Freezers & refrigerators: fresh, economical, innovative.
A delicious ice cream or the great roast from the day before would be unthinkable without them, freezers & refrigerators. You can find all the information about the popular refrigerators here in the Mykitchens magazine.
reading time: about 3 minutes
Where does a really good meal start? That's right, in the fridge! And for this very reason, you should place a lot of value on this kitchen appliance. Whether it's a freestanding fridge or a built-in fridge - there's always room for the fridge. And it's definitely not dispensable! Because with the invention of the fridge, we've managed to make food last longer. And above all, keep it fresh. We'll introduce the different types of fridge and explain what you should look out for when buying one. We've also listed the best models of freezers and fridges at the bottom of the Mykitchens Magazine article.
Who invented the refrigerator?
The first artificial cooling was introduced in 1748 by William Cullen at the University of Glasgow. However, it took up to a century before the cooling device was commercially marketed and used in private households. It was only in the 1930s that refrigerators and freezers became standard kitchen equipment.
Before that, people kept their food cold in a block of ice that was stored in an insulated wooden box. The refrigerator really makes storing food easier. It keeps it cool, freezes it and thus extends its shelf life. Fruit and vegetables, for example, stay fresh longer and food can still be used on subsequent days.
Refrigerator types
Not all refrigerators are the same. There are different types of refrigerators. Starting with the question: built-in refrigerator or free-standing refrigerator? Then there are also different refrigerator sizes (XL side-by-side refrigerator or small undercounter refrigerator) and differences in function (e.g. refrigerator with or without freezer compartment).
Built-in refrigerator
The built-in refrigerator has been very popular for many years. It is installed directly into a suitable niche and usually disappears behind the kitchen front. So you can't see it from the outside.
Undercounter refrigerator
The undercounter refrigerator is also a type of built-in refrigerator. The difference is that it is smaller and fits under the worktop. Undercounter refrigerators can also be planned in the kitchen without a kitchen front. In this case, the door is not covered, but the appliance is simply pushed underneath.
Freestanding refrigerator or free-standing refrigerator
A freestanding refrigerator stands free-standing in the room and is therefore also called a free-standing refrigerator. It is not permanently integrated into the kitchen unit.
Fridge-freezer combination
The fridge-freezer combination combines a refrigerator and a freezer in one appliance. Each cooling section has its own door (unlike a refrigerator with a freezer compartment).
Side by Side / French Door
The Side by Side (which also includes the French door refrigerator) is an XL fridge-freezer combination with extra width and extra volume. The refrigerator compartment and freezer compartment are arranged next to each other or one below the other with a double door. They also have some additional functions, such as a water and ice cube dispenser.
Wine Cooler
The Wine Cooler is a refrigerator just for wine bottles (and champagne). Different climate zones for different types of wine ensure that the wine aroma is preserved as best as possible. Activated carbon filters effectively protect the wine from ambient odors.
What to look out for when buying a refrigerator
Before you decide on a type of refrigerator, you should consider a few other features of refrigerators. The biggest energy guzzler in the home is the energy saving class. But the door (how should the refrigerator open - left-hinged, right-hinged) and the function of the compartments also play a role.
Refrigerator energy
The refrigerator is one of the biggest energy guzzlers in the home.So pay attention to the energy label when buying to save as much as possible on electricity costs. Ideally, choose A refrigerators with the best energy efficiency class and look at the functions. Features such as a water dispenser, for example, consume additional energy.
Sliding door, fixed door, door stop
With the sliding door, the fronts are connected and thus secured using hinges. The refrigerator door is "dragged" along by the kitchen cabinet door, so to speak.
The more modern and stable variant is the fixed door technology. The kitchen cabinet door is firmly and inseparably connected to the refrigerator door.
In addition to the assembly, you can also decide on the door stop, i.e. in which direction the refrigerator door should open: left = refrigerator with left-hand stop; right = refrigerator with right-hand stop.
Freshness function for fruit & vegetables
Because fruit and vegetables should be stored in the refrigerator at appropriate temperatures and climatic conditions, there is a separate compartment for these foods: the fruit and vegetable compartment. Temperatures here are usually around 0 °Celsius, at which fruit and vegetables retain their structure and freshness. However, there are manufacturer-specific differences in the designation:
- Liebherr: BioFresh
- Siemens: hyperFresh
- Bosch: vitaFresh
- Neff: FreshSafe
- Miele: PerfectFresh
The most important refrigerator functions
Digitally readable temperature display, individually adjustable LED lighting or Home Connect functions with WiFi - we present the most practical refrigerator functions.
#1 - Super cooling function
Who hasn't experienced this? You come home from shopping and first take your time putting things in your fridge. However, the food has lost temperature during the time at the supermarket and on the way home.
To cool it down again as quickly as possible, there is the super cooling function, also known as Coolmatic. This lowers the temperature to 2°C for around 6 to 12 hours. This guarantees that your food will adjust to the normal temperature in the fridge in no time.
#2 - 0 °C zone
Some devices have a so-called 0°C zone. In these compartments, the temperature is kept constant at 0°C. In addition, the humidity is regulated. This extends the shelf life of your food enormously.
The refrigerator has an extra cooling circuit for the 0°C zone. The remaining areas have the usual cooling zones.
There are usually two 0°C compartments with different humidity levels: a dry 0° zone for animal foods (e.g. meat) and dairy products and a moist 0° zone for plant foods such as fruit and vegetables.
#3 - Circulating air cooling
With this function, you can forget about the whole issue of cooling zones. Thanks to the even distribution of cold air, it doesn't matter where in the refrigerator you store your food. The temperature is the same on all levels. Circulating air cooling also ensures that the food is cooled down more quickly.
We find this refrigerator function primarily in a Smeg refrigerator.
#4 - Home Connect
With the Home Connect function, you can operate your refrigerator smartly. For example, you can regulate the temperature while you are on the go, check the contents of the refrigerator using the camera in the supermarket, or open the refrigerator using your voice.
#5 - No Frost
No Frost in the refrigerator is a further development of the classic automatic defrosting system.
Here, too, you never have to defrost your freezer yourself again. No Frost removes moisture from the air. This means it cannot turn into ice in the first place.
#6 - Super freeze
Similar to the super cool function, the super freeze function ensures that the freezer cools down as quickly as possible after filling it.
Frozen food in particular thaws quickly while you are shopping and should be put in a separate freezer bag in the supermarket if possible. The function is switched on using a button on the outside of the freezer. To avoid unnecessarily increasing your electricity costs, you should switch the super freeze function off again after two days.
#7 - Fresh mist
One of the latest innovations is the refrigerator fresh mist, which we find in Miele (PerfectFresh Active) or Liebherr (HydroBreeze). A cold spray mist is applied to the fruit and vegetables in the refrigerator at certain intervals, ensuring longer and better freshness.
#8 - Ice Maker
Often found in side-by-side refrigerators, but also in classic fridge-freezer combinations: the ice maker, a practical ice cube dispenser that provides fresh ice cubes directly from the refrigerator.
Refrigerator storage: The best organizers for bottles etc.
Now let's get to the most important point when it comes to storing food in the refrigerator: organization. Door racks, glass shelves, cans or bottle holders are important refrigerator organizers that make storage clearer and easier. In Sorting the Refrigerator we also show where the ideal place for food in the refrigerator is.
Flexible refrigerator elements, such as Miele Flexitray
The best way to organize your refrigerator is with a flexible solution. You can attach and install it as you wish. Adjustable door shelves and adjustable glass shelves make it easier to put different sized foods in the refrigerator.
The best examples are the Neff FlexiCooling and the Miele Flexitray, a movable glass shelf (shown in the photo).
Refrigerator tray & freshness containers
Food in containers, storage containers or refrigerator boxes also make the refrigerator interior more organized.
Special refrigerator containers and other storage systems, such as the refrigerator tray from Neff, provide more order and system when cooling food in the refrigerator and freezer compartments.
Bottle holder
Who hasn't experienced it: bottles rolling back and forth in the fridge?! An annoying and irritating problem that can be solved with very simple means: a fridge bottle holder. You simply clamp this into the interior and the bottles stay where they should.
Alternatively, some manufacturers also offer integrated solutions for bottle storage in the fridge. For example, this Siemens French Door with integrated wine cabinet, where you can even set the temperature separately.
Top sellers: Our favorites for cooling and freezing
Before buying a kitchen appliance, you can sometimes be overwhelmed. The selection of products, models, colors and functions is large. That's why we have simply listed our three product highlights from the cooling and freezing category. Discover the top sellers from Siemens, Smeg and Miele.
Smeg FAB28
A highlight in every kitchen: Smeg FAB28, which is available in many colorful designs. For example, in special editions from Smeg Dolce & Gabbana or with a Mickey Mouse sketch.
Great on the outside, bad on the inside? Not with the Smeg refrigerator! Inside, the upright refrigerator impresses with innovative functions such as circulating air cooling and super cooling.
Miele refrigerator with cold mist
Absolute freshness and longer-lasting food are guaranteed: In the Miele refrigerator with cold mist, food stays fresh longer - thanks to Miele PerfectFresh Active. Miele K 7000 refrigerators, for example, are equipped with this freshness function.
Siemens built-in refrigerator with 0° zone
Food stays fresh for a long time here too: In the Siemens built-in refrigerator with 0° zone (hyperFresh premium drawers).
Other features: The bottleRack bottle rack and easyAccess movable glass shelves.
FAQ - Freezers and refrigerators
What refrigerator sizes are there?
How big should a refrigerator for 2 people be?
What are the dimensions of a small refrigerator?
How long does a side by side refrigerator last?
What is the optimal temperature in the refrigerator?
Fresh. Economical. Innovative.