By Rami Moorosi
There are a wide variety of refrigerators on the market, each offering a host of various extra features. This can make the task of choosing the right fridge a bit overwhelming. Liam Gawne from Miele provides the following pointers on what to look for when shopping around.
Different types
Miele, for example, offers two main types of fridges – bottom-freezer and separate side-by-sides.
Choose a style
How the fridge looks is also a very important consideration. Ideally it should complement the kitchen design, as well as blend seamlessly with the rest of the appliances.
The finishing touch
Fridges are readily available in white, and for a price, they are available in a number of bright colours as well. A stainless steel finish has also become all the rage.
If you are building a new kitchen from scratch, Liam recommends that you work out exactly which refrigerator you are going to purchase beforehand, so that you can comfortably accommodate it in the cabinetry design. If, however, you are buying a refrigerator for an existing kitchen, it is essential to measure the dimensions of the area in which it must fit before you go shopping.
Getting into the swing of things
Make sure the doors of the refrigerator open in the right direction compared to the orientation of your kitchen cabinetry design.
Consider the environment and save money
Refrigerators are permanently on, and as a result, they tend to use more energy than other appliances. As such, it is important to consider the energy rating of the refrigerator before you buy it. Today, most brands offer energy saving models, which for the most part bear the European Union energy label. Buy the best quality appliance that you can afford – the longer a machine lasts, the less carbon footprint it will leave.
Added features
Modern fridges should offer a whole host of added features, which would make them function better and more convenient to operate. Some of the more notable added features include:
- Ice on demand: an automatic icemaker ensures that you have access to ice cubes whenever you require them.
- A temperature controlled environment
- Well-designed drawers
- Easy cleaning
- Ban the formation of ice: Some refrigerators prevent the formation of ice from forming
- Prevent slamming: Special soft-closing mechanisms
- No smell: A good quality refrigerator should boast an air filter
- A weighty issue: Consumers are storing more and more items in their refrigerator doors. Excessive weight can eventually lead to door sagging or the door’s gasket leaking. As such, it is important to ensure that the refrigerator’s door hinges are strong
What do you think is the most important feature for a fridge? Leave a comment, we love hearing from you.
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