Comparison Indesit INC 20 T321 vs Indesit INC 18 T311

The total volume of a refrigerator is the sum of the volumes of all its compartments, which can vary in specific capacity between different models. It's important to consider this when choosing a refrigerator.

A larger volume for a refrigerator can be beneficial for accommodating more food, but it can also increase the price and size of the appliance. This is especially important to consider if you plan to build the refrigerator into a specific space.

Common features that apply directly to the entire appliance include holiday mode, control via smartphone, child lock, display, door alarm, auto door closer, and reversible door. More about them:

— Holiday mode is an energy-saving feature intended for times when the refrigerator is not in use for an extended period, such as when there is no food inside. During this mode, the temperature inside the fridge compartment is kept around 12 degrees, which helps prevent the development of mold and unpleasant odors.

— Control via smartphone. This feature allows users to access and manage the unit from anywhere with an internet connection. This is achieved through Wi-Fi connectivity to a router or smart home system. The control can be done through a smartphone application or a web page available on any browser. This function provides users with information about the refrigerator's operating mode, including temperature, humidity, malfunctions, and emergency situations. The control via the internet is convenient and provides flexibility in controlling the refrigerator.

— Child lock. Many modern refrigerators come with safety features designed to prevent small children from tampering with the settings. These features usually involv...e locking the control panel to prevent accidental adjustments. However, child locks for the doors are not typically included as a standard feature and must be purchased separately.

— Display. Displays can be found on refrigerators of various levels, from basic to advanced models. Regardless of the level, the display adds convenience to the operation of the unit by providing detailed information about its operation and displaying useful data, such as the time. In some cases, the display can also integrate with other smart home components. However, the cost of refrigerators with such features is typically higher.

— Door alarm. The refrigerator door alarm system alerts the user if the door has been left open for an extended period of time or not closed properly. This prevents spoilage of food due to a critical increase in temperature. The alarm usually gives a sound signal after a certain amount of time and some models also have a light indicator to confirm the correct closure of the door.

— Auto door closer. Auto-closing devices are installed on some refrigerators and are responsible for assisting in the closing and, in some cases, opening of the door. This helps to reduce the risk of leaving the door partially open or closed, while also ensuring a smooth, shock-free movement that can prolong the life of the refrigerator.

— Reversible door. Refrigerators with a classic design offer the ability to choose the location of the hinges, allowing users to decide on which side the door will open for optimal access. note that this function is only available for classic design models, including refrigerated display cases (see “Type”). This feature is not available in Side-by-Side and French Door models due to their design.

The refrigerating compartment is designed for storage of products that do not require freezing, i.e. cooling down to temperatures below zero. The temperature range inside varies from +2 to +10. In almost all modern refrigerators, it is this compartment that has the largest volume.

To ensure optimal performance and food quality, it's important to choose the appropriate volume for the refrigerating compartment based on your actual food storage needs and how often you replenish your supplies. Overfilling the compartment can have a negative impact on both the refrigerator's performance and the quality of the stored food.

For singles or couples, a refrigerating compartment of up to 200 liters is enough, while families or those who stock up on food should opt for models with up to 400 liters. Vertical refrigerators with separate freezer access are suitable for those who need moderate storage space, while side-by-side refrigerators with their typically larger volumes are a good option for those who require even more space and have ample free space.

Apart from shelves, there are several additional compartments in a refrigerator, including a a freshness zone, a humidity zone, a multi-zone and a shelf for bottles.

— Freshness zone.It is a special compartment in a refrigerator designed for storing fresh products for an extended period. The temperature in this zone is slightly lower than the refrigerating chamber, typically around zero degrees, earning it the nickname "zero chamber". Such conditions help to preserve the freshness of products for up to 3-4 days. However, it's important to note that the temperature in the zero chamber may vary depending on the refrigerator model, ranging from 0 °C to +1...3 °C, which can impact the preservation of stored products.

— Humidity zone. Another specialized compartment, similar to the freshness zone, is designed to preserve the freshness of food items for an extended period. However, this compartment maintains high humidity at the same temperature as the rest of the refrigerator, which prevents the products from drying out. This feature is especially important for refrigerators with No Frost systems, which tend to blow moisture out of the refrigerator, leading to quicker drying of the contents.

— Multi-zone. This compartment in a refrigerator combines several functions of different compartments, such as the ability to w...ork as a refrigerator or a freezer, along with other specific features like quickly cooling drinks, slow defrosting, and cooling hot dishes. Modern refrigerators offer more extensive capabilities with specific features, making the multi-zone compartment a valuable addition. Some models have the entire freezer performing the function of a multi-zone chamber, but most models have a separate compartment for it. The presence of a multi-zone compartment significantly expands the capabilities of a refrigerator.

— Shelf for bottles. It is a hanging accessory, typically in the form of a lattice, that is installed under a shelf in the refrigerator. It allows bottles to be stored horizontally, which saves space in the refrigerator while keeping them organized.

The forced freezing mode briefly lowers the temperature inside the freezer to as low as -24 °C or -32 °C. This fast freezing function needs to be turned on in advance and has a limited operating time. Some models do not have automatic shutdown, so it's important to clarify these details. It's worth noting that drawers or quick-freeze zones are not considered as this function.

— Door sliding — a special type of mount for a built-in refrigerator, in which the decorative facade rests on the hinges of the cabinet, and the refrigerator door itself is only partially loaded. The sliding fastening of a built-in refrigerator's facade allows the door of the fridge to slide along the guides on the inside of the decorative panel, reducing the load on the hinges and increasing the appliance's durability. However, this can create a gap where dust can accumulate, and the door can only open up to 90-95˚, which may cause inconvenience when accessing shelves and drawers.

— Door on door — a special type of fastening of a built-in refrigerator, in which the front decorative facade is hung directly on the refrigerator door. With this type of installation, the front decorative panel of the refrigerator is fixed directly onto the door hinges. The main advantage of this rigid attachment method is that the refrigerator door can be opened wider, up to 110-115˚ or even more. Furthermore, there is no gap between the door of the refrigerator and the decorative panel, which creates a sense of structural integrity. However, one drawback of this method is that it can create additional weight load on the refrigerator door hinges, leading to sagging if they are not designed to bear the weight of the panel.

The "country of manufacture" refers to the location where a refrigerator model is produced. While most manufacturing plants are situated in China, but there are still some in Europe (in Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey, etc.). The country of manufacture may not significantly affect the product's quality, although some people associate European assembly with dependability. Additionally, a model may have a country of manufacture listed, such as Poland, even though the same product is produced in China and sold under the same item number in stores.