We’re sailing into the summer months, and therefore it is a time where a chilled drink or ice cream is spot on for quenching thirst pangs.

Preserving your food in a cold environment to prevent spoilage due to accelerated bacteria growth following rising temperatures is indispensable.

Appliances like the fridge-freezer provide the cold environment needed to chill your drinks and preserve your foods even if it’s from Swiggy.

The fridge-freezer is the hero of the season; it works harder to keep the contents cool despite the harsh weather. However, have you had a fridge-freezer malfunction in the summer? Nightmare, right?

In this article, we’ll talk you through how to choose the right fridge-freezer to keep cool this summer and beyond. It’s worth a read, especially if your fridge-freezer is struggling to cope with the summer demands and you’re looking to upgrade it, or perhaps you’re purchasing your first fridge-freezer or thinking of getting it as a new addition.

Here’s How To Choose The Right Fridge Freezer

First, you should decide on whether you’re getting a freestanding or built-in model.

Freestanding fridge-freezers are common and cheaper though built-in models blend with the kitchen cabinetry design.

We’ll be considering a freestanding fridge-freezer for the purpose of this article.

Examine Product Dimensions

You need to know the dimension of the space you want to fit the fridge freezer in, and the dimension of the product you want to buy to be sure it fits.

The dimensions tend to start around 50cm, and there are other dimensions like 55cm, 60cm, 70cm, 80cm etc.

The important dimension is the width, however, you should consider height too if there is a cupboard or cabinet at the top of where you want to fit it in.

You might also consider something that works well with your height, so getting something from your fridge-freezer’s top shelf will be hassle-free.

Also, check out the capacity of the fridge and freezer because external dimensions might not give you a clear idea of the capacity.

Decide on Colour

There are various colours you can choose from, ranging from white, silver, black, yellow, orange, greens etc.

The colour options depend on the brand and the stock that your shop of choice carries.

Decide If You Want Frost Free

The frost-free fridge-freezer has the advantage of you not having to defrost it and it’s more energy efficient. That means you gain more capacity.

There’s also low frost which means there will be reduced frost in the freezer but it won’t stop ice build-up in the fridge.

You might compare the capacity of the freezers of both low-frost and frost-free to make a decision.

Check Out The Energy Rating

Check the energy labels to have an idea of how much you’ll spend on running it through the year.

Look for the Kilowatt-hours per annum rating and multiply by the cost of 1 Kilowatt-hour of energy to get the yearly running costs.

Consider The Ambient Temperature of The Room

You should find out the ambient temperature of the room or location where you plan to place the fridge-freezer.

This is because most manufacturers have ambient temperature specifications which vary. Though temperatures of between 10°C and 30°C are considered generally suitable ambient temperatures for fridge-freezers.

However, to be sure you should check the specifications of the fridge-freezer to find out.

Choose What Added Extras You Want

You should choose if you want added extras like an ice dispenser, drink dispenser, or doors within doors for easy access to drinks.

There are also holiday modes that allow you to regulate temperature to one that uses low energy but prevents bacterial growth.

You need to consider the extras carefully because some might take up space and you’ll find them annoying if you don’t use them often enough.

You might also be looking for one with low operating noise if you’re placing it in an open-plan kitchen or where the humming noise can be disturbing.

Decide On The Furniture

You’ll also need to make a decision on the shelves, racks, and bottle holders. At the end of the day, choose furniture that suits your needs.

If you eat lots of fruit and veggies, choose one that has a humidity fresh shelve that keeps them fresh without drawing out moisture.

You should also check out the lighting, led lights are better, and various brands to find the best design for you.

Do You Want a Door Alarm

This might not be important to some other people, but it’s worth considering.

Leaving the door of your fridge-freezer open accidentally can be painful. Getting distracted by the doorbell or a phone call is easier than you think, and before you know it you’ll find bacteria growing on your food.

The door alarm prevents this by calling your attention when you leave the door of your fridge-freezer open.

One other thing is to ensure you purchase your fridge freezer from a trusted outlet. Many offer a wide variety of models at different price points, and some even offer clearance fridge freezers, so that you can be sure to find a model at a price that suits you.