Most often they buy a built-in refrigerator, which is installed in a 178 cm niche. The one in which there is a freezer for three boxes. And for small kitchens and studio apartments, they take a larger one with the main camera, and a smaller freezer. But be that as it may, the combined models have a number of characteristics that will have to be reckoned with when choosing.
Method of fastening the decorative front
Built-in units, unlike stand-alone ones, are equipped with door closers and reinforced hinges that hold the door and the furniture front of the refrigerator. The latter is attached to the door in two ways:
- rigid fastening (door on door) is when the furniture front does not have its own fastening on the column. It is fixedly attached to the refrigerator door and the whole structure is held on the hinges of the refrigerator itself.
- door sliding: the refrigerator door has its own hinges, which are fixed to the refrigerator body. In turn, furniture fronts also have their own hinges, which are attached to the cabinet. The furniture front and the refrigerator door have different rotational axes, therefore, when opened, they are displaced relative to each other. Sliding rails add strength to this design.
Both of these systems are durable and time-tested. But visually, a fixed mount seems to be stronger than a sliding one.
Watch the video how to reinstall the door sliding system on door on door
Dimensions and volume of chambers
The size of the unit, its usable volume and the number of chambers - this is what you should start from when choosing a built-in refrigerator. If your family is "you and me, yes we are with you", and even you often eat outside the home, a single-chamber model or a single-chamber model with a freezer will do. This can be built under the kitchen countertop, because the usable volume typically varies between 100-200 liters. Save space.
But more often they choose two-compartment refrigerators. They have 200-400 liters of volume, and a chamber with a separate door is provided for the refrigerator and freezer compartment. The location of the cameras has its own nuances:
- the freezer usually has shelves on top;
- and the bottom of the freezer has drawers.
To make it convenient to get groceries, buy a refrigerator no higher than +20 cm from your height. Then you won't have to reach for the coveted pan.
The volume of the refrigerator is considered to be of two types - general and useful. The total is calculated based on the size of the chamber, and the useful one implies the capacity of the products. Compared to free-standing models, the volume of the built-in units is smaller. The difference is ~ 10%.
In two- and three-compartment refrigerators, there are usually sections with a "Fresh zone" in which the temperature is maintained at ~ 0 ° C. It extends the shelf life of fresh chilled food by 3 times compared to a conventional refrigerator.
- A zone of high humidity has been created for vegetables.
- Reduced for fish, meat and dairy products.
On the side-by-side, the freezer is located in a separate cabinet. Therefore, such units are ideal areas for storing various food and drinks. What is noteworthy: manufacturers have provided for one-sided heating of the walls. What for?
The fact is that when two doors are opened simultaneously, the air in the chambers is rapidly cooled. As a result, dew falls on the body and on the gap between the fuselage of the refrigerator and the wall of the cabinet. At first glance, it's okay, but over time, moisture spoils the furniture. But not in the case of side-by-side. Condensate instantly evaporates on the warm walls of a large unit.
Defrost type
With defrosting, a continuous hassle.There is nowhere to put the truth, the drip system refrigerators will have to be defrosted manually from time to time. And all because the cooling compressor in them works cyclically. During the active phase, ice builds up, during the passive phase, it melts and flows down the wall into the container. The liquid evaporates.
The “No Frost” system is another matter. Refrigerators with such defrosting do not build up ice at all, since the cold air dispersed by the fan balances the temperature in the refrigerator compartment. And when you close the door, the temperature returns to its previous level in minutes. This refrigerator cools and freezes food faster. Unlike "drip", where the difference between the shelves sometimes varies in the range of 9 ° C.
In some models (Hotpoint-Ariston, Liebherr, Electrolux, Hansa, etc.) "No Frost" is also provided in the freezer. Blowing does not dry out food and does not form frost. Such a unit is washed once every six months, there is no need to do this more often. But. As they say, there is a fly in the ointment in a bowl of honey:
- the internal volume of these refrigerators is less than that of "drip" ones;
- make a louder noise;
- and the price is more expensive.
Energy class
The higher the class, the lower the power consumption. Units are labeled from lower "G" to economical "A +++". The indicator changes in accordance with the volume of the chambers, the minimum temperature that they are able to issue, and the availability of additional equipment - an ice maker, a built-in water filter, etc.
Which built-in refrigerator is better
When you are tormented in thinking about which built-in refrigerator to choose, study the characteristics of the product carefully. Here are five tips to make finding the right machine much easier.
- Number of compressors
One or two? Two is better, because you can more accurately regulate the temperature and turn off part of the refrigerator when you leave for a long time. Save energy.
- Inventory compressor
Works without pauses (normal works periodically). Thus, less energy is consumed and quieter noise. But he "does not like" voltage drops.
- "Shock freeze"
In a short period of time, the temperature in the chamber is reached down to -32 ° C. It's good. Superfreezing preserves many vitamins in food and quickly freezes large quantities of food. The function is disabled automatically or manually.
- Cold accumulator
Keeps the chambers and freezer cool for up to 24 hours in the event of a power outage.
- Sound signal
Notify if the door is not closed tightly. Or open for a long time. It is better for irritable people not to buy with an alarm. Much nicer is the indicator light.
Built-in refrigerator: reviews
trash trash, Electrolux ERN1200FOW: "Really quiet! Those same declared 38 dB, if not lower, but the assembly is not perfect».
Makarova Zlata, Bosch KIV38X20: "Works flawlessly. The refrigerator and freezer freeze perfectly, the food does not wind up and does not disappear quickly. The size, like all built-ins, is average, but my husband and I have enough for two. It is hammered to the eyeballs (4 large Ashanov's bags with groceries fit in). If the products are positioned correctly, 1.5 liter bottles fit into special mounts (without touching the walls), other supplies and pots».
Christina Klochko, Bosch KIS86AF30: "I'm tired of getting huge bills with my old refrigerator, and with this the difference is immediately noticeable. Even after 1 month of use».
Read: "How to store food in the refrigerator?"
Watch the video overview of Bosch built-in refrigerators
