Things to look for in a refrigerator

Things to think about before your search for the right refrigerator:

When buying a refrigerator there are number of factors to take into consideration when selecting the right model. The first decision to make is to settle on an acceptable price range; this will limit your options. The second is to decide what kind of model you would like to settle for. Some of the most energy efficient fridges are top mounted fridges. It is also in this category that the most variety is found. Other options are bottom mounted and side by side models. Each of these has their advantages and disadvantages.

Fridges today are available in a number of finishes, plastic being the most common and stainless steel an alternative. Today fridges come with doors that open 180 degrees. This helps in loading large trays and pans into the fridge. It also helps if there is limited loading space around the fridge.

Size does matter – selecting the right capacity fridge for your needs:

Identifying your space requirements is a crucial step in selecting the right fridge. A fridge that is half-empty will not be efficient as a lot of energy is required for cooling the empty space unnecessarily. It is also more likely for a large amount of cool air to escape when the fridge door is opened in such a scenario. A fridge too small will mean that there isn’t adequate room to meet your cooling needs. An average family of four will require a fridge that is 540L to 620L.

Storage options within the fridge:

Fridges with ample amount of door storage will help store items that need to be easily accessible. Ice dispensers help reduce the number of times you need to open the freezer and save energy in the process. Think about where you will install the fridge and the amount of space surrounding it. A fridge with two smaller double doors will need less space to open as compared to a single large door fridge. Look for shelves that can be slid out to easily access contents at the back of the fridge.

A salad crisper will help keep vegetables at an optimum temperature separate from major food items. A shelf dedicated to dairy products will help keep these foods fresh and contaminant free at the ideal temperature.

Features that make your fridge easy to maintain:

In order to maintain your fridge look for a fridge with removable shelves. Spill proof shelves will come with a small gutter that stops spills from overflowing into other compartments. There are even shelves with antibacterial enzymes, which help destroy bacteria on food.

Look for fridges with removable doors. This feature allows you to change the side on which the door opens by simply changing the hinge.

Fridges that have castor wheels are an added benefit. The advantage of this is that the fridge can be easily moved for maintenance purposes and it makes access to the condenser coils easier.

The right kind of freezer to keep things cool:

If you have a lot of frozen food and constantly access the freezer, a chest freezer might be a better option. These models have the added advantage of preventing a rapid loss of cool air whenever the door is opened and are thus more energy efficient.

French door fridges with their freezers are more efficient than a side-by-side model. This is because the French door model allows the user to keep any one door open at a time. Additionally, these fridges have a common freezer drawer at the bottom of the fridge. Opening the freezer drawer is more economical in preventing cold from escaping as compared to opening a top mounted freezer. The layout makes it easy to access the fresh food compartment.