Choosing a larder fridge
Shopping for a new fridge is not quite as straight forward as you might think, there's a lot to take into consideration before making that purchase, we've written up the following guide in the hopes that it will help to choose the right fridge for you.
So you have decided that a larder fridge is what you are after, otherwise why would you be here right?
The next thing to consider is size,
Sizing it all up
Take some measurements for space you would like your fridge to occupy, width, height and depth, and allow a little extra for the door swing. All fridges online will have their measurements displayed so it is easy to match a fridge for your needs.
The space inside a fridge is measured in cubic feet (cu ft) or litres (L), the average family usually needs around 10 (cu ft), try to estimate your space needs as a fridge too small won't chill as efficiently when overpacked and similarly a fridge too large will have empty space which incurs unnecessary energy expenditure.
Energy effiency
A big consideration these days is our carbon footprint, in recent years fridges have come on leaps and bounds in terms of energy efficiency. All fridges sold are now marked with a rating from A (excellent) to G (low effiency) so you can clearly see which will save not only money on your electricity bill but also the enviroment!
If you would like a more detailed guide on energy ratings please read our guide titled 'Energy ratings explained'.
Extra features
Fridges these days can come with a whole host of different features, here are some to keep an eye out for:
- Auto defrost
The majority of modern fridges are sold with this feature, the fridge automatically monitors the temperature inside to prevent the build up of frost
- Wipe clean shelves
A fridge fitted with glass plate shelving can be easily cleaned and in turn making it more hygienic
- Adjustable shelves
If you quite often find yourself with strangely shaped food items to store, look for adjustable shelves. They’re usually made of wire or glass and you can move them up, down or take them out to accommodate the size and shape of things you’re storing.
- Wine/bottle rack
These can be a godsend if you often stash a bottle in the fridge, holding the bottle in place and preventing it from falling over
Recycling your old fridge
Recently companies have started to offer free recycling of your old appliances when you buy a new one, Currys being one of them. Failing that, contact your local council who will either arrange for it to be picked up or direct you to the right place to take it.
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