Buying a fridge

A fridge with a freezer compartment allows you to store already frozen food for a limited period, the length of which will depend on its star rating. (Always check maximum storage times on the packaging of the food product to ensure food safety.) A 4 star rating means that the compartment reaches a minimum temperature below -18ºC, allowing you to freeze small amounts of fresh food. It's the only star rating which enables you to do this, so it would be a good choice for any home which could not accommodate or doesn't need a full size freezer or fridge freezer.

An integrated fridge has a front panel that matches the rest of your kitchen units, so when the door is closed, the fridge will be completely hidden.

You should also consider exactly where your fridge is going to go and how much space you need to determine the size you choose. This will depend on the size of your household and the amount of food you want to store.

Choose between a standard fridge (H85cm) - useful if you don't have much space or it needs to be fitted under a counter top, or a tall fridge (over H130cm) for maximum storage. We also stock a range of compact fridges (up to H60cm) which are useful if you need extra storage space for drinks. In addition, we stock a range of wine cabinets that allow you to store your wine at optimum conditions - perfect for the serious wine drinker that might be short of space.

Remember to make sure your fridge will fit into the intended space before ordering and that you have measured all access areas.

Auto defrost
Auto defrost automatically regulates the temperature in your fridge to prevent the build-up of frost.
All larder fridges have auto defrost so you will never have to defrost it. If you choose a fridge with an ice box, ice building up on the freezer compartment (evaporator) acts as an insulator so the temperature in the fridge tends to rise. This means that the compressor has to work harder to keep the fridge cold, consuming more electricity and wear and tear on the appliance, so it's always worth checking if it has auto defrost. You should also remember that the more you open and close your fridge door, the harder your fridge has to work to maintain its temperature.

Antibacterial coating
Some fridges have an antibacterial coating on the walls and door that helps prevent bacteria growth, improving the hygiene in your fridge.

Shelves and fixtures
Fridges come with either wire grid or glass shelves. Glass shelves will usually make an appliance more expensive, but they have the benefit of holding the temperature better and they avoid any danger of drips from food on a higher shelf contaminating food below. They're also really easy to clean as they only require a quick wipe with a damp cloth.
Some fridges come with a wine rack or bottle holder and most fridges are equipped with an egg rack and compartments for butter, cheese etc. Shallow shelving in the fridge door allows storage of bottles and jars.

We also quote annual running costs; this is calculated by multiplying the number of kW used by the average national cost of electricity + VAT, but please bear in mind these costs may vary according to how much you pay for your local electricity supply.

You'll often find that the more expensive the appliance, the better the running costs because energy-saving features such as thicker insulation, automatic door closing or 'door open' audible alerts will be included.

Please remember that in your home energy consumption may vary from the figure quoted, owing to factors such as how well stocked the appliance is, its location and how well ventilated it is. Make sure your fridge stays airtight by keeping door seals clean.

All refrigeration appliances stocked by John Lewis are free of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons, potentially damaging to the ozone layer), and many are also free of HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons, which may have an effect on global warming).

Alternatively, you can take your old appliance to a local recycling centre to be recycled free of charge (visit www.recycle-more.co.uk to find you nearest site).

If you live outside a delivery area, then your new appliance will be delivered by one of our couriers who are unable to collect, so you will need to take your old appliance to a local recycling centre.

When installing your new fridge, keep it upright at all times and allow at least 6 hours for the gases inside to settle before switching on.

A fridge freezer is the ideal solution if you're short of floor space but have height to spare, and need more freezing capacity than the ice box provided by a conventional fridge. Decide on the fridge and freezer capacities you need as the combination of these varies - all types are available but not all will have independent controls. Those that do mean that you're not relying on the fridge thermostat to also control the compressor for both appliances. There are also some models with a 0ºC compartment in the fridge which is particularly useful for the safe storage of chilled ready meals.

Large American style fridge freezers are becoming increasingly fashionable, because of both their huge capacities and dynamic styling. They are tall and normally configured side by side with doors opening in opposite directions from the centre. They're frost free and may have several cool zones at different temperatures. The freezer section usually has ice and chilled water dispensers but the appliance must of course be plumbed in within one metre of a water supply. Do bear in mind the sheer size of the evaporator in these large appliances will create a slightly higher level of background noise.

Click here for the freezers buying guide for more information