Built-in refrigerator

Those who want to think over to the smallest detail the design of their own kitchen are well aware of the problem when even the most beautiful refrigerator does not fit into the interior. He then stands in the middle of neat lockers, then stands out for its modernity against the background of retro-style ... A refrigerator built into the cupboard solves all aesthetic problems at the same time.

A few decades ago, they tried to put a refrigerator on the most prominent place in the kitchen - simply because not everyone had one. And today we hide them away from the eyes for the sake of beauty.

And although the built-in appliances are extremely fashionable and status, it is not suitable for everyone. Fridge in the closet:

• invisible;
• silent;
• much more economical than a regular refrigerator, because it is additionally insulated by the walls of the cabinet.

At the same time, it is rather expensive, less roomy than usual, and rarely has additional functions - for example, controlling buttons on the door, a zone for “fresh” products, etc.This option is not suitable for those who have a large family, which means they have to store a lot of food and constantly cook.

The concept of "built-in" refers not only to those refrigerators that "live" in kitchen cabinets. This also includes office options for refrigerators, mini-bars and even small cold rooms for cars.

Built-in refrigerators come in all different sizes - you can choose the right one based on your own needs and lifestyle. They may not have one or two freezers, but they may not have one at all. The design of such equipment is not being worked out: the most important thing with such a device is the internal structure and its electrical safety.

The most important rule: first choose a refrigerator, and then order a closet. Not a single skilled craftsman will undertake the installation of embedded technology in furniture that was purchased without measurements.

Some owners, trying to save money, are trying to build an ordinary refrigerator in the closet. Do not do this:

• The cabinet in this case will have to do without a bottom, because an ordinary fridge is placed on the floor. Given the fact that the back wall of the cabinet also will not (becauseOther important parts of the refrigerator are located at the back), you get a flimsy construction of three boards. She at any time can fall and will swing when you open the door.
• Even for the most “slim” solo fridge, you will need a huge wardrobe. Compared with the rest of the lockers of the headset, it will stand out in dimensions. "Cheating" will be revealed.

• If you really do not want to spend money on a built-in model, you can hide a regular refrigerator in a closet. However, it must be without a top cover for free access of air. And the door should be designed for multiple opening.
• It is very important to consider the ergonomics of the future refrigerator.. If the hostess is short, you should not buy a tall wardrobe that will be difficult to open. According to experts, the optimum height is 1.7 meters, including the freezer.

So, having decided on the model of the refrigerator, you need to choose a place for it. Here the rules are the same as for simple devices. It should be placed far from the stove and other heating appliances.. Place under the cabinet should be perfectly flat. It is very important that the door, along with the cabinet front, be opened easily and completely - there must be room for this.

Most often, the refrigerator in the closet is placed on the edge of the headset - angular or straight. It is the highest point in the interior, and the rest of the “pattern” goes at belt level. However, there are other interesting options for planning.

In particular, the refrigerator can be hidden in the cabinet under the work surface. For this purpose, two small, up to 80 cm tall units are usually purchased and placed next to each other. You can separate them thematically, for example, in the right part - meat and dairy products, in the left part - fruits and vegetables. It looks original, very unusual and allows you to avoid the height difference in the interior. There will, of course, be little storage space for food. In addition, to get something, every time you have to bend or squat.

Additional storage space for food (canned goods, jams, etc.) can be equipped under the window sill. In many old houses in the kitchen there are special niches, which are popularly called "the Khrushchev refrigerator." This is a rather extensive recess in the wall with shelves. It has technological holes that allow you to maintain a cool temperature there: in winter, you can even freeze dumplings. In the 1950s and 1960s, it allowed many people who did not have refrigerators to store perishable products without spending any electricity at all.

Many owners now immured them so that the apartment is warmer. However, if you put new doors (by analogy with plastic windows) and close the gap with extra foam, you will get a wonderful additional built-in refrigerator. Sometimes the doors are made transparent - the type of jars of jam or pickled cucumbers creates a special comfort.

Install a built-in appliances should only be highly skilled master! If the device fails due to a handicraft installation, repair under warranty is likely to fail. However, even those who will call to the house of the master, you need to know a number of technical details.

The cabinet for the refrigerator should be perfectly level and stable.. And most importantly, it must provide the unit with unhindered access of air for cooling the heating elements. For this it is done:

• Without back wall.
• With holes in the back and side walls.
• With a margin in width and height.
• With a podium for the installation of the ventilation grille.

It is also important to understand the types of fastening the facade to the door of the refrigerator. Embedded technology has special mounts on the front surface. Most often there are fastenings of two types - like guides and hinged.

The mechanism with the guides as if "hangs" the facade on the door of the refrigerator and when opened, they slide relative to each other. With this mount, there are gaps between the doors, where debris can accumulate. In addition, the door can be opened only at an angle of up to 90 °. But it is ideal if the cabinet door itself is heavy enough, because load is distributed in several places.

A hinge tightly connects one door to another. There are no gaps in this version of the connection, and the door literally opens. However, for a heavy facade (for example, from an array) hinges will not work.

Ideally, at the design stage of the kitchen unit and the choice of equipment should consult with the installation wizard. The specialist will be able to match your design desires and technical capabilities of the refrigerator.

The range in appliance stores is huge. To better navigate in this diversity, we give a few examples of embedded refrigerators in different price categories.

One of the most popular and inexpensive models of Belarusian production. Two-chamber refrigerator (two doors: a refrigerator and a freezer), the volume of the usable area is 234 liters. Its height is 178 cm, width - 54. Inside the refrigerating chamber, everything is quite simple: 3 glass shelves, vegetable / fruit compartment, 4 plastic shelves on the door. It defrosts automatically (drip system).

The freezer inside has 3 plastic boxes, it is defrosted manually.

Control of the refrigerator mechanical. No additional devices or frills: stand for eggs, ice molds - that's the whole set.

For safety, he can keep cold for 16 hours if a power outage has occurred. The manufacturer gives 3 years warranty.

According to reviews, this is one of the most acceptable options in its price range. It works very quietly, which is perfect for the kitchen-living room. There is a positive experience of embedding it in Ikea furniture. Of the minuses that all customers note - in order to defrost it, you must unplug it from the outlet. For embedded technology, this is a significant drawback.

According to reviews, this is one of the most acceptable options in its price range. It works very quietly, which is perfect for the kitchen-living room. There is a positive experience of embedding it in Ikea furniture. Of the minuses that all customers note - in order to defrost it, you must unplug it from the outlet. For embedded technology, this is a significant drawback.

Two-chamber refrigerator, country of origin - Turkey. In terms of useful area - a little more than the previous: 242 liters. It has antibacterial coating. The refrigerating chamber is equipped with three glass shelves and a “freshness zone”. Defrosted by drip system. The freezer with three shelves is equipped with the No Frost system. Height is 177 cm. It is operated mechanically. 13 hours of autonomous cold maintenance.

According to customers, this model is quite reliable, but not too roomy - the products for the week fit with difficulty. Also from the minuses - the lack of storage areas for fruits and vegetables. In favor of the model "says" No Frost in the freezer.

Model built under the countertop. The height of such a refrigerator is 81, 5 cm. It has a small freezer hidden under one door with a refrigerator. Net volume of the unit - 98 l. Inside there is a glass shelf, a compartment for fruits and vegetables.On the door there is a shelf for bottles and an upper closed shelf with a stand for eggs. Both cameras are defrosted manually.

According to reviews, the unit is reliable - the manufacturer is credible, although the warranty on it is only 1 year. An ideal option for families without children, bachelors or those who do not cook at home: you can only store the most necessary things in it: dairy products, sausage, drinks. Very well suited for the office - it can be decorated under a small locker. At the same time for the price it is comparable to a full fridge.

According to reviews, the unit is reliable - the manufacturer is credible, although the warranty on it is only 1 year. An ideal option for families without children, bachelors or those who do not cook at home: you can only store the most necessary things in it: dairy products, sausage, drinks. Very well suited for the office - it can be decorated under a small locker. At the same time for the price it is comparable to a full fridge.

Costly model from the German manufacturer, consisting of two cameras.Refrigeration has a drip defrost system, freezer - "No frost". Inside the refrigerator - three shelves, a freshness area, an area for vegetables and fruits.

The developers have supplemented this model with a variety of “bells and whistles”: an antibacterial coating, LED lighting inside, an electronic display for control. Also, the refrigerator has several “smart” modes: superfrost, supercooling and “tempering” (when the temperature of the freezer is kept at 12 ° C, so that it does not form mold with minimal energy consumption). If someone forgets to close the door, the alarm will “remind” of it. In the kit, in addition to the standard stands for eggs and ice trays, there are cold batteries that can be inserted into the cooler bag or the usual package for the transport of products.