How to choose a refrigerator

Let's talk about all the points in order.

Refrigerator classification

To decide on the choice of a suitable refrigerator, you should know what device options the market offers. So, refrigerators differ in the following parameters.

Installation method

Built -in - they form a single complex with furniture, they have special hinges for hanging the facade on the door, they do not catch the eye, they work quietly. It is worth focusing on them when it comes to a complete repair in the kitchen with the replacement of all its components.

Built-in refrigerator

Stationary - stand-alone, easy to install in any place suitable for the area. They can have a classic, high-tech and even retro design, perfectly complementing any interior. They will be discussed in our article.

Popular refrigerator models

Refrigerator type

The larger the dimensions of the refrigerator, the more chambers it can accommodate. It is obvious. So, refrigerators are:

single-chamber - a cooling chamber with one door. The disadvantage of a single-chamber refrigerator is the icing of the walls, so it needs frequent defrosting.

Compact single-chamber refrigerator

two- chamber - this type includes models in which there are two cameras, i.e. the total volume is structurally divided by a solid partition into 2 compartments, each of which can have shelves, etc. But the temperature in them because of this partition will be different. Access to each chamber can be realized with one door, two or one common and additional for the freezer compartment, as in the example with this model.
three-chamber. In addition to the refrigerator and freezer compartments, they have a freshness zone - a sealed chamber with a fixed humidity level and a temperature of 0º C - for herbs, mushrooms, fruits, vegetables and other products with a short shelf life.

The most popular two-chamber refrigerator models

multi -chamber - units of impressive size for 4 or more chambers with 2 freshness zones. They are mainly used in professional kitchens for the preparation of products in large quantities.
Side-by-Side - the freezer and refrigerator are placed side by side along the entire height or under each other in two rows. Such refrigerators always contain two doors for the main compartment and stand out from the rest with large dimensions.
refrigerated showcases - are used mainly for catering establishments and food departments in supermarkets.

side by side

Principle of operation

Compressor - the most common type of household refrigerators. It works on the principle of refrigerant circulation from vapor to liquid. It can have one or 2 cooling circuits, which allows you to adjust the temperature for each chamber separately.

IMPORTANT! The compressor can be inverter. Unlike the usual one, it does not turn off, but reduces speed and continues to operate at low power, sufficient to maintain the required temperature in the compartment. At this time, the speed of the refrigerant slows down. Models with an inverter compressor have a more economical power consumption.

In nature, there are also thermoelectric and absorption refrigerators, but they are very distantly related to household models in the usual way for us, so we will not talk much about them. We only note that the first type often includes refrigerators for cars, water coolers, cooler bags, and the latter are suitable for motor homes and in industry, as they work not only from electricity, but also due to the energy of gas combustion.

Height and volume

When choosing a refrigerator, its dimensions, internal volume and filling are taken into account. Products up to 150 cm in height usually contain one chamber with a volume of up to 250 liters. Models with a height of 150 - 210 cm are often two-chamber, can hold up to 400 liters and are designed to serve 3 - 4 people. There are devices and increased capacity - up to 600 liters. These are good for harvesting and storing a large number of drinks and products.

The size of the refrigerator is selected depending on the dimensions of the room or niche where it is planned to be placed. Do not forget that the back wall should be well ventilated, so the device should not be placed close to the wall.

As for the comfort of everyday use, much depends on the fittings. So, the doors can have one or more shelves (balconies), bottle holders, egg trays, and the main compartments can have removable glass shelves and containers for vegetables.

Freezer location

In a refrigerator with a freezer, the latter can be placed under the main compartment or above it. In Side by Side models, as we have already found out, it can also be located on the side, in the next compartment.

There are refrigerators without a freezer. As a rule, these are compact single-chamber models with one door, sometimes built-in, used in offices or rest rooms in enterprises.

Defrost methods

Regardless of the presence of a freezer, the refrigerator must be defrosted periodically to avoid the accumulation of ice deposits on the walls.

The defrost function is of the following types:

Manual. The household appliance is disconnected from the electricity, the ice melts, the appliances are washed and dried.
Drip. Water flows down the rear inner wall of the device into a special container, from where it then evaporates.
Automatic ( full no frost). In a refrigerator with such a system, fans supply air cooled by an evaporator. Every 16 hours, the heating element of the evaporator melts the frost, water flows into a container placed on the compressor, and then evaporates from there.

Fridges with Full No Frost

Energy class

When buying a refrigerator, you need to pay attention to its energy consumption, otherwise you can get a model that will surprise you with electricity bills. Information can be obtained from the label attached to the equipment or from the instructions. The energy efficiency class has a letter index from A to G and is indicated by a specific color.

IMPORTANT! The further down the alphabet letter on the energy efficiency scale and the redder the color, the higher the energy consumption, hence the most profitable products with a green A+ index.

Energy classes

Noise level

Having decided on the energy efficiency class, it's ok to find out how noisy your refrigerator will be. There is no dependence on size here, rather, on the price and quality of components and assembly. The quietest models have a noise level of up to 36 dB, which is equal to the daytime sound background of an apartment in a quiet area, the noisiest models are up to 46 dB, that is, no louder than a kitchen hood at first speed.

Additional functions

Modern refrigeration appliances, in direct proportion to their cost, can be equipped with a number of additional features that simplify use, making it as comfortable as possible. Among these:

child protection - consists in blocking control or direct access (door lock). An extremely useful option for families with small children;
vacation mode - an energy-saving mode in which you can switch the refrigerator for a long absence, if you do not want to turn it off completely;
antibacterial protection - a special coating of the inner walls that prevents the development of mold and unpleasant odors;
fast freezing - forced freezing mode (up to -24º С);
handle lighting;
door closing signal;
two compressors ;
built-in mini-bar or water dispenser;
ice maker, etc.

Important: Food in the refrigerator inevitably emits odors, the mixing of which sometimes creates an unpleasant atmosphere. To solve the problem, some models have a built-in deodorizer that purifies the air inside the device.

Control

Well, and the last, although also an important point that affects the cost and ease of use of the device is control. It comes in two types:

Electromechanical, when rotary switches with a digital scale are intended for temperature control. The lower the number, the colder the air.
Electronic. Can be pushbutton or touch. Allows for more accurate and faster settings for each chamber, as well as compressor and fan control. The display(in more expensive models) helps to monitor all this.

Now that we have introduced you to refrigerators from A to Z, we hope you will find in our catalog the model that will best meet your requirements, desires and possibilities.

Good luck choosing!