Retro Fridge Freezers
Retro fridge freezers can give a unique look to your kitchen. They are popular in traditional kitchens, but also add a fun touch to modern-day spaces.
These models are designed to sit within your cupboards and don't take up the floor space. Freestanding models are taller and feature SpaceMax technology which allows walls to be thinner without impacting on energy efficiency.
What are they?
Retro fridge freezers are an excellent way to bring personality and character into your kitchen. They typically look like 1950s-style refrigerators and are available in a variety of vibrant colours. They can be an excellent addition to country kitchens, adding an interesting twist, or they can bring a sense of nostalgia to modern spaces.
The brand that best captures the retro style is Smeg, which is known for their gorgeous fridge freezers with chrome trim and bright colors. Smeg fridge-freezers come in different sizes and styles, including compact, tall, narrow and side by side.
Another manufacturer to offer a range of colourful retro fridges is Montpellier, which has both large and small models. This stylish Montpellier retro fridge freezer RF603N4RDUK is an excellent model that would fit in with most kitchen colour schemes. It boasts a huge 244 litre capacity that is equivalent to 13 bags of shopping and has the salad drawer to help you prioritize fresh greens. Other features include an inverter compressor to improve energy efficiency, as well as a handy 'quick freeze' mode for quick ice-making.
Big Chill also has a range of retro refrigerators. Its Retropolitan collection is available in buttercup, beach blue, yellow cherry red, jadeite green, orange, pink lemonade, and turquoise. If none of these bright hues appeals appealing to you You can always request one with a custom-designed color for an additional $400.
There are a number of more budget options out there as well, like this 210-litre retro fridge from Amica. The blue hue of the fridge will make a statement in any kitchen. It also features an amazingly large interior, with three shelves of safety glass as well as two balconies with doors, and an ice maker. It also comes with an A+ energy rating, auto defrost refrigerator, and a manual defrost freezer.
Swan and Servis are also two other manufacturers that have a great range of retro fridge freezers. They offer a range of colours, but their most popular models are in chilli red and classic cream. The first is a good choice when you're looking to pair your refrigerator with other red appliances. The second adds class to any kitchen.
Why are they so popular?
The freezer in your fridge doesn't have to blend into. It can be a focal point in your kitchen, if you select retro-inspired designs. These styles are reminiscent of 1950s refrigerators and feature bold colors, curved edges and chunky handles. Available in a range of striking colors such as red, blue and orange They will immediately bring brightness to your kitchen.
Smeg leads the market with a wide range of styles and finishes. Their iconic retro fridges are available in striking colors, including orange, red and blue, and are aimed at fans of nostalgic items and those who are keen on design. You can pick from a variety of handles and interior finishes to create the perfect Smeg fridge for your personal style.
Another brand that has an extensive selection of retro fridges is Gorenje. Their stunning RF60309 is a prime instance of how these fridges combine traditional design and modern technology. This refrigerator is a top model with an A+ energy rating, and it is a stunning addition to any kitchen.
Swan and Montpellier also offer a wide range of retro refrigerator freezers. They offer a range of color options, ranging from classic cream to chilli red and they usually have larger capacities than some more modern models.
These fridges typically come with glass shelves for safety along with a wine rack and a free-standing ice box. They also have anti-bacterial protection to help minimise the spread of germs. Many feature dynamic cooling, which ensures the cold air circulates efficiently throughout the fridge and freezer.
While these fridges might be more expensive than the ultra-modern American or French Door models, they're typically less expensive than standard fridge freezers in plain white. They also tend to have a more comfortable 'feel' than some more modern appliances, with thick handles and chrome trims on the two doors.
Baumatic has a retro refrigerator freezer that is priced affordably. This compact model comes in stunning royal blue and has a capacity of 246 litres. The refrigerator is self-defrosting and has a decent energy rating and an internal wine rack and salad drawer.
How do they work exactly?
The retro fridge freezer is not your average appliance - it's an eye-catching piece that adds character to any kitchen. While they're smaller than the modern American-style fridges, you don't need to sacrifice space. Retro fridge freezers have shelves of various sizes. They come with shorter shelves for butter sticks, taller shelves for single-serve bottles of water, smaller containers, and even a drawer for food items. Some models include HarvestFresh Technology, which resembles the sun's natural 24-hour light cycle and keeps vegetables and fruits fresher longer.
If you're looking for a retro-styled fridge that's not expensive, consider the two-door Big Chill refrigerator. Launched in the US by the uncle-and-nephew duo Thom Vernon and Orion Creamer This brand has quickly become a cult favorite (Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are among its crowd of admirers). The Big Chill fridge is available in a range of vibrant colors, including blue and red cherry, as well as milkshake-white and black vinyl. It comes with 12 cubic feet of storage space plus a separate freezer, and comes with a warranty.
Another option that is affordable is this Hisense retro fridge-freezer in Bordeaux red that boasts 300L of storage capacity and 60/40 split of the fridge and freezer. Both freezer and fridge have adjustable shelves, no-frost technology and the interior LED lighting. It's Energy Star certified and comes with a handy alert that tells you if the door is left ajar.
The RF60309 Retro fridge-freezer made by Gorenje is a sophisticated choice that is both elegant and practical. It's a blend of timeless design and 21st-century technology that will appeal to anyone who is a fan of quality and wants their kitchen to be a focal point. The stunning RF60309 comes with three compartments that can be used to store properly-stacked frozen food items. It also has an ambient switch that permits it to work in temperatures as low -10degC. The model is also available in a range of stunning colours.
Which ones are the best?
Retro fridge freezers can make an impact in your kitchen and are generally less expensive than modern American or French Door models. A fridge freezer with attractive features such as ice and water dispensers is sure to increase the value of your home as well. However, it is essential to find one that suits your lifestyle and color scheme. You can also choose models with built-in features for food preservation to keep your fresh produce as new for a longer period of time.
Heritage brands such as Smeg and Swan offer a variety of vibrant fridge freezers. Big Chill, which is well-known in the USA for its refrigerators, has made its way to the UK. 1950s style refrigerator of the brand comes with capacities of up to 680 litres, which is equivalent to more than 40 shopping bags. It offers plenty of storage space inside, including adjustable shelves and an ice-cream drawer. There are also two shelves that can be removed from the freezer compartment. Reviews for this particular model are generally positive, with customers praising the stylish design and ample storage capacity. Some people have complained about finish quality, while others have complained that it takes a long time for the fridge cool down after adding food items.
Amica is another heritage brand that specializes in 1950s-style refrigerator freezers. This tall freestanding model is available in a distinctive duck egg blue and offers an impressive 234 litre fridge capacity and a freezer capacity of 96 litres that is perfect for most families. It offers plenty of internal storage with four shelves made of safety glass and the salad drawer, which is geared towards fresh greens, as well as an elegant wine rack in chrome and metallic designer handles. The appliance has an A+ energy rating as well as the frost-free system eliminates manual defrosting.
For something a little more affordable you're not going to be disappointed with a Liebherr fridge freezer. This model 50/50 comes with the rapid cool feature which instantly chills your food items after you've added your groceries. It also has an option to speed-freeze to freeze large quantities of leftovers. It's also easy to maintain with a clean, no-frost interior and LED lighting. Some reviewers on the internet have said that the refrigerator comes with scratches and dents, and it's not always working as well as they'd like.