bacteria and help keep nutrients within. This is a great option if you have a lot to do with grocery shopping and want to store your food in a hurry.

Some fridge freezers have a fast-freeze function that allows you to freeze food items at lower temperatures than normal that helps them maintain their texture and quality after they are frozen. This is useful when you have a lot of food to store in the freezer at one time for instance, after a big meal party. Be aware that freezing food at temperatures below 0°C can affect the taste and nutritional value.

Certain models have a cold accumulation box that stores ice to keep the temperature of the appliance in the event of power outage. Others have a pull-out drainage spout that makes it simpler to flush out melted ice or food spillages.

Ice-cube tray

Ice cube trays have been an essential part of every fridge. These trays are great for storing leftover soups, sauces and juices. You can also freeze small batches of fresh herbs for use later in your dinner.

But not all ice-cube trays are made in the same way. Some are made from hard plastic that may crack and splinter when you try to extract the cubes. There are numerous options that are sturdy and don't require much turning and banging to release the frozen ice.

Another aspect to consider is how quickly the ice cube tray freezes. The smaller the surface area of the tray, the quicker it will freeze. Similar to an item with distinct compartments for each cube will freeze faster than one that simply has the dividers.

You can pick from a range of sizes and shapes on the market. For example, larger ice cubes are ideal for cocktails as they melt slower and don't dilute the drink as much. Cocktail lovers are increasingly attracted to spheres.

This set of four ice-cube tray by OMorc comes with a silicone lid which seals tightly and helps keep freezer odors at the bay. It comes with a handy handle that makes it easy to stack and carry. It can make 14 ice cubes. The base is rounded to allow for an easier removal. It is dishwasher-safe, BPA-free and constructed from plastic. 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 inside the included bin to make storage easy.

Aesthetics

Fridge freezers can be more than just functional appliances. They are also style icons. There's a fridge freezer to fit every kitchen, from brushed stainless steel finishes to sleek designs inspired by 1950s.

Many refrigerators and freezers have bottle racks that can be used to store bottles safely. The racks prevent bottles from rolling around on shelves which can take up valuable space and causing them to break or crack.

Certain fridge-freezers come with an array of striking color finishes, such as the bright chrome finish of the SMEG FAB32 fridge. This adds a modern spin to a classic design and is in tune with current trends that play with texture and materials.

Refrigerators with integrated freezers are ideal for those who prefer an elegant design, as they can be concealed behind cabinet doors, and blend in seamlessly with their interior decor. They are also ideal for those who have small kitchens and open living areas, as they maximize space and give an attractive appearance.

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is important since fridges are in use all the time and use lots of electricity. You can cut costs on your electric bill by acquiring an energy-efficient fridge-freezer. You should also check the energy consumption of your fridge to get an idea of the price. You can do this by using an energy meter with a plug-in or by checking the cost per kWh of your electricity provider.

New models have been getting ever more efficient and energy labels will tell the amount of kWh that each appliance consumes in a year and how it compares to other appliances. Look for an A+ or higher rating since they are the most efficient. If you are thinking of buying a freezer or fridge, check the yellow Energy Guide label which gives you an estimate of the annual operating costs and allows you to evaluate the energy consumption of similar refrigerators.

Refrigerators are typically the most expensive appliances to run but there are some things you can do to lessen this. For example, leaving the space between the shelves and food allows cold air to circulate more easily, which means it consumes less energy. This can help avoid condensation, which is a major energy drain.

If you're looking for a compact refrigerator that can fit in any space This Energy Star-rated model from Frigidaire could be a good option. It is a little bit more expensive than other models, but it is easy to charge your electric bill. It's available in white or black and has a surface that looks like stainless steel however, it doesn't reveal smudges or fingerprints. It's also ideal for break rooms, offices and dorm rooms.