Best Retro Fridge Freezer
Retro fridge freezers add retro flair to modern kitchens as well as strikingly quirky to traditional kitchens. These fridge freezers are available in a variety of colors and styles.
This tall model from Bush is stylish with a choice of red or black. Its capacity is a healthy 281 litres, with a salad drawer that is geared towards greens, four shelves of safety glass, and a chrome wine rack.
Smeg
The word Smeg (pronounced SMEG) brings to mind images of an Italian vacation, sipping negronis on a terrazza that is adorned with fine cheese and stone fruit. Although this dream vacation is unlikely to become real, the high-end appliance brand can bring the Italian flair to your kitchen for slightly less than the cost of a trip to Sicily. Smeg's sleek and vivacious colors will bring a splash of personality to any room.
The company was established in the 1940s by Emilian Guastalla Metallurgical Enamelling Works which began manufacturing enameled steel household appliances. Its success grew in the 1960s, with the introduction of the "Elisabeth" gas cooker and the "Niagara" dishwasher, which introduced larger capacity wash capabilities. In the same time the company started producing ovens and hobs with built-in stoves. Franco Maria Ricci, one of Italy's most illustrious publishers and graphic designers, created the iconic Smeg logo incorporating burners from gas hobs, as well as round knobs from ovens.
Smeg continued to be a success in the 1970s. They offered a wide range of electrical appliances, including microwave ovens, washing machines and refrigerators. In 1984, Guido Canali designed the Classic collection for Smeg. It was a slim collection with clean lines and essential volumes. The timeless design of the collection was displayed at MoMA.
Since the beginning, Smeg has forged ahead by introducing new technologies and a variety of creative collaborations. The brand introduced 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' system which allows users to control appliances using tablets or smartphones.
Smeg's fridge freezers are no exception to its retro aesthetic and models are available in a variety vibrant colours. The Hisense Bordeaux Red model, for example, would add a splash of colour to any kitchen. This fridge-freezer has enough space to store all your groceries. It comes with a large capacity of 210 litres and a 60/40 split. The fridge-freezer has a salad drawer for fresh greens, and four shelves that can be adjusted. The freezer compartment comes with an anti-frost feature and the interior is made of stainless steel with chrome handles. It comes with a two-year warranty for parts and labour.
Swan
Swan makes attractive retro-inspired kitchen equipment at cheaper than similar designs. The refrigerator freezer is an attention-grabber with a bold red finish, complete with chrome handles. Designed to hold lots of shopping the 300-litre capacity comes with 60/40 split, which means you can store plenty of leftovers and frozen meals. It comes with adjustable shelves, no-frost technology and LED lighting inside.
The freezer section is geared towards fresh food over snacks. There's plenty of space for everything from bags of frozen vegetables to ice cream. The fridge's side also has a salad drawer that keeps your greens in good condition, and plenty of room for drinks thanks to the extra-large door shelf.
This Swan fridge freezer is not as stylish as the models in our roundup, but it has an elegant design that can fit into a variety of kitchen styles. It's ideal for kitchens with wooden cabinets or for those looking to add retro flair to their modern kitchen. It's also easy to clean!
Big Chill
Big Chill, launched in the US in 2003, was created by the uncle and nephew team Thom Vernon, who wanted an appliance that made a statement and didn't hide behind cabinets. The team chose to emulate 1950s styles with stamped metal bodies and chrome trims, as well as pivoting handles. The result is an impressive freestanding refrigerator that is popular with celebrities, including Drew Barrymore and Scarlett Johansson.
The fridge freezers from this brand come with a range of vibrant colours. You can also pick the color you want for an extra $400. The Big Chill model we tested was a deep Bordeaux Red, and it's a real attention-grabber. Frydge is in the upper part of the fridge, separated by a divider. This will aid in deciding which frozen items to buy in the event that your shopping trips are fast-paced.
There's also a salad drawer to prioritize fresh greens, along with four shelves that are adjustable and a wine rack integrated. The Big Chill fridge-freezer has a vintage appearance, but it has a modern A+ energy efficiency rating and automated defrost.
The Big Chill fridge isn't small either: It comes in a generous 20.5 cubic feet of space, which is more than double that 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 appears in a number of Ben 10 episodes, including Deep, Greetings From Techadon and Tabloid Trouble, where it defeated Ultimate Aggregor and frozen some Zarcovian soldiers before transforming into Goop to save Piscciss Volanns. It also was featured in Above and Beyond, where it battled the undead Kraab.
Gorenje
The Gorenje brand is a Slovenian manufacturer of major household appliances, established in 1950. The company's products are manufactured in its central plant in Velenje, as well as other facilities across Slovenia and Serbia, the Czech Republic and Sweden. The company initially specialized in ceramics as well as kitchen and bathroom furniture, and by the 1970s, it expanded into appliances like ovens, washers, and refrigerators. The product line of the company includes televisions and telecommunications devices.
The FAB50 model by Gorenje is the biggest Gorenje retro fridge freezer to date, standing six feet tall and boasting 19.3 cubic feet of freezer and refrigerator space. This Energy Star-certified refrigerator has adjustable shelves, internal LED lighting, a no-frost system and a sound alarm that informs you if the door is left open. The chrome handles provide a stylish style to any kitchen.
While some reviewers have mentioned that the FAB50's cooling capability can be erratic, the majority of the people who have used it rate it highly. This Gorenje fridge freezer is available in a range of colors, including pastel green and robin's egg blue. It's perfect for vintage-style kitchens.
Hisense RB390N4RRDUK is an alternative for a vintage-style fridge. It comes in a stunning Bordeaux color and has sleek chrome handles. It has a large capacity of 300L and a 60/40 split, which 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 the 83 subsidiaries of Gorenje, with which include 59 outside of Slovenia. The company manufactures a diverse variety of domestic appliances as well as ceramics. It also provides services in the areas of ecology, energy and trade. Its brands are found in more than 90 different countries, mostly in Europe. The company has a long-standing relationship with Swarovski, and collaborates with Italian design firm Pininfarina. It also sponsors the Slovenian Nordic Ski Teams and the Gorenje handball club. It is a member the European Household Goods Manufacturers' Association and also has a corporate responsibility program.