Finding a Perfect Combo Refrigerator

Wondering which combination refrigerator to buy? You’ve come to the right place. Various modern technologies can make your buying experience confusing if you’re not sure what you really need from these appliances. In this article, we will remove all doubts and offer suggestions of excellent models with various features, so that you can easily find a combo refrigerator that’s right for you. But first, let’s see if this device is truly what you need.

 

 

As there are several appliances that you can choose for storing food, sometimes you may wonder if it’s better to get a regular refrigerator without a freezer, and freeze your food in a separate freezer or to opt for a combo variant. Depending on your needs and the circumstances in your apartment or house, the answer may vary. To help you choose, we’ve compiled a list of different situations in which combined refrigerators are the best solution:

- When you have a small kitchen or limited space:

In case you don't have space for a refrigerator and a separate freezer, a combined refrigerator is a logical and functional choice. In one unit, you can store fresh food, as well as meat, fruit, vegetables, ice cream, and everything else that needs to be in the freezer. You can choose different dimensions of combined refrigerators according to your needs.  These appliances are mostly standard width, while the height can vary significantly depending on the capacity of the refrigerator and freezer.

 

 - You do not store large quantities of frozen food

If you do not store and use a lot of frozen food in addition to having a small space, choosing a combined refrigerator is often the better choice. However, it’s not ideal to give up having a freezer, as you may need it to store ice, store ice cream, or freeze your favorite fruits, veggies, and other foods. The fact that you can have a smaller or larger space in your fridge-freezer to store frozen food as needed or use it to cool drinks faster is a great option.

 

- You store large quantities of frozen food

Just as storing small quantities of frozen food is a reason to choose a combo refrigerator, the same is true if the situation is reversed. If you like to go shopping less often and leave larger quantities of frozen food ready for use or cooking, there is a possibility that the volume of your freezer is never enough. You probably already have a chest freezer or a large horizontal freezer, but those two or three additional drawers for freezing food that you can get in a combo refrigerator can sometimes be a real lifesaver.

 

 After reviewing the situations in which combined refrigerators would be the preferred option, we come to the next question.

 

With combo refrigerators, there are two options for the position of the freezer - top mounted or bottom mounted. In most models, when the freezer is at the bottom, it means that the volume of this part is slightly larger compared to the models where the freezer is mounted at the top. Of course, this is not a rule, but it’s a general guideline when choosing. Apart from the capacity, the ultimate choice between a bottom-mount or top-mount freezer depends on your habits, and how you store and use your food products on a daily basis. 

If you use the freezer less often, it’s recommended to choose a bottom-mount freezer. If, on the other hand, you open the freezer every day, having it top mounted will be easier to reach and arrange the food in the freezer section. You can also keep the products that you don't use every day on the lower shelves of the refrigerator.

 

 

The best combo refrigerator you can buy is the one that meets your standards, perfectly suits your needs, and fits your budget. Below, we have included some guidelines that will clarify any doubts you may have.

 

 

One of the most important things when deciding which combined refrigerator to buy is the cooling technology. You can choose a self-defrosting refrigerator, while the freezer section will have to be manually defrosted when a certain amount of ice has accumulated. Another option is low frost technology, which significantly reduces the production of ice in the freezer section, so the need to defrost isn’t as often. No frost technology is definitely recommended, as it prevents the formation of ice in the freezer and eliminates the need to turn it off and defrost it. This is certainly a great feature, but not the only advantage of this technology. It also allows less moisture to form and keeps food fresher for longer.

 

 

In order for your new appliance to fit perfectly into your space and its layout, it’s important to determine the dimensions needed for it. This item is closely related to the capacity of the appliance, so it’s best to decide from the start whether one of the smaller models is enough for you or if it’s more important to have more space in the refrigerator and freezer. If you aren't limited by space, opt for a larger model rather than a smaller one. Even if you don't use the full capacity most of the time, you’ll be glad to have the extra space for all the holidays, birthdays, and other celebrations. However, if you constantly lack space in the refrigerator and have space in the kitchen, getting a side-by-side refrigerator will help tremendously. They have a much larger capacity, excellent features, and superior design that will certainly bring a touch of luxury to your kitchen. Some of these appliances include water and ice makers, allowing for easy access to refreshing beverages at any time.

Before you decide, it’s important to look at all the features and possibilities of refrigerators. When it comes to spatial organization, think about where you want to place the refrigerator. Make sure that it’s not next to a heat source, such as a stove or oven, and that it’s not completely nailed to the wall, so that air can circulate, allowing the device to work smoothly. Pay attention to the direction in which the refrigerator door opens. There are models that have the possibility of changing the direction of the door opening if that’s more practical for you. The material that the shelves and other parts of the combo refrigerator are made of is also important. It can be plastic or durable glass, and most often the shelves in the refrigerator can be removed and placed as needed. In some models, you can find special partitions or space for storing wine, as well as a chamber for quick freezing in the freezer section.

 

 

When choosing an appliance, it’s important that it is economical and enables lower consumption of electricity, especially since it relies on electricity. Currently, the highest energy class appliances with the lowest consumption, are marked with the letter A on the energy label.  This sticker also contains a lot of other information that is important for a specific device.  By scanning the QR code on the sticker, you can see the specific data related to that refrigerator and its energy class.

 

 

When buying any appliance, it is important to pay attention to the aesthetic aspect and make sure that the model you choose will fit nicely into your space. Apart from the dimensions, material and color are other important criteria in making your choice. White is a classic color when it comes to combo refrigerators. However, if you like a slightly different look, you can also choose a model in gray or black, which leaves a powerful impression. Once you’ve decided on the color, you can move on to deciding which additional features that certain models of combo refrigerators offer. Some come with a practical LED or LCD screen on the front that allows you to easily view the temperature settings and other parameters, as well as fine-tune them. 

You can also set the temperatures for the refrigerator or freezer exactly, as well as choose special modes that fit your needs. 

Maybe you're going on vacation and want to switch the device to an economical mode or turn it up to maximum when you want to cool certain foods quickly. Some models have parts intended for storing certain foods such as meat, cheese, fruit, or vegetables, where there is an optimal atmosphere for their storage. Some have specific zones where you can adjust the conditions by pressing a button or moving a switch, depending on the type of food you want to store in them. You can even find combo refrigerators with a high level of adaptability to your needs, where it’s possible to turn the freezer section into a refrigerator by simply adjusting the temperature. This is ideal for all those festive occasions when you need more space in the fridge.

 

If you’ve decided that a combo refrigerator is the right solution for your kitchen, then you’ll enjoy the many features and flexibility that it offers, including No frost technology, a good energy rate, special zones for freezing or storing certain foods, or the ability to precisely adjust the temperature. We hope that the information provided in this article will make it easier for you to choose whether or not the combo refrigerator is right for you. If you decide that it is the right appliance for you, we have a vast array of models to choose from at Town Appliance. We also have experienced staff available to help you make the right choice.