For Ice-Cold Food

Cooling & Freezing

Food stays fresh longer when kept cool. Cold temperatures deprive microorganisms of their habitat. Instead of spoiling and molding, food remains consumable for days, weeks, or even months. The perfect place for this is the refrigerator or freezer.

The Refrigerator – The Giant for Cooling and Freezing Food

Food stays fresh longer when cooled and frozen. Therefore, a refrigerator, freezer, or the practical 2-in-1 solution of a fridge-freezer combination is indispensable in a fully equipped kitchen. We have summarized the most important criteria to help you when you need to buy a refrigerator, either because you want to or because your old one is broken.

Criteria for Buying a Refrigerator:

• Type & Size
• Functions
• Manufacturer
• Price
• Accessories

How to Choose the Right Refrigerator?

First, you need to clarify some basic conditions: type, size, and energy efficiency. Most information can be found on the refrigerator's energy label. It shows the energy efficiency class (A to G), annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh), volume in liters, and noise level in decibels (dB). The size of the refrigerator is usually found in the product description or user manual and should be chosen based on the available space in your kitchen and household size. On average, about 100 to 150 liters of volume are sufficient for a 1- to 2-person household.

What Refrigerator Sizes Are Available?

Like many other kitchen appliances, refrigerators have standard dimensions – at least for built-in refrigerators, as they need to fit into predefined niches. They are usually 55 cm wide and deep to fit into a 60 cm niche. The height varies between 82 cm and 180 cm. Freestanding refrigerators can have different dimensions. There are very small refrigerators with only 45 cm width, but also large ones that are about a meter wide and almost two meters high.

The dimensions at a glance:

• Fridge-Freezer Combination: 55-80 x 90-203 cm (WxH)
• Built-In Refrigerator: 55 x 82-180 cm (WxH)
• Freestanding Refrigerator: 54-60 x 75-190 cm (WxH)
• Mini Refrigerator: 45 x 80 cm (WxH)
• Side-by-Side: 70-100 x 150-190 cm (WxH)

What Types of Refrigerators Are There?

Cooling and freezing appliances differ in their installation method and temperature range. You can choose between these refrigerator types:

• Built-In Refrigerator: The built-in refrigerator is integrated (with a kitchen cabinet door) or decorable (with a front panel) and built into the kitchen unit.
• Under-Counter Refrigerator: The under-counter refrigerator is a small appliance that is placed under the countertop. It is available as integrable or decorable.
• Freestanding Refrigerator: The freestanding refrigerator, also known as a standalone refrigerator, is placed freely in the room, e.g., on the opposite side of the kitchen unit.
• Mini Refrigerator or Minibar: The minibar is a very small refrigerator, essentially a mini refrigerator, typically used only for cooling beverages.
• Refrigerator with or without Freezer Compartment: Refrigerators come classically with only a cooling section or with an extra small freezer compartment, which usually has space for ice.
• Freezer or Chest Freezer: A freezer cools food at temperatures from -6 to -18 degrees Celsius and is rated with stars from 1 to 4. A 1-star freezer compartment reaches about -6 degrees Celsius and is suitable for short-term storage of already frozen food. A 4-star freezer compartment reaches -18 degrees Celsius and keeps food frozen for longer periods.
• Fridge-Freezer Combination: The fridge-freezer combination combines a refrigerator and a freezer into a 2-in-1 device.
• Side-by-Side Refrigerator: The side-by-side refrigerator is the large version of the fridge-freezer combination. The refrigerator and freezer are side by side and have full-height doors.
• French Door Refrigerator: The French door refrigerator is a special type of side-by-side. It has double doors for the upper refrigerator section and (usually) drawers for the lower freezer section.
• Wine Refrigerator: The wine refrigerator is a special refrigerator for cooling wine bottles. It can be further classified into a wine cooler (for serving temperature) and a wine climate cabinet (for aging and long-term storage of wine).

What to Consider When Installing a Refrigerator?

• Sliding Door vs. Fixed Door: Built-in refrigerators can be installed in two ways. A sliding door connects the front using hinges, so the refrigerator door is "dragged along." With a fixed door, the cabinet door is firmly attached to the refrigerator door.
• Left or Right Door Hinge: You can usually choose whether the refrigerator door opens to the left or right. This is called the door hinge. In many models, the door hinge is reversible, allowing it to be switched from left to right or vice versa.

What Features Do Modern Refrigerators Offer?

• No Frost, Low Frost, or Automatic Defrost: Never (or less frequently) defrost again. Modern features such as Low Frost (less ice formation), No Frost (no ice formation), and automatic defrost (self-defrosting) are energy-saving and practical solutions for refrigerators and freezers. Manual defrosting is thus eliminated or needed less frequently.
• 0° Zone: Ideal storage in the refrigerator is crucial, especially for fruits and vegetables. The so-called 0° zone (zero-degree zone) provides ideal conditions, such as temperatures around freezing or optimal humidity, keeping food fresher for longer. Depending on the manufacturer, the freshness drawer is called differently, such as BioFresh (Liebherr), HyperFresh (Siemens), PerfectFresh (Miele), VitaFresh (Bosch), etc.
• Fresh Mist: Modern refrigerators from Liebherr or Miele have an extra function: the fresh mist in the freshness drawer, called HydroBreeze (Liebherr) and PerfectFresh Active (Miele). After a certain period, a fine mist is sprayed onto the food, ensuring better quality and vitamin retention.
• Water & Ice Dispenser: A refrigerator with an ice dispenser allows you to draw ice cubes directly from a compartment in the appliance. Similarly, a water dispenser provides fresh, cold water through an opening in the appliance door. These extras are available in refrigerators with a fixed water connection, usually side-by-side units.

What Temperature to Set in the Refrigerator?

Temperatures in the refrigerator are not uniform and vary by compartment between 0 and 10 degrees Celsius. The warmest part is in the refrigerator door compartments at about 10 degrees Celsius and at the top of the refrigerator. The coldest part is at the bottom on the glass plate above the fruit and vegetable drawer at around 2 degrees Celsius. If the refrigerator has a cold storage zone (0° zone), this is the coldest area.

In general, the refrigerator should be set to about 7 degrees Celsius, and the freezer to -18 degrees Celsius.

Which Refrigerator is the Best?

Of course, a manufacturer comparison is also necessary before buying a refrigerator. Depending on the model and brand, there are differences in performance, quality, and price. Which cooling device is the best is always individual and depends on your specific requirements. If you value design and technology, you should choose a Bosch or Siemens refrigerator. If quality and durability are important, opt for a Miele or Liebherr refrigerator. Solid and simple options are available from Bauknecht or Privileg. Unique retro refrigerators can be found at Smeg. Bargain hunters can also find discounts and B-stock refrigerators on sale. Generally, a good refrigerator costs from around €900.

What Refrigerator Accessories Are Available?

A new refrigerator is one thing. Having the right accessories is another. To ensure food is stored safely and freshly in the refrigerator, you need aids.

• Bottle Rack: If the door rack is fully occupied, you can place bottles in the refrigerator on a special bottle rack. These are usually made of metal or wood and prevent slipping.
• Sorting & Organizing Boxes: If you want to organize the refrigerator, sorting and organizing boxes are the way to go. Refrigerator boxes offer better visibility and organized storage of food. Classic refrigerator organizers are butter dishes and egg holders, which are usually included. Additionally, storage containers and (clippable) drawers provide more organization.
• Filters: Refrigerators with a water connection need water filters, which must be replaced over time. Some cooling devices also have air filters. They filter the air and prevent unpleasant odors.