Fridges: Keeping Food and Beverages Fresh

It’s hard to imagine a world without fridges. Even though they have only really been around for just over a century, fridges (and freezers) have enabled ordinary people to store all kinds of foods and liquids, improving their diet, avoiding food-based illnesses, and reducing waste. Nowadays, everyone has a fridge, and plenty of different varieties exist. This HotUKDeals buyer’s guide explains the major options available and should help you find the perfect option for your personal needs.

Refrigerators: From Bare Ice to CFC-Free

Refrigeration isn’t new. People have used ice and cellars to keep food cool for thousands of years, often using remarkably sophisticated methods. For example, ancient Persians used Yakhchāl structures made of insulative materials, allowing them to serve frozen yogurt dishes even at the height of summer. The Romans and Greeks also used ice and snow-filled pits to preserve foods into the warmer months. So the principles involved in refrigeration were well-known.

However, mechanical refrigeration had to wait until the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. The first device using recognisably modern refrigeration techniques was invented by Scotsman William Cullen in the 1750s. Further innovations followed in the 1820s, as vapour-compression was perfected.

However, commercially successful fridges didn’t appear for another century. In 1913, an American called Fred Wolf introduced an ice box that could fit into ordinary homes, and popular models like the Kelvinator also appeared. In the 1930s, toxic refrigerants were replaced by Freon, efficiency rose, and fridges spread across the United States.

Since then, the basic design of refrigerators hasn’t changed much. The refrigerants have been altered (to remove environmentally harmful CFCs), and efficiency has gone up and up, but, but the basic principles remain the same.

How Fridges Work

Modern fridges have a few basic components in common that allow them to create a cooling effect:

• Refrigerant – An inert substance that is fed into coils on the rear of the fridge, and allows heat transfer to take place, removing heat from the inside of the fridge unit.

• The compressor – This device compresses the refrigerant as it enters the coil, reducing its pressure and increasing its temperature.

• Condensing coil – The heated gas in the coil becomes a liquid when it comes into contact with cooler air in the room where the fridge is installed. This liquid remains at a high pressure and flows through the coils. As it does so, heat from the inside of the fridge is transferred to the refrigerant as it warms up.

• Evaporator coil – An extension of the condenser coil. When the refrigerant enters the evaporator coil, it evaporates, returning to gas form, and is fed back to the start of the process, ready to be compressed once more.

The key process is the manipulation of the pressurised refrigerant. By changing the pressure of the refrigerant, fridges are able to force heat from inside the device to flow into the coils, removing it from the space around your milk or vegetables – keeping them nice and cool.

Miele Refrigerators and Freezers

The Different Types of Fridges

That’s the basic science behind the modern fridge, but it conceals a huge amount of variety in the kinds of fridges on offer. Choosing the right size and form of the fridge is vital to ensure that your device a) meets your needs and b) fits into the space available, so it makes sense to know your options. Here are the major basic types:

• Fridge freezers – The most common type of fridge you’ll encounter at UK white goods merchants remains the trusty fridge freezer, which has a large refrigeration compartment and (usually) a smaller freezer compartment. If you need to save floor space and have the vertical space to add a dual fridge freezer unit, they make perfect sense. However, think about how much freezer space you’ll actually need. Not everyone requires a huge freezer (how many ice cream tubs do you really eat?). In the other hand, people often find that small freezer compartments are easily filled, requiring them to buy an extra freezer.

• Freestanding fridges – Freestanding fridges are units that can be placed wherever you like, and stand alone. They tend to include three or four shelves (which are usually adaptable), ice boxes, egg compartments and temperature controls. Think about internal capacity when buying a freestanding fridge, and think about style as well. The great thing about freestanding devices is that they come in many colours and designs – unlike integrated fridges, which are the main alternative. Find one that fits into your kitchen’s aesthetic theme.

• Integrated fridges – Integrated fridges are designed to fit into kitchen units as part of the wider room design. Because of this, they tend to be hidden away behind doors and aren’t designed to make a style statement in their own right. They are also often smaller than freestanding fridges, but you’ll find plenty of spacious integrated models as well.

• Mini fridges – A brilliant option for students and single people who don’t buy huge amounts of food, mini fridges are the ideal place to store cans of drink and snacks. You can stash them away when they aren’t needed, and only get them out for special occasions, and they provide very useful backup capacity if you regularly entertain guests.

• Tall fridges – The largest variety of fridge on the market, tall fridges are – as their name suggests – best adapted to houses with high ceilings and large kitchens. They usually come with a wide range of features, including settings like “fast chill” and measure over 130cm in height. Think about whether your space can accommodate such a large fridge, and whether you really need so much capacity, as tall fridges come with higher price tags than smaller models.

• American style fridges – Stylish and generally very large indeed, American-style fridges usually have twin doors and side-by-side refrigeration and freezer compartments. They often come with more features than standard freestanding models, including ice dispensers and programmable temperature controls, along with hefty price tags, so shop around for the best deals available.

• Undercounter fridges – Handy little fridges that are designed for alcoves and undercounter spaces, where other devices cannot be installed. If you are limited in terms of space and don’t have huge requirements regarding grocery loads, they are an excellent alternative to freestanding and integrated models.

How to Understand Fridge Specifications

Whenever you purchase a fridge, specifications really matter. The capacity, temperature controls, shelves, weight, dimensions and energy efficiency of a fridge can seriously influence how much use you get out of it, so pay attention to these key specifications before finalising your purchase:

• Energy efficiency – All fridges come with an energy efficiency rating. This ranges from G to A++, with A++ being the most efficient, although you will struggle to find many models that offer less than A on today’s market. Never go for fridges offering anything less than A+, as these should offer the cheapest running costs. However, check the insulation methods as well. Some fridges have special features to restrict heat loss from the doors which can push electricity costs down even further.

• Essential features – Whenever you purchase a fridge, make sure that it has top of the line features. All devices should offer automatic defrost, an antibacterial coating to prevent food-based illness, and easy to clean glass shelves. If you are a wine fan, ensure that your chosen model has an internal wine rack, and double check basics like ice trays and egg shelves as well. Beyond that, there may also be specialist settings like holiday mode, which can maximise efficiency while you are away – minimising your energy bills.

• Dimensions and capacity – Picking the right size of fridge is vital. Standard fridges will usually measure 85cm in height, while tall fridges are a whopping 130cm and mini fridges are below 60cm. This produces huge variations in capacity, which is generally measured in litres. As a guide, look for capacities of 500 litres or more if you have a family of four, or 700 litres plus for a family of five. There’s no sense in being stingy. The extra capacity will always come in handy.

Samsung Twin Cooling Plus - No Odour Mixing

Tricks for Keeping Your Fridge in Peak Condition

When you’ve purchased a cutting edge smart fridge with endless temperature controls and the perfect capacity, it’s vital to ensure that you keep it in good working order. Here are some things to bear in mind that will help you make the most of your purchase:

• Keep the condenser coils free of dust and dirt – If dust and dirt accumulate on the coils of your fridge, it can have a serious impact on the device’s efficiency. Avoid extra bills and extend the lifetime of your fridge by regularly vacuuming behind it.

• Don’t put warm foods in the fridge – Sometimes it’s tempting to put recently prepared meals in the fridge before they have cooled. However, when you do this the fridge has to work much harder to reduce the temperature inside, making it less efficient. Try to be patient and let your meals cool on the worktop before you stick them in the fridge.

• Check your fridge’s door seal – The door seal plays a vital role in insulating the fridge, but it can easily become damaged (so treat the door with care and don’t slam it!). If it becomes damaged, don’t panic. Seals can be replaced easily without needing to purchase a new fridge.

• Don’t overfill your fridge – Crowded fridges are less efficient at cooling your food, so try to ensure that there is plenty of space for cool air to circulate.

What About Smart Fridges? Are They Worth Looking At?

These days, every device in the home seems to be hooking up to the “internet of things”. TVs, radios, lights, central heating and, yes, the humble fridge are all being connected to smart grids and smartphone controlled apps.

For example, the Samsung Family Hub fridge features internal cameras that you can access remotely to see whether you need to make any grocery purchases, includes a TV screen to show streaming video and TV channels, enables you to alter the amount of space given to fridge and freezer units and even has a Bluetooth connection to hook up with Sonos speakers. It’s an advanced piece of equipment, that’s for sure.

However, smart fridges come with a high price tag. If you have some cash to spare and have bought into smart technology, they will be an excellent purchase, but for most people, they offer a marginal advance over standard fridges. Watch this space in the future though, as they will no doubt become cheaper and add extra functionality.

Tips Before Buying Your Next Fridge

When purchasing a fridge (or freezer), there are some things that you should always have in your mind.

Firstly, you need to find a device that fits the space available. There’s no sense in buying a beautiful 180cm tall American style fridge freezer if your ceiling is 150cm high. Take measurements of your ceiling or counter to ensure that the unit you are considering will actually fit. Remember to include depth as well (the distance from the wall to the edge of the counter), along with height and width.

Think about capacity as well. If you are a single customer who has no intention of starting a family, there’s probably no need for a massive American-style fridge. However, if you are a couple just getting started, it may make sense to plan for the future by buying a larger fridge. Don’t get caught out and have to buy a replacement a year or so down the line.

Accessibility matters too. If you can’t clean behind your fridge, you will find it harder to keep the coils in peak condition. You might also want to rearrange the equipment in your kitchen, and you may struggle to do so with an unwieldy fridge. Avoid being caught out by looking for fridges that are light and slide easily. Think about door access too. It’s surprisingly easy to purchase a fridge that opens in the wrong direction, making it hard to access food and drink.

Think about the composition of your fridge freezer as well. If you have back problems, try to minimise bending by placing the fridge unit on top. That way, when you come to pick out ingredients for your salad, you won’t have to stoop. On the other hand, if you use the freezer every day, having the freezer on top will probably make more sense.

Style matters as well. If you want to ensure that your fridge matches the design of your kitchen, go for stylish models with stainless steel finishes or traditional white designs. Stainless steel tends to win out over faux-steel, as it is more smudge resistant, and will retain its dazzling shine for far longer.

Some people will also have special considerations. For example, if you travel a lot and want to limit your refrigeration bills, go for a model with a holiday setting. If you entertain guests for cocktail parties, include an ice dispenser. Little things like that can make a huge difference to how usable your fridge is over the long term.

Popular Fridge Accessories You May Wish to Purchase

You can also get more out of your fridge by purchasing the right accessories to go along with it. Here are some of the most popular products to hunt for on the HotUKDeals fridge accessories listings:

• Fridge magnets – A perennial favourite with kids, you can find a massive variety of fridge magnets, from Harry Potter themed toys to anagrams and words that are intended to stimulate kids’ creativity. Liven up your kitchen design with a set of magnets that add colour and fun, or find more practical magnets like timers and shopping list pads.

• Extra shelving – Sometimes, fridges will come with the option of adding extra shelves but won’t come with the shelves bundled in with the fridge itself. You can expand the capacity of your fridge by adding extra shelves (if you are confident that you won’t be storing tall items), and keep shelves in reserve for when you might need them. Either way, they are a handy item to have.

• Food bags and containers – Keeping food and drink separate is both hygienic and efficient. The efficiency gains come from reducing the amount of moisture that evaporates from exposed food. When you bag up leftovers or veg, you can keep the rest of the fridge crisp and dry – making it much more efficient. And it helps to organise your groceries as well.

• Thermometers – Keeping the temperature of your fridge constant is essential, and not all fridges come with reliable thermometers. If your device malfunctions or you just want to be sure, you can buy replacement thermometers to place inside the fridge.

• Essential replacement parts – Sometimes, parts like handles, filters, door seals and light bulbs wear out. Instead of replacing the whole fridge, you can find deals for specific parts, which are usually not that hard to fit.

Cheap Fridge: Low Price Electronics

Fridges are one of the most important items of equipment in modern homes, so make sure you purchase the ideal device. Thanks to the merchants on HotUKDeals, you should be able to find a fridge that ticks all of your boxes, looks the part and doesn’t dent your bank account.

The best way to start your search is to narrow down your options. Work out what type of fridge you need, which features it should have, and do a little brand research as well. Check out the fridges on offer from major brands like Samsung, Hoover, LG, Hotpoint, Miele and Hisense – all of which have strong reputations for quality and reliability.

When you’ve found a fridge model and style that you like, search for it via the HotUKDeals fridge listings. You’ll find a constant stream of deals from the UK’s biggest white goods retailers, with merchants including Argos, Currys, John Lewis, AO.com, Amazon and Tesco.

All of these retailers regularly offer discount codes and money off deals on high-quality fridge models. If the product you want isn’t discounted straight away, check back every few days, as the list of deals is frequently updated.

If you are hunting a serious fridge bargain, you might also want to hold off until Black Friday. In November, big white goods merchants tend to offer discounts on their fridges and freezers, and the savings often return in the January Sales as well. So timing your purchase can make a big difference.

With a little savvy online shopping, some product research and the discounts listed at HotUKDeals, you’re sure to find a bargain fridge, whatever your particular needs.

Best Fridge Deals UK: Saving Big With HotUKDeals

Fridges and freezers are one of those devices that we take for granted, but it’s hard to imagine life without them. If you need to upgrade to a bigger fridge, want to explore smart fridges or add a mini fridge to your home, check out the HotUKDeals fridge listings, the best place to hunt for high-quality white goods at bargain prices.