Quick facts about french door fridges
- French door fridges offer a large capacity and a range of flexible storage features.
- When comparing french door fridges, consider the size, price and the practicality of the storage space.
What is a french door fridge?
A french door fridge, also known as a side-by-side fridge, has a fridge on top and a freezer down the bottom. The refrigerator can be accessed via two french doors, while the freezer can have a few different door configurations.
With capacities ranging from 450 up to 900 litres, french door fridges offer a huge amount of storage space and are suitable for large families. They allow you to access frequently used fridge items without bending over, and often boast flexible storage features as well as water and ice dispensers. And because the two fridge doors are narrow, they don’t take up a whole lot of space in your kitchen when open.
However, french door fridges do have a couple of downsides. Not only are they expensive to purchase, but they also take up a large amount of floor space and won’t fit in all kitchens.
What are my main options?
French door fridges are becoming increasingly popular, a fact reflected by the increasing range of models on offer.
Aside from storage capacity, the other way to distinguish between the many different models is based on the storage layout. While all french door fridges feature a top-mounted fridge with two doors, the bottom-mounted freezer could feature:
- One or two drawers that slide out horizontally
- Two doors that open outwards
How to compare french door fridges
You’ll need to consider the following factors when comparing french door fridges:
Size
French door fridges range in size from 450 litres up to 900 litres, so they’re typically suitable for families of four or more. Make sure it’ll fit in your kitchen with room for ventilation around the fridge and ensure that the doors can open fully. Also, don’t forget to check if your doors and entryways at home will be large enough for the fridge to be delivered and installed.
Storage
Next, consider how functional the space in the fridge is and how easy it will be to use. Can shelves be moved around and adjusted to accommodate larger items? Is it easy to access items in the freezer? Do the shelves have raised edges to contain any spills?
Lighting
Check whether the fridge is well lit inside so you can clearly see all shelves and compartments. LED lighting is also more energy-efficient than other options.
Ice and water dispensers
Many french door fridges have ice and water dispensers so you can access crushed ice or cold, filtered water without having to open the fridge. However, they may require additional plumbing work at an additional cost.
Smart features
Some high-end models also feature Wi-Fi connectivity and compatible smartphone apps to help you manage your fridge. This may include features like sending an alert to your phone when the fridge door has been left open and built-in cameras to check what’s in the fridge.
Finish
There are several finish options including traditional white, stainless steel and black. If you decide to opt for durable stainless steel, a “fingerprint-resistant” finish should help it stay as clean as possible.
Other features and accessories
Other features and inclusions that some french door fridges offer are:
- Air deodorisers and features to prevent the growth of mould and bacteria
- Door-in-door systems that allow you to access frequently used items without opening the entire fridge
- A mirrored glass door that allows you to see what’s inside the fridge without opening the door
- Child-proof water and ice dispensers as well as a child lock on the temperature controls
What other types of fridges are available?
Are you unsure whether a french door fridge is the right choice for you? Make sure you consider these other options before you buy:
- Top-mount fridges. These feature the freezer at the top and the fridge at the bottom. They’re cheap to buy and run, but the downside is that you’ll need to bend over to access the fridge compartment.
- Bottom-mount fridges. Bottom-mount fridges feature the refrigerator at the top and the freezer at the bottom. This ensures easy access to frequently used items.
- Side-by-side fridges. Side-by-side fridges feature the fridge and freezer compartments alongside one another, the freezer on the left and the fridge on the right. They’re worth considering if you need extra freezer storage capacity and you want easy access to both the fridge and the freezer compartments.
- Wine fridges. There are also fridges specially designed to store wine at the optimum temperature.