The History of the Refrigerator
The traditional refrigeration of food items generates significant greenhouse gas emissions because of refrigerant leakage, and electrical power consumption. In 2019 the emissions from these sources accounted for 3.2% of the total refridgerators uk annual territorial GHG emissions.
Refrigerators were not widespread in British homes until the summer of 1959. Prior to 1959, the majority of British households depended on cold slabs that were kept in the pantry. These were inefficient and did not keep a constant temperature.
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Fridges are one of the most important kitchen appliances, allowing us to keep food and drinks fresh for days at a time. They are also extremely efficient in energy use. It's easy to forget that fridges were once considered luxury, however. It wasn't until 1950s when they started to take off. Even then, it was an extremely hot British summer that made them popular.
Before refrigerators were invented, people would use insulated ice boxes to keep their food cool. They would harvest blocks of ice from lakes in the winter months, and store them during the warmer summer months. The ice boxes were far from ideal, though. These ice boxes were heavy and needed to be carried by an "ice man". The first electric refrigerators came in 1918, but it took a while before they were widely used in homes.
Today, fridges are more efficient in terms of energy usage than they were a decade ago. They consume less energy than they did ten years ago. Some fridges only use 4 kW*h a day (equivalent of 170 W continuous). A lot of domestic refrigerators have an A+ energy rating.
Early in the 1950s manufacturers began to offer refrigerators that had separate compartments for freezers. The manufacturers also began producing models with a chrome finish, which was very popular at the time. Since then, refrigerators are offered in many different colors and finishes. In the 1960s, pastel shades such as turquoise and pink were extremely popular. Earth tone colors, like almond and avocado green, became more popular in the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1990s, stainless steel was a popular choice.
Fridges in the 1920s
Before refrigerators, people utilized wooden and insulated "ice boxes" for storing fresh food and drinks. Icemen would bring blocks of ice to fill them and they would keep cool throughout the year. These ice boxes were usually found in kitchens of wealthy households.
The first electric refrigerator was launched in 1918 and was positioned on top of the current ice box. They were noisy, bulky and costly. The motor was on top of the cabinet. They were also referred to as monitor-tops. William C. Durant purchased the Mellowes Refrigerator Company in 1918 and established the Guardian Frigidaire to mass-produce refrigerators. Durant was influenced by a design created by Cistercian monk Marcel Audiffren and Swiss engineer Albert Singrun. It was a sulfur dioxide absorption refrigerator.
In the 1920s, these new refrigerators became affordable to many households. The new refrigerators could store plenty of food and beverages and kept them cooler for longer time than the older ice boxes.
Refrigerator advertisements were imaginative and captivating, with promises of ice-cold drinks and fashionable designs. These ads are fascinating to read because they offer an insight into what life was like back then.
At the end of the 1920s, refrigerators with electric power were in almost all homes. Electric utilities promoted the trend by offering rebates to customers who purchased refrigerators. In the Great Depression, these appliances were considered vital for home survival and their popularity increased.
Fridges in the 1950s
Refrigerators were not widely available in the 1920s but became increasingly commonplace during the 1950s. By the end of the 1960s, they were common in the majority of homes.
Early fridges were utilitarian and simple appliances that fit in with kitchen decor. The fridges were usually smaller and were mounted on legs. They came in a range of colors (though the majority of them were pastels like mint). During this time there were several companies producing refrigerators, including Whirlpool, Gibson, Hotpoint, and Tappan.
These brands were known for their high-quality and reliable refrigerators. They also expanded their product lines, offering other types of appliances for homes. For example, Crosley was a manufacturer of radios prior to their move into refrigerators in the 1940's. They were renowned for their small refrigerators that fit well into smaller areas.
In the 1950's, refrigerators grew more stylish and were advertised as an emblem of status for housewives. They were designed in a manner that was a perfect match to the cabinets and the walls of the kitchen and were usually white with chrome handles.
Then in the '60s, fridges began to morph into gadget-centric machines that came with things like separate freezer sections and ice cube makers. The manufacturers also began to employ cheaper materials, allowing them to sell their products at a lower cost.
Fridges in the 1960s
Fridges finally became a staple in most households during the 1960s, with many families even having two fridges. They were expensive for a time - in America the average fridge cost on average $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 breakthrough in the early days, changing kitchens and transforming the way we preserved food. The fridge also increased the comfort of homes as it made meat and dairy fresher longer, which allowed people to buy in bulk and prepare meals in advance and put them away to be used later.
The first refrigerators were made of toxic gases like ammonia, sulfur dioxide and methyl chloride to cool food. This was hazardous for humans since these gasses leak out of refrigerators. Many people died of poisoning, and it wasn't until in 1929 that a safer method of cooling food, made of carbon dioxide, was invented.
It enabled manufacturers to design more efficient and safe refrigerators that could be used in homes. Certain refrigerators had an internal freezer that could be accessed through the refrigerator's door. These were known as bi-door refrigerators and were very popular during the 1950s and 1960s.
The 1960s fridges were sleeker and more modern. They had soft curves, and a sleek look that suggested a time of efficiency and home freedom. The refrigerators were large but the boxy look of the 1940s was fading.
Today's fridges & freezers
The modern fridge freezers near me freezer comes in a wide range of styles, colours and finishes that can be adapted to your personal aesthetics and kitchen interiors. Some come with smart features that connect to Wi-Fi, providing the ability to quickly change the settings, and some even come with a built-in camera that allows checking inside your refrigerator from anywhere.
French door models now dominate the market, as people seek out modern design and features like dispensers for water or ice as well as flex drawers, and in some cases, a smart screen. Many are also rated A, B, or A+ in energy efficiency ratings following an overhaul of the labelling system that is mandatory for UK appliances.
We love this Hotpoint model for its sleek design. It features an innovative UVNano technology that auto-sterilizes the fridge to kill germs and a pair of salad drawers that have adjustable humidity sliders. It's also large, with plenty of storage space for jars and bottles and a generous utility box in the fridge door.
Find refrigerators with the eco-friendly ICE+ feature that uses less energy. You can also save more money by opting for one with an automatic ice maker. This will provide a constant supply of ice, ready to use in the morning.
The best thing you can do to help the environment is to purchase refrigerators that have an energy efficiency rating of either A or A+. It's also a good idea to take into consideration the fridge's annual consumption of electricity as a part of your household budget when you're deciding on an appliance. It is crucial to remember that we cannot afford to take electricity for granted. Everyone deserves access to affordable, reliable and abundant electricity to live a healthy life and feel comfortable, as well as protect the planet.