Built-in refrigerators are an excellent design tool for creating a monolithic and stylish kitchen with a uniform surface. Built-in refrigerators in size and fasteners allow them to be installed on the same level with kitchen furniture. Exterior materials correspond to those used in the manufacture of kitchen units. Large models look like a separate cabinet or one of the cabinets in the kitchen. Small models are designed for installation under a countertop.
What is a built-in refrigerator
The built-in refrigerator is installed in the kitchen unit and looks like a single unit with it. Instead of standard doors, which can be seen on free-standing models, they have exactly the same facade as the entire set. Large models are inserted into a pencil case or cabinet, which is installed between two objects or one object and a wall, and is covered with false panels on the sides.
The doors of the integrated refrigerator are designed so that the doors of kitchen cabinets or bedside tables will be attached to them from the outside. This gives the refrigerator additional noise and sound insulation. Such a refrigerator is not visible in the kitchen design; the kitchen façade acquires trendy homogeneity and solidity.
Not one, but several refrigeration chambers can be built into the kitchen interior, each of them performing a separate function. If they were all free-standing, it would look unesthetically pleasing. And due to the fact that the built-in equipment does not have an external body finish, there is no need to pay attention to design features. You can choose a model only by its functions.
How to install a built-in refrigerator
At the stage of preparation for installing the device and during the installation of a built-in refrigerator, it is worth considering a number of certain nuances. The most significant of them include:
- When choosing a place to place the refrigerator, you should take into account the dimensions of the device itself and the cabinet (niche) for it. Since the main task when using built-in household appliances is to save space, the installed refrigerator should not interfere with free movement around the kitchen.
- To make a refrigerator cabinet, a variety of materials are used - chipboard, plasterboard, natural wood. The easiest to process and inexpensive is chipboard, but when choosing a material you should focus on the overall design of the kitchen: the color of the countertop, floor, walls and other elements.
- The parameters of the box should be larger than the dimensions of the device itself: length - 8-9 cm, depth - 12-15 cm, width - 3 cm. This will ensure good air circulation in the structure and protect the device from overheating, thereby extending the service life his service.
- There must be special openings for ventilation on the back wall of the cabinet and at the bottom, placed in such a way that the total area of the air corridor is at least 200 cm.
- When installing large two-chamber built-in refrigerators, a separate fan must be installed to remove heated air from the cabinet body.
- It is necessary to ensure that the network cable is brought out and plugged into the socket; to do this, you need to make a hole in the box.
It is important to note that experts do not recommend installing and connecting a built-in refrigerator without the appropriate skills, knowledge and tools - in this case it is better to seek help from a specialist.
When to choose a built-in model
It is recommended to buy a built-in model for those who cannot decide on the design of the refrigerator and strive to create a kitchen in a single design. Those who absolutely do not like white cabinets and those who want the refrigerator to be completely invisible.
Built-in models are not recommended for those who cook a lot and who need larger models. For those who value functionality, the presence of electronic controls on the outside of the door, a freshness zone inside and the ability to make soda. And also for those who want to save money and not overpay for expensive thermal insulation.
Advantages and disadvantages
First of all, integrated refrigerators have a higher price: no less than 20% compared to their free-standing brothers. This is explained by the fact that due to the lack of an external casing, manufacturers are forced to use expensive thermal insulation with minimal thermal conductivity.
In addition, manufacturers use the highest quality materials in them, because if such a refrigerator breaks down, the cost of delivering it to a service center increases due to the need to dismantle the device.
Secondly, the choice of built-in refrigerators is small. According to online stores, out of more than 3,000 models offered, only a little over 500 are built-in. Competition between manufacturers is low, and there is little incentive to create inexpensive models.
Also, built-in refrigerators almost always have a smaller internal volume than their free-standing counterparts. In addition, built-in equipment cannot be moved to another location. And in case of repair, the device will have to be dismantled and taken to a service center. During the renovation, the kitchen will look like there is a “hole” in the middle of the unit.
Among the advantages include high energy efficiency. Built-in models, due to expensive thermal insulation, consume 20% less electricity. They are more reliable due to the use of higher quality parts.
Built-in refrigerators are completely silent. External finishing panels create additional sound insulation.
But the main advantage is their complete invisibility. There is no need to select equipment based on style, color and design. In the context of design, they do not create disadvantages in the kitchen.
Advantages and disadvantages of a built-in refrigerator
Separating the kitchen from the simple space in which food is prepared is a concept that has been actively used in design for over twenty years.
Minimalism and futurism, in which there is no place for technology
The refrigerator is the largest household appliance, so it needs to be hidden first. There are many variations of built-in models.
A decorated facade can completely “disguise” household appliances
Mini versions, suitable for small shops, are not suitable for apartment interiors. The main goal is to create an optimal design; household appliances should correspond to it, and not vice versa. To understand how to choose the right built-in refrigerator, you need to decide on the types of installation and develop an accurate kitchen design concept.
The height of the household appliance does not matter; fully built-in refrigerators are invisible; they are hidden in the depths behind special decorative panels that match the style of the kitchen. Special overlay-type panels adhere to factory doors very firmly and aesthetically: there are no backlashes or gaps. The devices (fasteners) that are used are factory devices designed taking into account all the details of the furniture. Such refrigerators are usually called fully built-in, since the plane of the doors completely coincides with the plane of the wall. The only thing that will give the refrigerator away is a standard ventilation grill, but even this can be easily decorated. The purpose of this design is not so much to hide the household appliance from view, but to adapt the kitchen to your ideas, without being tied to the axioms of household appliance design.
Built-in refrigerators as part of furniture
A built-in refrigerator has both pros and cons. If the device has one door, then the use of two-door furniture facade systems is allowed: one door corresponds to the refrigerator, the second - furniture. The headset cover can be attached in two ways:
- runners (the door slides along the guides);
- headset hinge mechanisms.
There is not always free space and furniture allows such a large household appliance to be placed inside. For these cases, partially embedded models are provided. They are usually placed in special recesses; The front panel should not be decorated. Thus, even if the device is visible, it appears too narrow. But even in such situations there is a way out: manufacturers offer a wide range of colors. There are both white and red, green models. The color palette is presented in unlimited variety. Choosing the most suitable color for the interior is quite simple. Red and black retro models, stylized as mid-20th century devices, perfectly complement the high-tech design.
Partially built-in models preserve the refrigerator visually, but due to the furniture niche, the occupied volume is much less
This idea has both advantages and disadvantages. For example, the capacity of narrow models, which are specially selected for installation in shallow niches, is often much less than that of traditional large models. But here too, manufacturers find a way out. For example, there are narrow refrigerators with a volume of about 500 liters, which are increased in width and easily fit into any niche.
How to choose
Built-in refrigerators differ in size, number of chambers and location of the freezer compartment, internal volume and other functional characteristics. Sometimes choosing the right model can be difficult.
Dimensions
The dimensions of built-in refrigerators are standard for all manufacturers of both refrigeration cabinets themselves and kitchen units and easily fit into the dimensions of cabinets and cabinets under countertops.
The height of the built-in refrigerator in large models is 177-200 cm, small models built under the countertop are up to 82 cm. Medium modifications with a height of 90-110 cm are available for sale. They are designed for installation in one cabinet with an oven and microwave or are additionally equipped with several freezers.
The width of the devices is 54-56 cm with the expectation of installation in a standard 60 cm cabinet. This is true for both small and large refrigerators.
There are no wide devices or they are supplied to order.
The depth of refrigerated cabinets is standard and is no more than 55 cm.
It is recommended to choose the refrigerator capacity depending on the number of family members. For one person 120-150 liters are enough, for 2-3 people 120-200 liters are needed, for 4 or 5 people 200-300 liters are needed. If the family consists of 6 or more people, then the refrigerator should be the largest with an internal volume of 300 liters or more.
Functions and design
Small refrigerator models have only one chamber. Medium and tall built-in refrigerators are equipped with 2-3 chambers, 1 or 2 of which are freezer compartments. There are freezers with only one freezer compartment.
Double-chamber refrigerators can have a top or bottom freezer compartment. There are devices in which the freezer compartment is located on the left. The volume of a standard freezer is 60-70 liters.
A large number of integrated refrigerators are equipped with inverter compressors. Unlike standard ones, which operate in on/off mode, inverter ones operate constantly and provide uniform air temperature.
Some two-chamber refrigerators can be equipped with two compressors. This allows you to set the operating mode of each compressor independently or turn off one chamber to save energy.
Refrigerators can have either manual or automatic defrosting. Automatic defrosting is represented by the No Frost system, which does not form frost, or the drip defrosting system.
Dimensions of built-in refrigerators
Contents: 1. What types of built-in refrigerators are there 2. Standard parameters of built-in refrigerators 3. Small 4. Large units 5. Dimensions of built-in single-chamber refrigerators 6. Parameters of built-in two-chamber refrigerators 7. Built-in Side by Side refrigerators - minimum and medium dimensions 8. Width and height of furniture fronts 9. Size of cabinet for built-in devices
A built-in refrigerator is an option for those who prefer a uniform style and maximum ergonomic space. They make less noise, which is important for families with small children, as well as in those apartments where the sleeping area is located in the kitchen.
They have their own nuances when choosing, in particular, sizes. Properly selected equipment should fit into a ready-made furniture set, or fit into classic parameters so that the manufacture of the cabinet and facade is not too expensive.
What types of built-in refrigerators are there?
In terms of size range and form factor there are no differences from freestanding ones. Based on the ratio of parameters, in particular height, there are:
- small (up to 130 cm in height, up to 82 cm are considered very compact);
- medium - 130-177 cm;
- tall - from 177 cm.
Models taller than 200 cm are quite rare, this is due to the fact that usually in a kitchen cabinet there is an additional drawer on top.
In addition, devices of this height are not as in demand as average ones. There are 3 layout options:
- single-chamber - separate freezers, separate refrigerators, together models of the same size can be installed in a column or as a side-by-side, some manufacturers have this option;
- two-chamber, including French Door;
- Side by Side - large refrigerators with 2 hinged doors.
Standard parameters of built-in refrigerators
It is the standard dimensions that serve as a guideline for furniture makers and designers. Knowing them, it is easier to create a design for your kitchen furnishings.
Approximate parameters in the table below:
| Mini (under the countertop) | Mini | Average | High | Side by Side | |
| Width(cm) | 45-55 | 45-55 | 50-55 | 55-57 | 80-100 |
| Depth (cm) | 45-55 | 45-55 | 50-55 | 50-55 | 55-70 |
| Height (cm) | up to 85 | 100-130 | 130-177 | from 177 | 160-190 |
Small refrigerators 90-100 cm high are designed for installation in a column with microwaves or coffee machines.
Little ones
To be installed under a countertop, the appliance must have a height of no more than 85-82 cm. Since the height of a kitchen stove is usually 85 cm, the cabinets are made of the same size. But for installation under a lower window sill, find lower options. The width starts from 45-48 cm, the depth does not exceed 55 cm - since the depth of standard niches is up to 60 cm, and the minimum distance between the wall and the compressor must be at least 5 cm.
Mini-devices are often single-chamber, but you can find options with a freezer (only for those whose height is 120 cm or more). Individual freezers are especially popular.
Large units
By large we usually mean devices 177 cm and above, with a volume of 300 liters or more. They have a standard width of 55-57 cm. It should be noted that there are Side by Side and French Door refrigerators, which can be up to 114 cm wide.
The height of double and two-door cars usually does not exceed 180 cm (for example, Liebherr - 177 cm), although there are single copies, for example, Zanussi ZBB46465DA, which are larger than this parameter - 189 cm.
Dimensions of built-in single-chamber refrigerators
Single-chamber models can be either mini or medium in size. Although Liebherr, as well as some other manufacturers, produce 177 cm devices, freezers and refrigerators. Sometimes they can be installed in closets next door, getting something like a side-by-side. The depth does not exceed 55 cm, the width is within the same number.
Parameters of built-in two-chamber refrigerators
Classic models with 2 chambers usually have a width and depth of 53-55 cm, although wider models are also available. If we take the French Door, then their depth can be more than 60 cm, as well as their width. The height starts from 130 cm, the largest are 205, although there are single devices even higher. At the same time, despite their more modest dimensions, they are not much inferior to their free-standing counterparts in volume.
Built-in Side by Side refrigerators
Side by side refrigerators are real champions in all respects, from width to volume. The width starts from 80 cm, most of those presented on the Russian market have an extreme parameter of 100 cm. But there are also wider ones - 115-116 cm, these usually hold up to 600 liters of products with a height of 180 cm. Depth, depending on the manufacturer, from 55 to 70 cm, but there are devices from Liebherr, for example, in which 75-76 cm. These are equipped with convenient roll-out drawers and shelves on telescopic guides to make it convenient to remove and load products.
Width and height of furniture facades
These parameters must correspond to the niche, and also coincide with the acceptable options specified in the instructions for the device. There should be no obstacles to opening the doors; the maximum possible angle is also indicated in the documentation. The dimensions of the facade also depend on how exactly they will be attached to the doors. There are the following options:
- hard;
- sliding, also known as slider;
- flat hinge technology.
A 54-55 cm device can be built into a niche 60 cm wide; more is prohibited by safety standards; space is required for constant ventilation.
For the same reason, you cannot install models with a compressor below in houses with “warm floors”; you will have to make a small platform 20-25 cm high, which will increase the height of the device even more. Keep this in mind when planning. Built-in Cabinet Size
To find out the size of the niche in the kitchen set that a particular appliance requires, you need to read the technical documentation. Devices sold in the TechnoPride store must have a Russified installation diagram with all parameters. The dimensions of the box should not be equal to the dimensions of the appliance; the required minimum width-height is 5 cm, depth is 5-10 cm. If your refrigerator has a bottom-mounted compressor, you will also have to provide a gap at the bottom.
Which one is better to choose?
Looking at the ratings of built-in refrigerators, you can see that among all manufacturers, Bosch, LG and Korting are the leaders in quality and reliability. Whirlpool, Gorenje and Siemens are of good quality. There are also premium models from Liebherr and Asko, which are distinguished by the highest quality and high prices. When choosing a domestic brand, it is better to buy Atlant.
Rating of the best:
Gorenje RKI4181AW
A tall two-chamber refrigerator with dimensions of 54*54.5*177.5 cm and a lower location of the freezer compartment. Internal displacement is 284 liters, of which 223 liters are in the refrigerator compartment and 61 liters in the freezer compartment. Electromechanical control, 1 compressor, drip defrosting system for the refrigeration chamber.
Korting KSI 17850 CF
A two-chamber unit with dimensions 54*54.5*177 cm. Internal volume 274 l, of which 70 l are in the freezer compartment and 204 l in the refrigerator compartment. The freezer is located at the bottom, electromechanical control, 1 compressor, drip system for defrosting the refrigeration chamber.
Korting KSI 17875 CNF
A two-chamber refrigerator with dimensions of 54*54.5*177.5 cm and an internal volume of 260 liters, of which 200 liters are in the refrigerator compartment and 60 liters in the freezer compartment. Unlike previous models, it is equipped with electronic control and a No Frost freezer defrosting system. There is also a sound alert about an open door, super-cooling and super-freezing modes, and a temperature indicator. The rest is the bottom location of the freezer and the drip defrosting system of the refrigerator compartment. Cost from 54 thousand rubles.
Asko RFN2247I
Premium two-chamber refrigerator with a price of more than 100 thousand rubles. The dimensions of the built-in refrigerator are 54*54.5*177.5 cm and the internal volume is 260 liters, of which 200 liters are in the refrigerator compartment and 60 in the freezer compartment. Electronic control, drip-type and No Frost defrosting system for the freezer compartment, freshness zone, temperature indicator.
LG GR-N319 LLC
A two-chamber device with dimensions of 55.4 * 54.5 * 177.5 cm and an internal displacement of 248 liters, of which 188 liters are in the refrigerator compartment and 60 liters in the freezer compartment. Electronic control, 2 freshness zones, automatic defrosting of the refrigerator and freezer compartments with the No Frost system, sound indicator of an open door, temperature indicator, super freezing mode, LED backlight.
Siemens KI39FP60
Premium three-chamber refrigerator with a price starting from 128 thousand rubles. Dimensions 56*55*177 cm, internal volume 251 l: refrigerator compartment 132 l, freezer compartment 62 l, zero chamber 57 l. Electronic control, freshness zone, No Frost defrosting system for the freezer compartment, super freezing and super cooling modes, temperature indicator. A special feature of this model is the presence of a cold accumulator. Top of the list by price.
Atlant XM 4307-000
Domestic two-chamber model. The best built-in refrigerator in the budget price category, costing about 20 thousand rubles. Dimensions 54*56*178 cm, internal volume 168 liters in the refrigerator compartment and 48 liters in the freezer, total volume 248 liters. Electromechanical control, drip defrosting system.
How to install
Installing a built-in refrigerator is technically simple, but if you make a mistake during installation, the warranty on the equipment will no longer be valid. The installation diagram must comply with the following rules:
- It is prohibited to install the unit close to other equipment. There must be free space between them for air circulation. When installing the device in a pencil case, there should also be free space between it and the walls of the pencil case.
- Do not install a refrigerator above a hob.
- Cannot be installed on a solid bottom. For air circulation, the unit must be installed on a grill.
- The base under the equipment cannot be tightly closed.
- The back panel of the refrigerator should not touch the wall.
In addition, each manufacturer may have individual requirements for installing the device, which are described in the device data sheet. Moreover, they can differ greatly from one unit to another.
How to install a built-in refrigerator
The technique can be of two types. One implies a fully built-in housing, the other a partially built-in one.
In the first case, the entire refrigerator is “hidden” in the closet. In the second, the back and side walls are built into the pencil case. The front doors are not masked by anything. As a rule, in order for such a refrigerator to fit well into the interior of the kitchen, the set is made in a single color.
If desired, you can install the refrigeration chamber yourself. Manufacturers provide clear instructions and drawings. Therefore, if you are confident in your abilities, then you can do without a specialist. Otherwise, you should call a specialist.
When installing, strictly follow these simple rules:
- Do not place the refrigerator next to a stove or other appliance that produces heat. If there is no way out, then remember the minimum distance - approximately 15 centimeters, plus two partitions.
- The refrigerator case is positioned in two planes: horizontal and vertical.
- Attach the facade to the refrigerator door well. Otherwise, frequent openings can lead to rapid breakdown.
- Under no circumstances should the back wall of the equipment come into contact with the wall.
- For complete air regulation, install the refrigerator on a special grill.
- Carefully review all manufacturer's installation requirements. They are indicated in the product passport. The installation of one model may differ significantly from another.
Important! It is necessary to accurately and correctly measure the space for the refrigerator. Be sure to take air gaps into account. Correct installation will guarantee the safety and reliable operation of the equipment.
Selection of kitchen furniture
Kitchen furniture is chosen based on your taste, habits, functionality and financial capabilities. At the same time, when purchasing, they clarify the possibility of installing a built-in refrigerator, since not all kitchen sets have this option.
It is advisable to choose a suitable refrigerator model together with your kitchen, so that before purchasing you can check in advance that the dimensions of the pencil case and the refrigerator cabinet match.
