How to choose a good refrigerator without intrusive advice from a consultant

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Find out how to buy a reliable, quiet and energy efficient unit that will preserve the quality of products and fit into the interior.

1. Consider the dimensions

Before going to the store, decide on a place for your future refrigerator - the type of model will depend on this. Measure a patch of available space with a tape measure. Write down the length, width, and height. Make sure there is enough space to open the doors, check if there is a socket nearby.

2. Decide on the type and layout

Refrigerators are single, double and multi-chamber. The first ones consist only of a refrigerating chamber. Sometimes inside, behind the same door, there is a small freezer shelf. The height of a single-compartment refrigerator, as a rule, does not exceed 150 cm, width and depth - up to 60 cm.

Nowadays, two-compartment refrigerators are in the greatest demand.

They have independent refrigerating and freezing chambers. The first is intended for storing food at a temperature of 5–8 ° С, the second is for freezing.

The power of the freezer is indicated by snowflakes. One snowflake: temperature about -6 ° C, food can be stored for a week. Two snowflakes: temperature -12 ° C, food will lie quietly for a month. Three or more snowflakes indicate that it is -18 ° C in the freezer and food can be stored there for up to a year.

Two-compartment refrigerators are:

1. Top freezer("Top"). Their depth and width - 60x60 cm, height from 1.5 to 2.5 m
2. With bottom freezer("Combi"). The dimensions are about the same. They differ in a large freezer and the fact that the food in the refrigerator is at eye level. Cons - premium models are expensive, food-laden freezer drawers are difficult to pull out, plastic often breaks.
3. French door(French door). Such models assume a wide (from 70 cm) freezer at the bottom and a double-leaf refrigerator at the top. The good thing is that both the refrigerator and freezer compartments have sufficient volume, and it is convenient to group products on the sides and open only one door.
4. Side-by-Side (American model). Refrigerator and freezer are located side by side. The width of such refrigerators can be up to 120 cm. In height and depth, they are usually the same as the "top" and "combi". The advantages include a large volume and the ability to assess the contents of the refrigerator and freezer at a glance. The disadvantages are the high price and a lot of space in the kitchen.

Multi-compartment (three or more compartments) refrigerators can have different layouts. A feature of such models is the presence of a freshness zone. There is a special temperature and humidity so that vegetables and greens do not fade for a long time, and fresh meat and fish remain chilled, but not frozen.

3. Select the type of control

All modern refrigerators are electromechanical (without precise adjustment) or electronic control. The latter assumes the presence of a panel with a digital display and allows you to set the temperature to a degree, control energy consumption and set special programs (for example, "Vacation" or "Superfreeze").

Some models connect to Wi-Fi - they can be controlled remotely using gadgets.

4. Choose the optimal volume

The volume can be general and useful. The first is understood as the entire space, together with shelves and drawers. The usable volume is calculated based on the amount of food that the refrigerator can hold.

To calculate the minimum usable volume, apply the following formula:

120 liters for 1 person + 60 liters for each family member.

That is, if you live in three, you need a refrigerator with a volume of 240 liters or more. But it is also important to consider the family's eating habits. For example, if you are cooking for the future and the refrigerator is full of semi-finished products, then it is better to take a model with a larger volume. Focus on the following numbers:

• single chamber (up to 100 liters)- for a summer residence and an office;
• with upper freezer (up to 200 liters)- for a city apartment or a country house;
• with bottom freezer (up to 300 liters)- for a city apartment or a country house;
• multi-chamber (up to 500 liters) - for a city apartment or a country house;
• French Door (up to 600 liters) - for a studio apartment or house with a spacious kitchen;
• Side-by-Side (up to 700 liters) - for a studio apartment or a house with a spacious kitchen.

5. Select the type of defrost

Soviet refrigerators were defrosted manually: unplug them, collect water, wash them - and use them again. Modern models are equipped with a drip defrost system ("Weeping Wall") or a No Frost system ("No frost"). Here's how they differ:

1. Drip system. Moisture collects on the back of the refrigerator in a special tray and evaporates due to the heat from the compressor. Over time, ice forms on the walls of the chambers, so the refrigerator must be defrosted and washed at least once every six months.
2. No Frost system. Based on air circulation in the chambers, the cooling element is placed in a special compartment of the system, where moisture condenses and evaporates. Frost does not form on the walls of the chambers, so regular defrosting is not necessary. But it is necessary to wash the refrigerator at least once a year.

If the refrigerator says Full No Frost, it means that both chambers are equipped with the “No frost” system. This system is considered the most perfect, but do not forget about its disadvantages. Due to the fan, the useful volume of the refrigerating chamber is reduced, additional noise is created, and food can wind up, so it is better to store them in containers.

6. Consider the climate class

There are four climatic classes depending on the operating conditions.

1. N - operation at temperatures from +16 ° С to +32 ° С. Suitable for most apartments and houses.
2. SN - operation at temperatures from +10 ° C to +32 ° C. If the refrigerator will be in a poorly heated room, such as a basement or veranda.
3. ST - operation at temperatures from +18 ° C to +38 ° C. Suitable for regions where it gets very hot.
4. T - operation at temperatures from +18 ° С to +43 ° С. For those who live in a very, very hot climate, or if the refrigerator will be in a small room in direct sunlight.

90% of buyers do not pay attention to this parameter and by default choose refrigerators of class N or SN. But there is an important nuance.

If the refrigerator breaks down and an examination shows that the operating conditions did not correspond to the climatic class, the manufacturer's warranty will not work.

7. Find out the type and number of compressors

There are absorption, thermoelectric and compressor cooling systems. The first two, although silent, are not very popular with domestic buyers, since they consume a lot of energy and have a number of other disadvantages.

Most household refrigerators are equipped with a single compressor that drives the fridge and freezer at the same time. They cannot be turned off individually, but modern models have a "Vacation" option: when the freezer is running, the refrigerator compartment goes into economy mode.

In two-compressor models, the refrigerator compartment and freezer are completely autonomous and have their own temperature regime. Two compressors are typically found in premium and Side-by-Side refrigerators.

Compressors are linear (on / off) and inverter. The latter, thanks to a special current converter, work constantly, but with different power. Inverter compressors are less noise and wear less and save energy. Their disadvantage is their susceptibility to voltage surges.

8. Consider the noise level

The type and number of compressors determines the level of noise emitted by the refrigerator.

This parameter is especially important if the unit will be placed in a living room or in a kitchen combined with a living room. In other cases, its noise is not so critical.

The recommended noise level of the refrigerator is 40 dB.

9. Refine energy efficiency

The refrigerator is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Therefore, it is important to choose the most economical option.

The energy consumption class is determined based on the nominal and actual consumption of electricity and is denoted in Latin letters.

The nominal value is the amount of electricity that the unit of this type should theoretically consume (100%). It then measures how much electricity a particular model requires. If less than 55% of the nominal, class A is assigned, if 75% - B, from 75% to 90% - C, 90-100% - D, 100-110% - E and so on.

The most economical electrical appliances are marked A, as well as A +, A ++ or A +++. These refrigerators consume a minimum of energy due to high-quality insulation and modern compressors.

But the energy class does not answer the question of how much energy the refrigerator will consume per year or month. To find out, you need to look at another value in the data sheet: energy consumption kWh / year.

280 kWh - about the same amount of energy a modern refrigerator will consume in a year.

The annual number of kilowatt-hours must be multiplied by the cost of one kWh in your area. This will tell you how much it will cost to use a particular refrigerator.

10. Explore additional options

Sales assistants in stores say little about the main parameters of the technique, but enthusiastically talk about additional ones. They try to convince you that without such and such a sensor or sensor, the device is simply useless. This is no coincidence: these features make the refrigerator more expensive.

Let's see what bells and whistles are in refrigerators and what is really useful from it.

1. Antibacterial coating … The walls of the refrigerator compartment are coated with silver ions, which prevent the growth of bacteria. Sounds like a marketing gimmick: if you keep your refrigerator clean, you don't need any ions.
2. Charcoal filter … It drives the air inside the refrigerating chamber and absorbs unpleasant odors (not to be confused with individual fragrances). It is not required if you do not allow products to stagnate, but put strong-smelling ones in containers.
3. Door open indicator … If it is not closed or not closed tightly, a beep sounds. Useful if there are children or elderly people in the house who often slam the refrigerator door casually.
4. Autonomous cold storage … When the lights are turned off, the food stays fresh for a long time. Useful if there are frequent power outages in the region.
5. Super freeze … This is a mode in which the temperature in the freezer drops for a short time to −24 … −28 ° С. The ad says that quick-freezing allows you to preserve the maximum amount of useful components in products. In fact, it just saves time. Refrigerators have a similar function: you can quickly chill a bottle of wine.
6. Cold water supply … In budget models, it is implemented this way: water is manually poured into a special tank in the door and permanently cooled. However, you can easily get by with an ordinary jug of water in the refrigerator. In premium models, water is supplied directly from the water supply. But this is much more expensive.
7. Ice maker … Water can be poured into ice cells manually or automatically - this also affects the price. But first of all, you need to understand how often you make ice for drinks and whether it is impossible to do with ordinary silicone molds in the freezer.

11. Pay attention to details

So, you have decided on the basic characteristics and pleasant options. We came to the store and found the right models. Here's something else worth paying attention to.

1. The type of lighting inside the refrigerator compartment. Practical if the bulbs are halogen and are located not on the back wall, but on the sides. So you can always see the contents of the refrigerator, even if the shelves are densely packed with food.
2. Shelf material. Glass shelves are the most practical: they are durable, easy to clean, and do not obstruct your view. It is also convenient if there are foldable shelves or the refrigerating chamber is arranged according to the principle of a constructor. By changing their location, you can easily place even bulky dishes inside.
3. The ability to move the door to the other side. It will come in handy if you are thinking of making a rearrangement.
4. The presence of a handle on the door. If the refrigerator is in the aisle, you will cling to it.
5. Elasticity of door seals. If the rubber is hardened, the door will not fit snugly.
6. The presence of wheels. At least two: their presence greatly simplifies transportation.
7. The presence of scratches on the case. Any flaws are a reason to take a copy from the warehouse or demand a discount.

After getting acquainted with the characteristics and inspection, you can safely go to the checkout.