Small Home Appliances
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Small Refrigerators Come in Many Shapes and Sizes
Oct 28th
There are many models to choose from when shopping for a small refrigerator. Also known as a compact refrigerator or a mini refrigerator, these pint sized appliances are range from single can holders to anything smaller than 18 cubic feet. At which point it is considered a standard sized refrigerator. The most common models that come to mind are between 2.8 to 4.4 cubic feet.
The designs that are around 2.8 cubic feet are sometimes referred to as compact cube refrigerators because of their roughly cube shaped contour. These are best for beverages since they cannot hold much else beyond a snack and some drinks. It is great for game rooms or offices where a full sized fridge will serve the primary purposes of a refrigerator. One of the best things about such small units is the small price tag which usually runs around $100.
Then there are mid-sized refrigerators that can be anything between 2.5 and 10 cubic feet of storage space. These usually have a small full-width freezer compartment which is much more useful than the half-width freezer compartments of most compact cube refrigerators. This mid-sized small refrigerator is more often used in small apartments or dorms where there is a need to store a couple days worth of groceries for one person.
With more room for storage, an apartment sized refrigerator is often used as it is named, in small apartments where the limited kitchen space prevents the person from having a full sized refrigerator. This class of mini refrigerators range anywhere from 5 cubic feet to the upper limit of small refrigerators at 18 cubic feet.
On the larger end of the scale, the models tend to be large enough to have a separate freezer compartment. Then there are ice maker and keeper available as an additional feature for refrigerators of this size. Larger refrigerators have more space and flexibility to include additional conveniences and features.
By: Will Edison
Small Refrigerator Factors to Consider
Aug 1st
The most obvious factor people consider when looking for a small refrigerator is the size. The primary reason a person looks for a small refrigerator is because they have refrigerating needs but do not want a full sized refrigerator. However, there are usually more specific details that many are not aware of until they take the unit home and realize there is something missing or a feature that would have made the refrigerator more useful.
The first thing that really affects the effectiveness of the storage capacity of a refrigerator is are the shelves. Since space is limited improper shelf design can create a lot of wasted space or can assist in making the most of empty space. Adjustability of the shelves is an important factor to increasing the efficiency of the space used.
When talking shelves, a removable shelf not only make storage easier and more effective but also assists in the cleaning process. Glass is also easier to clean than plastic since it is see through so any spot is easily visible. Removable or sliding out shelves make it easier to reach things and clean.
As far as organization goes, beyond shelves, there are all kinds of door shelves and space organizing compartments that are designed to store specific common items more effectively. The problem with this is that they don’t always work as intended. A door shelf for condiments might not fit the bottles you have. Any unusable shelf is wasted space. Check for soda can dispensers and ice trays and consider whether this is useful to you or will it get in the way of things.
Another important factor of all appliances is energy consumption. Small refrigerators typically come with the standard thermostat controller which is just a knob with a series of numbers. Digital thermostats are better because they allow a target temperature to be set and that is a significant energy saving because of the better accuracy than the numbers on a knob.
By: Will Edison