The refrigerator is an indispensable part of the technical arrangement of the kitchen. It should not only ensure the safety of products, but also harmoniously complement the interior. Designers recommend installing a built-in refrigerator: the size and functionality of such equipment can be chosen absolutely any, based on the individual needs and capabilities of a particular family. There are other nuances that should be considered when choosing such a unit.
Content
- 1 Built-in refrigerators in modern kitchens
- 2 How to choose a built-in refrigerator: dimensions and functions of units
- 3 Various models of Liebherr built-in refrigerators
- 4 Interesting interior and comfortable use: built-in Bosch refrigerator
- 5 Dimensions and modern functionality of Samsung built-in refrigerators
- 6 Affordable price and reliability: built-in refrigerator Atlant
- 7 Standard dimensions as an advantage of Hansa built-in refrigerators
- 8 Refrigerators built into the kitchen under the countertop
- 9 How to choose a built-in refrigerator: important tips
- 10 Installation sequence of the built-in refrigerator
- 11 The best refrigerators: rating of the most popular models
- 12 Built-in refrigerators: user reviews
Built-in refrigerators in modern kitchens
Looking through photos of kitchen interiors on the Internet, it is impossible not to notice that at least half of them visually do not have a refrigerator. Even if you try to fantasize and find a place for him among the already designed environment, it will be difficult. How to choose the right color for the unit? White looks simple and uninteresting, but metallic must be combined with other elements, otherwise the kitchen will look gloomy. Red or purple will create a bright accent, but will it decorate or ruin the whole interior?
There is a universal solution for creating a harmonious interior - to place the refrigerator in a cabinet. This design know-how was actively picked up several decades ago, and today many people install this type of household appliance in this way. The industry fulfills requests, creating more and more new models of such units.
The advantages of built-in refrigerators:
- the ability to create an interesting interior;
- visual increase in the space of small rooms;
- quiet operation of the unit in an enclosed space.
The technical and operational characteristics of refrigerators placed in furniture niches have some differences from free-standing models.Consideration should be given to the specific specifics of the installation, as well as the special quality of the outer surfaces of the case. Refrigerators built into the cupboard are more expensive than conventional models, but the aesthetics of the interior and comfort fully compensate for the costs of purchasing it.
How to choose a built-in refrigerator: dimensions and functions of units
When choosing a built-in refrigerator, it is necessary in a complex and almost simultaneously to determine several indicators:
- what volume of the unit (dimensions) and the number of chambers is preferable;
- the desired performance characteristics of the model (functions);
- dimensions of the installation area.
All three factors are interdependent. The main criterion for making calculations is the number of family members. One person conditionally needs 120 liters of volume, for each subsequent person - 60 liters. It is also worth taking into account the peculiarities of the organization of everyday life: how often and in what quantity stocks of food are made, whether freezing is preferred as a way of storage, etc.
The location of the chambers largely depends on the height of the built-in refrigerator (it can be different, but usually does not exceed 200 cm). Higher models have separate fridge and freezer compartments, the latter can be located both at the bottom and at the top.
In low models, the size of the freezer is small, it does not have a separate door. The functionality of the unit largely depends on the placement of the chambers - the presence of various zones (freshness, intensive freezing, quick freezing, etc.). The model selected based on needs and wishes should fit into the space allocated for it.
Helpful advice! Given a limited area, the choice of a refrigerator should start with determining its optimal size. Thus, there will be no need to abandon the desired model and revise the functionality.
The standard width of the refrigerator as the main dimension
Classic refrigerators are divided into three main types: full-sized, medium-sized and small (including minibars). This division is appropriate to apply to embedded models. The following can be considered standard sizes:
- full-size units: height - 175-200 cm, width - 55-60 cm, depth - 55-60 cm;
- medium models: height - 130-150 cm, width - 45-55 cm, depth - 50-60 cm;
- small built-in refrigerators: height - 60-80 cm, width - 50 cm, depth - 50 cm.
Side-by-side refrigerators have a standard height of up to 200 cm and a depth of 60 cm, but differ significantly in width. Traditionally, it is 90 cm, but a considerable number of models are 110-112 cm wide.
Width is the most important dimension when choosing a built-in refrigerator. If the manufacturers strive to maintain the standard depth, taking into account the size of kitchen furniture, and the height can vary, then the width becomes fundamental for determining the installation location. If there is free space, there are no problems. However, not everyone has spacious kitchens, and sometimes every centimeter has to be counted.
Refrigerators built under the countertop require a special approach when choosing a model. In such cases, this overall figure goes into the aesthetic plane. The standard width of the doors of the facades of kitchen furniture is 40-45 cm, of the refrigerator - 50 cm. The violation of dimensional uniformity can lead to a loss of aesthetics.
Helpful advice! If the difference in the dimensions of the front part of the built-in refrigerator can negatively affect the overall appearance, it is worth installing the unit under the working surface of the island table.
Various models of Liebherr built-in refrigerators
Liebherr refrigerators are reliable German quality. The lineup is represented by all existing types of units. Most common among built-in refrigerators are standard two-compartment products with a bottom freezer and two doors. The height of refrigerators ranges from 170 to 203 cm. This overall size allows you to maintain a single upper level of kitchen furniture, which is especially important for small rooms.
The total volume of such refrigerators is 250-280 liters. Among them, you can find models with a small freezer - 28 liters, where the refrigerator compartment occupies 263 liters of internal space. There are many models with an 83 L freezer and a 199 L refrigeration zone.
The price of built-in refrigerators from Liebherr is above average. A full-size two-chamber unit can be purchased for 50-100 thousand rubles, the price of Premium-class models reaches 140-150 thousand rubles. As a novelty, the manufacturer offers multi-chamber built-in refrigerators with a bottom freezer and a division into refrigeration zones. Such aggregates are rather wide (91 cm) and high (203 - 207 cm). The class of models is characterized as PremiumPlus. The equipment is equipped with the most modern functionality, the price is 430-450 thousand rubles.
The assortment of medium-sized refrigerators is also widely presented, and there are models with both two doors and one.
Among small units, you can choose options in widths of both 50 and 60 cm. These can be two-compartment models, separate built-in freezers or refrigerators.
Helpful advice! When choosing a built-in refrigerator, you should pay attention to the door mounting methods. Not every model has the ability to outweigh the loops.
Liebherr side-by-side built-in refrigerators
Owners of spacious kitchens with a certain level of income can afford to purchase an American refrigerator. This is a large-sized unit in which the freezer occupies a side position, more often the left one. "Sidebyside" means "side by side", that is, the chambers of such refrigerators are located next to each other.
The largest number of built-in sidebyside models is produced by the German company Liebherr. The units can have either two or three chambers. In addition to the freezer and refrigerator, a wine storage compartment is added. The total volume of such a refrigerator reaches 899 liters, and the width is 167.7 cm.
Some models have a bottom arrangement of freezers with two identical units. These units have four doors that open two refrigerating and two freezing compartments. They can be placed both in specially equipped cabinets for refrigerators and in niches (incomplete embedding). The latter option is preferred by many due to the presence of an additional number of doors.
Standard models of such units are characterized by the following dimensions:
- height - 177.7 cm;
- width - 111 cm;
- depth - 54.5 cm.
The total volume is 560-590 liters.
Built-in refrigerators Liebherr side by side have a significant difference from the models of other manufacturers. These are prefabricated units, they consist of two (or more in some types) separate blocks that are combined into one structure.
Interesting interior and comfortable use: built-in Bosch refrigerator
The Bosch brand lineup includes units of different types. These can be the following models:
- Single-chamber small refrigerators.These are freezers and separate refrigerating chambers with the following dimensions: height - 85 cm, width - 60 cm, depth - 59 cm. Such units are quite spacious, their volume is 114 liters.
- Medium-sized units with a height of 120 to 150 cm. Such models of the manufacturer Bosch have an upper arrangement of the freezer.
- Full-size two-compartment refrigerators with bottom or top freezer placement.
Models with a height of 177 cm, a width of 56 cm and a depth of 55 cm, an overhead freezer and one door are the most popular. The total volume of such refrigerators is 287 liters, of which 252 liters are the refrigerator compartment and 35 liters are the freezer compartment.
Most Bosch built-in refrigerators have NoFrost functions, automatic defrosting and quick freezing, a sensor that reflects the control and operation of the device, and a freshness zone.
Helpful advice! When buying a built-in refrigerator, you can save a lot by choosing a model with simplified functionality, for example, with manual defrosting.
Dimensions and modern functionality of Samsung built-in refrigerators
Samsung refrigerators have long been familiar to consumers on the domestic market. This is a quality product with a reasonable price. The share of embedded models in the total production volume is small. Basically, these are the most demanded two-chamber options with a lower location of the freezer.
Related article:
Refrigerator sizes: standard and non-standard models, placement methods
Main dimensions: height, width, depth. Standard sizes of refrigerators LG, Atlant, Biryusa, Bosch, Samsung, Indesit. Selection rules.
The overall dimensions of such units are as follows:
- height - 117–178 cm;
- width - 54–56 cm;
- depth - 55–58 cm.
The main functional characteristics of the models include:
- defrosting methods - drip system, NoFrost;
- the ability to protect against voltage surges - the Volt Control function;
- automatic regulation of temperature indicators - Cool Select Zone;
- restoration of the required temperature level after the penetration of warm air into the chamber - the Multi Flow function;
- even air distribution - TWIN Cooling system.
The most demanded feature of built-in refrigerators is Know Frost. It is the ensuring of the uniformity of the air mass that contributes to the long-term preservation of the freshness of the products. Almost all models of refrigerators from this manufacturer belong to the economy class A and A ++.
Helpful advice! When buying a refrigerator through an online store, you should find out the dimensions for embedding, which are indicated in the instructions. No liability is provided for placing erroneous information in the product description on the website.
Affordable price and reliability: built-in refrigerator Atlant
Analyzing even the most democratic prices for built-in refrigerators, we can say with confidence that not everyone can afford them. The Belarusian plant Atlant has long been giving low-income families the opportunity to use modern refrigeration units. The manufacturer also produces built-in options that can be purchased for 25 thousand rubles.
Decent model - Atlant XM 4307. The refrigerator has the following dimensions:
- height - 178 cm;
- width - 54 cm;
- depth - 56 cm.
This built-in refrigerator is two-compartment. The volume of the refrigerator compartment is 234 liters, the freezer compartment - 167 liters. The model is full-sized, the dimensions allow to accommodate a fairly large number of products. NoFrost, freshness zone and touch controls are missing. However, at such a cost, there is no need to demand much from the technology.The main thing is that the unit works reliably, cools the contents, confirming the characteristics declared by the manufacturer. The refrigerator belongs to the economy class A, the noise level does not exceed 40 dB, the climate class is N.
The model was recently launched into mass production, but it has already confirmed its stable performance and is in demand among consumers.
Standard dimensions as an advantage of Hansa built-in refrigerators
Hansa household appliances appeared on the domestic market not so long ago - just two decades ago. Built-in refrigerators are mainly represented by full-size two-compartment models. Among them, there are inexpensive options with a drip system for defrosting the refrigerating chamber and with a manual method - for a freezer. There are models with a drip system for the refrigeration part of the unit and with the NoFrost function of the freezer.
Among the main characteristics of Hansa built-in refrigerators are the following:
- overall dimensions: height - 177.6 cm, width - 54 cm, depth - 54 cm;
- the total volume exceeds 250 liters;
- the volume of the refrigerating chamber is 190 liters;
- freezer - 70 l;
- internal LED backlight;
- economical energy consumption class - A + and A ++;
- the possibility of hanging the doors from one side to the other.
The standard dimensions of built-in refrigerators and prices related to the middle segment make Hansa appliances quite popular. These models are also convenient in installation. Many manufacturers of kitchen furniture make cabinets exactly for such dimensions of built-in appliances.
Such refrigerators are a good option when the units are characterized by good functionality and quite affordable prices. The disadvantages of this device include a limited number of types and uniformity of sizes.
Refrigerators built into the kitchen under the countertop
There may be several reasons why refrigerators are built under the countertop:
- lack of space for installing a separate unit;
- desire to create a certain interior;
- there is no need for a large refrigerator, and a small freestanding model is not a good option.
Under-counter refrigerators have a standard height of 80 cm.
Important! In order to increase the volume, some buyers purchase taller units (86–90 cm) for such purposes. This inevitably causes the need to increase the height of the work surface, which reduces the level of comfort when working on the worktop.
You can increase the capacity of a small built-in refrigerator due to the width. Manufacturers such as Bosch and Liebherr have models that are 60 cm wide. Liebherr also offers small side-by-side options for embedding.
You can pick up a freezer and a refrigerator that are identical in overall dimensions. The units can be installed either side by side or on opposite sides of the triangular working area of the kitchen.
A small refrigerator can be built into a pencil case by raising it to a certain height for ease of use. In terms of the interior, the solution can be considered successful, but it will entail certain difficulties in the installation, in particular, the arrangement of air exchange.
How to choose a built-in refrigerator: important tips
Before choosing a built-in model, you need to find out what kind of refrigerators there are. They differ in technical characteristics (type of compressor, energy class, climatic type, etc.), functionality (automatic or manual defrosting, intense freezing, freshness zone, protection against power surges, etc.) and overall dimensions (height, width, length, volume ).
You can talk as much as you like about the importance of the interior for a comfortable stay in the room, but if the unit does not meet the basic functional requirements, then the efforts spent on giving it aesthetics are reduced to zero.
The primary criterion when choosing any refrigerator, including a built-in one, is compliance with requests (size and function).
Next, you should carefully study the technical characteristics of the refrigerator. You may be able to find the perfect option. It will not be a big mistake to choose a model with a non-super-economical class of energy consumption or with manual defrosting of one chamber, but otherwise meeting the requirements.
Built-in refrigerators are expensive appliances. Be sure to clarify for yourself the issue of service. After the end of the warranty period, if it is necessary to send the unit for repair or maintenance, the transport efforts and financial costs are borne by the user. The lack of a support center in the city significantly complicates the renovation process.
Installation sequence of the built-in refrigerator
Kitchen furniture where the refrigerator is supposed to be installed is most often made to order by experienced craftsmen. They must definitely go to the place, take measurements. When manufacturing, it is necessary to take into account the need to create ventilation ducts in the basement of the cabinet, ensure the distance between the walls of the niche and the unit is at least 7 cm for the movement of air flows. The instructions for the built-in models indicate the exact dimensions of the cabinets for refrigerators, so it is better if the unit is purchased before furniture production begins.
A set of fasteners for each specific model is provided by the manufacturer.
The sequence of actions when building in the refrigerator can be as follows:
- install the mounting angles, fix the stops at the bottom;
- fix the corners at the ends of the door;
- install the unit so that it coincides with the limiters;
- fix the refrigerator body and the sides of the niche at four points.
The door fastening can be rigid (doorondoor) or sliding (doorsliding). In the first case, the furniture facade is fixed to the refrigerator door. In the second, the unit door slides along the inner furniture surface with the help of guides.
Before starting the installation work, be sure to check the dimensions of the cabinet for the built-in refrigerator. It should also be borne in mind that the thickness of the furniture wall cannot be less than 1.6 cm, and the distance from the outer edge of the device to the outer edge of the front of the furniture should be 4 cm.
The best refrigerators: rating of the most popular models
The built-in refrigerator rating below is generalized. It does not highlight models by price, functionality, dimensions, etc., these are the most purchased units with a minimum of negative user reviews.
LIEBHERR SBS 66I3. Four-door German unit. The total volume is 500 liters. Has two compressors, allows separate control of cameras. Easy to install, equipped with the latest functionality. Has a high price tag.
Gorenje RKI 5181 KW. Two-compartment model with a bottom freezer compartment. Has the functions of fast freezing, sound notification, automatic temperature correction. After shutdown, it keeps cold for 12 hours. The freezer is characterized by a small volume.
LG GR-N309 LLB. The best built-in refrigerator of this manufacturer. The model is two-chamber, with a bottom freezer. The set includes an ice maker. The compressor has a low noise level.
BOSCH KIV38X20. Two-chamber model with two doors and a bottom freezer. Drip defrost system. Reliable German quality, complemented by an acceptable cost.
ATLANT XM 4307-000. Two-compartment two-door refrigerator with a large freezer volume. Affordable price and reliable operation ensure the leading position.
The best built-in mini-refrigerators are Liebherr and Bosch units. They are distinguished by their spaciousness, small dimensions and high quality level. The cost of these models, despite their size, is quite high.
Helpful advice! To get a complete picture of the selected refrigerator model, it is advisable to familiarize yourself not only with information on the position of the unit in the rating, but also with user reviews.
Built-in refrigerators: user reviews
In theory, integrating refrigerators shouldn't cause any problems. The functions and sizes of the units are selected by the buyer in accordance with personal wishes and needs. Photos of built-in refrigerators posted on the Internet offer a variety of options that really improve kitchen design.
“I have been dealing with furniture for the fifth year. For the built-in refrigerator to work for a long time, you need to create certain conditions for it. If you just install a chipboard cabinet, then there will be no ventilation. One quality cabinet costs a third of the refrigerator. With improperly organized evaporation, the technique quickly breaks down. I do not recommend it, including for financial reasons. "
Andrey Bochkov, Syktyvkar
“The built-in Atlant has been operating for the seventh year - and as on the first day. Inside, the plastic wiped a little, but everything is normal. I already want to change for something more impressive, I looked through the options, there are interesting models, and even the wardrobe does not need to be changed. "
Denis Vakulov, Noyabrsk
“Any refrigerator, not just a built-in one, will not last long if it is not provided with ventilation of the back wall with a heat exchanger. You need a lot of space under the refrigerator, and it is also necessary so that air extraction can be carried out. Then only you can count on long work ”.
Alexey Beloborodov, Lipetsk
To build in or not to build in a refrigerator is a matter of taste, desire, possibilities and necessity. However, having decided to choose just such a model, it is worth considering all the features of the technique and installation tips so that the unit works for a long time and its operation is enjoyable.