LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
It’s becoming more common to place your fridge freezer in other places than the kitchen. However, where you place it is an important factor that can affect how the appliance performs. If you’re planning on putting one in a garage or outbuilding, it’s worth remembering that not all models can be kept in low temperature conditions.
Read on to find out which fridge freezer will match where you intend to keep it.
HOT AND COLD DON’T MIX
It might be obvious, but don’t put your fridge freezer next to anything that’s going to get hot. This includes cookers and radiators.
While modern fridge freezers have great insulation, as soon as you open the appliance door, hot air will rush in and raise the temperature. Not only does this affect your chilled and frozen food, but it also makes the appliance work harder to maintain a cold temperature. As such, the appliance is less economical and more costly to run.
Brands like LG have developed models which allow you to see some of your fridge’s contents without opening the door and letting in warm air. However, this is quite a recent development, so you can expect to pay extra for this feature.
It might be obvious, but don’t put your fridge freezer next to anything that’s going to get hot.
FREESTANDING OR UNDERCOUNTER
The style of fridge freezer you pick will often dictate where you put it. Click here for more information on the shapes and designs that are available.
If you have a handy slot in your kitchen units or space at the end of your counter, an undercounter or freestanding appliance is ideal.
INSIDE OR OUT?
Most people purchase their fridge freezer to go in a kitchen or utility room inside their home.
However, some households need more than one cooling appliance, but don’t have the space for an extra one.
If you have a garage, outbuilding or similar dry area with access to electricity, this can provide the perfect solution. However, before buying your new fridge freezer, you have to make sure it can run in cold environments, as some don’t work when the exterior temperature is too cold.
Some fridge freezers don’t work when the exterior temperature is too cold.
This is because condensation can form on the outside, causing damage to the fridge freezer. Most appliances have a climate class, suggesting the lowest working temperatures. As this is often around the 10°C mark, keeping a fridge freezer in the garage is not really an option.
Luckily, some models can work in lower temperatures, such as those from Beko that have Freezer Guard technology. These models work at temperatures below freezing (0°C), even as low as -15°C.
If you’re after a backup fridge freezer to keep outside, check that it can operate in the colder UK temperatures.
