Freezer & Fridge - Size and recommendations.

[dhutch]

First question; will a 186 cm tall freezer fit into a 1858 mm gap? Obviously they have adjustable feet, but if it doesn't fit that could be a pita.

Secondly; recommendations of brand/spec/etc. Samsung appear to come well reviewed, and my parents have just got a Liebherr which is very nice compared to the rather noisy Lec which failed literately about a fortnight after its 5yr warranty ran out.

We are after a matching, separate, fridge and freezer. Noise is very important, as is build quality, I want to enjoy living with it for the next 20 years. Not overly keen on the big american type, or having a cold water dispenser, but a compact internal ice maker is fine.

So far I have found the Samsung freezer has an ice makes and handles are fixed sides right hinge for fridge left for freezer cost is about £600/620, Liebherr is reversible and claims to be half the cost per year to run which on one level is only £20pa saving but on the other hand has to be commended cost is 800/950.

Samsung
https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/freezers/samsung-r...
https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/fridges/samsung-rr...

Liebherr
https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/freezers/liebherr-...


Daniel

[dhutch]

Miele appliances seem generally good, but they are also eye wateringly expensive so they have been ruled out I think.

The space has a vent up the back behind the cupboard over where the freezer and fridge will be. It just seems that's a really common size, if also that there are loads of random sizes available. Just trying to match it up after the previous owners took the originals the kitchen was designed around. Sounds like I need to go to a shop and measure some and or chat to someone. Sigh.

That thread on Samsung doesn't inspire confidence, although they appear to do well on Which reviews for reliability. Joined for a few months as we're obviously fitting out a whole house.

Seems to be a race to the bottom more and more, but then I would rather pay £600 than £850 and have ruled out £1200 each for a pair of Miele units.


Daniel

[dhutch]

Skyedriver said:

Last year we bought a Liebherr which is about 1500mm high as wife wanted bigger than the usual 850 high but didn't feel a full height one was necessary. Sometimes it is actually full and we are struggling BUT do you really need to store a much as we do? Nice freezer though.

Sounds good. We eat all our meals in the kitchen, and were both quite fuss about noise from humm lights and the like so quiet is very important and singing is right out!

Point taken about the amount of space, but in short, I expect we will use it. My partner is very in to making double when we need and freezing it, which she then uses when doing a week of nights. I have been known to get half a lamb wholesale. Always like to have a loaf in the freezer, etc. The hope being that with a huge fridge and freezer we can avoid a garage fridge freezer while also filling the large hole in the kitchen units!

I like the price and internal slimline icemaker of the Samsung, but from this thread and the fact my parents are super happy with theirs, leading towards a pat of the Liebherr.

Daniel

[dhutch]

Just need a good independent in the Wiral/Liverpool area.

[dhutch]

-Ad- said:

... Liebherr make Miele refrigeration. Same product, same factory, different badge...

Love our full height Liebherr integrated 600 fridge and 600 freezer, both side by side. Not cheap but really worth the extra outlay. The soft close hinges are ace and internal lightning on both are excellent so you don't need any spots to light them. Silent most of the time also.

Plumbed in ice maker in the freezer is also brilliant and just works away until it fills a draw.

.....

Sounds good to me. Thanks for the review. How old (what model?) are your pair of Liebherr?

Thanks

[dhutch]

51mes said:

Biggest problem with a fitted full height unit, is the doors, I've found all devices even initially of the same size don't match up 60:40 30:70 etc are only approximations, ended up having to find the latest version of the model we had to be able to reuse the cupboard doors to allow top and bottom opening. Otherwise you would have to separate the cupboard door from the fridge/freezer door...

S.

Fortunately these will be 'freestanding' units, with kitchen units to the side and over the top, rather than built in units behind doors.

As a design engineer by trade, I never ceases to amaze as to why these sorts of things don't all come with simple technical drawing of the key dims, including feet adjustment range and the like. Would take the junior designer on the team about 15 minutes at the end of the job! However its something Liebherr appear to do which is very nice.


Daniel

Edited by dhutch on Tuesday 23 October 10:44

[dhutch]

Ok, grand.

We're basically on for the non-intergrated 186 tall versions. Seems some are 41db some 38db.


Just turned the PC off but I think it's one each of these lot.

https://home.liebherr.com/en/gbr/products/househol...

https://home.liebherr.com/en/gbr/products/househol...

https://home.liebherr.com/en/gbr/products/househol...

https://home.liebherr.com/en/gbr/products/househol...

Rang the local place as I was leaving work, looks like nothing but has a good range of stock a tidy website, and was bang on the ball over the phone. Is going to get me prices, specs, and confirmation it will fit for tomorrow.

https://www.powerpointwallasey.co.uk/l/fridges?fil...


Daniel

[dhutch]

Seems you don't get the ice maker in the white freestanding units, only the integrated units and the top-end stainless steel free standing side-by-sides, which is a shame. I can see the benefit of them being actually joined (SBS) but the range is quite limited and there appears to be a premium in the price.



Daniel

[dhutch]

Minor follow up, ordered a fridge and freezer!

Went with Liebherr, everything points to them being the best, including the local appliance showroom bloke.

Went with the following, in white:
- K 4310 Comfort Fridge £779.00
- GNP 4355 Premium Freezer £869.00

From what I have seen; the GNP4355 is the higher spec of the two 185 tall free standing freezers, and the K4310 is the mid spec of the three offerings but appears to be the same spec as the Freezer, the top spec one just has fancy salad bins and some ss trim on the door shelf I don't actually like.

The local appliance place (Built In Kitchen Appliances Ltd, Liverpool) where able to undercut the cheapest I could get them online from AO etc by £200 with 5-7day leadtime and £10 delivery charge and where also able to answer if the freezers 'no frost' fan runs all the time or just with the compressor, which is does, stopping only when the door is opened, the fridge fan can be turned 'off' to only run with the compressor.

Anyway, hopefully as of Tuesday we will have them so a few days later they will be up and running, once I have reversed one of the doors to make a pair.

We did also look at the SBSef 7242 Comfort which is the entry spec 50/50 split 'side by side' joined pair model (most are £3k and 3/4 fridge) but at £1659.00 its the same price for lower spec units and only available in ss/silver when we wanted white.


Links:
K 4310 https://home.liebherr.com/en/nor/products/househol...
GNP 4355 https://home.liebherr.com/en/nor/products/househol...
SBSef 7242 https://home.liebherr.com/en/nor/products/househol...

Daniel

[dhutch]

Just to say, 5 months on, early days but very happy.

The fridge is set on 3deg, which and without have tested it appears to apply this evenly, certainly we have noticed things lasting a lot longer than on the dirge section of the old fridge freezer and without any issues with freezing at the bag etc.

The freezer is set at -21deg and works well, powerful light at the top shines down and lights the content of each draw when opened, drawers open and close with ease, top draw opens and trips down a bit so you can see in even if shorter.

Whole feel and quality of both units is great. The lever action handles work a treat, swapping one of the doors to make them a handed pair was quick and easy. The fridge is basically silent in operation, the freezer can make a bit of a rattling noise when running, but stops if you move it or lean on it. We have no levelled them or rebuilt the units around the properly, so it could well be this not the unit. We don't regret not having an ice maker, with some good quality ice trays we get good ice without spending on the ice maker, plumbing, risk of it going wrong etc. They look smart and clean side by side in white.


Daniel