Design
Design does not only mean the looks of your refrigerator but also the storage sections it provides to you internally. You can check for the storage shelves and compartments it provides and compare them with your needs. A lot of refrigerators today provide with separate multi utility cabinets and sub divisions in the existing ones for more convenient storage. You can also choose from top freezer or bottom freezer compartment and even opt for a separate pull out door vegetable tray at the bottom.
Looks
Externally also there is a wide variety to choose form. You can stick to a single door refrigerator for basic needs. However if you do want to explore and get something off beat, you could have a tough time selecting. The humble single door refrigerator has not only evolved into a double door one but also into ones with large French doors with options like an external water dispenser and even an LCD TV screen. Other than that, they come in attractive pastel as well as metallic colors and even wonderful print motifs. You can take your pick and even co ordinate it with the interiors of your living space!
Freezer
Another important thing to decide is the freezer compartment. People get lured by a large, separate freezer and most of the time end up not using it except for making ice. So if you are not the kind of person who needs to store a lot of frozen foods, avoid getting tempted by a big freezer and choose a fridge with a good refrigerator to freezer ratio.
Space
You also need to consider the space where you will install your refrigerator. Ideally a refrigerator is placed in the kitchen or in the dining area. You need to find out how much space can you dedicate to your fridge from the existing layout. A large refrigerator in a small kitchen would only make things more difficult. So either create ample space for the large refrigerator that you are going to bring home or just stick to a size proportionate to your space.
After making these considerations you need to make on your part before buying a refrigerator, you can go through what is available in the market to choose from. You can check the types of refrigerators and the features that are being provided and decide what you want from your refrigerator. Other than the basics, there are also a few ‘extras’ that might interest you if you are willing to spend a larger share of your pocket. Here is a
quick rundown on what is up for grab in the current refrigerator market for you to choose from.
Types of Refrigerators
Technologically, there are two types of refrigerators. – Direct Cool and Frost Free. Direct Cool are the single door refrigerators while the Frost Free ones come in multiple doors. Apart from that, depending on the consumer needs, different sizes and design types of refrigerators have come into the market. Your first step should be to decide your usage pattern and find out the type of refrigerator you want.
Single Door Refrigerator
Description: These are the basic, small size refrigerators with a single door and in built freezer compartment on the top. They come in a compact size( 50liters – 100 liters) acting as mini refrigerators and also in a small family size (170liters – 200 liters). These refrigerators are ‘direct cool’ ones as opposed to the double door refrigerators which are generally ‘Frost Free’ ones.
whirlpool intellifresh refrigerator Ideal For: Bachelors and small families who have limited storage needs from the refrigerator and also do not require a large freezer.
Top Freezer, Double Door Refrigerator
Description: These Refrigerators have separate doors for the freezer and the refrigerator compartments. They have the freezer compartment on top and have gained immense popularity over the last few years.
Ideal For: Midsized families and people who use the freezer to store frozen foods. Provide easy and direct access to food for people with short height and children.
Bottom Freezer, Double Door Refrigerator
Description: These are again double door refrigerators with the exception of having the freezer compartment at the bottom. The double door refrigerators of both kinds, with top or bottom freezer are medium size refrigerators and come in the size of 200 liters- 450 liters.
Ideal For: Mid sized families and people who do not use the freezer often. These type of refrigerators provide easy access at an eye level to the refrigerated food and save a lot of ‘searching’ trouble.
Lifestyle Refrigerators
Description: These are large size (450 liters-800 liters) refrigerators with either two or multiple doors. They come with a plethora of features and designer looks and are high priced also.
Ideal For: These refrigerators are for you only if you have a really large family and a big budget too. If you are the kind of person who likes to throw big parties often and has different types of frozen/ refrigerated foods to store and beverages to chill then you must look at this category of refrigerators.