Fridges · 5 min read
Fridge freezer, side-by-side or French door?
Fridge types compared, how many litres you really need and the measurements to take before ordering.
The types
- Fridge freezer: fridge on top, drawer freezer below. 60 cm wide, 180–203 cm tall: Italy’s most common choice.
- Top freezer: smaller freezer on top. Affordable and compact.
- Side-by-side: two full-height doors, 90 cm wide, often with a water dispenser.
- French door: two doors above, drawers below; lots of width for trays.
- Built-in: hides behind a kitchen door; measure the niche to the millimetre.
Fridge freezers · Side-by-side · French door
How many litres?
As a rule, 100–150 litres of fridge per person up to three people, then 50 litres more per person. If you shop weekly or freeze a lot, look at the freezer: 100 litres is plenty for a couple, little for a family that batch-cooks.
No Frost or not?
With Total No Frost, a fan circulates the cold air: no ice in the freezer and even temperatures. It costs a little more but ends defrosting. Static models use slightly less energy and are quieter.
Measure before ordering
- Niche width and height, leaving 2–3 cm above and behind for airflow.
- Width with the door open (90–120°), especially next to a wall.
- Doors, corridors and stairs to the kitchen: a boxed side-by-side needs about 80 cm.
