Retro Fridge Freezers
Retro fridge freezers are an excellent way to add a unique touch to kitchens. They are particularly popular in country kitchens and can bring a bold design to modern kitchens too.
Freestanding models are taller and utilize SpaceMax technology that allows walls to be thinner without impacting efficiency in energy use. Freestanding models are taller, and they use SpaceMax technology to allow walls to be smaller and still maintain energy efficiency.
What are they?
Retro fridge freezers are a fantastic way to add an element of character and style to your kitchen. They're typically shaped like 50s-style refrigerators, and come in a variety of vibrant colours. They're a great addition to traditional kitchens, giving them an interesting twist or bring an air of nostalgia to modern kitchens.
The brand that best captures the retro style is Smeg, which is renowned for its stunning fridge freezers that feature chrome trim and bright colors. Smeg fridge freezers are available in various sizes and styles, including small, tall, narrow and side by side.
Another brand that offers an array of vibrant retro fridges is Montpellier, which has both large and small models. This stylish Montpellier retro fridge freezer RF603N4RDUK is a great model that can be incorporated into any kitchen design. It has a generous 244-litre capacity that is equivalent to about 13 bags of groceries and comes with an ice-cream drawer to prioritize fresh greens. The inverter compressor is energy-efficient, and the "quick freeze" mode allows for quick ice making.
Big Chill also has a range of retro refrigerators. Retropolitan is available in beach-blue, buttercup yellow and cherry red. It also comes in jadeite, green lemonade, orange, pink and turquoise. If none of those bright hues appeals suitable for you it is possible to order one with a custom-designed color for a fee of $400.
There are also budget-friendly options, like this retro fridge with 210 litres by Amica. The blue hue of the fridge is sure to stand out in any kitchen. It also has an impressively spacious interior, with three shelves of safety glass, two door balconies and an ice maker. It also comes with an A+ energy rating, an auto defrost fridge, as well as manual defrost freezer.
Swan and Servis also offer a broad selection of retro refrigerator freezers. These brands have a range of colors, however their most popular models tend to be in classic cream and chilli red. The former is an excellent option for those who want to match your fridge with other red appliances, while the latter will add a touch of class to any kitchen.
Why are they so popular?
A fridge freezer doesn't necessarily need to be a piece of equipment that blends in - it can be the focal point of your kitchen, particularly if you opt for a retro-inspired model. These designs are reminiscent 1950s refrigerators and feature bright colours, curved edges, and big handles. These models are available in a range of bright colors including green, orange, blue and red.
Smeg is the market leader in this market, with an impressive selection of styles and finishes. Their iconic revival fridges feature striking colors, including orange, red and blue and are targeted at those who appreciate nostalgic items as well as those who are keen on design. You can pick from a wide range of handles and finishes to design the perfect Smeg refrigerator for your personal style.
Another brand that provides an extensive selection of retro refrigerators is Gorenje. Their stunning RF60309 is a prime instance of how these appliances blend classic design with modern technology. This refrigerator is a top model with an A+ energy rating, and is a stunning addition to any kitchen.
Swan and Montpellier are two more brands that offer a good range of retro fridge freezers. These brands provide a wide range of colour options, from classic cream to chilli red and they usually have larger capacities than some more contemporary models.
These fridges are equipped with a wine rack, a glass safety shelf and a freestanding ice box. They also come with antibacterial protection, which can help minimise the transfer of germs and boost hygiene. Many have dynamic cooling which ensures that cold air circulates throughout the fridge or freezer.
Although these fridges are more expensive than modern American or French Door models, they're typically less expensive than fridge freezers that are plain white. They also have more luxurious feel than the more modern appliances. They typically have large handles, and chrome trims on both doors.
Baumatic offers a retro refrigerator freezer that is priced affordably. The compact model is a beautiful royal blue and has a capacity of 246 litres. The refrigerator is self-defrosting and is rated as energy efficient, and it has an internal wine rack as well as a salad drawer.
What exactly do they do?
Retro fridge freezers aren't your typical appliance. They're bold statement pieces that add character to any kitchen. Although they're generally smaller than modern American-style refrigerators this doesn't mean you can't use the storage space. Retro fridge-freezers offer a variety shelving options. They have shelves that are shorter for butter sticks, higher shelves for single-serve bottles of water, smaller cartons, and even a drawer for produce. Certain models also come with HarvestFresh technology, which makes use of a three-colour light system to mimic the sun's natural 24-hour cycle of light and keep fruits and vegetables fresher for longer.
Consider the two-door Big Chill fridge If you're looking for a retro-style fridge that's not overly expensive. This brand was launched in the US by the uncle and nephew duo Thom Vernon & Orion Creamer. It has quickly been a hit with celebrities (Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds ). The Big Chill refrigerator comes in a range of vibrant hues like cherry red and blue and milkshake white and black. It has a 12-cubic-foot storage space and an additional freezer.
This Hisense retro fridge/freezer model in Bordeaux is a different budget option. It comes with 300L of capacity and a 60/40 split between the freezer and refrigerator. The freezer and fridge both have adjustable shelves, no frost technology and interior LED lights. It is Energy Star-certified and comes with a handy alarm that lets you know whether the door was left open.
The RF60309 Retro refrigerator-freezer from Gorenje is a stylish and practical choice. It is a combination of timeless design and 21st-century technology that will appeal to anyone who values quality and would like their kitchen to be an eye-catching focal point. The stunning RF60309 comes with three compartments for storing well-stacked frozen foods. It also features an ambient switch that allows it to work at temperatures as low as -10degC. This model is available in a range of stunning colors.
Which is the top?
Retro fridge freezers can create an impact in your kitchen. They are generally less expensive than modern American or French Door models. A fridge freezer with attractive features like ice and water dispensers will surely increase the value of your home too. It's important to choose one that matches your kitchen and your lifestyle. You can choose a model that has built-in food preservation features, that will keep your food looking as good as it did when you purchased it.
Traditional brands like Smeg and Swan offer a wide selection of refrigerator freezers with vibrant colors. However, if you want to go all out with a full-sized 1950s style fridge then you should look at Big Chill, famous for its refrigerators in the USA and now available in the UK. The largest model of the brand comes with a capacity of up to 680 litres which is more than 40 bags of groceries. It offers plenty of interior storage space with adjustable shelves as well as a salad drawer. There are also two shelves that can be removed from the freezer compartment. The majority of reviews of this model are favorable. Users praise the stylish design and the impressive amount of storage space. Some people have complained about finish quality, while others say it takes a long time to let the fridge cool down after adding groceries.
Amica is another brand with a long history that specializes in 1950s-style fridge freezers. This freestanding model is tall and is available in a distinctive duck egg blue and offers a generous 234 litre fridge capacity and a freezer capacity of 96 litres which is perfect for families with a large number of children. It is awash with internal storage, including four safety glass shelves and an ice-cream drawer that focuses on fresh greens, plus the wine rack is chrome, as well as metallic handles. The appliance is energy efficient and has a A+ rating, and comes with a frost-free cooling system that removes the need for manual defrosting.
If you're looking for something a bit more affordable, you can't go wrong with a Liebherr fridge freezer. The 50/50 model has the rapid cool feature which instantly chills your food items after you have added your groceries. It also has a fast-freeze setting to quickly freeze large quantities of leftovers. The interior is clean and doesn't freeze, and the LED lighting makes it easy to maintain. Some reviewers online have reported that the refrigerator comes with dents, and that it's not always working as well as they would like.