Watch Out: How Fridge-Freezer Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It

A Guide to Buying a Fridge Freezer A fridge freezer helps you to keep healthy meals on hand, and also keeps leftovers fresher for longer. Many fridge-freezers have smart features. When you are choosing a refrigerator or freezer the energy efficiency is a key factor. The kWh number is displayed on the label for energy and informs you the amount of electricity consumed annually. Quick-chill and fast-freeze functions Many fridge freezers have additional features that allow you keep your food fresher for longer. Some of them can boost your energy efficiency or save you time and effort, however others are more of an option. If you're thinking of buying one, consider the value each feature adds to the price. Also, think about whether it will enhance your life. A quick-chill feature provides an extra boost of cooling power to cool fresh food items to safe temperatures quickly. This will help to prevent harmful bacteria and keep nutrients within. This is a great option if you do a lot of grocery shopping and want to store your food in a hurry. Some fridge freezers feature a fast-freeze function that allows you to freeze foods at a lower temperature than normal, which helps them retain their texture and quality when they're frozen. This can be useful if you have a lot of food to store in the freezer at the same time for instance, after a large meal. It is important to keep in mind that freezing food at a lower temperature can impact the taste and nutritional value as well, so it's best to use this feature sparingly. Certain models come with a cold accumulation block that stores frozen ice to help the appliance maintain its temperature in the event of a power cut. Some models have a pull-out drain spout that makes it simpler to remove melting ice or food spills. Ice-cube tray Ice-cube trays are an essential item in every fridge. These trays are ideal to store leftover soups, sauces, and juices. small fridge freezer can even make small batches of fresh herbs to use later in a meal. Not all ice cube trays are the same. Some are made of hard plastic, which could break or split if you try to take the cubes off. There are many durable options that don't require you to smash and twist the cubes of ice. Another thing to take into consideration is how fast the ice-cube tray freezes. The smaller the surface of the tray, the faster it will freeze. A tray that has compartments for every cube will also be more efficient in freezing than one with dividers. There are many different shapes and sizes available on the market which means you can select from whatever best fits your needs. For example, bigger ice cubes are ideal for cocktails as they melt more slowly and don't dilute drinks as much. Cocktail connoisseurs are increasingly attracted to spheres. The set of four ice cube tray from OMorc comes with a silicone lid which seals well and keeps freezer odors from getting out. It has a comfortable handle that allows it to be easily stacked and transport. It can create 14 ice cubes, and the base has been rounded for easy removal. It is BPA-free, dishwasher safe and constructed from plastic. The tray can be frozen flat and are comfortable to hold. This stops them from cracking when moving from the sink to the freezer. They can also be placed inside the included bin for easy storage. Aesthetics Contrary to their freestanding counterparts fridge freezers aren't just functional appliances. They can also be stylish icons, too. From polished finishes to modern, sleek designs inspired by the 1950s, there's a fridge freezer to suit every kitchen. Many fridge freezers provide bottle racks to stow bottles in a safe manner. These racks prevent bottles from slipping off shelves and occupying valuable space and causing them to break or crack. There are fridge freezers available in a range of striking color finishes, such as SMEG FAB32's bright chrome finish. This gives a modern twist to a classic design and responds with current trends that play with textures and materials. Integrated fridge-freezers are great for those who prefer sleek design, since they can be concealed behind cupboard doors, fitting seamlessly into their interior decor. They are also ideal for those with smaller kitchens or open-plan living spaces, since they maximise space and create an appealing appearance. Energy efficiency It is crucial to choose an energy efficient fridge since they are always on and use a large amount of electricity. If you choose an energy-efficient fridge-freezer, this will help you save money on your electric bill and also help reduce carbon emissions. It is also worth examining your current fridge's energy usage because it will give you an idea of what it will cost to operate. You can do this using the plug-in energy usage meter or reviewing the cost of your electricity provider per kWh. New models are becoming more and more efficient and the energy labels show you how many kWh each appliance consumes per year and how it compares to other appliances. The most efficient appliances have an A+ or higher rating. If you are thinking of buying a fridge or freezer take a look at the yellow Energy Guide label which gives you an estimate of annual operating costs and allows you to evaluate the energy consumption of similar refrigerators. There are ways to lower the expense of running your fridge-freezer. For example, leaving the space between the shelves and food allows cold air to circulate more easily so it requires less energy. This also helps prevent condensation which is a major energy hog. This Energy Star-rated Frigidaire model might be just the right choice for you should you be looking to buy an affordable refrigerator that can fit in any room. It's a bit more expensive than other models, however it's easy to charge your electric bill. It's available in black or white and has a surface that looks like stainless steel but doesn't show fingerprints or smudges. It's also great for offices, break rooms and dorm rooms.