The History of the Refrigerator
The traditional refrigeration of food generates an enormous amount of greenhouse gas emissions from refrigerant leakage and the use of electricity. In 2019, these emissions represented 3.2 percent of total UK territorial GHG emissions.
1959 was the first time that fridges became common in British homes. Before 1959, the majority of British households relied on cold slabs stored in the pantry. They were inefficient in keeping an even temperature and caused much food spoilage.
The History of Fridges in the UK
Refrigerators are among the most essential kitchen appliances that allow us to keep food and drinks fresh for a few days at an time. They also are extremely energy efficient. It's easy to forget that fridges were once a luxury, however. In fact it wasn't until the 1950s that they started to become popular. Even then, it was the summer heat of Britain that led to their popularity.
Before refrigerators were invented people used insulated iceboxes to keep their food cool. In winter, they would gather ice blocks on lakes and store them for warmer months. The boxes of ice were far from ideal, however. They were carried around by an iceman, and they were very heavy. In 1918, the first electric refrigerators were released to the market. However, it took a while before they became common in homes.
The efficiency of fridges has improved significantly over the years. They consume less energy than they used to a decade ago, and some refrigerators consume less than 4 kW per day (equivalent to 170 W continuously). The majority of domestic refrigerators are energy efficient, with a majority being rated A+.
Early in the 1950s manufacturers began to offer refrigerators that had separate compartments for freezers. They also began to produce models with a chrome finish which was very popular at the time. Since the time, refrigerators are now available in many different shades and finishes. Pastel shades, such as pink and turquoise, were popular in the 1960s. Earth tones, like almond and avocado green became more popular in the 1970s and the 1980s. By the early 1990s stainless steel started to take over.
Fridges in the 1920s
Before fridges came along people made use of wooden "ice boxes" to keep food and drinks fresh. Ice man would deliver blocks of ice to fill them and they'd keep the temperature cool all year round. These ice boxes could be found in the well-off kitchens.
The first electric refrigerator was introduced in 1918 and sat on top of the home's current refrigerator's ice box. They were large fridge freezers uk, noisy and costly. The motor was on top of the cabinet. They were also known as monitor-tops. William C. Durant purchased the Mellowes Refrigerator Company in 1918 and founded the Guardian Frigidaire to mass-produce refrigerators. Durant was inspired by a concept created by Cistercian Monk Marcel Audiffren, and Swiss Engineer Albert Singrun. It was an absorption refrigerator using sulfur dioxide as the refrigerant.
In the 1920s these new refrigerators were reasonably priced for many homes. These refrigerators could hold plenty of food and beverages, and kept them colder for longer time than the old ice boxes.
The advertisements on refrigerators were imaginative attractive, appealing and full of promises about ice-cold drinks and chic designs. The ads from the past are fascinating to read since they offer us a glimpse of the lifestyle of the time.
At the end of the 1920s the electric refrigerator was present in nearly all homes. Electric utilities helped promote this trend by offering discounts on their bills to those who purchased refrigerators. The popularity of these appliances increased even more during the Great Depression when they were considered vital to the survival of the home.
Fridges in the 1950s
Fridges were still relatively rare in the 1920s but became increasingly commonplace during the 1950s. In the 1960s, you could find them in the majority of homes (although it is important to note that you wouldn't have found a cheap fridge freezer in every household in the early days, since this was a high-cost purchase for a lot of people).
The first fridges were utilitarian and simple appliances that were matched to kitchen decor. The fridges were usually smaller and were mounted on legs. They were available in a range of colors (though the majority of them were pastels such as mint). In the era of refrigeration there were several companies producing refrigerators, including Whirlpool, Gibson, Hotpoint, and Tappan.
These brands were all renowned for high-quality and reliable refrigerators. They also expanded their product lines, providing other types of household appliances. For example, Crosley was a manufacturer of radios prior to their move into refrigerators in the 1940's. They were famous for their compact refrigerators that could be tucked away in smaller areas.
In the 1950's, refrigerators became more fashionable and were marketed as a status symbol for housewives. They were designed to match cabinets and walls of the kitchen, and were usually white and featured chrome handles.
In the 1960s, refrigerators started to evolve into gadgets that included separate freezers and ice cube makers. The manufacturers also began to employ cheaper materials, which allowed them to offer their products at lower costs.
Fridges in 1960s
In the 1960s, refrigerators became a necessity in many households. Some families even had two refrigerators. They were costly for a time - in America the average fridge freezer for sale cost $600 (that's about $7000 in 2024 dollars) however by the end of the 60s they were only $200.
The fridge was a major advancement at the time. It revolutionized kitchens and changed the way we preserved our food. The fridge also provided home comfort since it helped keep dairy and meat fresher for longer. This enabled people to shop in bulk prepare meals ahead of time and keep them in the fridge.
The first cheap fridges uk were made of harmful gases like ammonia, methyl chloride and sulfur dioxide to cool food, but this was dangerous for humans as these gases were released from refrigerators. Several people died from poisoning, and it wasn't until in 1929 that a more secure method of cooling food using carbon dioxide, was invented.
This means that manufacturers were able to create safer and more efficient refrigerators that could be used in homes, with some refrigerators having an inside freezer compartment that was accessed through the refrigerator's door. These refrigerators were known as bi-door and they were very popular in the 1950s and 1960s.
Refrigerators of the 1960s were more futuristic than the ones of today, with soft curves and an overall modern look that suggested an era of efficiency and freedom for the home. They were quite large, but the boxy look of refrigerators from the 1940s was starting to decline.
Fridges today
Modern fridge freezers come in a variety of colors styles, designs and finishes that can be customised to match your kitchen and personal taste. Certain fridge freezers feature smart features that connect to Wi-Fi. This allows you to quickly adjust the settings. Some even come with an inbuilt camera that allows you to look inside the refrigerator.
French door models dominate the market, as consumers seek modern features and looks like water or ice dispensers and flex drawers. In certain instances, smart screens are also included. A lot of these appliances are rated as A B, C or even A+ for energy efficiency following the revamp of the mandatory labelling system in UK appliances.
This Hotpoint model is a favorite due to its sleek design. It features an innovative UVNano self-sterilising technology that eliminates the presence of bacteria in the fridge. It also has two salad drawers that come with adjustable humidity sliders. It's also large fridge freezers uk with plenty of storage space for jars and bottles and a large storage box inside the fridge door.
Find refrigerators with the green ICE+ feature that uses less energy. Alternatively, you could save even more by choosing a model that has an automatic ice maker, which produces a constant supply of ice that's ready to use in the morning.
The best option to help the environment is to buy fridge uk a fridge with an energy efficiency rating of A or A+. When you're choosing a fridge, it's recommended to include the annual consumption of electricity of the refrigerator in your household budget. It is essential to keep in mind that we can't afford take electricity for granted. Everyone deserves to have access to reliable, affordable and abundant electricity in order to lead a healthy lifestyle and feel comfortable, as well as help protect the earth.