One of the most important parts of the bar is the refrigerator, which keeps all of the beverages nice and frosty.  Most people spend a lot of time designing their bar, so it is important that nothing stands out like a sore thumb.  Bar fridges are great appliances, but since they are usually not as big as full sized kitchen refrigerators, people often wonder where they should put them. You have a few choices when it comes to installing your bar fridge, and here is a little guide to help you.

The easiest way to install mini bar fridges is to simply put them on the counter or bar.  Although this is an easy option, it only works well in certain situation.  If you spend a decent amount of money and buy a refrigerator that

looks really good, you will feel proud to show it off, front and center.  The kind of appliance that I am talking about usually has a bar fridge glass door so that you can see everything inside.  Having a refrigerator like this is nice because it lets people take a look for themselves and decide what they want.

The drawback to getting a really nice bar fridge is that they tend to cost a lot.  If you don’t want to spend a whole wad of cash on your refrigerator, you can get a simple, small one and keep it conveniently hidden out of sight. Where, you might ask?  One of the best places to put a small bar fridge is inside a cabinet.  If you are still designing your bar layout, it is easy to allow a large space for a refrigerator to go.  If your cabinets are already there, you will have to choose a fridge that fits into one of them.  To do this, use a tape measure and get the dimensions of the inside of the cabinet.  Subtract an inch or so on all sides (and depth), and this will give you the maximum size bar fridge dimensions.   Make sure the cabinet is deep enough to fit the refrigerator in even with the handle on it.  Once you know your mini bar fridge fits, you will need to electricity to it.  This will usually involve drilling a small hole in the back of the cabinet so you can put the cord through it and reach an outlet.  If there isn’t a power outlet nearby, you can use an extension cord to make it reach.

There is another way to hide your bar fridge, and this way is to fully integrate your refrigerator.  The best way to get a refrigerator to blend in with the cabinets is by making it look like one from the front.  Some of the high end bar fridges are customizable, which means that you can place a wooden panel on the front of them that is made out of the same material as the surrounding cabinets.  It doesn’t matter if your cabinets are made of wood or stainless steel:  You can put either kind on it.  This method works great for people who want a large bar fridge that would be too large to fit into a cabinet.

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If you are thinking about getting a mini fridge freezer, there are some important things to consider.  Many people simply want to purchase the cheapest one they can get their hands on, but doing so often results in trouble later on.  There are definitely some good quality options out there, but there are some real lousy ones as well.  Investing a minimal amount of time into becoming an informed consumer will save you a lot of hassle down the road.  Here are some ideas to help you choose a good mini fridge with freezer.

What are the Most Important Features for Mini Fridge Freezers to Have?

Many of these appliances are pretty basic.  If there is one feature that you should really look out for, it is a working freezer. If you’ve had any experience at all with these pint-sized refrigerators, you will know that many of them have freezer compartments that are pretty much useless.  First of all, the freezer part is so small that you can’t really fit anything but a Popsicle into it.  Even a normal size ice cube tray won’t fit in most of them.  In addition to their small size, many of these mini fridge and freezer units don’t freeze consistently and tend to ice up often.  They are alright for freezing a small number of ice cubes, but if you put ice cream in them, there is a good chance it will become a soggy mess shortly.
The solution to this problem is to buy a mini fridge freezer combo that has two separate compartments.  These appliances tend to work a lot better than those with just a flap for a freezer.  Igloo makes a 3.2 cubic foot model with separate compartments for about $200.  I know this one costs quite a bit more than the cheapest mini freezer fridge units, but it is a good appliance built by a quality manufacturer and will save you lots of frustration over spoiled or thawed out frozen items.
Of course, if you don’t care about having a freezer, you can easily find a mini fridge with separate freezer.  This kind of refrigerator will allow you to fit more stuff into it since it doesn’t have to waste any space on a freezer compartment.  Another consideration that you might have is the size of the unit.  The smallest mini fridges are so tiny that they can only fit a few cans inside.  I’m not sure what people do with these things, but I seem to always need extra room to cram groceries and drinks inside my mini fridge freezer.  I would recommend getting the biggest possible mini fridge that you can fit into the space you have.  The price doesn’t increase much for a larger unit, and you can easily fit everything you need in it.

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There are all kinds of places where pint sized refrigerators come in very handy.  Offices use them to store employee lunches.  University and college students have come to depend on them as a dorm room necessity.  They have even found their way into garages, RV’s, trailers, and boats as a convenient way to keep things cold.  Before you go out and  buy a mini fridge with freezer though, it is wise to consider a few important things about these small appliances.

First of all, they come in many different sizes, from the ultra-small to about three quarters of the size of a normal refrigerator.  The size you get will depend on what you are going to use it for.  Obviously, it all you are going to do is keep your lunch in it everyday, you can go with a small model.  Maybe something like a 1.5 cubic foot capacity fridge would do.  If you are using one of these mini fridges in your apartment or dorm room however, I would spring for the biggest one you can afford and fit into your room.  The reason is that dorm rooms normally have 2 people in them, and these little fridges can fill up pretty fast.  A lot of times you can get a larger mini fridge for just a little bit more than a tiny one.

A second thing to look out for is the freezer on the unit.  Most mini fridges with freezers simply don’t work very well.  While the fridge part may work ok for keeping stuff chilled, the freezer part often becomes full of ice as it thaws and freezes repeatedly.  If you are using one of these appliances as your primary refrigerator, I would definitely recommend getting a mini fridge with separate freezer.  Units that have a separate freezer generally work a lot better than those that just contain a little flap at the top for a freezer.  You will want to be able to keep ice cubes handy for drinks, or shove some frozen dinners in there for quick meals in a hurry.

If you are concerned about the look of the mini fridge, they come in a few different styles.  The basic models are usually either black or white, but you can get fancier models that have a stainless steel finish.  One more great thing about many of these fridges is that the top of them doubles as a countertop for preparing food on.

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Though many people haven’t thought about them much, mini freezers can actually be a great money saving appliance in the home or apartment.  People with big houses and garages often have upright or chest freezers in the garage or storage room, but when you live in a small house or apartment, there often just isn’t room for one of these giant beasts.  One solution is to get a mini freezer, which takes up a lot less room than their giant chest freezer counterparts.
Here are some of the ways that a mini compact freezer can save you money.

1. You can grow vegetables in the summer and freeze them for eating all winter long.  This also works for fruits as well.  Apples, cherries, pears, and all kinds of other fruits last a long time in the freezer, and if you have a place to store them, you will save lots of money on fruit.  If you don’t have a garden, a fun thing to do is to go to you-pick farms to load up on berries and other fruits for freezing.
2. Buy produce when it is in-season for hefty savings.  Fruits and vegetables nearly always cost a lot less when they are harvested nearby.  These days supermarkets provide produce all year round, but it likely gets shipped from the other side of the world in the off season.
3. When cooking something special, make extra and freeze some of it for later use.  If you are going through all the trouble to cook, it doesn’t take much time to cook a bit more of the same thing.  The savings come later on days when you don’t have the time or inclination to cook, and you can just pull some great food out of the mini freezer and heat it up.

What is a mini freezer?

Many people get the little fridges and freezers confused.  A mini fridge freezer is a small appliance that has a larger refrigerator compartment and a smaller freezer.  Most of these units have a small flap for the door, but some of them have a separate compartment for the freezer.  The problem with the majority of these mini fridge with freezer combos is that while the refrigerator part works quite well, the freezer often doesn’t.  If you want an appliance that has both of these and actually works, I would recommend getting one with separate compartments for the fridge part and the freezer.  This type will most likely cost you a bit more than the little cheapies, but it is worth it to be able to put frozen items in the freezer and actually keep them frozen.  Otherwise, you will invariably find yourself throwing away food that thawed and spoiled.
There are two basic types of these compact freezers.  The first kind is the mini chest freezer.  This type lays on its side and the top lifts off.  The second type is the mini upright freezer.  This kind stands up like a small refrigerator, and the door opens from the front.  Many reviews say that the upright freezers work a bit better because they allow for better air circulation than the chest freezers.  Upright freezers are easier to access as well, since they come with shelves to separate items.

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Some people have been asking me lately where they can get their hands on a Monster Energy Bar Fridge.  You have seen them before in gas stations, fast food restaurants, and convenience stores all over the world.  But you can’t find them on Amazon.com or at stores.  I did a bit of searching, and this is what you need to do to get a cool little monster energy refrigerator.

For Commercial Use

If you are looking for a Monster Energy fridge for a bar, store, restaurant, or snack bar, you can get one from the company.  What you need to do is contact them directly, and they will send a salesperson over to check out your location and talk to you about setting up an account.  Monster Energy is owned by the Hansen’s company, and they have sales representatives in every location.  Sometimes you will need to purchase the refrigerator yourself, but some companies want to promote their brand so they will give you one at a deep discount or maybe even free.  They do this because they know that if you don’t get their fridge, you will get one that promotes one of their competitors.  Contact them here if you are interested.

For Home Use

If you want one of these cool fridges for your own home, you won’t be able to get one from the company itself since they are meant for selling.  Luckily, there is another way to get them.  Due to the fact that stores and restaurants close down all the time, people are always trying to get rid of their equipment.  If you take a look at the online bulletin boards like Craigslist you can find them sometimes.  I have also seen them for sale on Ebay.
If you want to get a little creative, you can make one of them yourself. If you already have a mini refrigerator you can put a big Monster Energy sticker or decal on it, and it will look great.  You can find these online here.  If you need a mini fridge, there are some great cheap ones here on Amazon.

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The benefits of the portable mini refrigerator are many.  These days, pint-sized cool appliances are lightweight and easy to take with you anywhere you need them.  They can get go anywhere you go, but the only catch is that you need to plug them in.  The good thing about them is that these portable mini refrigerators are designed to run on the DC electricity that vehicles put out.  Just plug them into your cigarette lighter or DC adapter in your car, van, truck, RV, or boat, and you will have a place to keep food fresh and drinks cold.  A lot of these mini fridges also work as warmers as well, which makes them versatile appliances that are great on the road or water.  Here are some of the best portable refrigerators available.

Koolatron Portable Mini Refrigerators

Koolatron is one of the main producers of these portable refrigerators. They make units in a variety of styles and sizes, and all of them can be plugged into vehicles.  While they make a number of small units, one of their best products is the P-95 46 quart capacity portable refrigerator.  It is great for long road trips or when you need to make stops on your way home from the supermarket.  It can easily hold a gallon of milk and other things that need to be kept cold. Take a look at it here.

Coleman Portable Mini Refrigerator

One of the best units you can get is the Coleman Powerchill refrigerator.  It is a strong refrigerator that is built to keep things cool on the road, and is small enough to pick up easily but large enough to hold what you need.  Unlike other portable refrigerators, it includes an AC adapter, which means you will be able to plug it into normal outlets as well as vehicles.  This comes in handy when stopping overnight at motels.  Look here for more information.

Portable Mini Refrigerator Freezer

There are many portable refrigerators available, but it is really hard to find one that has a freezer as well. The Edgestar portable refrigerator freezer is just the thing if you need to keep things frozen and cold.  It is a powerful appliance designed to handle serious use.  It has a digital temperature display and can be adjusted from -8 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.  You should know that it only has one compartment, so it will either be a refrigerator or a freezer, depending on how cold you set the temperature.  It is also big enough to hold lots of stuff in its 63 quart capacity.  Another great feature this fridge has is that you can plug in both AC and DC power to it.  It will run on AC power, and then switch to DC if there is a power interruption.  Although it is technically not considered to be “mini”, it is still far smaller than a normal refrigerator and is definitely portable. See it here.

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I should start this review with a little information about the company.  Samsung is surely one whopper of a company.  The Samsung conglomerate is based in Korea and produces a list of items so large it would take me weeks just to list them all!  They are best known for their electronics, and are one of the top electronics manufacturers in the world.  Having succeeded in electronics, they branched out into kitchen appliances, and now you can get a fine Samsung American Fridge Freezer.
One point you should know is that Samsung is not an American company, and as far as my research has shown, their fridge freezers are not made in America.  But they still make lots of refrigerators.  Here are the different kinds of fridge freezers they make:

Samsung American French Door Fridge Freezer

One style that has taken the world by storm in recent years is the French door style. This attractive style has a large freezer on the bottom and a refrigerator on top with double doors that open up.  Samsung French door fridge freezers range in size from 20 cubic feet to 29 cubic feet, which is a lot larger than most conventional fridges.  They cost a bit more than your average refrigerator as well, with the cheaper models costing around $1,000 and the bigger units with more accessories costing up to $3,000.  Most French Door refrigerators are available in the colors black, white, or stainless steel (platinum).

Samsung American Side By Side Fridge Freezer

The great thing about side by side fridge freezers is that they give the freezer the same status as the refrigerator.  Some people (myself included) hate bending over and digging through the freezer for frozen items that are stacked on top of each other.  Side by side fridges let you arrange items neatly in the freezer and they are easily in reach.  The size of these fridge freezers is quite large as well, with 25 cubic foot models starting at around $1,000 and larger units costing upwards of $2,000.

Samsung American 4 Door Fridge Freezer

If you like the idea of the French door refrigerator, but want to take the design a step further, then the 4 door fridge freezer is for you.  The fridge has 2 sections, and the freezer has 2 as well.  The great thing about these appliances is that each separate section has its own controls, and is cooled separately with its own fan.  Samsung only makes one type of this fridge, and it comes in either black or stainless steel.  These have a capacity of 25 cubic feet  and cost around $2,400.

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If you are looking for something that will keep your drinks, snacks and other things cold, look no further than the 12 volt fridge.  These are portable refrigerators that are designed to be able to tag along wherever you go.  While other mini refrigerators have to get plugged into the normal electric sockets, 12v fridges can be connected to almost any vehicle.   You can use them in your car, truck, boat, camper van, or R.V. Here are some of the 12v refrigerators that are available.

The Koolatron Compact Kooler is made with a handle, so you can conveniently carry it around  This unit is specifically designed to be thin enough to fit behind a truck or car seat.  It gets plugged right into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter, and it cools down to 40 degrees colder than the surrounding temperature, making it wonderful for road trips of any length.

One 12v portable fridge that is different than the rest is the Roadpro 12v cooler bag.  Unlike other models, this is a soft and flexible cooler, which makes it very lightweight.  It has insulation that keeps things cold for a while even after you unplug it from the cigarette lighter.  It is large enough to hold 24 cans and comes with a shoulder strap for convenient lugging from place to place.

One of the most innovative designs in a 12v mini fridge that I’ve seen is the Wagan 18 liter 12v sport cooler with radio.  Wagan combined two wonderful portable things:  A way to keep beverages cold and a radio to entertain.  It plugs right into any 12 volt power source, and you can also get an adapter that will allow it to be plugged right into the wall in your home, office, or anywhere else you happen to be.  You can hook your MP3 into the radio, or just listen to the am/fm radio.

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If you are looking for a refrigerator that is made in America, you have a tough search ahead of you.  While there are many appliance manufacturers in America that make these products, American fridges that are actually made in the USA are hard to come by.  Most companies will produce all kinds of appliances, including refrigerators.  Different appliances may be produced in any number of countries.  Sometimes you can find an American fridge freezer that was made in the USA, but nearly all of the components were manufactured elsewhere!  If there is one feature that many American refrigerators have, it is an ice maker.  Many Americans love the convenience of being able to get cold water and ice through the door of their fridge, and this option is available in a surprisingly large number of units. Here is a review of the biggest  companies in America that produce fridges.

• General Electric: General Electric or GE for short is one of the oldest appliance manufacturers in the world.  They make all kinds of refrigerators, from mini fridges to full sized French door models.  Since G.E. has been a household name for a long, long time, they are almost synonymous with American fridges.

• Danby: Danby has been around since 1947, and focuses on the North American market. Danby seems to focus on the compact fridge market, producing many styles of small refrigerators.  Some are perfect for a dorm room or office, and others are made specifically for chilling wine or other beverages.
• Frigidaire: Frigidaire is a mega appliance manufacturer that produces American fridge freezers in all kinds of shapes, sizes and styles.  They sell everything from simple, affordable refrigerators to ultra-deluxe massive integrated fridges that cost thousands of dollars.
• Haier: Haier is another company that focuses on all things compact and tiny.  They produce a very popular line of “beverage center” refrigerators built to hold bottles and cans.  They also make mini refrigerators ranging from the ultra-tiny to those that stand about half the size of normal ones.
• Igloo: The name Igloo is synonymous with ice chest coolers, but they also produce some small fridges and chest freezers as well.
• Whirlpool: Whirlpool is another company that, like Frigidaire, produces many different kinds of appliances, including whirlpool American fridges.  Most of their models are full-sized models.  They manufacture both inexpensive, basic refrigerators and large and fancy models with high price tags as well.
• Maytag: Although the name Maytag usually comes up when talking about dishwashers and washing machines, they do make refrigerators as well.  Maytag fridges tend to be more high-end, with features like sleek stainless steel exteriors, side by side and French door styles.  Although they do have some units in the $800 range, many of them cost upwards of $1,200.

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There are a few appliances that are absolute necessities for a caravan, and a refrigerator is definitely one of them.  When most people are shopping for caravan fridges, they look for units that are about half the size of normal refrigerators.  If you have a large caravan and need a full-size refrigerator, you can use one of those.  Most people choose a smaller refrigerator though, since there isn’t always a lot of extra space.

The most popular size of caravan fridges is those that fit right under your countertop.  Most caravans are designed with a space for a refrigerator under the kitchen counter.  Due to the fact that there are so many different kinds of Caravans, you will need to take a tape measure and find the dimensions of the area your fridge will sit in.  The last thing you want to do is buy one that is too tall!

When it comes to powering your caravan fridge, you have a few choices.  If you have a constant power supply, you can get a normal fridge that only runs on normal 120 volt electricity.  This is fine for some users, but many people need a more flexible option because they don’t have a consistent A/C power supply.  If you want something high-end, you can consider an Electrolux caravan fridge.  They produce refrigerators that are packed with features to make sure you always have cold food and drinks in your caravan.

3 Way Caravan Fridge

If you are looking for a refrigerator that is more flexible in use, you should seriously consider a 3 way caravan fridge.  These units can be powered by any of the following:  120 volt A/C power, 12 volt DC power, (this is what many vehicles have), and propane.  A few companies make these fridges.  You can get a Norcold 3 way fridge with either a large or small capacity that will run on all three power sources.  Take a look at it here.
Another very reputable choice is a Dometic caravan fridge.  This company is a leader in propane refrigeration technology and produces some great refrigerators.  Some Dometic models are flex-fuel, which means they can burn kerosene or propane.   Due to the fact that different fuels are more readily available in different areas, this is a big advantage.  If you are looking for other kitchen appliances that don’t need electricity, a free standing gas cooker is easy to find and will work anywhere.

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Though nearly all refrigerators used today run on electricity, there is another way to power these appliances.  You can get a gas refrigerator that you don’t need to plug in.  They don’t need electricity to run, which makes them ideal for use in areas without a good power supply.  They are often used in rural cabins, recreational vehicles, and camps.  Though you can use a generator to produce electricity and use that to power a normal refrigerator, it is much simpler and easier to just use a gas fridge.

How a Gas Fridge Works

Gas fridges work by using the heat from burning a gas (usually propane) to separate ammonia from water, which is then cooled and circulated to keep the inside of the fridge nice and frosty.  They are actually pretty quiet, since there are no moving parts or fans.  They have a few components inside them which separate, condense, and cool off ammonia and other substances.  In addition to units that burn propane (called an lp gas fridge), you can also find a natural gas fridge, and even a kerosene fridge.  Depending on where you live, one type of fuel is probably cheaper and more readily available than the others.

Gas Powered Fridge Models

As far as exteriors go, most of these appliances look pretty similar.  They tend to be a bit smaller than normal refrigerators, with an average size of about 7.5 cubic feet.  With a few variations, most models of the gas fridge freezer pretty much work the same way.  A good example is the Danby propane refrigerator.  It has a capacity of 7.8 cubic feet, and the interior has all of the shelves, compartments, and other items that come standard with any fridge.  One thing to remember is that since these models don’t use any electricity, they almost always have a battery powered light that comes on when you open the door.  Over time, the battery might need changing.  Some models just use “D” batteries, but others use special long-lasting ones.

One of the biggest names in gas refrigerators is Dometic, which is a company from South Africa.  This company makes what it calls a gas electric fridge, which can run on both electricity and gas.  These units are wonderful for places that have unreliable electricity sources.  If the power goes out, you can switch it to gas and keep your food source safe and cold.  You can get a Dometic gas fridge that runs on propane, or you can get one that uses kerosene.  This is one of the only manufacturers in the world that produces dual electric kerosene refrigerators.

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There are only a few must-haves for a dorm room, and a dorm fridge is definitely one of them.  You need to have a place to keep beverages frosty, snacks handy, and other things like breakfast foods for when you don’t have time to hit the cafeteria.  Dorm room refrigerators, (which are also called a bar fridge) are also wonderful for tucking away the other half of that pizza you had delivered but couldn’t finish.  Believe me; the cheese and pepperoni isn’t very appetizing after being left out for 24 hours.  Although most dorms have communal kitchens, these tend to be easy targets for students with the late night munchies, and therefore aren’t good places to stash your food.  Here is a short guide to help you choose a good dorm refridgerator.

Basically, there is nothing different between dorm refrigerators and regular mini fridges.  These little appliances need to fit into your way-too-small dorm room.  The smallest of these units is only about a foot tall, so you can easily put it on top of a shelf or even in the closet.  You should get one that is a little bigger though, especially if there will be two people using it.  A size of 3 cubic feet or larger should be enough room to hold your stuff, and it will only be a little bigger than the tiny ones.

Dorm Refrigerator Features

1. Although most of these little fridges tend to be pretty basic, here are a few features that you should look for:
2. Find one with a good freezer in it.  Many dorm size refrigerators have tiny freezer compartments that tend to either ice up or melt whatever you put in there.  Look for one that comes with a full width freezer with a good door on it.
3. Get one that has a flat top that you can use for a counter.  This comes in handy for preparing simple meals.

Look for a unit that says it is “frost free”, which means it will be less likely to ice up.  It is a pain to clean up an iced up fridge in a dorm room with no sink in it!

Dorm Refrigerator Prices

Small dorm refrigerators these days go for as little as $50 or so.  Most college students tend to buy whatever is the cheapest.  Don’t worry about the outside look of it so much. You can slap a few stickers on it to brighten it up.  Many colleges, mine included, had guys prowling the dorm areas when new students moved in, trying to either sell you a used fridge or rent one to you for the year.  You can check the prices, but it is often cheaper to buy a new one than to rent one from one of these guys.  You can simply order one right here on amazon, and it will be delivered right to your dorm in a couple of days.  Alternatively, order one before you leave for school and bring it with you.

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Many people want a small refrigerator to keep their beverages cool and frosty.  When you just don’t have the need or the need for a full size refrigerator, a mini bar fridge is just what you are looking for.  They come in different sizes, from the ultra tiny to fridges that are about half the size of regular ones.  Here is a guide to the different kinds of mini bar fridges that are available.

The Beverage Center Mini Bar Fridge

A great style of mini bar fridge is the beverage center.  These are great little refrigerators, and they have a glass front, so you can see in it without having to open it all the time.  The beverage center fridge is very common in both in-home bars as well as  restaurants, snack bars, boats, and other business locations that simply need a small fridge that can hold lots of cans or bottles.  Most of these models are designed to hold lots of cans, but there are some that can hold bottles as well.  The Haier HBCN05EBB beverage center is designed to hold 96 cans and 46 bottles of wine.  The shelves are coated with vinyl to keep the bottles from slipping off.

If you are just looking for something cheap that will keep your drinks chilled, you can get a normal bar mini fridge that is compact and inexpensive.  These usually don’t have glass fronts, but they work great.  The Igloo FR180 is very small, with a capacity of just 1.7 cubic feet.  That is enough to hold a couple six packs of cans or bottles, as well as a few snacks.  These units are available at argos if you are in the UK.

If you have a business and are looking for a fridge that will attract attention, you can try getting something like the Monster Energy Drink mini bar fridge.  It has the complete logo and design on it.  You can also get fridges designed with many other beverage brand designs.  Some people get one with their favorite sports team logo on it.  As an added bonus, many of these refrigerators come with adjustable hinges on them, so you can choose which way you want it to open.

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There are a few kinds of bar fridges.  Some are meant to hold only beverages like cans or bottles.  Others are made specifically for wine.  Still others are designed for a combination of food and drinks, like a mini bar.  Although sizes vary, usually bar fridge dimensions range from very small with a capacity of under 2 cubic feet to quite large, although a bar fridge for sale usually doesn’t get much bigger than 5 cubic feet or 3 feet tall.  Any bigger than that, and you can just get a normal upright fridge.  Here are the types of bar fridges available and the best models.

Normal Bar Fridges

For everyday normal use, there are lots of bar fridges to choose from.  You should think about what you might want to put in the fridge before you choose one.  If you are primarily going to use it for cans and bottles, you might want to get one without drawers, so you can fit more beverages inside.  Here are some of the most popular models available:
The Sanyo SR-3770S is a great little refrigerator.  It is quite large, standing at counter height, which is almost 3 feet.  This Sanyo is a stainless steel bar fridge, which means it will look great anywhere you put it.  It features a built-in vertical can dispenser and plenty of space both inside and on the door.  Another great feature that this fridge has is a full-width freezer, which comes in very handy when you need some ice.  A small bar fridge usually won’t have a good freezer like this.

The Glass Front Bar Fridge

There are great bar fridges available that are specifically designed to hold lots of cans.  These fridges are called “beverage centers”, and are a great solution

if you need to chill lots of cans.  They are used in all kinds of places, from snack bars to boats to workplaces and schools.    This type of refrigerator is rated according to how many cans it can hold.  Sizes vary from 60 cans up to 150 or more.  The Haier 150 can beverage center is a great little fridge.  Its bar fridge glass door lets you see what is inside without having to open it.  If you are looking for a light-use commercial bar fridge, this type would work well.  It is reasonably priced as well, at just $200, although you can get cheaper beverage centers that hold a smaller quantity of cans.

Mini Bar Fridges

The mini bar fridge is the most common type of bar fridge.  These are the ones that you see in practically every decent hotel room in the world.  Although they are technically just a mini fridge, they do have some distinctions that differentiate them from their little cousins.  The biggest feature that sets them apart is that the good ones use a different method to produce cold air. While other refrigerators use compressors to chill the air, a good mini bar will use what is called the absorption technique.  The result is a completely silent mini bar fridge.  Hotels don’t want noisy refrigerators waking up their guests, and they are willing to pay a lot of money for these silent fridges.  One of the leading manufacturers of mini bar fridges is Summit.  The Summit mini bar fridges features the silent technology and a door lock.

Other Types of Bar Fridges

There are a few other types of bar fridges that are designed for specific uses.  One of them is the wine bar fridge.  Unlike the beverage centers, these fridges are specifically designed to hold bottles of wine.  They come in various sizes, ranging from 6 bottle to 28 bottles or more capacities.  They also have glass doors and thermostats that are far superior to normal fridges.

Another type of fridge is specifically designed for use at a bar.  There are models that are built more sturdy and can hold up to heavy everyday use, such as a back bar fridge.  You can also get an under bar fridge that fits right under your bar, making it conveniently out of sight from customers.

Tags: Appliances, Refrigerators by Jeffrey
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Many people have heard of a cabinet depth refrigerator, but don’t really know what it is.  Basically, cabinet depth refrigerators are made so that they don’t stick out farther than your cabinets.  These great appliances can be very useful as a bar fridge in the home or outdoor kitchen as well.

Cabinet Depth Refrigerator Dimensions

There are different depths available, and they range from around 24 inches to 30 inches.  In comparison, a normal refrigerator is usually between 30 and 34 inches deep, which means that it sticks out past the cabinets quite a bit.  The truth is that even a cabinet depth refrigerator has to stick out just a little.  Otherwise you wouldn’t be able to open the doors.  Due to the fact that the the cabinet depth fridge is not as deep, they tend to have a smaller capacity than normal refrigerators.  Some manufacturers make up for this by giving them extra width or height.

Why Choose a Cabinet Depth Refrigerator?

The main reason why many people choose a cabinet depth refridgerator is because it integrates your refrigerator with the rest of your kitchen better.  You can often get a customized refrigerator with wooden panels that match your cabinets.  If your cabinets are stainless steel, it is easy to find a refrigerator with a stainless steel outside.

Although some people opt for a completely built in refrigerator, these cost quite a bit of money, and nearly always involve a complete kitchen remodeling.  Cabinet depth models are very popular simply because you can get one that integrates nicely without having to renovate your entire kitchen.

Cabinet Depth Refrigerator Manufacturers

There are a number of companies that manufacture these large appliances.  They tend to be of higher quality than most normal fridges, and they cost a bit more as well.  Here are some of the brands available.

If you are looking for an inexpensive model, you can get an LG cabinet depth refrigerator for under $1,000.  Compared to other brands, this is a great deal.  One of the reasons why they don’t cost a whole lot is because they are definitely on the small side.  At only 10 cubic feet, that is smaller than even the smallest normal refrigerator.   LG produces good quality refrigerators, but they aren’t customizable like those of other brands.

With a capacity of between 20 and 24 cubic feet, a Jenn Air cabinet depth refrigerator is twice the size of an LG.  In addition to being bigger, they are also packed full of features that the LG doesn’t have.  Conveniences like a built-in water filter and dispenser, electronic control panel and temperature display, and roll out shelves among many other things make it a luxury.  As far as integration goes, you can customize a Jenn Air refrigerator with your own panels to match other kitchen features.

An Amana cabinet depth refrigerator is an excellent choice as well.  Amana makes many different styles of fridges, including recently popular French door cabinet depth refrigerators.  These large and beautiful models have a large freezer compartment on the bottom and a full size kitchen on top, which can be accessed by opening either one of the two doors.  There is also a cabinet depth side by side refrigerator model available, which have the refrigerator on one side and the freezer on the other.

The colors that come standard in almost all of these models are white, black, and stainless steel.  White is the most common and popular, but many kitchens are going with the complete stainless steel look.  A stainless cabinet depth refrigerator can add to the sleek and stylish look this metal offers.  Black is a good choice if you want to either match or contrast your refrigerator with other appliances or features in the kitchen.  Another way to match appliances with cabinets is by choosing knobs and handles that are the same.  Here is a good site to take a look at when considering if your cabinet hardware goes with your refrigerator.

Tags: Appliances, Refrigerators by Jeffrey
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There are many reasons why a mini freezer might come in handy.  Maybe you just don’t have enough room in your normal refrigerator freezer for everything.  Here are a few things that you can use a mini freezer for:

• Buy items when they are on sale to save money, and then freeze them until you are ready to use them.
• Grow lots and lots of vegetables in the summer, and freeze them so you can pull them out and use them all winter.
• Pick or buy berries, apples, or any other fruit when it is in season, and keep it in the freezer to use the rest of the year.  Fruits are double or triple the price when they are out of season.
• Bake bread, cookies, or other foods and freeze them for later use.
• Cook extra of whatever you are making and put it in containers so you can simply pull them out and reheat them for quick and easy meals when you don’t have much time to cook.

Whatever the reason for needing it, one of these mini freezers can be of great help.  A mini fridge with freezer doesn’t get cold enough to freeze items inside.  You need a real freezer.  If you don’t want to put it in the kitchen, you can easily keep it in the garage or somewhere else that is out of the way.  Most people who have these appliances don’t use it as much as the refrigerator.  For this reason, you can keep it out of your kitchen if you want to, but still within easy reach.

Mini freezers for sale come in a few sizes.  The smallest ones are about 2 cubic feet, and the larger have capacities of about 5 cubic feet.  If you want something any bigger than that, you have plenty of options as well, but they are just not called “mini freezers” any more!

On the small side, we have the Avanti mini freezer that is 2.2 cubic feet.  It stands upright, which means that the top opens, instead of the door.  It has a few basic features, including a quick freeze button for when you want to get something ice cold fast.  In addition, there is a drain at the bottom for when you want to defrost it   Rounding out the features is a  removable storage basket, and it comes with wheels on the bottom, which makes it easy to move around.

If you want a mini freezer that is bigger, there is a Frigidaire mini freezer with a capacity of 5 cubic feet.  This chest freezer has almost the same features as the Avanti model above.  As far as mini freezers go, there isn’t a whole lot to them.  They pretty much only have one job to do, and that is keep whatever you put in them frozen.  If they get iced up, you have to take everything out, turn it off, and drain the water out when the ice melts.  Other than that, they just keep doing what they are supposed to.

If you need both a refrigerator and freezer, there really isn’t such thing as a mini fridge freezer that has both.  The mini fridges almost always have tiny little freezers that don’t work too well and aren’t big enough to fit much more than ice cubes.  If you try to use the mini refrigerator freezer, you will often find that whatever you put in there doesn’t freeze solid and it ices up quickly.  If you need to keep some things chilled, and others frozen, instead of buying a mini freezer fridge combination, you could buy them separately.  Just get one bar fridge, and a separate freezer entirely. If you have room in your kitchen, you could also just get a large sized refrigerator.

Tags: Appliances, Freezers, Refrigerators by Jeffrey
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Chances are you have seen a Smeg fridge before.  They are the refrigerators that are completely unique.  They stand out, way out from other appliance around the world.  Perhaps the best part of getting a Smeg fridge is that you can get one in sixteen different colors, from yellow to bright pink to pastel blue.  They even have fridge freezers in multi-colored stipes and the union jack.  If one of these crazy colors is not for you, you can also get a black Smeg fridge.

While every other appliance manufacturer in the world seems to be focused on designing products that look like they are from the future, Smeg has built itself a great reputation by making products that look more like they did fifty years ago.  Smeg is an Italian company, and they make appliances like ranges, washing machines and dryers as well.  Smeg fridges are available in the UK, the USA, and many other places around the world.  Here is a guide for those of you who want to get your hands on a Smeg fridge freezer.

Smeg fridges come in three different product lines:

50’s Retro Style

This is the basic model and, like its name suggests, looks like a refrigerator looked like in the 50’s.  It has rounded edges, one an old-school handle, and a look that takes you way, way back.  If you really want to have a kitchen with character, get yourself a pink smeg fridge or another crazy color.  Despite the old fashioned looks, the Smeg retro fridge is modern on the inside.  The retro features an antimicrobial interior, adjustable door bins, and your other basic fridge items like glass shelves and an ice cube tray.

Smeg Piano Design

The Piano design model is a step up from the retro.  Although the piano still sports the retro look, it is sleeker, taller, and more sophisticated looking than the 50’s retro.  The inside of this fridge is superior as well.  The piano features a stainless steel interior to ward off bacteria.  It has a large capacity at 351 liters (fridge and freezer combined).  Other features include digital temperature displays, internal neon lights, a wine rack, a super freeze mode for the freezer, and a door alarm that lets you know if you forgot to shut it properly.

Classic Design

The classic design line from Smeg is for those of you who don’t want the retro, old fashioned look.  It is a normal looking refrigerator with a design much like any of the other fridges produced around the world.  What sets Smeg apart however is its attention to detail and quality construction.  The Smeg classic features a capacity of 360 liters, electronic temperature controls displays and a door alarm that goes off if you forget to close it.  The Freezer has quite a few features itself, which come in handy.  Most freezers are pretty lacking in the feature department, but the Smeg classic freezer has four transparent drawers in it, including a deep drawer on the bottom.  In addition, it is completely frost free.

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Sometimes you just don’t have space for a six foot tall behemoth of a fridge.  Maybe you want a fridge for your dorm room, office, camper, or even in your car.  There are many cases when mini refrigerators are needed.  Quality is important for a mini fridge.  Some of them don’t seem to work very well, and many have that silly little freezer compartment that hardly works at all.  There are a few that do work great, however.  Let’s take a look at some of the different kinds and models so that you can choose one that is right for you.

Normal Mini Refrigerators

These are your basic pint-sized refrigerators.  Also called (and used as) the bar fridge, they have an capacity of anywhere between 3 and 5 cubic feet, which is enough room to hold a fair amount of stuff.  Let’s take a look at two models, so you know the difference between cheap mini refrigerators and higher quality ones.

At the high end of the spectrum, we have the Sanyo SR-4912M.  This Sanyo mini refrigerator is actually pretty big, as far as the little guys go.  It is counter height, which is 33.8 inches high.  If your kitchen just doesn’t have room for a full sized fridge, you can put one of these right under the counter.  This model is only a fridge.  It doesn’t even try to put a mini freezer that doesn’t work in it, like so many manufacturers do.  It has reversible hinges, so you can switch the way the door opens if you want to.  It is also big enough to put a gallon of milk on the door, and has four shelves in the main compartment.  Another good feature is that the back is smooth, and the ugly-looking coils are hidden inside.  This product sells for $264.

At the lower end of the price range, we have a Haier mini refrigerator.  It is much smaller than the Sanyo, with a capacity of only 1.7 cubic feet.  This is big enough to put some snacks and drinks, all you need in an office or dorm room.  Even though it is small, it does have a little freezer compartment.  Haier knows that its mini refridgerators are going to ice up, so it conveniently provides a defrost drain.  Like the Sanyo, this model also features a reversible door hinge, and an adjustable thermostat.  It costs less because it is smaller.  This one costs $80.

Also worth mentioning is the Magic Chef mini refrigerator.  They make your basic no-frills models, ranging in sizes from 1.7 to 3.6 cubic feet, and feature full-length freezers.    Their prices are in the same range as a Haier, but you can get a big 3.6 cubic foot model for just $80.  If you are looking for just a basic office mini refrigerator, or one for your dorm room, this is a good choice.

Portable Mini Refrigerators

Unlike regular mini fridges, a portable mini frigerator is light enough to carry wherever you need it.  The better ones can either be plugged into a socket or plugged into a vehicle.  The reason why these models are so light is because they are REALLY small.  Most of them are only big enough to hold a six-pack of cans, or a few small food items.  One good feature some of these portable models have is that they can either cool things down or keep them warm.  This comes in handy on long car rides when you need to keep baby bottles or food warm.  There are lots of styles and colors to choose from (you can get a metallic pink mini refrigerator), or one with your favorite sports team’s logo on it.  If all you want is a cheap mini refrigerator, you can go with one of these.  Some cost as low as $20.

Mini Wine Refrigerators

Wine refrigerators are made specifically for chilling wine.  Although theoretically you could just use a regular mini fridge, dedicated wine refrigerators are much better.  They have specially designed racks that can hold anywhere from 6 to 48 bottles, depending on the size of the mini wine fridge.  What sets these refrigerators apart is that most of them have fans that circulate cool air around, so all of the bottles are evenly chilled.  In addition, they tend to have better thermostat controls because it would be pretty bad if wine bottles were to freeze.

As you can see, there are quite a few varieties of the compact mini refrigerator.  Some of them are small and light enough to pick up by the handle and carry around.  Others are about half the size of normal sized fridges.

Tags: Appliances, Refrigerators by Jeffrey
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When it comes to buying a new fridge freezer, there are lots of options that you need to consider.  There are many different companies that manufacture these large appliances, and some of them are better than others.  When it comes to evaluating these fridges, we consider craftsmanship, style, functionality, size, and price.  You have a choice between an American fridge freezer and one made in the UK or another country.  Many of these appliances are also manufactured in Asia these days as well.

When choosing a fridge freezer, you will need to think about how the unit is set up.  Basic vertical units with the fridge on top and the freezer below are usually the cheapest models.  This type of fridge comes in sizes from small to medium size.  The main drawback to the vertical fridge is that it is a little bit harder to get items in or out of the freezer underneath.  In addition, the freezer usually has just one or two compartments, which means frozen items end up getting stacked on top of each other.  Nonetheless, upright fridge freezers are probably the most common unit in the world.  They are inexpensive, stylish, and fully functional, which are the features that most shoppers are looking for.
If you don’t want a vertically aligned unit, a side by side fridge freezer is almost always larger in size than its upright counterpart.  If your household fills up the fridge quickly and your fridge always seems to be completely full, this type of fridge might be your best choice.  Many side by side fridge freezers have a capacity of 500 or 600 + liters.  This should be plenty of space for the average family.  Side by side units tend to come with more features as well, such as automatic ice makers and ice/water dispensers that usually aren’t available in upright units.  Finally, the side by side style offers more convenience, since you don’t have to bend down and dig through the freezer to find what you need.

Here are some of the major appliance manufacturers that sell fridge freezers:

Smeg fridge freezers

These are some of the most stylish, feature filled appliances available today.  They come in a range of colors unheard of in the refrigerator industry, and can add color and style to your kitchen.  In addition, they are of high quality and full of features.  Even a Smeg fridge freezer that appears to be simple in design comes with features like digital temperature readouts, glass trays, and high powered coolers.

Hotpoint fridge freezers

These appliances are an excellent choice as well.  The company has made an effort to add extra features, and they are your typical American fridge freezers.  The side by side Hotpoint fridge freezer has an external temperature display and controls, so you can notice right away when anything is amiss.  In addition, the crisper on the bottom of the fridge seals tight to keep produce fresh down there.  If you are looking for a vertically stacked Hotpoint fridge freezer, they come in a variety of sizes.  They all come with the freezer on the top, which means more bending over to put away or remove items in the fridge.

LG Fridge Freezers

If you are looking for a refrigerator that is high quality, durable, and very stylish, you might consider an LG fridge freezer.  A relative newcomer on the refrigerator scene, LG is certainly outdoing the competition in many areas.  They feature many different models to choose from, from basic fridges to ultra-deluxe side by side units that are fantastic inside and out.  In addition, many units come in colors that match the rest of the kitchen.  Many consumers are looking for a silver fridge freezer to match other stainless steel appliances in their kitchen.  LG carries both vertical and side by side models that come in silver, black, or white colors.  At the high end, it has a side by side model that features what is called a homebar.  You can reach into a section of the fridge and easily grab frequently used items without having to open the main door of the fridge.  This saves energy because the cold air stays in.

Samsung Fridge Freezers

Samsung refrigerators are in a class of their own.  They are focused on the high end of the spectrum, and are sleek, stylish, functional, and superior in quality.  They are more expensive than other brands, but they are worth the price.  Samsung refrigerators come in a variety of styles that are unique to the company.  These include the French door model, which has two doors that open up a large capacity fridge, with a freezer underneath it.  Another unique model is the four door Samsung fridge freezer.  Just like the name suggests, it has a two dual door fridge on top and a dual door freezer on the bottom.  Behind each of the four doors is a separate compartment, each cooled individually.  The prices of Samsung fridges and freezers start at around $1,000 and can cost upwards of $3,000 for the huge top of the line models.

Bosch Fridge Freezers

Another player in the high end refrigerator market is Bosch.  Like Samsung, they also produce sleek and stylish units built for the most discerning customers.  Unlike other manufacturers, they don’t offer low end models.  A high end Bosch fridge freezer is packed with so many features, bells, and whistles that there are too many to list here.  Take a look at the Bosch fridge freezers page for an in-depth review.

The price you pay for your refrigerator depends on the type, size, and features that the model has.  If you are just looking for cheap fridge freezers, you will probably find it with a Hotpoint or LG.  Added accessories can boost the price of a refrigerator by hundreds of dollars, so keep this in mind.  Many people wonder whether the convenience of having ice water available from the door of their fridge is worth paying a couple hundred extra dollars for.

Tags: Appliances, Refrigerators by Jeffrey
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