Retro Fridge Freezers
Retro fridge freezers can bring a sense of style to your kitchen. They are popular in traditional kitchens, but can also add a fun touch to modern kitchens.
Freestanding models are taller and utilize the SpaceMax technology to allow walls to be thinner without impacting energy efficiency. Freestanding models are higher, and they make use of SpaceMax technology that allows the walls to be thinner but still preserving the energy efficiency.
What are they?
Retro fridge freezers are a fantastic option to inject personality and character into your kitchen. They're typically designed to resemble 50s-style refrigerators and can be found in a variety of vibrant colors. They're great for country kitchens, adding a bold quirk or bringing an air of nostalgia to modern-day spaces.
Smeg is the brand that best captures retro style. They are famous for their beautiful fridge freezers, which feature chrome trims and bright colors. There are Smeg fridge freezers in a range of sizes and styles, such as compact, tall narrow and side-by-side.
Another brand that offers a range of colourful retro fridges is Montpellier, which has both small and large models. The stylish Montpellier RF603N4RDUK fridge freezer retro is an excellent example of a model that will complement the majority of kitchen designs. It boasts a huge 244-litre capacity that is equivalent to about 13 bags of shopping and has a salad drawer for prioritising fresh greens. The inverter compressor is energy efficient and the 'quick freeze mode' allows for fast ice making.
Big Chill is also worth looking into its selection of retro fridges. Its Retropolitan collection is available in buttercup blue, beach blue yellow and cherry red, as well as jadeite orange, jadeite green pink lemonade and turquoise. If none of these bright hues appeals appealing to you it is possible to order one in a custom colour for a fee of $400.
There are also budget-friendly options like this retro fridge with 210 litres by Amica. Its duck-egg blue color will stand out in any kitchen. It also has an impressively spacious interior, with three safety glass shelves, two door balconies and an ice maker. It also comes with an A+ energy rating, an auto defrost fridge, and manual defrost freezer.
Swan and Servis are two other manufacturers that have a great selection of retro fridge freezers. They offer a range of colors, however their most popular models are in chilli red and classic cream. The first is a great choice if you're looking to match your refrigerator with other appliances that are red. The second one will add elegance to any kitchen.
Why are they so popular?
The freezer of your fridge does not have to blend in. It can be a focal point in your kitchen if you choose a retro revival design. These styles are reminiscent of 1950s refrigerators and feature bold colors, curved edges and chunky handles. Available in a variety of vibrant colors, including blue, red and green, these models will instantly make your kitchen more inviting.
Smeg leads the market with a variety of finishes and styles. Their iconic revival fridges feature vibrant colors, such as blue, red and orange, and are aimed at people who love nostalgic items and those who appreciate design. With a variety of handles and interior finishes, you can select the perfect Smeg fridge that will match your personal style.
Another brand that has an excellent range of retro fridges is Gorenje. Their stunning RF60309 is an excellent example of how these fridges combine classic design with modern technology. This refrigerator is a top model with an A+ energy rating, and it is an amazing addition to any kitchen.
Swan and Montpellier are two more brands that offer a good range of retro fridge freezers. These brands come in a variety of colours, from classic cream, to chilli, and come with larger capacities.
These fridges usually come with glass shelves for safety, a wine rack and a ice box that is freestanding. These fridges also feature anti-bacterial protection to prevent the spread of germs. Many have dynamic cooling which ensures that cold air circulates throughout the fridge or freezer.
While these fridges may be more expensive than the ultra-modern American or French Door models, they're typically less expensive than conventional fridge freezers in plain white. These fridges also have more 'feeling' than other 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 available in a stunning royal blue with a 246-litre capacity. The refrigerator is self-defrosting and is rated as energy efficient, and it has an internal wine rack and salad drawer.
How do they function?
Retro fridge freezers are not the typical appliances. 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 have to sacrifice storage space. Retro fridge-freezers feature various shelving options that include shelves with shorter heights for sticks of butter and taller ones for single-serve water bottles, smaller containers, and small drawers for food items. Some models also offer HarvestFresh technology, which uses a three-colour light system to mimic the sun's 24-hour light cycle, and keeps fruits and vegetables fresher for longer.
Take a look at the two-door Big Chill fridge If you're looking for a retro-inspired fridge that's not overly expensive. The Big Chill refrigerator was introduced in the US by uncle-and-nephew duo Thom Vernon and Orion Creamer, this brand has quickly become a popular choice for celebrities (Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are among its many fans). The Big Chill refrigerator comes in a variety of vibrant hues like cherry red and blue and milkshake white and vinyl black. It offers 12 cubic feet of storage space, plus a separate freezer, and comes with a warrantee.
This Hisense retro refrigerator/freezer in Bordeaux is another budget option. It boasts 300L of capacity and a 60/40 split between the freezer and refrigerator. The freezer and fridge both have adjustable shelves, without frost technology, and inside LED lighting. It's Energy Star certified and comes with an alert that informs you if the door has been open.
The RF60309 Retro fridge-freezer made by Gorenje is a refined choice that's both fashionable and practical. It blends timeless design with modern technology that will appeal to anyone who values quality and wants to make their kitchen a true center point. The beautiful RF60309 has three compartments for well-stacked frozen items and comes with an ambient switch, which allows it to work in temperatures as low as 10degC. This model is also available in a range of other stunning colors.
Which are the best?
A vintage fridge freezer can make a an impact in your kitchen. They're generally less expensive than the more modern American or French Door models. Buying one with eye-catching extras such as ice and water dispensers will bring value to your home too. However, it is essential to find one that is compatible with your lifestyle and color scheme. You can select a model that has built-in food preservation features, which will keep your food looking as good as it did when you first bought it.
Heritage brands such as Smeg and Swan provide a range of fridge freezers that are vibrant. Big Chill is famous in the USA for its refrigerators, has now made it to the UK. The brand's biggest offering has a capacity of up to 680 litres which is equivalent to more than 40 bags of shopping. It has plenty of interior storage space, including adjustable shelves as well as a salad drawer. There are also two shelves that can be removed from the freezer compartment. Reviews for this particular model are largely positive, with customers commenting on the attractive design and impressive storage capacity. Some have complained about the quality of the finish however, and some have said that it takes a long time for the fridge to cool down after adding groceries.
Amica is another brand from the past that specialises in 1950s-style fridge freezers. This tall freestanding model is available in a striking duck egg blue and offers an impressive 234 litre fridge capacity and 96 litre freezer space which is perfect for most families. It offers plenty of internal storage space, with four shelves of safety glass and an ice-cream drawer that focuses on fresh greens, as well as an elegant wine rack in chrome and metallic handles. The appliance is energy efficient, with an A+ rating, and has an anti-frost cooling system that eliminates manual defrosting.
For something a little more affordable you're not going to be disappointed with a Liebherr fridge freezer. This 50/50 model has a useful rapid cool feature that chills food quickly after you've added your groceries and comes with a fast freeze setting for freezing up large batches of leftovers. The interior is clean and doesn't freeze, and the LED lighting makes it simple to maintain. Some online reviewers have stated that the refrigerator arrives with scratches, and it's not always working as well as they would like.