Every person wants to create comfortable conditions in their home, including in the kitchen, as this is one of the most frequently used rooms. To create convenience, it is important not only to have furniture, but also to have high-quality household appliances. The stores offer a huge range of refrigerators from various manufacturers. How can an ordinary buyer not get lost in such a variety and choose exactly the device that will meet all the desired requirements and last for many years? We will consider the answer to this question in detail in this article, and also tell you what you should pay attention to when choosing a refrigerator.
What types of refrigerators are there?
All refrigerators, regardless of functionality, are divided into four types:
- compression - one of the most common models, cooling inside occurs due to the refrigerant that boils in the evaporator;
- thermoelectric - based on the Peltier effect, thermal energy is pumped out of the refrigerator chamber to lower the temperature relative to the ambient temperature;
- absorption - these units are cooled by circulating and evaporating a refrigerant dissolved in a liquid;
- with vortex coolers - they work on the principle of expansion of compressed air in vortex cooler blocks.
Additional functions
Many additional options make refrigerators even more convenient to use.
So, many models provide for reversing the doors, if it is convenient for you to open the refrigerator from the other side.
Sometimes there are models with legs (front) and wheels (rear), so that if necessary, the refrigerator can be lifted and rolled to another place.
The antimicrobial coating of the chambers helps eliminate unpleasant odors and extends the shelf life of products.
It is convenient when the refrigerator beeps when the door does not fit tightly.
It's also a good idea if the control panel is lockable (child lock). But the more such innovations, the higher the price of equipment.
Built-in
These models do not have their own external housing.
Changing the location of such a refrigerator will not be easy, but they are in many ways superior to free-standing ones. They are installed in a special mounting cabinet, which leads to enhanced thermal insulation. It is also worth paying attention to the rigid fixation of the device, which ensures almost one hundred percent silence during operation. When it comes to built-in technology, we must not forget about the aesthetic aspect. Just a few years ago, only large-sized refrigerators could boast of multifunctionality and performance; now all this is available in harmony with aesthetics.
Among all of the above, everyone will find benefit in purchasing this device.
Side-by-Side
Such units are designed for large kitchens.
Nowadays, almost every manufacturer can find these models, and consumers often prefer them instead of more familiar ones. From the outside they resemble a two-door wardrobe.
The main advantage remains the large capacity. You have over 500 liters of volume at your disposal, which is more than enough. The spacious freezer can accommodate even large items. This model is equipped with electronic controls that help maintain the desired temperature in each compartment. Another advantage is the reliable insulation of the refrigerator and freezer compartments. If desired, you can disable one and use the other.
Wine cabinets
A wine cooler is a specially designed refrigerator for storing and cooling wine.
A kind of wine cellar in your home. The main tasks of a wine cabinet include short-term or long-term storage of wine, depending on when you plan to consume it, as well as cooling to the required temperature, which significantly improves the taste of the drink. Here are a few main differences:
- appearance;
- materials for manufacturing;
- wooden shelves;
- high energy saving;
- tinted doors to protect from light;
- low noise level;
- no vibration.
Now the stores offer a huge selection in any price range. Manufacturers offer wine cabinets with one, two and three cooling zones. It all depends on the number of bottles. In short, if the buyer is a big wine connoisseur or simply collects this drink, then you can get four zones by installing two cabinets with two cooling zones.
By the number of doors and the material they are made of
The blind sash still adorns the façade. Models with two doors are popular.
The number of refrigerator doors depends on the presence of additional chambers. A two-chamber has two, a three-chamber has three, and so on.
In addition to standard solutions, display cases have appeared in the design of refrigerator doors. This format has not yet become a mass phenomenon, but is already gaining popularity.
Built-in refrigerator design.
Side-by-side models are most often equipped with two doors with handles.
The materials for manufacturing the body and doors are determined by the manufacturer based on demand and design solutions. Stainless steel is often used, which is technically complex and therefore expensive. The use of impact-resistant plastic with various colors is common. The panels are made by casting, filling the space with polyurethane foam. There are doors with a polymer coating. In this case, the steel is coated with a special acrylic solution, or powder paint technology is used.
Side by side refrigerator in the kitchen.
Stainless steel products are quite difficult to maintain. Traces and fingerprints remain on such surfaces, which can only be removed with the help of special means. In general, stainless steel refrigerators look expensive, the material is resistant to damage and will suit any interior.
Single chamber
Technically speaking, this is a refrigerator with only one storage area.
It is less common than two-chamber ones, but also has a number of advantages. Those who are not going to spend a lot of money on a purchase and want to save space in the kitchen can easily give their preference to a single-chamber appliance. It is small-sized, lightweight and the cost is pleasantly surprising. With all this, he easily copes with his task. When choosing, the consumer should decide for himself the volume that will be sufficient for storage and the functionality that suits him. It is necessary that the chosen model fits into the interior of the kitchen, but there is no need to worry about this; now manufacturers offer refrigerators of all kinds of designs and colors.
By installation method
There are free-standing and built-in refrigerators.
There are two types of refrigerators based on the type of installation.
See alsoHeight of the kitchen countertop: standard height, dependence of height on height: how to calculate the parameters?
Standing separately
A ready-made device, the only need when choosing will be to measure the dimensions, width, height, depth. It is necessary to choose a model in the style of the kitchen, taking into account the distance from the walls and furniture when installing. Such equipment can be located either against the kitchen wall or in the opposite corner, next to the table. Ready-made refrigerators are the most spacious, characterized by a wide variety of functions and ease of use.
Freestanding refrigerator in the kitchen interior.
See also: Kitchen interior in Provence style - main aspects of design and decoration
Built-in
It does not differ in technical characteristics from conventional models, with the exception of the body, which in this situation is made in the form of a cabinet made of materials corresponding to the style of the kitchen.
This refrigerator is completely covered with panels on all sides, which gives the impression of its absence. Built-in models are suitable for a large kitchen, since the space of a small kitchen is lost due to the walls of the cabinet.
A built-in refrigerator will be an excellent solution for small kitchen spaces.
Don't forget about all the family members living in the house. A built-in refrigerator or a free-standing one should accommodate the required amount of food.
Currently, partial embedding of modular units has begun to be used. With this arrangement, the front of the refrigerator remains open.
See alsoRestoring the refrigerator door seal with your own hands.
Multi-chamber
A multi-compartment refrigerator is, first of all, reliability, style and a guarantee of quality for many years.
This device has a lot of functions, for example, vacuum chambers to preserve food freshness, an antibacterial surface and filters. Most models are equipped with electronic controls with a display on the outside of the door. By choosing it, you don’t have to worry that the beneficial properties found in vegetables or meat will be preserved. All models are equipped with at least three separate compartments. These are two freezers: upper and lower, a conveniently designed freezer compartment and a chamber for storing vegetables.
Variety of design solutions
When a new model is released, a team of specialists works on its appearance. There are a lot of options: there are multi-chamber models with wide mirrored doors, budget options, also varied in style and color schemes. Some manufacturers focus on retro style, producing modern refrigerators in a body that looks like old models. The designer pays attention not only to appearance, but also to functionality: dimensions, height, width, volume. The most popular devices with a high price range are stainless steel devices. Built-in models adapt to the appearance of the kitchen. Various accents in the form of linings, handles, three-dimensional door shapes give the refrigerator a unique look, which makes it a decoration of the kitchen.
Black refrigerator to match the kitchen design.
Today, the range of refrigeration unit models is endlessly rich. If you are financially solvent, you can get an exclusive product that meets all the requirements.
In spacious kitchens, there is a tendency to have entire restaurant-style refrigerators with many additional compartments. Such installations are convenient for sorting products.
Refrigerator in the design of a spacious kitchen.
In an ordinary apartment for a full family, a two-chamber refrigerator model that matches the color scheme of the kitchen will fit perfectly.
Single compressor
Many refrigerators only have one compressor. It regulates the temperature in the freezer and refrigerator compartments. Despite some bias towards these models, they are in no way inferior to two-compressor models. Here are some benefits:
- Reliability – the probability of failure is practically reduced to zero;
- Energy saving - electricity consumption is significantly less than that of a two-compressor;
- Noise insulation – the level of one compressor is much lower than that of two;
- Cost – Installing a second compressor requires additional costs.
By purchasing a refrigerator with one compressor, the consumer is guaranteed to receive a reliable and energy-saving device for many years.
Noise level
All compressor refrigerators will make noise when operating. In different models, this parameter varies in the range from 20 to 50 dB. The norm for home appliances is no more than 53 dB. It is normal for a refrigerator if the noise from it does not exceed 45 decibels at a distance of one meter from the body.
It is usually the compressor itself that is humming. If the refrigerator has two compressors, the noise level will be higher. However, this is not always justified. One cheap compressor can make more noise than two expensive quality ones.
Models with the “No Frost” system will be noisier than regular models. The rotation of the fan blades provided by this system adds noise to them.
Two-compressor
Two compressors are two separate systems that provide cooling to the refrigerator and freezer compartments.
Consequently, the workload is distributed across two systems. One of the main advantages is the ability to defrost one compartment without turning off the second, it will work as usual. Also, with two-compressor refrigerators there is such a thing as “vacation”. If a person is going on vacation, there is often no food left in the refrigerator compartment and it can be turned off, but the freezer will continue to work.
There is an opinion that these models are noisier, but here it is worth focusing more on the indicators that manufacturers provide for the device.
They choose a refrigerator based on its dimensions, freezer and refrigerator volumes, design, and many additional functions. It is worth noting that cost is not always the main factor. A device that is used on an ongoing basis must be practical, economical and reliable.
Defrosting systems
The movement of air inside the chambers can be natural or forced. Many modern models are characterized by a forced air circulation system. This system is called No Frost (“no frost”). With this system, the formation of ice in the chamber is eliminated and thus there is no need to defrost the refrigerator.
With a drip defrosting system, the evaporator is located on the rear wall of the refrigerator compartment. While the compressor is operating, ice forms inside the chamber. When the compressor is idle, the ice thaws, drops flow down the back wall and through the drain hole water enters the container (tray) above the compressor. From there, thanks to the heating from the compressor, the water simply evaporates. This defrosting process goes unnoticed by the user and does not require his intervention. The drip system is reliable and is more suitable for those who do not want to pay a lot for new appliances, since models with a drip system cost less than refrigerators with the No Frost system.
Each of the modern defrosting systems has its pros and cons. There are refrigerators that have both systems (a freezer without a fur coat, and a drip effect in the refrigerator compartment). Refrigerators with manual (non-automatic defrosting) are already a thing of the past and are practically not produced.
However, any refrigerator, no matter what defrosting system it has, should sometimes be disconnected from the power supply for hygienic cleaning.
