Replacing an integrated fridge-freezer

[Mandarinaduck]

I got a new kitchen 3 years ago with everything integrated. The fridge freezer is already on the blink. The units are under a 10-year guarantee but the appliances only had a two year guarantee. I do not want to repair the fridge, it doesn't seem worth it as it was a fairly cheap one which I now regret. I want to replace it with a much better one, still integrated.

I am wondering what is the best approach to replacing the fridge - go back to the original supplier and get them to deliver a new one and refit to the integrated doors or just buy a new fridge and get it installed independently. Thank you.

I'd research fridges that fit in the gap you have and get the best you can afford then get it fitted independently

Some retailers like John Lewis will fit if you buy from them at a small additional cost but the onus is on you to make sure it will fit.

We’ve had ones fitted by the suppliers. If you get a tiny bit smaller in height you won’t have any issues. However it’s poor it’s gone wrong after 3 years. I would expect much longer.

It wasn't from Wren was it? We did the same and the fridge freezer is SO shit!!

No not wren. But it’s really poor that it would go wrong so quickly. Just fundamentally a poor
quality appliance, and now an extra complication to make autre the replacement is fitted in ‘as new’. Sorry to hear you’ve had a bad experience too!

Just make sure you get the correct door fitting for your cabinet door. I’ve two fridges in my kitchen. Both were Leibherr bought 25 years ago and one has just packed up. The existing one is fine. The replacement (Leibherr don’t make the right size now) isn’t the same quality so hopes are not high for 25 years of service.

We went to John Lewis with the measurements and they found one that would fit.
They need to know the distance to the plug socket as well.

All the dimensions are on line. There are some standard sizes everyone does and as this is only 3 years in. I doubt sizes have changed.

Thanks all, this is helpful.

we moved into a house with an integrated fridge freezer, it was 3 years old. Stupidly sold our 2 yr old Samsung f/f as the new house had a newish Bosch built in. It constantly froze up and was knackered within a year. As it was on the end of the row, we took out the boxing and got a non integrated one. Much better. I’d never go integrated out of choice. I’ve had 2 now in various properties and both broke with the same issues. I don’t think the air circulates properly so the fridge and freezer temps go off.

We just changed an integrated dishwasher and used John Lewis because as some people have mentioned, they offer a fitting service for an additional fee.

They had no problems removing the old dishwasher and fitting the new one in the same space - you have to state that the new appliance will fit in the space but ours were both a standard size.

I replaced integrated with a freestanding. Much more useable space, and bonus massive cupboard available to fit drawers in!

My kitchen is open onto the living area so it’s important that it all looks neat and boxed in. Will go for freestanding if I have a separate kitchen in the future!

We have just had the same issue, although our fridge freezer was a lot older. We chose to buy from John Lewis and followed their measuring and fitting guide, searched the website for the type we wanted etc and then paid for a fitting service.
You need to be mindful of the size 70/30 or 60/40 as the doors need to fit!
Plus we found our existing one was fixed hinges and opened to the left, many of them were sliding hinges and opened to the right, so it was good to be able to search for that too. Some can be adjusted right or left I think.
John Lewis were great , as in spite of all that we did have a couple of issues when the JL fitters came, but I am so glad we bought from them as it was all so easy to resolve and speaking to a real person is helpful.

Having said all that if I’m lucky enough to have a new kitchen (or house) in the future I will go for free standing as it wasn’t easy to get it sorted!