Appliance buying advice

Fridges & freezers: choosing, setting up and care

Everyday advice for freestanding and integrated refrigeration: storage, temperatures, garage suitability and care.

Choosing

Capacity and defrosting: Compare usable litres and shelf or drawer layout. Frost-free reduces routine freezer defrosting; low-frost and manual-defrost models still need defrosting as instructed.

Measure the full space: Allow for doors, handles, ventilation and enough door opening to remove drawers. Measure the delivery route too; a quoted cabinet width alone does not confirm a fit.
After delivery: Follow the manufacturer’s standing time before switching on; it varies by model and how the appliance was transported. Let it reach the correct temperature before loading food.
Integrated replacement?: Use our separate integrated fridge freezer guide for cabinet measurements, door splits and hinge compatibility.

Check the exact model: Frost-free means automatic defrosting, not garage suitability. Check the permitted room temperatures and garage-use label. If “Not confirmed”, ask us before buying.
Cold can affect cooling: Below the permitted temperature, freezer contents can thaw even with power on, and fridge food can freeze. A power light does not confirm a safe food temperature.
Freezer-only protection: Some freezers work down to −15°C; this does not automatically cover the fridge compartment. Follow the exact manual and any cold-room settings.
Suitable location: Keep it dry, sheltered and ventilated, within its temperature limits. Garage approval does not mean weatherproof. Integrated models still need the specified cabinet.

Check the actual temperature: Aim for about 4°C in the fridge, keeping it at 5°C or below, and normally −18°C in the freezer. A fridge thermometer helps check the real temperature.
Understand the control: Numbers on a dial are often cooling levels, not degrees: a higher number commonly means colder. Check your manual and allow time for the temperature to settle after adjustment.
Airflow and defrosting: Keep internal vents clear and doors properly closed. Defrost manual-defrost models as directed; never chip ice away with a knife or other sharp object.

What is normal?: In many auto-defrost fridges, light frost on the inside back wall melts between cooling cycles. Water drains to a rear tray, where compressor heat evaporates it.
Keep it clear: Leave space between food and the back wall. Clean an accessible drain hole as your manual directs.
When to check: Persistent thick ice, pooled water or food freezing in the fridge need checking. Heavy ice in a frost-free freezer is not part of this normal cycle.

Common mistakes & simple checks

Food freezing in the fridge: Check the temperature setting and move food away from the rear wall.
A light is not proof of cooling: Check the actual temperature if food seems warm or freezer contents soften. A powered appliance may still not be cooling correctly.
Ice building up: Check the door seal and that drawers or packaging are not holding the door open. Persistent heavy ice in a frost-free freezer needs checking.

Follow your exact model’s manual. If a problem continues, contact the shop with the model number and any error code.

Sources & manuals

For fitting, programme limits and clearances, follow the instructions for your exact model.