New Fridge Freezer Advice

elsmandino

Hello there.

My Fridge Freezer has literally just packed up - dreadful timing.

It was a LG GRF459BSCA - if you type that model into Google, virtually nothing comes up, so it is pretty old and definitely not worth trying to fix.

The serial number begins with "801", which suggests the very beginning of 2008.

I have done a bit of research and have overwhelmed myself a bit.My main requirements are that I do not want a water dispenser (our old one had it and we literally never used it).

The fridge should be tall (given that we have a high roof in our kitchen), but no more than about 60 cms wide.

How much is it reasonable to spend on a fridge freezer, these days?  (e.g. is there a minimum spend to get something worthwhile).

Are there any brands to look for/avoid?

What sort of rating should I be looking for?  A+ and A++ seem the norm at the moment - is it worth paying more for the latter?

Any pointers would be very much appreciated.

JJ_Egan

Key point is who will deliver and when .

elsmandino

I have heard that AO are still delivering - do you think I am going to struggle?

Frozen_up_north

Try John Lewis, we have a freezer arriving this week from them. AO were completely out of stock of freezers. Stock of fridge/freezers may be OK, but freezers seem to be in short supply,

Cisco001

Just to remind you to choose one with metal backplate.

molerat

Also make sure the fridge is larger than you think you need.  Modern fridges need a very good unrestricted internal airflow to maintain the cold temperature all over, stuffing them full restricts that and things at the front will not keep cold.

RumRat

All the main suppliers are delivering subject to stock.

DCFC79

John Lewis will only deliver to your doorstep or a garage and wont enter your property.
I could bd wrong but Ao say they will deliver the item inside your property.

John_Gray

We recently got a decent Bosch from a local dealer for £429.  You probably won't get a respected make for much less than that.....

The deliverers said they were snowed under (ho-ho, deep freeze) with deliveries of fridges and fridge-freezers, and some were now out of stock since "everybody wants one".

elsmandino

Thanks, everyone.
One other quick thing - how important is it to leave a gap between both sides of the fridge?
I have read that some Bosch models are "perfect fit", which means that they are able to go tight up against walls on either side.
However, I have also read that as long as there a gap along the back wall and at the top, any fridge can have cabinets/walls tight up against the sides.

At the moment, Bosch seem to be looking like a likely candidate for me.
I know this is a bit cheeky, but does anyone have access to Which and have what their recommended brands and models are?

EssexExile

The main thing you need is air going under the appliance, up the back & out the top, I wouldn't worry about the sides. I wouldn't bother with what Which? says either (years of experience).