Refrigerator Buying Guide 2022

It is essential to keep up with the fast paced world of technology in all spheres of life in the 21st century. A kitchen is no exception to this rule. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how dependent we are on technology every single day of our lives. In most households today, undisputedly the star of the kitchen is the refrigerator. Whether you’re looking to set up a new kitchen or simply upgrade existing appliances, here is a detailed buying guide with various important factors to consider before you buy the best refrigerator for you and your family.

How to choose a refrigerator?

Finding the right fridge is all about understanding your family’s needs and here are some things you some consider:

  1. Budget: The budget is usually the most important and often the deciding factor among families when investing in a new refrigerator. In order to efficiently budget for a new appliance,it is essential to estimate how much you want to spend on the refrigerator. A basic single door refrigerator can range anywhere between AED 900 to AED 4000., while more advanced models are over AED 5000. Since this is a long term investment, it is important to budget for it.
  2. Capacity: A refrigerators capacity is measured in litres and with technology making great leaps and bounds, refrigerators’ capacities have increased exponentially over the years. Before deciding the right capacity for your refrigerator needs, it is important to consider your family size. This will determine how much food and beverages you will need stored in your refrigerator. Typically, for a family of 2-3 people, a 150-250 litre refrigerator is recommended. Alternatively, for a 4-5 member household you might opt for a 250-250 litre refrigerator. For larger families with 6-8 members, a larger refrigerator with a capacity between 550 -850 litres will suffice. There are also refrigerators with capacities of 40-100 litres for people who live solo.
  3. Defrosting: Direct Cool Vs Frost Free: The direct cooling refrigerators have a cool air circulation mechanism inside their cooling compartment and the circulation is carried out through convection. These refrigerators tend to form ice crystals owing to their uneven distribution cooling method. When this happens, the refrigerator will need to be defrosted manually.

Frost-free refrigerators on the other hand use electric fans to help cool air evenly. This method does not allow ice formation inside the refrigerator compartments. Hence, eradicating the problem of manual defrosting. Frost- free refrigerators tend to be more expensive than their Direct-cooling counterparts and consume more electricity.

Types of refrigerators

Here are some options for different types of refrigerators:

Single Door Refrigerator

Single door refrigerators are the most common types of refrigerators and are best suited for a single person or a couple. There is only one door and it has a compact body with built-in fridge and freezer, with a capacity between 160-280 litres. Given the size of the refrigerator, their self space is compact and much less than two-door fridges.Single door refrigerators come with

Double Door Refrigerator

There are two types of double door refrigerators available in the market today, the double door with a top freezer and a double door with a bottom freezer. The biggest advantages of a double door refrigerator is that it has a lot more space than the single door variant and it comes with the frost-free mechanism. Double- Door refrigerators come with a capacity between 230-420 litres. They require more energy to function but also come with an energy efficiency star rating which consumes less power.

French Door Refrigerator

French door refrigerators have bottom-mounted freezers and open like a drawer. French door refrigerators bring a modern and chic look to a space.

Side-by-side Refrigerator

Side by side refrigerators split right down the centre of the unit with the frozen foods section on the left and the fresh food section on the right. These refrigerators are built horizontally and make for a great appliance for those looking to save some space and conceal appliances. These refrigerators have a capacity of 500-700 litres and are great for large families.

Smart Fridge

Like most smart gadgets we see today, a smart phone connects to the internet via a wireless connection and provides a myriad of features that aren’t available on other refrigerators. For example, smart fridges come with a touch screen feature as well as built-in technologies that understand the food stored in the refrigerator as well as its longevity. This kind of refrigerator supports voice recognition, plays music as well as supports numerous apps. This refrigerator is ideal for high-tech homes.

Mini Fridge

A mini fridge is a compact one door fridge ideal for dorm rooms, tenants and office spaces. These refrigerators are good for storing snacks and drinks and have a capacity of 50-90 litres.

Which Refrigerator brand is most reliable?

Settling on the right refrigerator brand can be a puzzling task with the numerous models and makes out in the market today. Keeping this in mind, Jumbo has curated some of the best refrigerator options available at the best prices in the market. Bosch, Samsung and Haier are at the top of this list with different options. Now that you have the information you need to make your next refrigerator purchase, you might be wondering where to buy refrigerators? Head over to the Jumbo online store or to a Jumbo store near you today.

Refrigerator FAQs

  1. What is the ideal temperature for a fridge?

    Anything ranging between 3-4 degrees is the ideal temperature for a refrigerator.

  2. What kind of maintenance does a refrigerator need?

    Ensuring to service your fridge and vacuum condenser coil and fans for smooth running every three months is all the maintenance you need for your refrigerator.