STACK #203 Sep 2021

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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Don’t think of the fridge as just an over-sized esky in the kitchen. Today’s fridges don’t just look good, they're packed full of technology. T he humble fridge has sat, unassumingly, in the middle of every The fridge is an appliance you simply can’t live without. Household refrigeration has COLD PLAY

Go configure

Old Skooler The traditional design for the fridge your folks and theirs used is the top-mounter that features a smaller freezer compartment at the top and fridge below.

Bottom Mount

Top Mount

Side By Side

French Door

The commoner An Aussie favourite, the popular bottom-mount model has a larger fridge at the top for frequent access and a smaller freezer at the bottom.

technological features. So, when it is time to buy a new fridge, where do you start? Will you need a side- by-side model or one with a French door? What about the smart features – what do they do? Chill, we’ve got you covered.

Australian family kitchen for generations. Its reassuring purr is an aural indication that the most important appliance in the kitchen, the beating heart of the domestic ecosystem, is fully operational. It’s only when a fridge fails that the essential role it plays in the home becomes acutely apparent.

come a long way. Gone are the days of the buzzing white behemoth that weighed more than a bank safe. Today, not only are modern fridges and freezers extremely energy efficient, but they also come in a selection of different colours and are now empowered with a slew of smart

Bottom Mount

Top Mount

Double up “As long as we're together, it doesn’t

matter at all,” sang Dean Martin in Side By Side , a song clearly about this handy fridge/freezer combo. This design features two vertical

Cool Rules

Bottom Mount Fridge and freezer capacities are measured in litres – the larger the count, the bigger the unit. So, what size will you need? The rule of thumb is as follows: up to two people 200-400 litres. Four folks will require up to 400-600 litres, while five or more, you’re looking at 600-800 litres.

Top Mount

compartments for the fridge and the freezer, providing easy access to both. Side By Side French Door

The Basics

Viva la revolution! The French door has a double door-opening fridge at the top part of the unit, providing plenty of space for larger and longer items like pizzas and platters. One or two drawers sited beneath the fridge, or another two separate doors, offer complete freezer versatility. In some models, individual compartments can be switched between fridge and freezer to suit daily or weekly needs. Side By Side French Door

Size matters Modern homes are

designed to compensate for wider refrigeration units but with older homes, cavities for fridges tend to be smaller. Measure the width, depth, and height of the opening before shopping and leave a 30mm gap around the fridge to allow the heat to escape. Which way will you want the door to open? Should the hinge be on the right or left? A unit with reversible doors will cover all bases.

Bottom Mount How much is enough? Before you consider capacity, ask yourself a few questions. What are your food habits? Do you cook meals in advance to freeze or buy food in bulk? If so, you’ll want generous freezer space. Eat plenty of veggies? Deep – and spacious – crisper drawers will be required. Are you an entertainer? Then shelf space for platters should be on the list. Plotting out how you live as a family will help with the buying decision.

Top Mount

50 SEPTEMBER 2021

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