Hi,

Looking for opinions & experiences on any current model fridge freezers if anyone has bought recently?

They seem to change appliance specs as often as Ford specs so anything more than about 2 years old has probably changed by now.

Some of your may remember I bought a new one 3 years ago and complained that it never worked properly from new.  Well, it still doesn't, unsurprisingly.

Main problem is poor design with single circuit for both fridge & freezer and also putting condenser pipes in the fridge walls, which doesn't work in a small kitchen tight against the wall that is constantly above 25c ambient for at least 3 months of the year.

The fridge overheats every time the freezer dies an 'auto-defrost' cycle.  And it also overheard every time I put a jug of tepid tap water in to chill.

So TL:DR - looking for a fridge that actually keeps the contents cool.  Ideally with a temp display and fast chill option.  And considering a water dispenser as well.

Ideally split circuit though I'm just trying to avoid 'auto-defrost' altogether now.

Seen a Hoover H Fridge that looks good on paper.  So if anyone has one of those it would be interesting to hear opinions before I order one.

Also, what's happened to the delivery prices?  AO want £50 just to deliver it within one half of a day!?  Are there any more reasonably priced vendors now?  Preferably with a slightly tighter timescale as well.  Being texted a time on the day doesn't really work for me.

42 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

...Looking for opinions & experiences on any current model fridge freezers if anyone has bought recently?

I'm not sure if I have discussed this before or not, sounds familiar. I had to replace my former fridge/freezer a couple of years ago. An ElectroLux model which served well since 1986 (35 years + service!) Finally was beaten by not being able to get a replacement seal.

Getting a replacement was really difficult. The old one was literally built like a tank as I witnessed on taking it out of my garage for scrap. It's replacement, an awful Beko one weighed little more than the bulky cardboard packaging it cam in. Despite external dimensions being similar, it held about 30% less as so much of the shell was hugely insulated to save the planet, and I've still not got use to it's reduced food capacity.

It is specifically designed to operate in a garage to cope with the cooler surrounding ambient temperature. The only feature I like is that the fridge has a lovely LED light, though annoyingly,when it eventually breaks, it's not just a bulb replacement, but a whole new light unit, engineer serviceable at a part cost of £40.

It has auto defrost which to be fair, just seems to work in both fridge and freezer. It is noisy as I witness every time I pop into the garage, could definitely not tolerate it being in a kitchen! 

No doubt it costs less to run than my old one, but I still miss it!

1986 ElectroLux

New Beko...

Cannot offer any useful advice on "modern" 'fridges, but we do get most of our white goods from Johnny Lulu's. We have had our current fridge freezer, Hotpoint for quite a few years.  I did reverse the door hanging to suit, that might be yseful for you ?

1 hour ago, Paulkp said:

Cannot offer any useful advice on "modern" 'fridges, but we do get most of our white goods from Johnny Lulu's. We have had our current fridge freezer, Hotpoint for quite a few years.  I did reverse the door hanging to suit, that might be yseful for you ?

Thanks.  Looks like JL operate a similar process of a 10 hour window for large appliance delivery though.  So that probably is fairly standard nowadays.  £20 for that, £30 for a 4 hour slot or £40 for a 2 hour slot.  Does it really cost that much or are they taking advantage of customers...? 🤔

Argos seem to be best value, at just £6.95 for 'all day' delivery between 7am and 6pm.  Or £19.95 for a 4 hour timed slot.  That's a bit more reasonable to me.

Door hinge side doesn't make a difference here as it's tight between a wall and low/high level units.  I initially bought a lovely Liebherr model 3 years ago, virtually silent, could choose temps for both fridge and freezer, plenty of space inside...  But I didn't check it until the installers had left.  The doors couldn't be opened more than about 10cm!  Obviously my fault for not including door space in measurements, but how anyone could install with without mentioning that the doors don't open boggles the mind...  So I had to quickly swap it for the only model that was in stock and would definitely fit at the time.  Cheap Chinese 'Fridgemaster'.  Only came with 12 months warranty so that gives a good idea about the quality of it...

Forgot to mention about delivery. I bought mine from a local independent dealer who has been around for 50+ years. They are very popular in the community and their prices are very competitive compared to the chain stores. Personally, I also enjoy supporting local as opposed to a faceless conglomerate. Delivery was free, and they disposed of all the packaging and removed the old one and left my new one in situ.

If you have seen a specific model, it may be worth phoning a 'local' and seeing what they can offer...

12 hours ago, StephenFord said:

Getting a replacement was really difficult. The old one was literally built like a tank as I witnessed on taking it out of my garage for scrap. It's replacement, an awful Beko one weighed little more than the bulky cardboard packaging it cam in. Despite external dimensions being similar, it held about 30% less as so much of the shell was hugely insulated to save the planet, and I've still not got use to it's reduced food capacity.

It has auto defrost which to be fair, just seems to work in both fridge and freezer. It is noisy as I witness every time I pop into the garage, could definitely not tolerate it being in a kitchen! 

No doubt it costs less to run than my old one, but I still miss it!

Credit where it's due, the Fridgemaster is fairly light and also has wheels at the back so I can just about move it myself when empty.  About the only plus point I can think of!

What type of noise do you hear from the Beko?  Motor noise or defrosting noise?  The motor noise on my current one is tolerable, though I'm sure it's louder than the old one.  But it also seems to be running a lot more frequently, so I'm not sure it is all that much cheaper to run long term.

The relay that switches the motor is incredibly loud though, even in the main room with the kitchen door closed it sounds like one of those shooting games at a fun fair. PTANG! 

The defrosting noise is horrendous, and happens every other day at this time of year.  Hissing and fizzing, dripping of water from the evaporator into the drip tray, creaks and cracks as the whole appliance is subjected to massive temperature variation.  I do appreciate the convenience of not having to defrost a freezer, but I just don't think it's worth all this noise and presumably considerably shorter longevity.

1 minute ago, TomsFocus said:

What type of noise do you hear from the Beko?  Motor noise or defrosting noise?

Tom, what an insightful question! I've never thought about it at all. I just assumed it was a 'motor' noise as it's frequent, and haven't a clue what a defrosting noise sounds like 😀

7 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

Forgot to mention about delivery. I bought mine from a local independent dealer who has been around for 50+ years. They are very popular in the community and their prices are very competitive compared to the chain stores. Personally, I also enjoy supporting local as opposed to a faceless conglomerate. Delivery was free, and they disposed of all the packaging and removed the old one and left my new one in situ.

If you have seen a specific model, it may be worth phoning a 'local' and seeing what they can offer...

Tbh I did try to use a semi-local chain for another appliance last year and had a bad experience.  So tried a fully independent dealer but they weren't particularly helpful either so I never went ahead with it.  I am now buying the other appliance from a local installer who will supply & fit.  No idea how much that'll cost but at least I know it'll be done properly this time.  I have used this particular installer in the past.  But as a fridge just needs to shoved in place and plugged in that shouldn't really be beyond the capabilities of any retailer...  

 

2 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

Tom, what an insightful question! I've never thought about it at all. I just assumed it was a 'motor' noise as it's frequent, and haven't a clue what a defrosting noise sounds like 😀

The motor just whines like an alternator or a vacuum cleaner.  On your model there is probably also a fan to blow the cold air around, so that makes a fan noise (obviously lol!).  And if it's single circuit then you'll hear an occasional motor moving the flap between fridge and freezer, literally exactly the same as moving car AC between feet & face!

Defrosting uses a heater element under the evaporator.  If you've got good hearing you can just about hear the heater element with a high pitched whine, the same as a toaster element.  But the loudest noise comes from the water dripping and hitting the hot element, fizzing and hissing as if you'd dropped water into a hot frying pan.  You can often hear the ice shifting around like a glacier at the back of the fridge as well.  So chances are there will be some sort of noise going on for most of the time!  

Can't help with a specific fridge freezer but can recommend trying your local, if you have one, Euronics store.

Our local TV/white goods etc store is a privately owned store but linked to Euronics. So getting the best of both worlds in my opinion.

Good prices and free delivery, although they do charge to uplift white goods though I think, which is only fair as the council charges them to dump/recycle them.

 

I'll need some other large items collected by the end of the month so not too bothered about disposal at the moment.    Also considering donating this one to charity in case it does work ok in a cooler/larger kitchen.

Just checked Currys for delivery.  £20 for the all day slot or £35 for a 4 hour slot.

Local Euronics delivery - £15 between 8am and 6pm.  Or £30 for a half day slot.  Though having just said I don't need disposal, that turns out to be free with them!    (£10 to pull a plug from a socket takes the p*ss though!)

2 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

TDefrosting uses a heater element under the evaporator.  If you've got good hearing you can just about hear the heater element with a high pitched whine, the same as a toaster element.  But the loudest noise comes from the water dripping and hitting the hot element, fizzing and hissing as if you'd dropped water into a hot frying pan.  You can often hear the ice shifting around like a glacier at the back of the fridge as well.  So chances are there will be some sort of noise going on for most of the time!  

I have never heard that 'fizzing' sound, ever, so maybe the excellent hearing I thought I had isn't really excellent. LOL Also, with it being located in the garage, it's an appliance I don't spend much time in it's physical presence, just aware that often when I do visit, there's a distinct whirring murmur which I know if in the kitchen would annoy me....

Guess who got a new fridge on the hottest day of the year...

Taking forever to chill down, obviously lol.  It was 33c outside today...

But there's another really weird noise on this one.  Sounds like water rushing all the time.  Or your body just before you sh*t yourself...

Really hoping this is just a settling noise that will go by tomorrow.  Not sure I can tolerate it long term.  Anyone else heard this noise on a new fridge?

13 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Really hoping this is just a settling noise that will go by tomorrow.  Not sure I can tolerate it long term.  Anyone else heard this noise on a new fridge?

Is this part of the start/stop system? 😂

2 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

But there's another really weird noise on this one.  Sounds like water rushing all the time. 

Really hoping this is just a settling noise that will go by tomorrow.  Not sure I can tolerate it long term.  Anyone else heard this noise on a new fridge?

From your great description, that sounds like the auto-defrost noise. 

Is it an auto-defrost fridge that you've got?  If so, I think they make that noise most of the time. I think of it as somewhat ghostly....

Having said that, all the fridges I've ever bought say don't switch it on until it's been stood still for x hours to allow all the liquids to find their right positions.  So maybe it's that. I think you'll not really know until tomorrow.

Speaking as someone who can be sensitive to noises, you have my sympathy. Years ago, I returned a f/freezer for a refund because it was noisy. It was the auto-defrost function that was the culprit. Like you, I found it too high a price to pay for the convenience. Good luck.

10 hours ago, alanfp said:

From your great description, that sounds like the auto-defrost noise. 

Is it an auto-defrost fridge that you've got?  If so, I think they make that noise most of the time. I think of it as somewhat ghostly....

Having said that, all the fridges I've ever bought say don't switch it on until it's been stood still for x hours to allow all the liquids to find their right positions.  So maybe it's that. I think you'll not really know until tomorrow.

Speaking as someone who can be sensitive to noises, you have my sympathy. Years ago, I returned a f/freezer for a refund because it was noisy. It was the auto-defrost function that was the culprit. Like you, I found it too high a price to pay for the convenience. Good luck.

I sincerely hope it's not auto-defrost.  I made absolutely sure all the online specs confirmed the new fridge was not auto-defrost after 4 years with the current one overheating at least every other day...

The new fridge was left to settle for around 48 hours so it shouldn't have been switched on too soon.  (I'm between 2 properties at the moment, so luckily didn't have to listen to it overnight).

4 years ago I had to return a fridge that made a horrible high pitched motor whine that was triggering migraines.  I was forced to keep the auto-defrost model that didn't keep food cold instead up to now...  Unfortunately the gurgling noise on the new one is having an effect rather lower down...if it's still making the noise today, it'll have to be swapped for another one.  But there's obviously no way to test noise until it's in the property.  Decibel ratings are no use in this case.

Update...  No improvement unfortunately.  So back to the original question - any recommendations for a fridge freezer that:

1) Keeps food cold and;

2) Doesn't make a horrific noise

 

Out of the last 3 that I've ordered, each has only managed one out of those two things!  

Has anyone got a Bosch fridge freezer?

I previously discounted this one as it appears to have exactly same shell as my old one, which I assumed meant the workings would be the same...however 3 of the reviewers suggest it's quiet just on the first page of reviews.

Bring the same shell, I know it'll fit in the space.  But I need to know whether it's different underneath.  I can't imagine Bosch would just rebrand a cheap Chinese appliance, as they do have a decent reputation...  Guessing that there aren't many shell manufacturers though?

https://ao.com/product/kgn27nbeag-bosch-series-2-fridge-freezer-black-96502-28.aspx#reviews-content-current

31 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Has anyone got a Bosch fridge freezer?

I don't but as far as I know German manufacturers of anything domestic have become quite obsessive about keeping noise levels down. 

38 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Has anyone got a Bosch fridge freezer?

I had one in my last house. Had to leave behind as it was built in.

It was a lovely unit, very quite, if it wasn't for the digital temperature displays on both the fridge and the freezer you wouldn't know it was actually on. 

Update on the fridge situation.

Eventually found the Bosch model suggested above is built in China, which suggests to me that it is exactly the same as the Fridgemaster and Hisense inside as well as outside, rather than just sourcing the same shell to use in a European factory.  Same sort of thing as Ford Ka/Fiat 500.  Bosch were still adamant they have nothing to do with Fridgemaster which has annoyed me tbh.  The Bosch costs about 50% more than the other two, for nothing other than a couple of logos as far as I can tell.

After much searching we came across a Liebherr that is built in slim width.  Unfortunately is the lower specced model, so no digital temp control.  First issue is it comes with a massive EU plug adapter, even though we checked the store model which had a normal UK plug!  This pushes it really far from the wall, so trying to get the plug changed.  Don't just want a cheap Chinese adapter for an appliance that can run at any time of day or night.  The manual temp control has taken some time to get right, but still not keeping very 'tight' temp at the moment.  On the current setting it's ranging from 0-5c which are really at the limits of what I'd expect so can't turn it up or down from there.  Also came with a very noticeable build defect, which I hadn't expected from a German built appliance!  Will just have to live with that as there's already too much going on to try and get that part replaced.

As for noise, I'm pleased to report it doesn't make the same water gushing noise as the first new one I bought!  However, it's certainly not silent as some reviews claim.  In fact it makes an irritating high pitched whine, but I'm hoping I can get to used to that over a week or two.

Once I'm sure it's definitely going to be better than the old one long term, then I will have one to dispose of.  Currently considering the AO service that Roger used, unless there are any other I should consider?  It will need to be collected from upstairs, as I don't have any way of getting it downstairs at the moment.  The council collection service only seems to be from downstairs, and costs £50 for up to 3 items, which is a fair price for 3 items, but I only have one currently...  Also on the note of stairs, one retailer for the fridge I bought offers free delivery anywhere in the UK...but then charges £75 to take an appliance up one flight of stairs!!  Needless to say I didn't go with that retailer...I assume that's purposely done to put people off.  I wouldn't mind paying £10-£20 for stairs but £75 seems absurd, especially when they'll drive it hundreds of miles for free!!