New Fridge Freezer Advice

Whiffle

Whiffle

Whiffle

Associate
Joined
27 Jul 2009
Posts
386
Hello there.

My Fridge Freezer has literally just packed up - dreadful timing.

It was a LG GRF459BSCA - if you type that model into Google, virtually nothing comes up, so it is pretty old and definitely not worth trying to fix.

The serial number begins with "801", which suggests the very beginning of 2008.

I have done a bit of research and have overwhelmed myself a bit.My main requirements are that I do not want a water dispenser (our old one had it and we literally never used it).

The fridge should be tall (given that we have a high roof in our kitchen), but no more than about 60 cms wide.

How much is it reasonable to spend on a fridge freezer, these days? (e.g. is there a minimum spend to get something worthwhile).

Are there any brands to look for/avoid?

What sort of rating should I be looking for? A+ and A++ seem the norm at the moment - is it worth paying more for the latter?

Any pointers would be very much appreciated.
 
From when I was looking into this top brands are Lieberr, Miele, Bosch/Siemens/Neff (same group, the products are practically all the same just different buzzwords for features - Bosch are usually cheaper). I believe Samsung/LG are mid-tier then your Hotpoint, Indesit etc are bottom tier. Personally I'd probably go for either Liebherr or Bosch.

You're best off going to somewhere like https://ao.com/ or https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/ and start using the product filters: e.g., set the colour you want, max dimensions etc, and see what you're left with and pick from them. All being well you'll only have a few to choose from making it easier.

I wouldn't bother so much with the A ratings, just look at the annual energy consumption numbers and figure it out based on what you pay for your electric then calculate it out over how long you expect to keep it. On AO go to full spec > "how well does it perform". E.g., this random Bosch A++ one I picked costs £41.12 a year to run. Whereas this random Bosch a+++ one costs £29.26 a year, £11.86 less but the unit costs £170 more (these two do have slightly different features, ignore that part).. do you plan on keeping it for 17 years?
 
I wanted a traditional freeze freezer after mine broke last summer that was quality and I hadn't heard of Liebherr before but am pleased I went with one.

Great build quality, Swiss company building in Germany. Highly recommended for a traditional fridge freezer.
 
Went for a Samsung purely for the 10 year motor warranty. Had it for 5 years, no issues so far and it performs great! No frost, and is quick to go up to temp as well. Previous fridges (which were included in rental properties, so beko etc.) would not be cold enough in the summer or have frost in the winter. Build quality is very good, with function over form, so you have chunky plastic shelves etc, which might not look great, but will last forever.
 
PC777 said:
I wanted a traditional freeze freezer after mine broke last summer that was quality and I hadn't heard of Liebherr before but am pleased I went with one.

Great build quality, Swiss company building in Germany. Highly recommended for a traditional fridge freezer.
Click to expand...

I hadn't heard of them either, apparently they're massive in the industrial refrigeration sector and from what I read Milele build their fridges using their factories. Touch wood it's been solid so far.

The company also makes industrial machinery. I now really want the LEGO 42100 Technic Control+ Liebherr R 9800 Excavator , it looks amazing, if not slightly off topic :D
 
Thanks, everyone.

One other quick thing - how important is it to leave a gap between both sides of the fridge?

I have read that some Bosch models are "perfect fit", which means that they are able to go tight up against walls on either side.

However, I have also read that as long as there a gap along the back wall and at the top, any fridge can have cabinets/walls tight up against the sides.
 
side gaps are not important; there's never been any ventilation holes or anything else I've seen on a fridge on the sides. On ours we have a small gap on the back, and it still isn't flash to the front; so should be pretty safe in terms of being able to look flush.
 
Could I ask just one other quick thing, please?

I have managed to find a very similar model to my current one (only difference being the tray colours).

https://www.lg.com/uk/fridge-freezers/lg-GRF459BSGA-fridge-freezer

This is suggesting that net fridge and freezer space is 244 and 88, respectively.

The fridge has been fine for us (perhaps a tiny bit more freezer space would have been nice).

However the Liebherr

https://www.appliancecity.co.uk/ref...herr-cnel4813-60cm-frost-free-fridge-freezer/

Seems to be suggesting that net fridge and freezer space is 243 and 95. This would be ideal - bit of extra freezer space and the fridge remains the same.

However, if you look at the freezer compartment in both pictures, the liebherr looks considerably smaller.

Have I missed something or is it an optical illusion?
 
Difficult to tell without dimensions for the LG, but my guess is either the Liebherr is a deeper unit over all, or the freezer drawers of the LG aren't as deep.

This can happen when a fridge has the bulk of radiator and motors and whatnot in the lower portion of the unit, making the freezer drawers more shallow.
 
Thanks, mate - really appreciate that.

My current freezer does have a shallower drawer - I think that this new model is just a better use of space.

Shall order it now.

Thanks again.
 
Whiffle said:
I think I have narrowed it down to Liebherr and Bosch - a couple of you went for the former. May I ask which models you went for, please?

I am seriously tempted by this one, now:

https://ao.com/product/cnel4813-liebherr-fridge-freezer-stainless-steel-69753-28.aspx

Unless, there are any Bosch models that are superior. About £500.00 is about my maximum budget.
Click to expand...



I think you've already decided and you likely need a full size one, but just as reference this is what I have as it needed to fit under a cabinet under 144cm, it only has Low Ice as only the bigger models have No Ice, but it might as well be No Ice, almost a year later it only has a few of those soft tiny ice particles you can rub away with a bare hand, no solid ice. Smaller freezer for me, but you can get a similar model height with half and half instead.

https://home.liebherr.com/en/gbr/pr...standing-fridge-freezers/details/ct-2531.html


As the other poster mentioned Liebherr being mainly industrial refrigeration, I'm not surprised as it's basically a very good cooling unit with no frills like screens or water or ice dispensers, just a very good basic fridge with rock solid build quality in my opinion.
 
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