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 range of colours and designs.
This model that is tall from Bush is stylish, with a choice of black or red. Its capacity is a healthy 281 litres with one salad drawer which prioritises greens, as well as four shelves of safety glass, and a chrome wine rack.
Smeg
The word Smeg (pronounced SMEG) invokes visions of an Italian vacation, sipping negronis on a historic terrazza with fine cheese and stone fruit. Luxury appliance brand Smeg can bring Italian flair to your home for a price less than a vacation. Smeg's sleek, vibrant colors and designs can add a unique look to any space.
The company was founded in the 1940s by Emilian Guastalla Metallurgical Enamelling Works, which began producing enameled steel household appliances. Its success grew in the 1960s, with the introduction of the "Elisabeth" gas cooker as well as the "Niagara" dishwasher, which introduced larger wash capacities. In the same time, the company began producing built-in hobs and ovens. Franco Maria Ricci, one of Italy's most prominent publishers and graphic designers has designed the recognizable Smeg logo that incorporates burners from gas hobs as well as round knobs from ovens.
Smeg's popularity grew in the 1970s, with a wide range of electrical appliances including microwave ovens, washing machines and refrigerators. In 1984 the architect Guido Canali conceived the Classic collection for Smeg, an essential collection of compact volumes that has clean lines, recognizable by its timeless style and exhibited at MoMA.
Since then, Smeg has forged ahead with cutting-edge technologies and innovative collaborations. The company launched the "Vitality" series of appliances that offer healthy cooking and preservation techniques, such as steam ovens and sous vide vacuum drawers and blast chillers. It also launched the 'Connect' system, that lets users control appliances via the smartphone or tablet.
Smeg's fridge freezers aren't an exception to its retro style, with models that are available in a variety of vibrant colors. Hisense Bordeaux Red, for example, will bring a splash of color to any kitchen. With a generous capacity of around 210 litres and a 40/60 split, this fridge-freezer offers plenty of space to accommodate the entire grocery shopping. Its features include the salad drawer, which is designed to accommodate fresh greens, as well as four shelves that can be adjusted. The freezer compartment is equipped with an anti-frost function and the interior is made of stainless steel with chrome handles. It comes with a two year warranty on parts and labor.
Swan
Swan makes attractive retro-inspired kitchen equipment for less than comparable design. The refrigerator freezer is adorned with a striking red finish as well as chrome handles. The capacity of 300 litres is divided 60/40, so there is plenty of room for frozen meals and leftovers. It also comes with adjustable shelves as well as a no-frost option and internal LED lighting.
Its freezer section prioritises fresh food over snacks, which means there's plenty of room for everything from bags of frozen vegetables to ice cream. The fridge's side also has an area for salads to keep your greens fresh, and plenty of room for drinks thanks to a large door shelf.
Although it's not as stylish as some of the other models in our roundup however, this Swan fridge freezer offers a classic design that will be a perfect fit for a variety of kitchen styles. It's ideal for kitchens with wooden cabinets or those looking to add retro flair to their modern kitchen. It's also easy to clean!
Big Chill
It was first introduced in the US back in 2003, Big Chill was founded by uncle-and-nephew pair Thom Vernon and Orion Creamer, who wanted to make an eye-catching fridge that wasn't hidden behind cabinetry. The pair decided to imitate the 1950s style with a stamped metal body and chrome trims, as well as pivoting handles. The result is a freestanding fridge that has become a favorite of celebs - with Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson and Blake Lively among its fans.
The fridge freezers from this brand come in a variety of vibrant colours. You can even choose the color you want 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 freezer is at the top of the fridge, and is separated by the divider. This will make it easier to prioritize frozen food in the event that your shopping trips are fast-paced.
There's also a salad drawer that lets you prioritize fresh greens, along with four adjustable shelves and a wine rack integrated. The Big Chill fridge-freezer has a vintage exterior but a modern A+ energy efficiency rating and automatic defrost.
The Big Chill fridge isn't small, as it comes with an impressive 20.5 cubic feet of space that's more than double the size of the Smeg two-door model. It's also available in a amazing array of vibrant 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 Ultimate Aggregor, it froze a few Zarcovian Soldiers, then switched into Goop to save Piscciss Volanns. It also was featured in Above and Beyond, where it battled the undead Kraab.
Gorenje
Gorenje is Gorenje is a Slovenian brand of major household appliances, which was established in 1950. Its products are manufactured in central facilities in Velenje and other locations across Slovenia, Serbia, the Czech Republic, and Sweden. Originally, the company focused on manufacturing ceramics, bathroom and kitchen furniture in the 1970s, but by that time it had expanded to manufacture appliances like washing machines, ovens and refrigerators. Its product portfolio also includes telecommunication devices and television sets.
The FAB50 is the biggest retro fridge freezer ever created by Gorenje. It is at six feet tall and provides 19.3 cubic feet in both freezer and refrigerator. This Energy Star-certified refrigerator features adjustable shelves, LED lighting, a frost-free system and a sound alarm that alerts you when the door is left open. Its chrome handles add a sleek style to any kitchen.
Although some reviews have criticised the FAB50's lack of cooling, customers tend to give it high ratings. The Gorenje refrigerator freezer is available in a variety of colors, including pastel blue and robin egg green and is a perfect choice for any kitchen with an old-fashioned style.
The Hisense RB390N4RRDUK is a different option for a vintage-style fridge. It is available in a stunning Bordeaux color, with sleek chrome handles. It comes with a huge 300L capacity as well as a 60/40 split that provides ample space for frozen food items. This Hisense fridge freezer is also Energy Star-certified. Its LED lighting and no-frost technology make it easy to keep your food fresh.
Gorenje has 83 subsidiary companies, of which 59 are located outside of Slovenia. The company produces a vast variety of ceramics and domestic appliances, and provides services in the fields of energy and ecology, as well as trade. Its brands are found in more than 90 different countries, with the majority of them in Europe. The company has a strong partnership with Swarovski as well as with Italian design house Pininfarina. In addition, it sponsors the Slovenian Nordic Ski Teams and the Gorenje handball club. It is an affiliate of the European Household Goods Manufacturers' Association and has a corporate social responsibility program.