The History of the Refrigerator
The standard refrigeration of food generates an enormous amount of greenhouse gas emissions due to leakage of refrigerant as well as electrical power consumption. In 2019, these emissions accounted for 3.2 percent of the total Refridgerator uk annual territorial GHG emissions.
1959 was the first time that fridges became common in British homes. Prior to 1959, the majority of British households relied sale on fridge freezers uk cold slabs kept in the pantry. These were inefficient at maintaining an even temperatures and triggered a lot of food spoilage.
The History of Fridges in the UK
Fridges are essential kitchen appliances that let us keep food and drinks fresh for many days. They're also incredibly energy-efficient. It's easy to forget that fridges were once considered luxury, however. In fact it wasn't until 1950s when they began to really gain popularity. In the beginning, it was an extremely hot British summer that led to their popularity.
Before refrigerators were invented people used insulated iceboxes to keep their food cool. They would harvest blocks of ice from lakes during the winter, and then store them throughout the warm seasons. The ice boxes were far from ideal, though. They were heavy and needed to be carried by an "ice man". The first electric refrigerators came in 1918, but it was a while before they were commonplace in homes.
Today, fridges are much more energy efficient than they used to be. They use less energy than they did ten years ago. Some fridges only use 4 kW*h of power per day (equivalent of 170 W continuously). A lot of domestic refrigerators come with an A+ energy rating.
In the early 1950s manufacturers began to introduce refrigerators with freezer compartments that were separate. They also began making models with a chrome finish, which was very popular at the time. Since then, refrigerators are available in a variety of colors and finishes. Pastel shades, such as pink and turquoise, were popular in the 1960s. Earth tone colors, like almond and avocado green became increasingly popular in the 1970s and 1980s. In the early 1990s stainless steel was beginning to dominate.
Fridges in the 1920s
Before fridges, people used insulated wooden "ice boxes" to store food and drinks that were fresh. Icemen would bring blocks of ice to fill them and they'd keep things cool throughout the year. Ice boxes can be found in well-off kitchens.
In 1918, the first electric refrigerator was introduced. It sat atop of the existing ice box in a home. They were noisy, heavy and expensive. They were also known as monitor-tops due to their motor on the top of the cabinet. William C. Durant bought out the Mellowes refrigerator company in 1918 and set up the Guardian Frigidaire company to mass produce refrigerators. Durant was inspired by a design by Cistercian Monk Marcel Audiffren, and Swiss Engineer Albert Singrun. This was an absorption refrigerator, using sulfur dioxide as a refrigerant.
In the 1920s, these new refrigerators became affordable to many homes. They were able to accommodate more food and drinks and stayed cooler for longer than old ice boxes.
Refrigerator advertising was creative engaging, captivating and full of promises of cold drinks and stylish designs. The ads from the past are fascinating to read because they offer a glimpse into what life was like back then.
At the close of the 1920s, electric refrigeration was in nearly all homes. Electric utilities encouraged the trend by offering discounts to customers who purchased refrigerators. In the Great Depression, these appliances were considered essential to home survival, and their popularity grew even more.
Fridges in the 1950s
Refrigerators were still scarce in the 1920s, but were more commonplace in the 1950s. In the 1960s they were commonplace in the majority of homes.
The first fridges were utilitarian and simple appliances that fit in with kitchen decor. The fridges were usually smaller and sat on legs. They came in a variety of colors (though most were pastels - think mint). In the era of refrigeration, a number companies were making refrigerators such as Whirlpool, Gibson, Hotpoint and Tappan.
These brands were known for high-quality and reliable refrigerators. They also offered other kinds of appliances in their line. For example, Crosley was a manufacturer of radios prior to their move into refrigerators in the 1940's and were famous for their small refrigerators that fitted well in smaller space.
In the 1950s, refrigerators were more stylish and were marketed to housewives as a status sign. They were designed to match cabinets and walls in the kitchen, and were typically white with chrome handles.
In the 1960s refrigerators began to evolve into gadget-driven appliances that included things like separate freezer sections and ice cube makers. In addition manufacturers began using less expensive materials and were able to offer them at much more affordable prices.
Fridges in the 1960s
Fridges finally became a staple in most households in the 1960s, with a lot of families even having two fridges. They were costly for a time - in America the average cheapest fridge freezers uk cost on average $600 (that's approximately $7000 in 2024 dollars) however by the end of the 60s they were only $200.
The refrigerator was a major advancement at the time, transforming kitchens and transforming the way we stored food. The fridge also improved the comfort of homes as it helped keep meat and dairy fresher longer, allowing people to purchase in bulk and prepare meals in advance and put them away to be used later.
The first fridges were made of harmful gases like ammonia, methyl chloride and sulfur dioxide for refrigeration, however this was dangerous for humans because these gases escaped from refrigerators. Many people died of poisoning and it was only in 1929 that a more secure method of cooling food using carbon dioxide, was invented.
This means that manufacturers could create more efficient and safer refrigerators for use in homes, with certain refrigerators featuring an internal freezer compartment accessible through the refrigerator's door. These were referred to as bi-door refrigerators and were popular in the 1950s and 1960s.
The refrigerators of the 1960s were more futuristic than those of today, featuring soft curves and an overall modern look that suggested an era of efficiency and domestic freedom. They were still fairly large but the boxy look of refrigerators in the 1940s was beginning to fade.
Refrigerators today
Modern fridge freezers are available in a range of colors styles, designs and finishes that can be customised to fit your kitchen and personal style. Some offer smart features that connect to Wi-Fi, providing the ability to quickly change the settings, and some include cameras for viewing your refrigerator from anywhere.
French door models now dominate the market, as consumers are looking for modern designs and features such as dispensers for water or ice and flex drawers. In some cases, a smart display. A majority are also rated as A, B, or A+ in energy efficiency ratings after a shake-up of the labelling system that is mandatory for UK appliances.
We are awestruck by this Hotpoint model due to its sleek design. It features a clever UVNano technology that self-sterilises the fridge to kill germs and two salad drawers with adjustable humidity sliders. It's also large, with plenty of space for jars, bottles and a large storage compartment for the door of the fridge freezer to buy.
Find fridges that have the green ICE+ feature that uses less energy. You can save even more money by opting for a model with an automatic ice maker that creates a continuous supply of ice that's ready to use in the morning.
The most effective thing you can do to protect the environment is to buy a fridge with an energy efficiency rating of either A or A+. It's also a good idea to take into consideration the fridge's annual electricity usage as part of your budget for household appliances when deciding on a new appliance. It is crucial to remember that we can't afford to take electricity for granted. Everyone deserves to have access to reliable, affordable and abundant electricity in order to live a healthy and happy life and feel comfortable, as well as help protect the earth.