How To Choose an Upright Refrigerator

For easier selection, there is an energy label, which is mandatory for each refrigerator. You will find information on the energy efficiency of the product, supplemented by information on the annual energy consumption, as well as information on the usable volume of the refrigerator and freezer and its noise level.

Energy Label

Energy class indicates grouping according to energy consumption. Consumption is derived from operation under ideal conditions, i.e at an ambient temperature of 20 ° C and the refrigerator being 70% full. From July 2010, refrigerators and freezers of class B and lower may not be sold on the EU market, so you will usually find mini refrigerators in the energy class A, A+ (widest representation on the market), A++ or even in the most economical class A+++.

Illustrative annual energy consumption of mini-refrigerators by energy class**

* Calculated with the price of CZK 4.80 / kWh
** The energy consumption of the refrigerator is affected by the size of the usable volume, the type of compressor, the insulation thickness and other parameters.

The usable volume of mini refrigerators is small and the freezing part is even smaller, because it’s unlikely to be used as frequently. Choose the usable volume of the refrigerator with regard to the number of users, but also to the amount and type of stored food.

For each model, you will find information on the total usable volume, as well as the volume of the cooling part and the freezing part, with the proviso that only 10-20 liters are usually reserved for the freezer. Around 70 liters of refrigeration space is generally recommended for one person, but it is a recommendation for the average household.

1 user

• Total usable volume 70 to 110 liters.

2 users

• Total usable volume 120-200 liters.

Countertop refrigerators are usually 50 to 85 cm in height. It is important to watch the width and depth of the refrigerator so that you can place it in a predetermined place. So before ordering a specific model, measure the space where you want to place the refrigerator and remember to leave reserve space. Leave a space of at least 1 cm on the sides and 3-5 cm behind the fridge. This allows air to flow freely around it and its functionality will not be impeded.

The climate class informs us about the ideal temperature of the surrounding environment in which the refrigerator will be located. If the refrigerator is in a different climatic environment than recommended, it may consume more energy and may not cool properly. There are 4 climate classes, but some refrigerators are adapted for operation in more classes, i.e in a wider temperature range.

When choosing a refrigerator with a freezer, also check the freezing capacity and the freezing performance. Many people believe that this is the same parameter. However, the opposite is true. Freezing capacity indicates how many kilograms of food the freezer is able to freeze in one day (in 24 hours). Freezing performance indicates the temperature at which the freezer can freeze food, and therefore the storage for which it is suitable. The number of stars under the name freezing class most often informs about this parameter.

Accumulation time indicates how long food remains frozen even after a power failure. It basically shows how well the freezer is insulated. The longer this time, the better.

Mini refrigerators are manufactured with one compressor and one refrigeration circuit. This means that if you turn off the refrigerator, you will automatically turn off the freezer.

The noise of the refrigerator is very important mainly because it is often purchased to be used in small apartments or a student dorm room, i.e. where its noise could be bothersome, especially at night. Refrigerators with a noise level of 40 dB are generally considered to be quiet. However, if you place the refrigerator in a room where you sleep, we recommend selecting models with operating noise below 40 dB. Refrigerators with a noise level of 42 dB and more are already quite noisy and should be placed in a room where you do not sleep.

Before buying a refrigerator, you need to know which side you need the door to open from. Most refrigerators today are manufactured with the possibility of changing the door opening, but this is not a matter of course and there are many of them on the market without this possibility. With a small fridge, it is likely that you will move it to another apartment or to another place. In that case, the possibility of changing the side from which the door opens is an advantage that you will certainly appreciate.

Some small refrigerators are also equipped with extra functions and technologies that can help better preserve the food, have an impact on energy consumption and facilitate maintenance, etc.

• No Frost – modern frost-free technology that protects food and saves you time and effort. The No Frost technology creates cold and dry air, which circulates in the refrigerator and is optimally distributed throughout its space. The refrigerator thus maintains a constant temperature and there is no icing on the food or on the walls of the refrigerator. The constant air flow also ensures faster cooling / freezing of food. Low humidity in the refrigerator minimizes the occurrence of bacteria and fungi.

• Self-defrosting function – an older type of frost-free technology that ensures that the defrosting of the cooling or even the freezing part takes place automatically. The refrigerator usually switches off once every 24 hours for a short time and the ice that has formed on the walls liquefies and drains through a gutter into the evaporator.

• Super cooling – protects already chilled food from warming up. For example, before placing new items in the refrigerator, pressing a button will turn on this function, and the temperature in the refrigerator will temporarily drop. Not only does the new food cool down faster, but the temperature in the refrigerator is prevented from rising and the stored food from heating up. After cooling down, the refrigerator automatically switches to the original temperature.

• Ionizer – enriches the air in the refrigerator with a large amount of negatively charged ions and thus minimizes the occurrence of unwanted microorganisms. The ionizer creates a "healthy" microclimate for food and thus prolongs its freshness. At the same time, it effectively neutralizes the odor of strong smelling foods.

• Refrigerator with evaporator – if the refrigerator has a built-in evaporator you can also use it as a freezer compartment for a short time. In this approximately 9-15 liter space inside the refrigerator, the temperature can drop to -6 ° C. The evaporator will thus also function as a freezer for a short time.

A small refrigerator is designed for 1-2 people, a holiday home, in a student room or in the office, and therefore their usable volume most often ranges from 70 to 150 liters. In general, 70 liters of cooling space per person is recommended. When choosing, however, we advise you to take into account what kind of food the refrigerator will serve you for. The difference is whether you put only chilled food (cheese, sausages, dairy products) in the fridge, or also fruit and vegetables, cooked food or drinks.

Storing fruit and vegetables takes up more space, and if this is what you will mainly be storing in your refrigerator it is best to choose one which is equipped with a special box in which unwashed vegetables and fruits retain their freshness better and do not come into contact with other foods. If you like cold drinks, there should be enough space in the refrigerator door for your drinks. The shelves should be height-adjustable so that even larger food items or a pot can fit in your refrigerator.

When choosing a refrigerator according to capacity, take into account reserve space, because the refrigerator should never be completely filled in order to maintain good cooling. It should be two-thirds full. You can learn more about this in the article How to take care of your refrigerator, where you will also find recommendations for the correct distribution of food in the refrigerator.

TIP: If you want to save, you can use the bazaar when choosing a small refrigerator, where you will find fully functional goods in perfect condition and with a guarantee at reasonable prices.

Are you buying a refrigerator for temporary housing or do you plan to replace the kitchen unit in the coming years? Then the free-standing refrigerator is the clear choice, which you can easily place wherever you need it. The price is usually lower. In addition, you will have a choice of a number of models of different sizes and internal layouts.

If you are furnishing a new kitchen in which you have other built-in appliances, choose a built-in refrigerator. It will have the same exterior, so your kitchen will have a cleaner design without "distracting" elements. But these are usually more expensive.

Each refrigerator must be cleaned regularly, as various impurities and microbes could get into food. We recommend cleaning the refrigerator about once a month with a clean cloth and a non-aggressive refrigerator cleaner. They are safe for contact with food, perfectly eliminate dirt and absorb unwanted odors. But natural cleaners, such as water with baking soda, can also help. Vinegar is also suitable, which can also be effective against odors. When cleaning the refrigerator, always remove all the food and proceed from top to bottom when cleaning. Then wipe all shelves and walls of the refrigerator dry.

It is advisable to clean the freezer thoroughly approximately twice a year, and if there is over-icing this must also be removed (icing causes a significant increase in energy consumption and can also lead to damage to the appliance). Set aside a colder day for it. Take out not only the food, but also the shelves and drawers, which should be washed thoroughly, for example in a bathtub. Be careful to wash them in lukewarm water to prevent heat shock and warping of the shelf. Don't forget the seal around the door, which can be a breeding ground for mould. Then dry everything thoroughly with a clean dry cloth and put everything back in place.

You can learn more about how to clean your refrigerator or how to remove the smell from the refrigerator in our article How to take care of your refrigerator.