First-time fridge buyers: A guide to choosing the right refrigerator for your Indian summer kitchen

Make sure you make the perfect choice

In today’s era, refrigerators are an essential member of every household. Refrigerators are standalone home appliances used for freezing and preserving eatable items. Refrigerators cool the inside part by transferring the heat to its external part. Fridges make their inside temperature lower than the room temperature. Hence, refrigerators are helpful in summer for preserving food for a longer time. 

Factors to consider while buying a fridge:

There is a wide range of refrigerators that not only freeze the food but also keep it fresh and healthy for a longer period. Before you choose the best refrigerator, you should be aware of these essential points:

Storing capacity:

The capacity of the fridge defines the space it has for storing your food and is calculated in litres:

1. If the refrigerator is required for a single person then you can opt for a smaller capacity ranging from 40-80 litres.
2. If the refrigerator is required for 5 members of the family, you can opt for a larger capacity. A larger capacity refrigerator will need utmost care and maintenance.

The refrigerator price varies according to the capacity and size of the refrigerator. The capacity of a refrigerator has two sections; viz. freezer capacity and fridge capacity.

1. If you have more packed foods, you should buy a refrigerator with a large freezer capacity.
2. If you are looking to store fruits, vegetables, and milk, you should buy a refrigerator with a large fridge capacity.

Thus, select the appropriate capacity according to your requirements.

Types, styles, and models of refrigerators:

Smart technology has designed multiple options for refrigerators over time.  The various types of refrigerators include,

1. Single-door refrigerators: These refrigerators have a capacity of 100-250 litres. As it provides normal cooling mode and less storage, it is preferable for a family of 2-3 members.
2. Double-door refrigerators: These refrigerators have a separate freezer door and fridge door. They have a large capacity of 250-500 litres, preferable for a family of 4-5 members. LG fridge comes with excellent smart features and energy efficiency.
3. Triple-door refrigerators: These refrigerators help you store your food in an organised manner as it has three doors; viz. freezer door, fridge door, and additional door for fruits and vegetables. It has a capacity of 250-350 litres.
4. French door or side-by-side refrigerators: These refrigerators are suitable for big and modular kitchens. It has a capacity of 500-850 litres which is preferable for a family of 6-10 members.
5. Mini-fridge: These fridges are used in offices and hotels having the minimum capacity.

Direct cool or frost-free:

Direct cool refrigerator runs on natural conventional and are energy-efficient whereas frost-free refrigerators have electric fans that distribute the air equally in every corner of the fridge. 

Energy efficiency and cost:

You should energy-efficient refrigerators as they create less noise and cut down the electricity bill. 

Choose the best smart refrigerator according to your budget.