Buying Guide: Fridges & Freezers
If you’re in the market for a new fridge, the first decision you’ll need to make is which type of fridge to buy? There are a few main varieties of fridges. This brief guide is designed to help you determine which type of fridge is right for you.
On the whole, there are a few important variations to consider in different fridges. Temperature uniformity, energy efficiency, noise and running costs all play their part. There are different types of Fridges to choose from, including Top Mounted Fridges, Bottom Mounted Fridges, Side By Side Fridges, French Door Fridges, Standalone Fridges & Freezers (Pigeon Pair) and Bar Fridges. All of these are explored below…
Top Mount Fridges
This is the traditional fridge that you would be very familiar with. The Freezer compartment takes up roughly a third of the unit, and sits above the fridge section at eye level. This is still the widest produced type of fridge and is generally the most affordable compared to other types.
Price Range: approx. $300 – $1,200
Capacity Range: approx. 210L – 450L.
Pro’s:
- Affordably priced.
- Fits into smaller spaces. Particularly good for apartment living.
- More energy efficient.
- More economical to run.
- Larger capacity than bottom mount, due to position (and size) of the motor.
Con’s:
- The most used area, i.e. the fridge compartment, is at the bottom, often requiring bending to access.
- Generally lacking in features compared to more expensive, bigger models.
- Size limitation prohibits large family use.
Bottom Mount Fridges
Similarly designed to Top Mount Fridges, Bottom Mount Fridges are all about convenience. Rather than having the freezer up top, Bottom Mounted Fridges conveniently position the most used compartment – the fresh food fridge compartment – at eye level, within easy reach. This style of fridge often includes freezer drawers rather than shelves.
Price Range: approx. $700 – $1,600
Capacity Range: approx. 300L – 520L.
Pro’s:
- Logical design with the most used compartment at eye level.
- Less bending to the fridge (good for the back).
- Usually includes a relatively larger freezer compartment.
Con’s:
- Less choice as fewer brands make this style of fridge.
- More expensive.
- Crispers can be too cold as they are so close to the freezer.
- Less energy efficient, therefore less economical to run (and worse for the planet).
- Slower to chill, particularly in freezer compartment.
Side By Side Fridges
If you’ve got a large family (or a lot of house mates), or perhaps you like entertaining a lot, then the larger side by side fridges are for you. Generally these fridges don’t require as much door clearance, so they’re good for galley style kitchens. The top of the range offerings from most brands usually fall into this category, and therefore the added features are usually greater in a side by side than other types. They can be expensive though.
Price Range: approx. $1,100 – $5,000+
Capacity Range: approx. 540L – 750L.
Pro’s:
- Larger fridge and freezer compartments (greater capacity) allows you to store more food and drink.
- Better range of features, including large number with ice and water dispensers.
- Smaller door clearance allows better walkway clearance in tight spaces.
Con’s:
- Generally inefficient use of fridge space.
- Ice and Water dispenser takes up a lot of the Freezer capacity.
- Temperature fluctuation can differ greatly between bottom and top of the fridge.
- Require a lot of kitchen space.
- Narrow freezer can make it awkward to access the back of the fridge.
French Door Fridges
French Door Fridges are usually reserved for the high end of the market and is a merging of the side by side and bottom mount fridges. The French Door Fridge consists of top fridge compartment which has two side by side doors and a bottom mounted freezer compartment. This may sound confusing, but it means you only have to open a small part of the fridge to access what you need, thus conserving energy. It also retains the convenience of the bottom mount fridge, with the most used refrigerator compartment at the top.
Price Range: approx. $1,800 – $5,000+
Capacity Range: approx. 580L – 750L.
Pro’s:
- Greater width for larger dishes.
- Larger capacity allows greater storage space.
- Often top of the range models, which are fully optioned up (think electronic controls, water and ice dispensers, multiple different shelves, etc)
Con’s:
- Usually very expensive.
- Requires a wide area in the kitchen.
Bar Fridges
As you are probably aware, Bar Fridges are smaller refrigerators, designed for use in a personal bar to store a range of drinks and some snacks. They are however also widely used in hotels and in many single person households, like a studio apartment for example. Many of them come equipped with an ice box style freezer compartment to allow ice to be made, or smaller items to be frozen. Prices and capacities are always significantly lower than the bigger domestic fridges covered above.
Price Range: approx. $150 – $450
Capacity Range: approx. 50L – 150L.
Pro’s:
- Compact size doesn’t require much kitchen or bar space.
- Inbuilt freezer box still allows cross functionality
- Usually designed to fit under a standard sized bench.
- Cheaper than larger alternatives
Con’s:
- Small size restricts storage space.
What Size to Consider
There is no set rule to determine which size will suite you, as the food and drink storage requirements of every household differ enormously. As a general rule though, a 2 person household is likely to require around 250-300L of Fridge space, not including the freezer capacity. Then for each additional person, around 30L should be added. Therefor a 4 person household will require roughly 360L of Fridge space (plus freezer). This will decrease, for example, if it is a family of four that comprises two toddlers. On the other hand, it will increase if the household is made up of 4 adults. Further, if you tend to eat out a lot, this will decrease. The number of full-time workers may have an impact, as would the number and frequency of white wine drinkers. Also, when you cook, if you tend to cook larger batches for next time as well, freezing requirements may increase. Due to all these variables (and more), the below should be a rough guide only (capacities listed include freezer compartment).
- 1-2 people - 200-350L
- 3-4 people - 340-500
- 5+ pople - 450+
Is an Water and Ice Dispenser Really Necessary?
It has to be questioned weather or not this is really the best way to go. Whilst there is no doubt about the convenience of the water and ice feature, it takes up a lot of room in the freezer, that could otherwise be used to store next week’s casserole. On top of the space aspect, ideally the water and ice filter in your fridge should be changed every 6 months, at $50-100 per filter (naturally the time frame depends on the amount you use the dispenser). Finally, without the ice and water dispenser, you don’t have to connect your fridge up to any plumbing. Having said all of this, the feature does add (a lot of) convenience.
If you entertain a lot, then an ice maker in your freezer is extremely handy. And if the plumbing is already there, then why not! If on the other hand you don’t mind tap water and tend not to use ice all that often, then perhaps a basic water filter jug and ice trays will suffice?
