Wondering how to choose a quality refrigerator? Follow 6 criteria for choosing a unit to decide which refrigerator to choose.
The first thing to look for when choosing a refrigerator is its size:
- small (height up to 1 meter or 1-1.5 meters, width less than 59 cm) are convenient for a summer residence, hotel or office;
- mini-bar refrigerators (height 1-1.5 meters, width up to 59 cm) are used to store drinks and fruits;
- standard (height 1.71-1.85, width 60 cm) - the most common models for a small or medium kitchen;
- European standard (1.86-2 meters, width 60-80 cm).
The kitchen unit differs in the principle of placement:
- built-in refrigerator is mounted in kitchen furniture;
- freestanding is placed in a suitable place.
If your kitchen is tight, take a look at the narrow 45 cm models. Side-by-Side (90 to 120 cm wide) - for spacious kitchens and a large family with a good appetite. Multi-door refrigerators are convenient because their design provides several compartments for different types of food.
2. Location of freezers
The second parameter that is worth paying attention to is the location of the freezers and their volume. In refrigerators with the same dimensions, the volume of the freezer differs depending on its location:
- in the lower part of the refrigerator (called "combi") the volume of the freezer reaches up to 300 liters. Often the camera is equipped with 2-4 drawers (depending on the model);
- in the upper part of the refrigerator (called "top") chamber volume up to 200 liters;
- in Side-by-Side, the freezer compartment is located on the side with a volume of up to 500 liters.
3. System for defrosting the refrigerator
Common types of defrosting:
- drip system - when the compressor is running, ice forms on the rear wall of the unit. When the compressor stops, they melt. The drops flow into a special reservoir and evaporate;
- technology "No Frost" prevents frost formation and creates a dry microclimate. Built-in fans distribute the air evenly in the freezer and refrigerator compartments. Some models are equipped with freshness zones (zero zones), where up to 90% humidity is maintained. Products stored in such a compartment do not dry out and remain fresh 1.5 times longer;
- the "Full no Frost" system, in contrast to the "No Frost", has a separate system for defrosting the evaporator. The principle of the defrosting type is the same as with the previous technology.
4. Compressor type
An important point when choosing a refrigerator is the type of compressor:
- the linear compressor quickly cools to the set temperature, turning on / off quietly and working without vibration;
- the inverter compressor does not shut down at all. It simply reduces power by maintaining a certain temperature.
In a refrigerator with one compressor, the freezer and refrigerator chambers cannot be defrosted separately. The compressor with dual-circuit cooling has an optimal power consumption class "A" or "A +".
The more pluses there are near the letter "A", the less electricity the device consumes.
In a two-compressor unit, each chamber has its own compressor, therefore, defrosting and temperature regulation in the compartments can be independently of each other. But this feature increases the cost of the refrigerator by 20-30%. In addition, if one of the compressors breaks down, both must be replaced. Two compressors consume 2 times more electricity.
5. Noise level
Don't be fooled by low-noise fridge advertisements. According to the technological standard, this level does not exceed 45 dB, which is comparable to the noise of leaves in windy weather. Noise, reduced by several points by manufacturers, does not play a significant role, but affects the price.It is better to pay attention to the warranty period of the model you like - the longer the better.
6. Additional features
Although the principle of operation of a household refrigerator has remained practically unchanged since its invention, a number of innovations have appeared in modern models for comfortable everyday use:
- The super cool mode of the refrigerator compartment is convenient when you need to load warm food (especially in summer) or quickly chill a bottle of wine or juice. This function cools food to an optimum temperature of + 2 ° C;
- the super freeze mode of the freezer compartment is convenient for quick freezing (up to -24 ° C) of a large amount of food without losing taste;
- Vacation mode reduces energy consumption when you are away from home for a long time. The freezer compartment works as usual, and a minimum of energy is spent on cooling the empty refrigerator compartment.
Now you know how to choose a refrigerator for home and summer cottages, as well as which one is better.
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This refrigerator not only cools and freezes. He still knows how to think and adapt. Don't believe me? Watch the video review!
