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Six Important Things to Know Before Buying a New Fridge
The most used and appreciated appliance in the home is the fridge. It is almost impossible to function without one and, as it will be used for years to come, the challenge is to find a refrigerator that suits your changing lifestyle. Discover a range of refrigerators on Appliances Online from brand such as Westinghouse, Samsung, LG, Electrolux, Fisher & Paykel, and more.
If you are upgrading to a newer model or you are buying for the first time, you will need to know these six important things.
1. Kitchen Space
How much room do you have?
With a tape measure, find the width, depth and height of the space where the fridge will be placed. Remember to leave 25 mm of free space around the top, back and sides to allow for the heat produced during refrigeration to escape.
Be sure to also measure clearance (entryways, doorways etc.) to ensure that when your fridge is delivered it will fit safely into the home, and your old fridge can be safely removed.
Hinges and reversible doors
You also need to take into account which way your fridge door will open as cabinetry and walls can stop the doors from properly opening.
- For left hinged fridges, the hinges are on the left-hand side of the door when facing the unit, with the door opening from the right-hand side.
- For right hinged fridges, the hinges are on the right-hand side of the door when facing the unit, with the door opening from the left-hand side.
Some fridges come with reversible doors meaning that the door can be hinged on either the right or the left, whichever suits your space best. Some models will require a special hinge-reversing kit so be sure to check the specifications. Reversible doors are particularly handy in kitchens with limited space.
2. Fridge Size
What size fridge will you need?
Some kitchen layouts will restrict what size of fridge you get. There will be a fridge that meets your needs and provides enough space to fit everything. Even the smaller units have flexible interior designs to maximise capacity.
With size out of the way, think about what you typically store in your fridge: bottled beverages, vegetables, leftovers, frozen food, etc. This should factor into your decision.
The chart below outlines the average dimensions for each type of fridge
Fridge Types | Standard Width | Standard Height | Standard Depth |
Four door | 92 cm - 96 cm | 170 cm - 180 cm | 90 cm - 96 cm |
French door | 92 cm - 96 cm | 170 cm - 180 cm | 90 cm - 96 cm |
Side by side | 76 cm - 91 cm | 170 cm - 178 cm | 85 cm - 94 cm |
Pigeon pair | 110 cm - 124 cm | 167 cm - 178 cm | 70 cm - 86 cm |
Bottom mount | 54 cm - 80 cm | 130 cm - 180 cm | 59 cm - 75 cm |
Top mount | 54 cm - 80 cm | 130 cm - 180 cm | 59 cm - 75 cm |
Wine fridges | 50 cm - 120 cm | 45 cm - 195 cm | 47 cm - 75 cm |
Bar fridges | 55 cm - 120 cm | 45 cm - 85 cm | 49 cm - 55 cm |
Lifestyle
Now think about what you want out of your fridge. Would you like large freezer space, smart features or high energy efficiency? Your preferences will narrow down your choice.
Household Size
The more people in your household, the greater the capacity required for your fridge. Match your household size with a fridge capacity to provide room for everyone.
If in doubt, we always advise customers to go for a bigger fridge. If a larger fridge is not possible with your kitchen space, fridges with adjustable layouts and retractable shelving are your best bet; these features can make a small fridge feel bigger.
Household size (number of people) | Fridge capacity/volume (litres) | Price range (AUD) |
1 - 2 people | 200 - 380 litres | $430 - $2399 |
3 - 4 people | 350 - 530 litres | $699 - $4799 |
5+ people | 440+ litres | $1079 - $5499 |
3. Fridge Types
Top Mount Fridges
Top mount fridges (freezer on top) are the most common layout in Australian homes. They are economical, reliable, generally more compact, and there is a wide range to choose from.
Top mount fridges are ideal for small households with limited kitchen space.
Top Mount Fridge Benefits | Ideal For |
- Familiar layout | - Small families |
- Small footprint | - Singles and couples |
- Low cost to run | - Students |
- Wide range to choose from | |
- Lots of price options | |
Bottom Mount Fridges
Bottom mount fridges are the most purchased fridge type (freezer on bottom). Their waist-high design and convenient layout provide better access to frequently used items and remove a lot of bending down typically required with traditional top mount layouts.
Bottom Mount Fridge Benefits | Ideal For |
- 200L - 500L capacity | - Sizes to suit singles to families |
- Most common fridge type | - Small to mid-sized households |
- Easy waist-high access | |
- Wide range to choose from | |
- Various price options | |
- Easy to fit, suiting most kitchens | |
Side by Side Fridges
Side by side fridges boast greater capacity with a smaller footprint. The layout provides easy access to both refrigerator and freezer with minimal effort. Smaller, centrally opening doors provide more space in the kitchen. Side by side fridges come with features like ice and water dispensers, door technology and touch control panels.
Side by side fridges are ideal for families wanting a good balance between fridge and freezer space.
Side by Side Fridge Benefits | Ideal For |
- Easy to organise freezer | - Families |
- Easy access to fridge and freezer | - Medium sized households |
- Ice and water dispenser | |
- Great storage capacity (550L - 800L) | |
- Good value for money | |
- Mid size footprint | |
French Door Fridges
French door fridges have wide shelving and plenty of storage boxes making them great for organisation. They have three sections - two refrigeration sections (at waist-height) and one large freezer section below. Some models also include a middle drawer for quick access to everyday items.
French doors come in many different styles with convenient features like ice and water dispensers, adjustable shelving, and smart cooling. They are ideal for big families with large grocery hauls.
French Door Fridge Benefits | Ideal For |
- Large capacity (500L - 800L) | - Families |
- Wide shelves | - Big households |
- Ice and water dispenser | - Big kitchen space |
- Smaller fridge doors | |
- Easy waist-high access | |
- Wide freezer shelves | |
- Large freezer space | |
- Minimal cold air loss | |
Wine Fridges
Wine fridges are designed to provide the perfect wine storage environment with special features like temperature and humidity control and vibration minimisation.
The two types of wine fridges are single-zone and multi-zone. Single-zone wine fridges only have one temperature setting. A multi-zone, however, allows you to set different temperatures in each zone to suit its specific contents - red or white wine.
Wine Fridge Benefits | Ideal For |
- Temperature control | - Wine collectors |
- Vibration control | - Entertainers and regular dinner parties |
- Humidity and UV protection | |
- Small to large size options | |
4. Important Features
Adjustable shelves
Made from tempered glass or moulded plastic, shelving is removable and easy to clean. Raised plastic lips stop the spread of spilled liquids.
Child Proof Features
Child proof settings on water and ice dispensers, draw compartments and temperature controls help keep kids safe.
Water & Ice Dispenser
Dispensers provide free-flowing water and ice with the push of a button. There are plumbed and non-plumbed options to suit your kitchen design.
Temperature and Humidity Controls
Separate settings for fridge and freezer compartments provide added control. Some models will have smart temperature sensors which adjust settings automatically.
Energy Star Rating
The star rating measures appliance efficiency. Ratings are from one to six, with six being the most energy efficient. Compare KWh usage as this is the real indicator of efficiency - as a recommendation the lower the Kilowatt usage the better.
Sound
The majority of fridges run at around 42 decibels (same level as a quiet conversation). If the fridge is placed in the kitchen noise shouldn't be an issue.
Lighting
A well lit fridge will make finding items in the dark easier. LED lighting is more energy efficient and emits less heat than traditional lighting, meaning there is less chance of temperature fluctuation (which will effect food quality).
Air Deodorisers
Fridges with active carbon filters remove unpleasant odors from the air and help keep items fresh and hygienic. Some units will feature anti-bacterial agents that prevent mould growth and harmful bacteria, for added cleanliness.
5. Style and Finish
Classic White Steel
Fridges with a white steel finish match well in most kitchens and are relatively easy to clean as marks and fingerprints rarely show.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel finishes look neat and professional with their symmetrical structure and sturdy look. Fingerprints are more noticeable yet easily solved by anti-fingerprint surfaces.
Layered Steel
Layered steel fridges feature the stainless steel look with the added external layer which helps prevent marks and fingerprints.
Black Steel
Black steel fridges have a stand-out design making them a popular choice, with fingerprint resistant surfaces for added protection.
Glass Finish
Colours are richer and more vibrant with glass finish. Glass fridges may scratch easier than other styles, but cleaning is effortless, a wipe with a cloth will solve most problems.
Retro Colours
There are a range of vintage style fridges, these are often finished with bolder colours like red or yellow. They serve as great feature appliances with lots of colours to choose from.
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