Best Retro Fridge Freezer
A retro fridge freezer adds bold quirk to country kitchens and a retro-flair to modern kitchens. They're available in a wide selection of styles and colours.
This model that is tall from Bush oozes coolness with a choice of red or black. It has a healthy capacity of 281 litres. It has an ice-cream drawer that is geared towards greens and four shelves made of safety glass and a chrome wine shelf.
Smeg
The word Smeg, also known as SMEG, brings to mind images of an Italian holiday. Imagine sipping negronis in an ancient terrazza and enjoying fine cheeses and stone fruits. Luxury appliance brand Smeg can bring Italian flair to your home for a price that is less than a holiday. Smeg's sleek and vivacious colors are sure to add a touch of character to any space.
The company was established in the 1940s by Emilian Guastalla Metallurgical Enamelling Works which began manufacturing enameled steel household appliances. In the 1960s, the company's popularity was boosted by the introduction of "Elisabeth", gas cooker, as well as the "Niagara", a dishwasher that had a larger capacity to wash. In the same time Smeg began to produce ovens and built-in hobs. Franco Maria Ricci, one of Italy's most illustrious publishers and graphic designers, invented the iconic Smeg logo incorporating burners from gas hobs as well as round knobs from ovens.
Smeg continued to be successful in the 1970s. They offered a broad range of electrical appliances, including microwave ovens, washing machines and refrigerators. In 1984, architect Guido Canali conceived the Classic collection for Smeg, a vital line of compact volumes with sleek lines that are easily recognized by its timeless style and exhibited at MoMA.
Smeg has been able to continue to innovate and collaborate with other companies. The brand launched the "Vitality" line of appliances that provide healthy cooking and preservation techniques like steam ovens and sous vide vacuum drawers and blast chillers. It also launched the 'Connect' technology, that lets users control appliances using a smartphone or tablet.
Smeg's fridge freezers make no exception to its retro-inspired design, with models that are available in a variety of bold colors. The Hisense Bordeaux Red model, for instance, will bring a splash of color to any kitchen. With a generous capacity of 220 litres and a 60/40 split, this fridge-freezer offers plenty of space for all your grocery shopping. Its features include an area for salads that is geared towards fresh greens and four adjustable shelves. The freezer compartment comes with an anti-frost feature and the interior is stainless steel with chrome handles. It is covered by a two-year guarantee on parts and labour.
Swan
Swan makes attractive retro-inspired appliances at a lower price than similar models. The refrigerator freezer is an attention-grabber with a striking red finish and chrome handles. The capacity of 300 litres is split 60/40, which means there's plenty of room for leftovers and frozen meals. It also has adjustable shelves, a no-frost system, and an internal LED lighting.
Its freezer section prioritises fresh food over snacks, so there's plenty of room for everything from bags of frozen vegetables to ice cream. The fridge side features an area for salads to keep fresh greens and plenty of room to store your drinks on the large door shelf.
This Swan fridge freezer isn't as elegant as some of the models featured in our roundup however it does have an elegant design that can fit into a variety of kitchen styles. It's perfect for a kitchen with wooden cabinets or those looking to add an old-fashioned look to their contemporary kitchen. It's also easy to clean!
Big Chill
Big Chill, launched in the US in 2003, was founded by the duo of uncle and nephew Thom Vernon, who wanted an appliance that made a statement and didn't remain hidden behind cabinets. The pair decided to imitate the 1950s style with metal bodies that were stamped with chrome trim, as well as pivoting handles. The result is an impressive freestanding refrigerator that has become an instant favorite among celebrities, including Drew Barrymore and Scarlett Johansson.
The fridge freezers of the brand are available in a palette of striking colours, and you can even choose a custom color for an additional $400. The Big Chill model we tested was a deep Bordeaux Red, and it's an eye-catching piece of equipment. The fridge and freezer are separated by a divider with the freezer at the top. This should help you prioritise frozen food items if you're susceptible to shopping impulsively.
There's also a salad drawer that lets you prioritise fresh greens, plus four shelves that can be adjusted and an integrated wine rack. Despite its retro exterior, the Big Chill fridge freezer has an edgy A+ energy efficiency class and automatic defrost.
The Big Chill refrigerator is also not small. It's a generous 20.5 cubic foot of space. This is more than double the size of a 2-door Smeg. It's also available in a dazzling array of bold shades, with dozens more available for purchase.
The Big Chill is seen in several Ben 10 episodes including Deep, Greetings from Techadon and Tabloid Trouble. It battled the Ultimate Aggregor and also frozen several Zarcovian Soldiers, then changed into Goop to rescue Piscciss Volanns. It also appeared in Above and Beyond where it fought the undead Kraab.
Gorenje
Gorenje is Gorenje is a Slovenian brand of household appliances that was founded in 1950. The company's products are produced at its central facility in Velenje as well as other sites throughout Slovenia and Serbia and the Czech Republic and Sweden. Initially, the company focused on ceramics and bathroom and kitchen furniture, and by the 1970s it expanded into appliances like ovens and refrigerators, as well as washers and dryers. Its product line includes telecommunications devices as well as television sets.
The FAB50 model from Gorenje is the largest Gorenje retro fridge freezer to date, standing at six feet tall and boasting 19.3 cubic feet of freezer and refrigerator space. The refrigerator is Energy Star certified and comes with LED lighting inside and shelves that can be adjusted, a no-frost system and a sound alert that alerts you if your door is open. Its chrome handles provide a stylish design to any kitchen.
Although some reviews have complained about the FAB50's inconsistent cooling, its users tend to give it high ratings. The Gorenje refrigerator freezer is available in a variety of colors, including robin egg blue and pastel green and is a perfect choice for any kitchen with a vintage-style design.
Hisense RB390N4RRDUK is an alternative for a vintage-style fridge. It comes in stunning Bordeaux color, with sleek chrome handles. It has a large capacity of 300L and a 60/40 split which allows plenty of space for frozen items. This Hisense refrigerator freezer is Energy Star-certified. Its LED lighting and no-frost technology makes it easy to keep your food fresh.
Gorenje has the 83 subsidiary companies, 59 of which are located outside of Slovenia. The company manufactures a wide variety of domestic appliances and ceramics, and also provides services in the areas of ecology, energy and trade. The brands are sold in more than 90 countries, mostly in Europe. The company has a solid partnership with Swarovski and collaborates with Italian design house Pininfarina. It also supports the Slovenian Nordic Ski Teams as well as the Gorenje Handball Club. It is a member the European Household Goods Manufacturers' Association, and has a corporate social responsibility program.