Such different dimensions of refrigerators: choose equipment wisely

The dimensions of the refrigerator are one of the leading factors affecting the selection of a device during purchase. Choosing the right appliances that will keep your food fresh is not always easy. The main goal is not to violate the appropriate ratio to the parameters of refrigerators.

It is often assumed that a single person does not need a refrigerator of impressive dimensions. A single person will be able to visit a grocery hypermarket a couple of times a month, wanting to systematically purchase food for a fairly long period. Such people may have a huge dog whose food is stored in the same refrigerator. Therefore, all such connections between the volume of the device and the number of people living in the living space are truly symbolic and a matter of taste.

Difficulty of choice

The moment of buying a refrigerator is quite difficult and painful, so when choosing such a unit, the first place is given to the number of people living in the family and their culinary habits. The cost of equipment and the size of the living space play an important role, so preference should be given only to reliable and proven samples. The most compact in all respects will be built-in models. For a small family, a small refrigerator with one chamber is suitable; two-chamber models will be more spacious. Purchasing excessively capacious refrigerators will result in inconvenience, and bulky samples will take up a lot of space.

When choosing cooling household equipment for yourself, be sure to take into account the dimensions of the kitchen. If nothing prevents the door from moving when you open it, then the equipment is installed correctly.

Equally important is the correct ratio of the refrigerator and freezer compartments. This fact is determined solely by the tastes and needs of the owner. Those who like to freeze large quantities of berries and vegetables are better off choosing refrigerators with a spacious freezer. In this case, you can purchase a separate cabinet. Connoisseurs of fresh food can recommend a refrigerator with a large cooling chamber.

Sizing and installation rules

There are often cases when refrigeration equipment is chosen only for its original design. During operation, discrepancies appear with its technical characteristics regarding the desired results. That is, you need to approach the acquisition of this equipment wisely:

1. There is no need to purchase a refrigerator with a large freezer if you do not need food supplies. It is better to choose a model with a spacious refrigerator compartment.
2. If the kitchen allows you to install equipment of any size, you should not purchase bulky units just because of their capacity. The useful volume must be used, otherwise the purchase is inappropriate.
3. There is no need to install side-by-side models in the corner of the room - inadequate opening of the door causes inconvenience in operation and the feeling that the equipment is installed temporarily.
4. It is necessary that the dimensions of the refrigerator correspond to the size of the room. A large device in height or width and a lonely kitchen countertop will not create a feeling of comfort.
5. The units require a separate connection to the outlet.

When placing the mini-refrigerator under the countertop, you need to move it as far as possible from the washing machine.

Kitchen countertop

The refrigerator is considered the most popular piece of equipment. The equipment should last a long time, making life easier and bringing pleasant moments of enjoying delicious dishes. Once you choose the appropriate height device, you can get comfort for many years.

Volume and dimensions of refrigerators

Depending on the needs of a person, the size of cooling equipment can vary significantly. An important role in this is played by the features of the model and built-in functionality.

Main parameters:

• height 50–250 cm;
• width 40–190 cm;
• depth 44–110 cm;
• volume 30–800 l;
• weight 22–157 kg.

Depending on the territorial predisposition, refrigerators received the following names:

• European;
• American;
• Asiatic.

The most elongated models are classified as units of the first type; American equipment has a large refrigerator width and height; Asian equipment has medium dimensions. Accordingly, their depth indicators will be different. Typical parameters are 60 cm, smaller ones are up to 50 cm and the most spacious overall refrigerators are 110 cm.

For your information! It is important for people living in apartment buildings to know the weight of the unit: high loads on interfloor floors are not allowed.

What does the concept of “refrigerator volume” mean? This is the number of products it can hold. Such indicators differ markedly between different models and range from 25 to 750 hp. Depending on these values, equipment is divided into economical, average in terms of capacity and volumetric.

Size options for built-in refrigerators

"Dear". This is exactly what they called an old and well-deserved wardrobe in one of Chekhov’s plays.

But a refrigerator is also a cabinet whose purpose is to store food.

To evaluate any equipment or furniture, they talk about their ergonomics.

That is, they are evaluated from the point of view of ease of use.

Experts in the field of ergonomics believe that a refrigerator should not be higher than two meters.

The optimal height is one and a half meters.

If the built-in refrigerator is smaller, it is better to raise it and place a compact cabinet for vegetables or household items underneath it.

A small refrigerator, only about 1.7 m high, would be more convenient to use if it stood on a stand.

Some housewives choose very small refrigerators, which are “hidden” under the countertop and have a height of up to 85 cm.

Due to the lack of a freezer, we have to install one. An example of such an arrangement is in the photo below.

• safe;
• reliable;
• simple and easy to use;
• accessible for cleaning and cleaning;
• beautiful and aesthetic.

Built-in refrigerator dimensions

The dimensions of the refrigerator, its height and width, are determined by the internal parameters of the niche where it will be placed.

If a built-in refrigerator is installed under a countertop, there is no special cabinet made for it, since the refrigerator is installed directly on the floor between two cabinets and the door is attached to the refrigerator door.

Its height is 820 mm, width – 600, and depth is equal to the size of the furniture – 550-570 mm.

For a refrigerator built into a cabinet, the dimensions of the cabinet are important; they are indicated in the refrigerator's passport.

Typically it has the following dimensions: width - 600, depth - 550 mm.

The height may vary depending on the refrigerator model.

Facades for kitchen furniture. Our article will help you figure out which facades for kitchen furniture are more practical.

What materials are best to make a kitchen apron from, and how MDF differs from HDF, you can read here.

Here is an example of a cabinet drawing and dimensions of a built-in refrigerator, taken from the passport of one of the built-in refrigerators:

Standard Features

Small-sized refrigerators are installed in hotels, offices, and guest rooms. A width of 50 cm and a height of 50–120 cm is enough to install a compact unit in a small wall. Medium-sized refrigerators traditionally have one door and a height of up to 1.5 m; the rest of their indicators are standard. They can be up to 180 cm high, with a camera at the bottom or at the top. Large refrigerators will be a real boon for tall people. Reaching the top point of 210 cm is not a problem for them. All of the listed types of refrigerators have a standard width and depth of 50–60 cm. An example of the most capacious refrigerators will be Side by Side equipment. Their freezer is on the left side, and the refrigerator part is on the right. They are incredibly wide (100 cm) and deep (60-80 cm), which allows you to store huge supplies of food. Such equipment can only be installed in large kitchens, and the design execution of such devices is striking in its diversity.

Number of cameras

Depending on the number of chambers, single-chamber and double-chamber refrigerators are distinguished. Equipment of the first type has dimensions:

• height 0.5–1.2 m;
• width 50-60 cm;
• capacity 120–220 l.

This unit is suitable for 1 or 2 people. A compact freezer at the top and a refrigerator compartment at the bottom will accommodate the required amount of food. Two-chamber units are designed for a small family and have 1 or 2 compressors, a spacious refrigeration and freezer compartment.

Dimensions:

• height 1.3–2.1 m;
• width 0.5–0.7 m;
• volume 260–380 l.

Refrigeration equipment with several chambers is called French door. The main compartment has 2 doors, the freezing part is located at the bottom and is equipped with a retractable mechanism.

Their parameters:

• height 1.68-2 m;
• width 60-120 cm;
• depth 55–90 cm;
• capacity 320–650 l.

Side By Side: special refrigerators

Such equipment is considered the most convenient and spacious, however, the bulkiness of the models does not allow them to be installed in any kitchen. Side by side is a multifunctional device that allows you not only to store food, but also to freeze ice cubes. A TV is built into its body, it has several types of cameras and a set of all the necessary functions, including know frost.

Side By Side has the following data:

• height 1.7–1.9 m;
• width 1 m or less;
• depth 60–80 cm;
• volume 350–800 l.

Side-by-side equipment often has 1 compressor, an independent temperature control process stores food as carefully as possible, both by freezing and by simple cooling. The practicality of such tall refrigerators is undeniable: they are equipped with a large number of necessary and original functions:

• Automatic troubleshooting of the device.
• Possibility to prepare a cocktail using the installed bar function.
• Electronic control system.
• Internet connection.
• Dosing devices allow you to get ice cubes and cool drinks.
• The presence of odor-absorbing elements.
• Built-in infrared lamps ensure better food safety.
• Door stops prevent damage to nearby furniture.

Embedded equipment of this type has improved software, and the equipment is at a higher level. Enhanced thermal insulation will allow you to use energy reserves more economically, in contrast to stand-alone units. Their important advantage is the location of the heat exchanger at the bottom of the refrigerator along with a dust-repellent device, which greatly facilitates cleaning.

Two-door refrigerators have different dimensions depending on the features of their modification:

• width 80–125 cm;
• height 170–215 cm;
• capacity 63–91 cm.

Some European models have a depth of 60 cm, which makes it easier to fit into a kitchen set without protrusions from the general line of cabinets.

When studying the mechanism of operation of a refrigerator with two doors, it is important to take into account some nuances:

• Side by side units are not installed on underfloor heating. The heat exchanger located below does not tolerate high temperatures: they cause rapid wear of the equipment.
• Before purchasing, you should evaluate the size of the doorways: not every refrigerator of this type will fit through them.
• All side by side equipment is equipped with the No Frost function.
• A refrigerator with two doors is connected to the plumbing system, and this will lead to additional costs. This need is associated with the presence of an ice generator function.

Compressor type

The “heart” of the refrigerator is the compressor. This device moves gas inside the tubes of the cooling system, thereby removing heat from the refrigerator chambers. Depending on the number of compressors, refrigerators are:

• single-compressor - one compressor alternately cools the refrigeration chamber and the freezer;
• two-compressor - each chamber is cooled by its own compressor. This allows you to more accurately regulate the temperature in the refrigerator chambers and defrost one chamber independently of the other.

Previously, it was believed that higher class refrigerators had two compressors. It is not always so. On the market you can find both three-chamber models with a No frost system and one compressor, as well as simple inexpensive refrigerators with two. For the average user, the difference between a single-compressor and a two-compressor refrigerator is not too noticeable.

It is better to pay attention to the type of refrigerator compressor. By type, compressors are divided into:

• Linear compressors operate intermittently. The device starts up, cools the chambers to the set temperature and turns off. They consume a lot of electricity to start, wear out faster, create more noise, but are cheaper;
• inverter compressors - operate continuously, adjusting power depending on the temperature in the chambers. They are more expensive than linear ones, but last longer, consume less electricity and are quieter.
• Linear inverter compressors are a modern type of compressor, mainly installed in LG brand refrigerators.

Purpose of built-in equipment

Very often, when purchasing a kitchen set, they offer built-in appliances that are ideal in size. Typically this includes household equipment from the same manufacturer with equivalent design and dimensions. This way, you can also accommodate a refrigerator, although it can be placed separately. In this case, the need for matching with other equipment automatically disappears.

If the kitchen has enough square footage, it can easily accommodate Side by Side cooling equipment; it will include so many supplies that you can forget about constant trips to supermarkets.

A characteristic feature of built-in refrigerators is that they have different parameters, from 60 cm to 2 m. They are selected based on the size of the furniture and the room itself, including the height of the ceiling. Their external design makes them almost invisible against the background of kitchen furniture, and they operate almost silently. Built-in refrigerators have the most common design; external decoration with special panels gives them a special look.

For those families who prefer to purchase groceries for the week, it is best to choose larger models. When replenishing supplies in small portions, a small refrigerator will suffice.

The unit installed under the countertop should have a height of 82 cm, and its depth corresponds to the furniture and is 55–57 mm with a width of 60 cm. The average volume of such a chamber is 150–180 l, which is enough for a family of 3 people. According to many experts, the most suitable height of the refrigerator will be 1.5 m, but not more than 2 m.

What sizes are there?

Household refrigeration equipment is divided into categories according to the number of chambers and front doors. The standard sizes of refrigerators depend on the market; for example, in a number of Asian countries it is customary to use a small-sized freezer, which is located on top. European requirements require the use of a housing with a height of 1800 mm and a width of no more than 600 mm. The American standard is distinguished by the use of expanded enclosures with increased capacity.

Single-chamber

In single-compartment models, the freezer compartment is built into the refrigerator compartment or located in a separate casing at the top of the equipment. The dimensions of the refrigerator provide a useful volume of up to 200 liters (with a body height ranging from 500-1500 mm). Small-sized installations for hotel rooms have a capacity ranging from 30-80 liters, while the width is 500 mm. When installing equipment, it is necessary to take into account the radius of movement of the front door when opening and provide free space on the sides and behind the housing for ventilation.

Double chamber

Two-chamber equipment is most common in residential premises due to the versatility of the design. The minimum installation height is 1300 mm, units with a maximum capacity (up to 350 l) are equipped with housings up to 2200 mm high. The width of the units is in the range of 500-700 mm, and the depth depends on the design of the heat exchanger on the rear wall. The minimum value is 500 mm; products with a depth of 600 mm are more common.

The dimensions of 2-chamber refrigerators allow you to fit the equipment into a standard kitchen niche or install it in the gap between wall elements. During installation, it is necessary to ensure air circulation along the side walls and rear radiator of the heat exchanger. As heat transfer deteriorates, the efficiency of the refrigeration unit decreases.

Multi-chamber

Multi-chamber equipment has a large compartment capacity, reaching 700 liters. Refrigeration units are equipped with separate compartments with individual temperature control. The height can be up to 2000 mm, while the width of the refrigerator varies in the range of 600-1200 mm. To ensure increased capacity, the body depth on some models has been increased to 1000 mm. There are modifications designed for integration into headsets, as well as those equipped with housings for separate installation.

Side by Side

The units are distinguished by the use of hinged front doors, which make it possible to further increase the capacity and size of refrigerators. The freezer and refrigerator compartments are arranged vertically and have separate temperature controls. Some modifications are equipped with a special compartment for cooling alcoholic beverages; a dispenser for dispensing chilled water is mounted on the front door (the tank is mounted on the inner panel of the door).

The height of the equipment body is in the range of 1800-2000 mm, the width can be up to 1000 mm. By rearranging the compartments, it was possible to reduce the depth, which does not exceed 850 mm. Refrigeration units are equipped with 1 or 2 compressors and heat exchangers located on the rear of the housing. Electric fans are used to circulate cold air in the chambers, so it is necessary to ensure stable cooling of radiators and electronic components of the equipment.

Non-standard models

Non-standard refrigeration equipment is intended for placement in the niches of kitchen units made to special order. The installation layout allows the housing to fit into cavities having a width of 400 mm. The narrow front door, when open, does not prevent the owner from moving around the kitchen. To compensate for the reduction in volume, an increase in the depth of the housing is applied. On the outer part of the front door there are fastening strips to hold the decorative panel from the kitchen furniture.

There are built-in cabinets with a height of up to 2000 mm and a width of 600 mm. Some manufacturers offer refrigeration equipment designed for placement under kitchen countertops. The height of such products does not exceed 820 mm; instead of folding doors, drawers are used, equipped with latches and individual lighting.

To compensate for the gaps between the top cover and the tabletop, adjustable supports are used, which are covered with a decorative furniture panel or metal casing.

Cabinets designed for installation under the countertop are divided into units with a refrigerator compartment and with a freezer compartment. It is recommended to purchase 2 devices that complement each other's functions. Combination modifications are only available from some manufacturers.

Secrets of installing a refrigerator

In order for cooling equipment to work properly and for a long time, it is important to follow certain rules when installing it:

1. The refrigerator is not installed close to the radiator and stove; the minimum gap between them is 50 cm.
2. It is not very convenient when the unit is located next to the sink: dripping drops, grease and smudges will not add aesthetics to it.
3. The sunny side is not the best option for operating the refrigerator.
4. You cannot place a household appliance close to the wall; you should always maintain a distance.
5. When opening, the door should not block the entrance to the kitchen, which is especially important for small rooms.

So, in order not to make a mistake when choosing the size of a refrigerator, it is important to take into account some of the nuances, which were discussed in detail in this article. Studying it will protect you from possible mistakes and mistakes.