Total capacity
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.
Functions
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.Number of freezer drawers
The quantity of freezer drawers in a refrigerator affects the optimal organization of frozen foods. A larger number of drawers allows for better separation of different types of frozen products. However, in the majority of standard two-compartment refrigerators, there are typically
three freezer drawers.
Slim shelf
The slim shelf is a low (up to 5 cm) tray, which is the best suited for storing seasonings, rolled puff pastry, ice, butter, meat preparations and other small-sized products. In such a container, you can’t place products one on top of the other, so finding the right frozen item will be much easier.
Autonomy time
Refrigerators with good thermal insulation can maintain low temperatures inside for a significant amount of time even if there is a power outage. This period of time is known as the "keep cold time," during which the refrigerator can preserve perishable food items. A longer keep cold time indicates better thermal insulation, making the refrigerator more suitable for areas where power outages are common.
Door panel hinge
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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.
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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.