The History of the Refrigerator
The conventional refrigeration of foods generates significant greenhouse gas emissions due to leakage of refrigerant, as well as the use of electricity. In 2019, these emissions represented 3.2% of total UK territorial GHG emissions.
Fridges didn't become commonplace in British homes until the summer of 1959. Prior to that, the majority of households relied on cold slabs in pantries. They were inefficient in keeping an even temperature and caused much food loss.
The History of Fridges in the refridgerator uk (source website)
Fridges are one of the most essential kitchen appliances, allowing us to keep food and drinks fresh for a few days at a time. They're also incredibly energy-efficient. It's easy to forget that refrigerators were once a luxury, however. It wasn't until the 1950s that they began to gain popularity. But even then it took a particularly hot summer where to buy fridge freezer make them become popular in the UK.
Before fridges were invented, people would use the insulated ice containers to keep their foods cool. In the winter they would collect blocks of ice on lakes and keep them in storage for warmer months. However, the ice boxes were not ideal. They were heavy and needed to be carried by an "ice man". The first electric refrigerators appeared into the market in 1918, but it was some time before they became widespread in homes.
The energy efficiency of fridges has improved significantly over the years. They use less energy than they did ten years ago. Some fridges only use 4 kW*h a day (equivalent of 170 W continuously). The majority of refrigerators in the US are energy efficient, with a majority being rated A+.
In the 1950s, manufacturers introduced fridges with separate freezer compartments. They also started producing models with a chrome finish, which was quite popular at the time. Since then, fridges are available in a variety of colours and finishes. In the 1960s, pastel shades like turquoise and pink were very popular. Earth tone colors, such as avocado green and almond, became more popular in the 1970s and the 1980s. By the 1990s stainless steel was a popular choice.
Fridges in the 1920s
Before refrigerators, people utilized wooden covered "ice boxes" to store fresh food and drinks. Ice men would bring blocks of ice to fill them, and they kept things cool throughout the year. These ice boxes could be found in well-off kitchens.
In 1918, the first electric refrigerator was introduced. It sat atop of the existing icebox in a home. They were bulky and noisy, as well as expensive. The motor was located on the top of the cabinet. They were also known as monitor-tops. William C. Durant purchased the Mellowes Refrigerator Company in 1918 and established the Guardian Frigidaire to mass-produce refrigerators. Durant was inspired by a design developed by Cistercian monk Marcel Audiffren and Swiss engineer Albert Singrun. This was a refrigerator that absorbed sulfur dioxide.
In the 1920s, these modern refrigerators were affordable for many homes. They could hold more food and beverages, and kept it colder for longer than old ice boxes.
Advertising on refrigerators was creative appealing, captivating and filled with promises of ice cold beverages and stylish designs. Vintage ads are fascinating to read as they provide an insight into what life was like when they were in the past.
At the time of the 1920s, electric refrigerators were in almost all homes. Electric utilities aided this trend by offering rebates on their bills to those who purchased refrigerators. The popularity of refrigerators increased even more during the Great Depression when they were considered vital to the survival of the home.
Fridges in the 1950s
Refrigerators were still scarce in the 1920s but became increasingly commonplace during the 1950s. By the late 1960s they were commonplace in the majority of homes.
The first fridges were utilitarian and simple appliances that matched the decor of the kitchen. The fridges were usually smaller and sat on legs. They were available in a range of colors (though the majority were pastels like mint). At the time, a number companies were producing refrigerators, including Whirlpool, Gibson, Hotpoint and Tappan.
These brands were all known for their high-quality and reliable refrigerators. These brands also had other types of appliances in their range. For instance, Crosley was a manufacturer of radios before they moved into refrigerators in the 1940's. They were known for their compact refrigerators that could be tucked away in smaller space.
In the 1950's, refrigerators became more stylish and were advertised as a status symbol for housewives. They were designed to match cabinets and walls in the kitchen, and were generally white and featured chrome handles.
Then in the '60s refrigerators began to evolve into gadget-oriented machines that came with things like separate freezer sections as well as ice cube makers. In addition, manufacturers began to use cheaper materials and were able to offer the fridges at lower prices.
Fridges in the 1960s
In the 1960s, refrigerators were a necessity in a lot of households. Some families even had two refrigerators. They were costly for a while - in America the average fridge cost $600 (that's about $7000 in 2024 dollars) However, by the end of the 60s, they had dropped to $200.
The refrigerator was a major advancement in the early days, changing kitchens and transforming the way we preserved food. The fridge was also a wonderful home comfort as it kept meat and dairy fresher longer. This enabled people to shop in bulk prepare meals ahead of time and keep them in the fridge.
The first fridges were made of toxic gases such as ammonia, methyl chloride, and sulfur dioxide for refrigeration, however this was dangerous for humans because these gases were released from refrigerators. A number of people died from poisoning, and it was only in 1929 that a more secure method for cooling food, using carbon dioxide, was invented.
This means that manufacturers could create safer and more efficient refrigerators for use in homes, with certain refrigerators having an internal freezer compartment accessible by opening the fridge door. These fridges were referred to as bi-door and were extremely popular in the 1950s and 1960s.
The 1960s refrigerators were more sleek and more modern. They had soft curves, and a sleek style that suggested a time of efficiency and home freedom. The refrigerators were large however the boxy style of the 1940s was beginning to fade.
Today's fridges
The latest fridge freezers are available in a variety of styles, colors and finishes that can be adapted to your individual tastes and kitchen decors. Some come with smart features that connect to Wi-Fi, offering an easy way to alter the settings, and some have a built-in camera for checking inside your refrigerator from any location.
French door models dominate the market as consumers seek out modern features and designs, such as dispensers of ice or water and flex drawers. In certain instances smart screens are included. A lot of these appliances are also evaluated as A B, A or even A+ for energy efficiency following the revamp of the mandatory labelling system in UK appliances.
We like this Hotpoint model due to its sleek design, which features a clever UVNano technology that self-sterilizes the fridge to kill germs and a pair of salad drawers that have adjustable humidity sliders. It's also large, with plenty of space for bottles, jars and a large fridge freezer uk utility compartment inside the fridge's door.
Refrigerators that don't include a traditional ice tray can consume up to four times more energy than those that do, so look for those with an eco-friendly ICE+ option that uses much less energy. You can also save money by opting for one that comes with an automatic ice maker. This will create a constant supply of ice that is ready to use in the morning.
The best thing you can do to help the environment is to buy fridge freezers fridges with an energy efficiency rating of either A or A+. When selecting a refrigerator, it's an ideal idea to include the annual consumption of electricity of the refrigerator in your household budget. It is essential to keep in mind that we cannot afford to take electricity for granted. Everyone deserves access to affordable, reliable and plentiful electricity to lead a healthy lifestyle, be comfortable, and protect the planet.