A retro fridge freezer adds an edgy look to kitchens in the country and a retro-flair to modern kitchens. These fridge freezers come in a range of colors and styles.
This tall model by Bush is available in red or black. Its capacity is a healthy 281 litres with one salad drawer which prioritises greens, four shelves made of safety glass and the chrome wine rack.
Smeg
The word Smeg, pronounced SMEG, brings to mind images of an Italian holiday. Imagine sipping negronis in an old terrazza, while eating fine cheeses and stone fruits. The luxury appliance brand Smeg can bring Italian design to your home at a cost that is less than a vacation. Smeg’s modern, vibrant colors and designs can add a unique look to any room.
The company was established in the 1940s by Emilian Guastalla Metallurgical Enamelling Works, which began producing enamelled steel household appliances. In the 1960s, the company’s success grew with the introduction of “Elisabeth”, gas cooker, as well as the “Niagara”, a dishwasher that had a larger capacity to wash. In the 1960s Smeg began to produce ovens and built-in hobs. Franco Maria Ricci, one of Italy’s most illustrious graphic designers and publishers has invented the iconic Smeg logo incorporating burners from gas hobs, as well as round knobs from ovens.
Smeg’s popularity grew in the 1970s with a broad range of electrical appliances including microwave ovens, washing machines and refrigerators. In 1984, architect Guido Canali conceived the Classic collection for Smeg. It was a crucial line of compact volumes with clean lines, recognizable by its timeless design. It was displayed at MoMA.
Since the beginning, Smeg has forged ahead by introducing new technologies and a variety of creative collaborations. The company launched a line of appliances dubbed ‘Vitality’ which provides healthy cooking and preservation techniques, such as sous vide vacuum drawers and blast chillers. The brand also introduced its Connect system for controlling appliances using a phone or tablet.
Smeg’s refrigerator freezers are based on the retro fridge and freezer style and are available in a variety of vibrant colours. Hisense Bordeaux Red, for instance, would make a splash in any kitchen. With a large capacity of 210 litres and a 60/40 split, this fridge-freezer offers plenty of space for the entire grocery shopping. The fridge-freezer has a salad drawer for fresh greens and four adjustable shelves. The interior of the freezer compartment is made of stainless steel and comes with chrome handles. It also comes with an anti-frost feature. It comes with a two-year warranty on parts and labour.
Swan
Swan makes attractive retro-inspired appliances with a lower price tag than similar models. Its fridge freezer is a standout with a striking red finish, complemented by chrome handles. The 300-litre capacity is divided 60/40, ensuring plenty of room for leftovers and frozen meals. It also comes with adjustable shelves as well as a no-frost option and internal LED lighting.
The freezer section is a great place to store 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 is equipped with an area for salads to keep fresh greens and plenty of space to store your drinks on the extra-large door shelf.
This Swan fridge freezer isn’t as sophisticated as some of the models we’ve reviewed however it does have an elegant design that can be a perfect fit for a variety of kitchen styles. It’s the perfect choice for a rustic kitchen with wooden cabinets, or for those who want to add a little slim retro fridge freezer flair to a modern kitchen. It’s also easy to clean!
Big Chill
Launched in the US in 2003, Big Chill was founded by the uncle-and-nephew duo of Thom Vernon and Orion Creamer, who wanted to make a statement fridge that wouldn’t be hidden behind cabinets. They decided to channel 1950s-era designs with cast metal bodies and chrome trim. They then added pivoting handles to add retro fridge freezers appeal. The result is an impressive freestanding refrigerator that has become an instant favorite among celebrities such as Drew Barrymore and Scarlett Johansson.
The fridge freezers of this brand come in a variety of vibrant colours. You can also pick 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 located at the top of the fridge, separated by the partition. This should make it easier to prioritize frozen food when you shop unplanned.
The integrated wine rack and four adjustable shelves are also included. Despite its vintage exterior, the Big Chill fridge freezer has an unmistakably modern A+ energy efficiency class and automated defrost.
The Big Chill refrigerator is also not small: It has a generous 20.5 cubic foot of space. This is more than double the size of a two-door Smeg. It’s also available in a dazzling array of bold shades with a myriad of additional colors on offer for a fee.
The Big Chill is featured in several Ben 10 episodes including Deep, Greetings from Techadon and Tabloid Trouble. It battled the Ultimate Aggregor and also it froze some Zarcovian Soldiers, and then changed into Goop to save Piscciss Volanns. It also was featured in Above and Beyond where it was fighting the undead Kraab.
Gorenje
Gorenje is a Slovenian brand of household appliances that was founded in 1950. Its products are manufactured in central facilities in Velenje and other locations throughout Slovenia, Serbia, the Czech Republic, and Sweden. At first, the company was specialized in ceramics as well as kitchen and bathroom furniture, and by the 1970s it had 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 is by far the largest retro fridge freezer ever made by Gorenje. It is at six feet tall and provides 19.3 cubic feet in both refrigerator and freezer. This Energy Star-certified refrigerator has adjustable shelves, LED lighting, a frost-free system, and a sound alert that lets you if the door is left open. The chrome handles provide a stylish design to any kitchen.
Despite a few reviews that have complained about the FAB50’s inconsistent cooling, its users tend to give it high marks. This Gorenje fridge freezer comes in a range of colors that include pastel green and robin’s Egg blue. It is perfect for vintage-style kitchens.
Another option for a vintage-style refrigerator is the Hisense RB390N4RRDUK model which offers a stunning Bordeaux red color and sleek chrome handles. It is a huge capacity of 300L and a 60/40 split, that allows for plenty of space to store frozen food items. This Hisense refrigerator freezer is also Energy Star certified, and its LED lights and no-frost feature make it simple to maintain your food’s freshness.
Gorenje has subsidiaries of 83 companies, 59 of which are located outside of Slovenia. The company manufactures a wide range of domestic appliances as well as ceramics. It also provides services in the areas of ecology, energy, and trade. The brands are sold in more than 90 countries, primarily in Europe. The company has a strong partnership with Swarovski as well as with Italian design house Pininfarina. It also supports the Slovenian Nordic Ski Teams as well as the Gorenje Handball Club. It is a member of the European Household Goods Manufacturers’ Association and has a corporate social responsibility program.
