I need to replace 2 integrated side by side fridge freezers. Which option would you go for?

[ThisIsNotAFlyingToy]

For the last 11 years we've had 2 x f/f side by side (integrated). As probably could have been forseen, one now needs replacing. Was thinking about this anyway as I don't think they're very efficient now. But one fridge door is now about to fall off so need to bit the bullet.

Options seem to be replace with:

• the same 60/40 integrated set up
• one integrated fridge and one integrated freezer
• a free-standing fridge and a free-standing freezer - these would need to match and, again, if one fails before the other, then what?
• an American style fridge freezer - what to do about the gaps either side?

I suppose it's the latter that's the more confusing option, and what to do about it? Would appreciate any suggestions from anyone else who has had to shift cabinets around to accommodate one of these.

Thanks

I'd go for option two or three. Option two will keep your kitchen looking smart.

I have a non integrated tall freezer only and tall matching fridge only. However when I transferred them to the kitchen in my new house they went at either end of a run of units. If one failed I would try and get a similar looking one to replace it.

Thanks @Mosaic123

Unfortunately, kitchen layout means couldn't do freestanding in any other place but next to each other.

The other issue is the current 60/40 split means we'd need to get new doors for the integrated separate fridge and freezer options.

american with some filler panels will be the easiest. Tall fridge only and tall freezer only, both with integrated doors would always be my preference.

Not American. What a waste of space that would be. Plus the freezer side is so annoyingly narrow.

I don't see why they would need to match. Surely the door panel covers them?

I would go for another 60:40. There was an American FF in this house when we moved in, so we put our 60:40 in the garage. We are forever overflowing into it. So I read that as more fridge space needed. 2 x 60:40 gives more fridge space than one of each.

We have a French door style fridge freezer. The whole of the top is the fridge which is great for large plates etc particularly at Christmas, and then the freezer is drawers in the bottom which saves the frozen food stacking mountain..

What I wanted was actually a double width full height fridge (we have a chest freezer in the pantry) but I couldn’t find one without spending silly money.

@Dilbertian I'm thinking that non-integrated fridge and freezer would still need to match.

Some American fridges have drawers for freezers but I think they're the £££s ones.

Do you mean inside? Or are they not covered by door panels?

Cross posted there. French style is what the current setup is closest to. I like the fridge stuff being at waist height.

Integrated would have door panels (option 2) and freestanding wouldn't (option 3).

A separate fridge and freezer. I have had French style it was not as great as you would think. I am redesigning my kitchen and going for tall fridge and tall freezer.

Do you want more freezer space, and less fridge space? Or is the current balance about right? Because if the fridge is often full to bursting, that pretty much rules out one of each.

Then I would go for integrated 60:40.

This is helpful. Thanks. I think current fridge volume is fine. We fill the fridges but, possibly, because we can. A slight reduction in capacity would be doable. And we'd definitely like a more freezer space so this is all leaning to one of each. Just don't like the crisper box being right at the bottom.

What about 2x 50:50 fridge freezers? Even within the 60:40 models, the freezer capacity really varies. I hate full height freezers - the upper shelves of freezers are just as annoying as low drawers in fridges - so I wouldn’t be doing that in a hurry.

Since they’re integrated, so don’t need to match underneath, can you not just replace the single fridge-freezer unit that is broken?

@Lonecatwithkitten what did you not like about French style? My current plan is to get one , with a chest freezer elsewhere for extra long term storage. I currently have standard American, which is okay but the width of shelves is sometimes a problem when entertaining. Would be interested in what you saw as downsides!

You don't necessarily need to get new doors if you replace 2 fridge freezers with a separate integrated fridge and freezer. The two smaller doors can be connected together on the inside and fitted to the new appliance.

@MyAnacondaMight tbh, they're on the way out anyway. They were cheap at the time (£350 each) but the freezer compartments are not frost free and lots of the freezer drawer fronts are cracked. I was avoiding 50/50 as wouldn't match the level of the drawer unit next to them but maybe that doesn't matter too much?

@Focalpoint The doors we had were metal (to look like a French door f/f!) and they're heavy. I think that's what's caused the fridge door hinge to weaken (not helped by teens/young adults leaving them wide open while they curate their extensive sandwich 😩). So we need new doors anyway.

Frustratingly, it's an old Ikea kitchen and they no longer make the doors so will need to search for replacements. God, nothing is ever straightforward.

I'd be interested to know as well. I definitely prefer the look of drawers and like the 2 door opening for the fridge. But are the drawers less practical?

I have a French door fridge freezer and the drawers are far more practical. So is the wider fridge space

I've been comparing capacities of various options and the American f/f that look like this seem to be just right. But can't work out what we'd do to fill the gaps at the sides and the above.