Last updated on April 28th, 2024
Selecting a new fridge is a bigger decision than most realise. There are many factors to consider beyond just price and colour. Your lifestyle, family size, kitchen layout, and even your shopping habits should influence your decision. This guide will delve into the essential considerations for choosing a fridge that you won’t regret buying – one you’ll be content with for the next decade.
Size: The Biggest Consideration
Homeowners and Long Term Tenants
Choosing the right fridge size can be difficult but for many it needn’t be. For homeowners, or those who are unlikely to move anytime soon, go with the largest fridge that will fit in your space. This strategy leverages the laws of physics – the square-cube rule – larger fridges use space more efficiently and generally consume only slightly more energy than their smaller counterparts. For instance, a standard 100L bar fridge might use about 300 kWh per year, while a 500L+ fridge could use around 500 kWh annually. This small difference in energy use is offset by a significant increase in storage capacity, and only costing $20-$30 more a year to run.
Measuring mistakes
When measuring the space for your fridge don’t fall into the trap of overestimating your space. A common mistake is forgetting to account for skirting boards or door hinges. Your fridge shouldn’t fit snug into the cavity at any rate. You should have at least 20mm of space either side of it to run at its most efficient – modern fridges dump heat removed from inside the fridge on the sides and back of the machine. If you jam your fridge into the space it will probably run well, though might struggle on really hot days. It will also run less efficiently and shorten the compressors life. Leave a bit of room on either side for measuring mistakes and efficiency.
Consider Mobility and Flexibility
While the largest fridge that fits into your kitchen might be the ideal choice for long-term homeowners, it’s important to consider your lifestyle fully. For families or individuals who plan to stay in one place for many years, a larger fridge ensures you have ample space to meet growing needs and changes in your habits without needing to buy a second unit. This not only maximizes efficiency and storage but also minimizes power bills and environmental impact by reducing carbon emissions.
But for frequent movers the advice is more nuanced. A large fridge, especially models that are difficult to manoeuvre through narrow doorways or require disassembly, can become a liability. Big fridges are harder to move, more susceptible to damage during transport, and may not fit in your new space, leading to potentially costly losses. Additionally, the logistics and potential wear from frequently moving a large, cumbersome appliance might negate the benefits of having a bigger fridge. For renters and frequent movers, a smaller lighter fridge often makes more practical sense. For those looking to get the easiest fridge to move they should also bear in mind the general rule of thumb for fridge sizing:
- Couples or individuals: 200-350 litres
- Families of three to four: 350-500 litres
- Larger households: 500+ litres
While the number of people in your home provides a basic guideline, your personal habits are equally crucial when choosing a fridge size. Do you buy in bulk, or frequently cook large meals that require storage? If so, a larger fridge will serve you better. Conversely, smaller households with less intensive storage needs might initially consider a compact model adequate. Remember, opting for a larger fridge might be more beneficial in the long run if your living situation is stable.
Fridge Types: Pros and Cons
Top Freezer: Traditional, efficient and budget friendly, best for minimal freezer use.
Bottom Freezer (Upside Down): Provide easy access to fridge contents at eye level, and typically offer much more usable space per litre in the freezer section because of their drawer design. This design allows for better organization and easier access to frozen items, making it a practical choice for those who utilize their freezer frequently. My personal favourite.
Side-by-Side: Equal fridge-freezer space spread across all levels but generally less energy-efficient. A common complaint among users is the narrowness of the compartments, which can make storing larger items, like pizza boxes or wide platters, impossible.
Quad Door: Stylish and flexible but more expensive.
French Door: Essentially a wider version of an upside down fridge, featuring two doors for the refrigerator compartment at the top. While currently in vogue, personally I find these models to be more cumbersome as you often need to open both doors to find what you want, unless you remember where everything is. It’s not a big thing, but it is an extra needless step to go through multiple times a day. Moreover, the French door design tends to be more complex and is consequently prone to more faults compared to standard upside down fridges.
Chest Freezer: Highly efficient and reliable for long-term storage.
Bar Fridge/Freezer: Compact and suitable for small spaces or supplemental use.
Energy Efficiency: More Insulation, Less Concern
Modern refrigerators haven’t seen significant leaps in energy efficiency for 20 years or more; they are essentially well-insulated boxes with compressors. Since the cost of insulation is relatively low, and the technology has not drastically changed, there’s minimal efficiency difference between high-end and budget models today. It’s a consideration, but not a hard one to satisfy. Opting for a more efficient fridge is a no brainer, it’s an appliance that usually runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s unwise to save a few dollars now only to pay hundreds more in power later. While opting for a more efficient model is a wise choice, it’s also important not to overspend for marginal gains in efficiency, as the extra cost may not justify the small increase in performance, and be more a way of justifying a prestige model.
Features, Brand, and Longevity
Simplify Your Tech
Avoid fridges that are overloaded with smart features and electronic add ons. While these technologies may appear appealing, they introduce unnecessary potential points of failure, possibly shortening the lifespan of your refrigerator, especially so for budget models which are unlikely to have parts available after a few short years. Simple designs are often more reliable and easier to maintain over the long term. Components embedded in doors, like water dispensers and digital displays are particularly vulnerable due to repeated stress from door movements.
Brand
When it comes to purchasing a refrigerator, the brand can significantly impact the long-term viability and maintenance of your appliance. Opting for a well-known brand often ensures that replacement parts will be readily available, even many years after your purchase. For example, Fisher and Paykel are known for maintaining a supply of some parts for their appliances (though notably not fridge doors) dating back as long as 25 years. This availability of parts makes it less likely that a minor fault will require a full appliance replacement.
Conversely, choosing a lesser known brand might save money upfront but could lead to challenges in finding parts down the line. While economical, such brands tend not to support their products with a long-term supply of parts, making repairs difficult or impossible. Regrettably, given the high labour costs in countries like Australia, it is often more cost-effective to purchase a new, inexpensive appliance from imported from abroad than to pay for repairs in countries like Australia. Moreover, the variable quality of local appliance repairs can make maintenance less reliable and economically viable when accounting for the risk of poor workmanship. Despite the allure of investing in high quality products, the financial rationale for maintaining them can be hard to justify.
Cyclic vs Frost Free Refrigerators
Cyclic Refrigerators (Manual Defrost)
Cyclic refrigerators allow natural ice buildup which must be manually defrosted every 6-12 months by emptying and turning off the fridge for 24 hours. These models are made of significantly fewer components, making them cheaper and less prone to faults. This actually forms the basis of the perception that older fridges that predated widespread use of frost free technology were more reliable, because they were – but not because they were necessarily built better, but because there was less to go wrong. Cyclic technology is less common in modern combined fridge freezer units but remains prevalent in bar fridges, standalone fridges, and standalone freezers including chest freezers.
Frost Free Refrigerators
Frost-free models use a fan to circulate air and a heater to prevent ice accumulation, eliminating the need for manual defrosting. This convenience means consistent temperatures and less maintenance but are less reliable than cyclic models. Frost free technology is standard in most contemporary refrigerator designs due to its convenience and consistent cooling.
Consider Shelf Design and Material
The level of adjustability in refrigerator shelves can vary significantly from model to model. Some fridges offer only a few possible shelf positions, limiting your ability to customize storage space, while others provide much greater flexibility, allowing you to easily accommodate items of varying sizes.
Additionally, pay close attention to the material of the shelves. Clear plastic, though commonly used, is more susceptible to breaking compared to other materials like tougher plastics or glass. If a shelf breaks, replacement can be challenging—especially if the specific part is no longer available or is prohibitively expensive. In such cases, the inability to replace a shelf can render the entire fridge less functional, and it might even end up being discarded prematurely. Therefore, choosing a fridge with durable shelves not only enhances usability but also contributes to the appliance’s longevity.
Compressor Quality: The Heart of Your Fridge
The compressor is the heart of any refrigerator, crucial for its functionality and logevity. A failure in the compressor often renders the refrigerator beyond economical repair, as replacements can be prohibitively expensive. Surprisingly, many shoppers overlook this vital component when selecting a new fridge.
Performing a simple brand check on the compressor before purchasing is a small step that can save you from significant expenses and inconvenience. Look for models equipped with Japanese or Korean compressors from brands such as LG, Samsung, Panasonic, or Matsushita. Chinese compressors have significantly improved in recent years, yet they do not have the long-standing reputation for reliability that other brands boast. While they are becoming more competitive, they still lack the historical track record of established Japanese and Korean compressor manufacturers.
Door Hinge Placement
An often overlooked but important aspect of refrigerator usability is the direction in which the door opens. If your fridge is positioned with a wall on its left, it is typically more practical to have a door that hinges on the left. Conversely, if the wall is on the right, a right-hinged door is preferable. This prevents awkward openings and closings, particularly in a tight kitchen. Similarly, when a kitchen is designed to have the fridge enclosed within a cupboard, it’s essential to choose one with hinges on the same side as the cupboard’s opening to ensure seamless access. It’s a common misconception that refrigerator doors are easily reversible. In reality, reversing the door is not straightforward; it often requires replacing the doors themselves and at best usually involves buying new hinges, handles, and other components. The process is also labour intensive. Get the hinge direction right from the start.
Budget
Navigating your refrigerator purchase within a budget doesn’t mean compromising on quality. One strategy to consider is buying a used, high-quality appliance. This approach allows you to access better features and larger sizes that might otherwise be out of reach financially if purchased new. It’s an open secret in the appliance market that refrigerators depreciate quickly; a fridge that’s just left the showroom is only worth 30-50% of its sticker price. This depreciation curve suggests a smart opportunity: let someone else bear the brunt of this initial loss. Purchasing a gently used refrigerator can offer substantial savings. This option requires a bit more effort in terms of arranging pickup and installation, but the financial benefits can be considerable. However – it’s also prudent to approach this market with caution, as scams are rife. Check out our guide here to avoid being scammed. My insider tip – buy a used FIsher & Paykel fridge in place of a brand new no name, the Fisher and Paykel is likely to be half the price and easily outlive the cheapy.