Built-in and free-standing refrigerators
The refrigerator is an indispensable appliance in every home, aimed at preserving food: there are different types of refrigerators available on the market and just as many functions and accessories that distinguish each model. Precisely for this reason, in view of a possible purchase, it is always necessary to evaluate multiple variables in order to best meet every need.
Technology is constantly renewing itself, which is why choosing a refrigerator may initially seem like an "impossible task": however, having clear ideas can undoubtedly clarify this situation, making the purchase of such an appliance certainly less complicated and difficult than expected, functional and in line with the needs of every family.What a refrigerator is for
The refrigerator was born from the need to preserve all kinds of food by recreating a cool and suitable environment, regardless of the weather: in ancient times it was made from special stones placed in the pantry, but over time, the most common household appliance has evolved to the point of becoming a true "concentrate of technology", equipped with increasingly practical functions, combined with the elegance of a modern, elegant and adaptable aesthetic to all kinds of personal tastes.
The refrigerator therefore has the task of preserving food within a cool space, with temperatures of around 4°C: there are foods that can only be stored for a few days, as well as foods that can be kept in the refrigerator from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the expiry date: in other cases, food can be stored at very low temperatures, by deep-freezing it, i.e. placing it in the freezer compartment, a true cold store, to be filled, however, with due care.
American refrigerator
How the refrigerator works
The refrigerator works by means of a special compression system: thanks to this mechanism, the refrigerant is compressed. Initially conveyed in an external grid to raise its pressure to a liquid state, thanks to the presence of a condenser it is deprived of its characteristic heat. A thermostatic valve then leads the liquid refrigerant inside an evaporator, where its expansion takes place again due to the existing pressure difference.
At this point the liquid transforms back into gas, which absorbs the heat from the food inside the refrigeration compartment and is then directed back to the compressor, where the cycle just described begins again. The same is then repeated until the appliance reaches what is normally the desired temperature, where the thermostat will suspend the action of the compressor itself.
Refrigerator footprint
As is the case when buying any new appliance, the overall dimensions are among the main parameters to be evaluated: it is therefore best to assess all measurements such as height, width and depth, counting for the latter at least 10 cm more, in order to avoid unpleasant inconveniences. However, it is good to bear in mind that there are two main types of refrigerator, which vary according to their location: built-in or free-standing.
Modern refrigerator
Free-standing refrigerators
Free-standing refrigerators, also known as free-standing, are the most common models used when choosing a modular kitchen: in this case the aesthetics of the refrigerator play a fundamental role, as does the positioning within the room.
Built-in refrigerators
Built-in fridges, on the other hand, are able to present capacities quite similar to the free-standing type, although this variable depends essentially on the space available.
In this case, aesthetics takes second place as the appliance will be integrated into the kitchen furniture, a factor that only implies an accurate measurement aimed at the real optimisation and usability of the environment.
Aesthetics and main accessories of a refrigerator
The aesthetics of the refrigerator, especially when it comes to free-standing models, is aimed at satisfying every type of taste, easily adapting to any style of décor. From steel to brighter and more original shades, from the most unusual fantasies to tones that can range from classic white to cream, the refrigerator can take on an appearance that is perfectly coherent with the rest of the kitchen, or alternatively stand out on purpose and make the difference: in fact, steel details are often combined with coloured components such as the handles, large with particular shapes, thus representing true distinguishing features of the aesthetics of a refrigerator.
A factor to be taken into account before purchasing a refrigerator is undoubtedly the type of internal accessories, which can in any case be replaced in the long term: food and beverages are in fact stored in order inside the refrigerator, both to facilitate cooling and to easily locate them when necessary. The diversification of internal temperatures allows optimal storage, offering the possibility of arranging each food item according to its own characteristics.
Grids, small drawers, various containers can in fact easily hold different foods placed in different positions within the compartment: there are grids designed to easily place bottles horizontally without the risk of slipping or shifting, and also small drawers suitable for holding butter and cheese for example. There are also often specific grids for storing eggs and containers with lids to prevent any odours from escaping into the appliance. In short, every fridge is certainly designed to optimise storage, making life not a little easier.
Single door refrigerator
Types of refrigerator
Apart from the equipment available, there are many refrigerator models on the market, all with different characteristics and peculiarities: it is therefore advisable to consider every minimum variable by selecting the most suitable device to meet the real needs of each family:
Single door refrigerator
This is a refrigerator with only one door, usually without a freezer, although some models are equipped with a small internal compartment that helps to make up for this function.
Double Door Refrigerator
In this case we are in the presence of a classic traditional refrigerator with the refrigerator compartment located in the lower part and the freezer compartment located in the upper part of the appliance: in this case, however, the space is less when compared to the same refrigerator compartment.
Combined refrigerator
Entirely similar to the double-door refrigerator model, if combined it has a freezer compartment placed, however, in the lower part of the appliance: particularly practical, it can be powered by one or two motors, where the former is undoubtedly preferable in terms of energy consumption.
Side-by-Side refrigerator
The side-by-side refrigerator, also known as the American type, has two vertical doors: the freezer is placed independently on the left, while the door on the right leaves space for the traditional refrigeration compartment.
French Door refrigerator
The French door refrigerator also falls within the American type. Distinguished also in this case by two vertical doors, both of which leave space for the refrigerating compartment, while the two independent doors at the bottom make up the freezer compartment.
4-door refrigerator
Lastly, there is the American refrigerator that consists of 4 doors: in this case the aesthetics is quite similar to that of a four-door wall cupboard, where the subdivision is weighted both horizontally and vertically so as to optimise storage, offering greater overall capacity.
Before proceeding with the purchase of a refrigerator, it is therefore advisable to evaluate the real use of the appliance and the arrangement of the compartments present, depending on the intended use: if you plan to make greater use of the refrigerator compartment, it is better to opt for a double-door or combined model where the capacity of the freezer is lower. On the other hand, if you foresee the same use of both compartments, it is better to orient yourself on an American model, suitable for large families by virtue of its typically larger capacity and size.
No-frost refrigerator
Refrigerator capacity
The capacity of the refrigerator is one of the decisive parameters in making a choice: there are models with specific capacities suited to the most common consumer needs. They range from a capacity of 100 litres to over 600. The capacity remains one of the most important values as it constitutes the effective filling capacity of such an appliance. However, it should be broken down bearing in mind the differentiation between the refrigerator and freezer compartment: as a rule, when talking about combined or double-door refrigerators, the capacity of the freezer should represent about 1/3 of the total available space.
As a guideline, however, you can refer to the following litre/number of people ratio:
Up to 150/190 litres: 1 person
Up to 210-260 litres: 2 people
Up to 300-360 litres: 3 persons
Over 300 litres: 4 and more people
How to choose the ideal refrigerator
After considering the size of the refrigerator, it is necessary to refer to one's daily eating habits: if one prefers to buy fresh food every day, it is better to opt for a single door refrigerator, small in size and equipped with a freezer compartment, albeit a small one, represented mainly by a cell separate from the rest of the appliance, with one or two stars for the simple production of ice and the conservation of food for a short time or alternatively with four stars for true freezing aimed at keeping the food intact for an extended period of time.
The combined refrigerator, on the other hand, is preferable for anyone who likes to make real stocks of food for long-term storage: as the term suggests, such an appliance combines a refrigerator placed in the upper part with a freezer usually four-star, placed instead in the lower part and equipped with multiple drawers that optimise the arrangement of food.
If you usually consume fruit and vegetables in large quantities, it is best to opt for models with large drawers designed for this type of food. If water and beverages are stored, specific and particularly large shelves are of course also necessary. American fridges often have an automatic dispenser capable of dispensing water and ice when needed, simply by connecting the appliance to the common tap in the kitchen.
American refrigerators themselves tend to be distinguished by their large size and the presence of two side-by-side doors to access the cooler and freezer compartments. With an attractive and sophisticated design, they normally have a number of very useful features, such as digital displays with touch controls, advanced options useful for reducing energy consumption and intelligent functions designed for the correct management of the appliance and the internal organisation of food.
Refrigerator noise
Perhaps not many people know that the refrigerator can be particularly noisy, constituting a considerable inconvenience especially during the night. The models that stand out for being noisier are generally the no frost refrigerators, as they have a fan inside to favour air circulation, which emits a continuous hum together with the typical hum of the motor. As a general rule, the noise level for a silent refrigerator should be below 40 decibels, always bearing in mind that the appliance and the wall must be at least 10 centimetres apart so as to avoid overloading the motor, which would inevitably generate further noise.
Cooling and defrosting system
Among the most frequent problems when it comes to household appliances such as refrigerators is the presence of frost. The technologies that make up so-called no frost refrigerators prevent frost and ice from forming above the shelves, thus preventing overloading of the cooler as well as the freezer itself.
Frost and frost are essentially due to the freezing of water vapour originating from food and from the air itself that enters the appliance every time its doors are opened. Precisely for this reason, such models integrate a special evaporator as well as a ventilation system designed to suck up the vapours emitted by food. However, there are two different types of no-frost refrigerators: total or partial. In the first case the no frost system is applied to both the freezer and the refrigerator compartment, in the second only to the freezer.
The advantages of no frost technology are many: they reduce the time needed for maintenance and cleaning of the appliance by eliminating the need for periodic defrosting carried out manually, they guarantee greater uniformity of cooling of the multiple compartments, leading to savings on electricity consumption. This system is also able to reduce the formation of mould or unpleasant odours inside the refrigerator, which are normally caused by the presence of humidity.
Refrigerator
Refrigerator: new technologies
The latest generation of refrigerators have multiple functions designed to ensure greater convenience in use, all of which are aimed at providing simpler and more optimal conservation of food.
Thanks to special temperature sensors, digital displays and LCD screens, it is possible to regulate and monitor the internal temperature of the refrigerator and freezer extensively, setting the most suitable temperature and keeping it constant for an extended period of time. The same sensors, which are particularly sensitive to temperature variations, can autonomously adjust the ideal temperature for each food according to the climate outside the fridge and at the same time the seasonality. A further electronic device placed inside the refrigerator, on the other hand, is able to signal any power failures, which could compromise the optimal preservation of food.
There are also modern, alternative technologies that can significantly improve the performance of any household appliance:
Active Oxygene - this feature is designed to keep food fresh for up to 10 days, thanks to the presence of active oxygen, a powerful purifier capable of removing up to 90% of bacteria, reducing unpleasant odours by up to 70%.
TwinTech FrostFree - on the other hand, aims to regulate the humidity inside the refrigerator, preventing food from drying out and thus guaranteeing a longer life span.
StopFrost - many models also have the StopFrost function, which is able to promote the defrosting of the freezer, reducing the formation of ice, which is then deposited on a board at the top of the appliance.
NoFrost Premium - this feature makes use of a sophisticated system of internal and external sensors as well as a separate airflow management compartment: all this is able to eliminate excess humidity in all shelves, totally preventing the formation of frost and ice.
Refrigerator maintenance and useful tips
Finally, there are a series of useful tricks to keep the refrigerator efficient at all times, especially in the long term and benefiting conservation: it is important to periodically clean the external coil as it tends to get dirty with dust. Similarly, the internal coil could fill with ice, compromising food preservation and increasing energy consumption. Checking that these elements are always in the best condition is fundamental to guaranteeing the efficiency of the device, also and above all in the long term.
Periodic defrosting of the refrigerator is also indispensable, as is thorough cleaning in all corners, crevices, compartments and shelves, using specific detergents such as vinegar, bicarbonate or lemon.
The correct placement of food can also make a difference as an overloaded compartment will result in uneven cooling, impairing the performance of the device. It is therefore better to always follow, and scrupulously, what is written in the user manual that is obligatorily supplied with the appliance directly by the manufacturer.
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