Fridge / Freezer

There was a time when refrigerators were a major appliance lumped in with other "white goods." That term certainly doesn't apply to refrigerators today. Given the range of styles available, "designer major appliance" suits the modern refrigerator better. From retro look refrigerators in bright primary colours to sleek stainless steel models, the modern fridge really does make a designer statement in the modern kitchen.

While the top mounted freezer style of fridge is still the largest selling model, there are several other options available. Our Refrigerators Buying Guide is designed to help you through the maze of modern refrigerators.

Types of Refrigerators

We are most familiar with the top-freezer or "top mount" type of refrigerator. This is the two door fridge with a smaller door on top to access ice and frozen foods and a large door to access cold foods. As a rule, eggs, milk and frequently used bottles, cans and jars are stored inside the door, while fruits and vegetables are held in a plastic drawer at the base of the refrigerator. Adjustable shelves make for versatile storage of other cold goods.

While the top-freezer fridge is traditional, it is not always the best choice. It has limited freezer capacity and sometimes goods get lost in the back of the deep shelves. If you are looking for a new fridge, you might want to consider some of these options:

Compact or Bar Fridges 

Compact fridges fit neatly under a bench and are popular in home bars and small apartments.

Drawer Fridges

Drawer fridges are made to be built-in. Because they fit under a bench top, they are not as deep as standard fridges, but they make up for this with their width: they fit into a 90cm cabinet space. The Fisher and Paykel integrated model, for instance, has a storage capacity of 123 litres - enough for the average person. Drawer fridges are expensive and not for the average family, but may be perfect if your existing fridge space isn't enough or you want the convenience of having your most-needed cold goods at your fingertips.

Pigeon Pairs

If space allows, large families with large kitchens (and large appetites!) love pigeon pair refrigerators and freezers. These are full-sized fridges, but with no space lost, because a full-sized matching freezer holds all of your frozen goods.

What Should You Buy?

If space is not a concern, then your first consideration should be how large a refrigerator you need. Most fridges come in a standard depth of 734mm. Exceptions to this are some 57cm deep fridges that are designed to fit flush with standard 60cm benchtops. The width of refrigerators varies considerably. Between 250-285 litres of useable internal space is enough for two people. Add 28.5 litres for each additional member of the family.

If you already have a designated space for your fridge, you will have to buy one that fits into that space. Don't try to squeeze a large fridge into a small space. It needs a little breathing room around it to operate efficiently - 25mm on each side is usually sufficient.

If you like a lot of freezer space, consider either a side by side or bottom freezer model. You have to organize the bottom freezer, because it lacks stackable shelves. If storage capacity is your priority, don't get a side by side with an ice and cold water dispenser.

If value for money is your main concern, you are probably better off choosing a top freezer model. There are far more of these on the market than any other kind. Since they are manufactured in greater quantities, they are also cheaper.

Finally, as is true of all appliances today, refrigerators come with an energy rating. This should be a major consideration, not only because it will save you money on your electrical bill, but because it will help save the environment.