The Appliances Online Ultimate Fridge Buying Guide
July 29th, 2015
Buying a fridge but not sure where to start?
Our buying guide is here to help you make an informed decision, whether you’re after a fridge to feed your family, or somewhere you can store your food and drink for parties.
Contents
- What size fridge do you need?
- Will it fit?
- Energy Efficiency
- How to choose an energy efficient fridge
- What is the most energy-efficient fridge design?
- Our favourite features of energy-efficient fridges
- Running your fridge efficiently
- How to prevent fridge noise
- What is the ideal temperature to set on my fridge/freezer?
- What is the best way to fill a fridge?
- How to clean a fridge
- Fridge features to look for:
- What colour fridge looks best?
- What type of fridge is best for me?
- Need more help?
What size fridge do you need?
There’s an art to choosing a fridge that’s just the right size. If a fridge is too small, it won’t hold enough food to feed everyone, and if it’s too big, it’ll cost more to run than you really need to pay for.
To choose a fridge that’s just the right size for your home, consider the number of people in your household:
Remember to keep in mind that your household numbers may change over time – plan accordingly! Couples expecting children can future-proof their kitchen by upgrading from a 300L fridge to a 400L model, and likewise a family with an emptying nest may be able to downsize their fridge from 500L to something more manageable.
Further reading
Will it fit?
It seems obvious, but a lot of people forget to measure the amount of space they have available in their home for a new fridge. This can lead to embarassing and expensive situations when they buy a fridge that’s too big for their kitchen!
Always check how much room you have available, remembering to leave some extra space for airflow around the sides and rear (about 5cm should do). If you plan on choosing a fridge with a built-in ice and/or water dispenser, be sure to leave some extra room for the plumbing as well.
Also, check the width of your home’s doors and hallways – it’s no good buying a great new fridge if you can’t actually fit it inside your house!
Further reading
- Measure Twice, Buy Once!
- How to make space in a small kitchen, and the fridge warranty fiasco
- How to supersize a small kitchen
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency in the kitchen isn’t just good for the environment – it can also help save money on your power bills!
Here’s how to save power and money through an energy-efficient fridge:
How to choose an energy efficient fridge
Fridges use more energy than any other appliance – so choose wisely! The larger the fridge, the more power it will need.
Look for the fridge’s Energy Star rating – the more stars, the more energy-efficient the appliance.
If a fridge lists its Energy Consumption in kWh Per Year, you can use these to get an approximate idea of its running costs. Simply multiply the figure by the approximate price of electricity in your area (check your latest power bill, or contact your energy supplier) and you’ll have a rough idea of how much the fridge should cost to run for 12 months.
Remember that the fridge’s final 12-month power consumption figure will likely vary depending on the temperature settings you use, what kind of items you store, and many other factors.
Further reading
- It’s not a bargain if it’s expensive to run: save money with energy efficient appliances
- How much does it cost to run your appliances and how to reduce it
What is the most energy-efficient fridge design?
Generally, top-mount freezer model fridges tend to be the most energy efficient.
This is because the coldest part of the fridge (the freezer) is positioned farthest away from the warmest part of the fridge (the compressor, typically located at the base of the fridge’s rear), meaning it doesn’t need to work as hard to keep cool.
Also, as cool air naturally falls, the fridge can use gravity to spread cool air throughout the fridge by letting it flow down from the freezer, rather than using the compressor to force it upward through the fridge cavity.
Our favourite features of energy-efficient fridges
- Look for a fridge with an Eco or Holiday mode to efficiently save power when the fridge isn’t being used every day, such as when you go away on a trip.
- Fridges that use R600a refrigerant (which contains no CFCs or HFCs) are better for the environment, both during their operation and eventual disposal.
- Some high-end fridges include a digital memory that saves the most frequent door opening times over 24 hours (such as meal preparation times), and adjusts the fridge’s settings during these hours of the day to efficiently compensate for this extra use.
- Fridges with an Inverter Motor are also more energy efficient that those with regular motors, as Inverter motors speed up and slow down as required to maintain the fridge’s temperature, rather than slamming On and Off (cooling 100% or 0%) like other fridges.
Further reading
- What the heck is Holiday Mode, and will you need it this year?
- World leaders step up to tackle climate change – how your appliances can help
Running your fridge efficiently
- Leave space at the sides and rear of your fridge to vent waste heat from the compressor, allowing it to operate more efficiently.
- If possible, try to position your fridge far away from heat sources in your kitchen, including ovens, cooktops and direct sunlight, as this means it doesn’t have to work as hard to keep itself cool.
- Check and maintain the fridge seals so that cool air isn’t leaking.
- Keep the fridge full, so there’s less air inside for the fridge to cool. But don’t over-fill it, as this can disrupt the fridge’s airflow and lead to uneven cooling.
- Keep hot food out of the fridge. Not only does this mess with the internal temperature, but the lukewarm period as hot food cools down is the ideal time for bacteria to grow.
Further reading
- How to organise your kitchen
- How to organise a fridge – eight tips for a more efficient kitchen
- Save money on your power bill – tips for efficiently running your fridge
- Energy saving tips for the kitchen
- How to fill the fridge and freezer for cheaper running
How to prevent fridge noise
Ever had an old fridge that rattled as it cooled?
Chances are that the fresh compressor of a brand new fridge won’t be as noisy as these older models, but it’s possible there could still be some humming. This humming is caused by the vibration of the compressor, and it can be magnified depending on your fridge’s surroundings.
When you position a fridge in an alcove or recess, noise can echo in the space around it and come out of the sides.
Also, different kitchen floor surfaces will absorb the vibrations from a fridge’s motor differently. A fridge on terracotta tiles will sound louder than a fridge on carpet, cork tiles, wooden floorboards or vinyl (lino).
If your kitchen has a noisy floor, consider placing your noisy fridge on a soft mat to absorb the vibrations and muffle the sound.
Further reading
What is the ideal temperature to set on my fridge/freezer?
Most Australian government health and safety organisations agree that in order to keep your food fresh and prevent the growth of germs, your fridge must be kept below 5°C.
When it comes to setting your fridge’s thermostat, a good median temperature to use is 3°C. This means the fridge’s compressor should kick in to cool the interior well before the thermometer starts climbing into the danger zone of 5°C and above, and it’s not so cold that the compressor needs to work extra-hard and use more energy to maintain a near-freezing temperature.
As for the freezer, you definitely want its temperature to be below 0°C (the very definition of “freezing”), with most freezer manufacturers recommending a temperature of -18°C.
Use a fridge thermometer to test the performance of your fridge, and adjust the thermostat accordingly. Remember that different sections of your fridge may be warmer or cooler than others – typically the dairy compartment at the top will be the warmest, while the lowest shelf will be the coolest.
What is the best way to fill a fridge?
- Keep raw foods such as meat on the bottom shelf where it is usually the coldest. This also means that if these items leak for any reason, they won’t drip onto your other food.
- Keep dairy items such as butter and hard cheeses in the appropriate dairy compartment. This section is often a little bit warmer than the rest of the fridge, so these items should be a little bit softer when you use them.
- Keep food in covered containers to prevent the spread of odours and germs.
- Don’t overfill your fridge, as this will prevent proper airflow through its interior, leaving you with an uneven fridge temperature, with more cold and warm zones.
- Throw out old food that’s past its use-by date. Don’t risk it if you’re unsure – better to be safe than sorry!
- Don’t place food in the fridge while it’s still warm or hot. The heat it radiates may throw off the temperature for the rest of your fridge, and the longer it takes the hot food to cool down to below 5°C, the longer the food will spend in the “Goldilocks period” when germs can flourish and breed.
Further reading
- Chocolate in the fridge – right or wrong?
- Does chocolate belong in the fridge? We asked, you answered!
- Should eggs be kept in the fridge or not?
- Why are bananas in the fridge a no no? (Or are they?)
- Rules for using the sniff test for food in the kitchen
- Meaty matters: all your meat storage questions answered!
- A short guide to defrosting meat
- Tomato sauce in the fridge!
How to clean a fridge
- Empty the fridge. Keep your perishables in an esky or other temperature-controlled container while you work your cleaning magic.
- Remove all of the fridge’s shelves and drawers.
- Give the removed sections a wash and wipe down in the sink with hot soapy water.
- Clean the fridge’s interior. You can wipe down the surfaces with a little soap and water, or even a little bicarb soda to absorb odours. Vinegar can also be used to eliminate bacteria. Add some vanilla essence if you’d like a pleasant scent in your fridge.
- Remember to clean the fridge’s door seals, as mould growth here can lead to cracking and weaker seals.
- Dry the shelves and drawers off before you put them back in place.
Further reading
- Spring cleaning: Three kitchen jobs you’re putting off
- Chemical-free cleaning, like Nana used to!
- Awesome tips for getting rid of fridge pong
Fridge features to look for:
Check the following table of popular fridge features for inspiration of what to look for when selecting a fridge, or as a guide to what some fridge features actually do:
Ice and water dispenser |
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Easy opening/auto closing doors |
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Manual or Electronic Controls |
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Antibacterial/easy clean surfaces |
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Reversible doors |
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Bottle shelves/racks |
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Roller feet |
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Quick-chill zone |
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Deodoriser |
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Air curtain |
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Sensor cooling |
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Door in door |
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Twist and serve ice |
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LED lighting |
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Silver nano |
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Chiller drawer |
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Tempered glass shelving |
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Adjustable shelving |
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Medicine box |
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Humidity control |
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Extended warranty |
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Door open alarm |
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If there are any other fridge features that are making you scratch your head, contact the team at Appliances Online for an explanation!
Further reading
- Decoding appliance jargon
- 17 tips for moving house with appliances
- More appliance jargon – a glossary of appliance terms
- Seven tips for moving a fridge
- How to move appliances without damaging floors
What colour fridge looks best?
Different fridge styles look better in different kitchen styles. for all the budding home decorators, the following table sums up the four broad fridge colours and styles, and when they look their best.
White |
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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Stainless Steel |
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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Black |
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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Colour |
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Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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Remember that a fridge is an important investment that should last for a number of years, so it’s important to choose a design that not only suits your current needs, but will remain suitable further down the track. Even if you’re fond of a currently fashionable look, ask yourself if it’ll likely still be as appealing in five or ten years time.
Further reading
- ‘Substantial’ group of customers rate refrigerator looks over functionality
- Stainless steel vs white appliances
- The self-cleaning stainless steel kitchen
- Bringing sexy black: kitchen style trends from Europe
What type of fridge is best for me?
There are many different types of fridge available to suit different Aussie homes.
The following table can help you work out which one best suits your needs:
Top Mount |
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Features |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Ideal For |
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Bottom Mount |
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Features |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Ideal For |
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Side by Side |
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Features |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Ideal For |
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3 & 4 Door
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Features |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Ideal For |
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Bar Fridges |
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Features |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Ideal For |
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Pigeon Pair |
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Features |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Ideal For |
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Chest Freezers |
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Features |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Ideal For |
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Integrated Fridges |
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Features |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Ideal For |
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Wine Fridges |
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Features |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Ideal For |
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Upright Freezers |
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Features |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Ideal For |
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Upright Fridges |
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Features |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Ideal For |
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Bar Freezers |
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Features |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Ideal For |
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Further reading
- What type of fridge should I buy?
- What is a pigeon pair fridge?
- Love wine? Love a wine storage cabinet
Need more help?
If you ever require additional assistance when choosing a fridge or freezer, contact the team at Appliances Online on 1300 000 500. Our team of experts is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, so we can always provide the advice you need, no matter when you may need it!
Further Reading
- Top three factors to consider when buying whitegoods
- Top uses for your refrigerator that don’t involve food
- Frequently asked appliance questions – answered!
- Appliances Online to the rescue with fridge giveaway!
- 10 signs that it’s time to replace your fridge
- Why you should future proof your kitchen
- Landfill or recycling – What happens to your old appliances?
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