The History of the Refrigerator
The conventional refrigeration of food generates significant greenhouse gas emissions due to refrigerant leakage, and the consumption of electrical power. In 2019, these emissions represented 3.2% of total UK territorial GHG emissions.
The summer of 1959 was the first time that fridges were a common feature in British homes. Prior to 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 loss.
The History of Fridges in the UK
Fridges are one of the most essential kitchen appliances that allow us to keep our food and drinks fresh for a few days at an 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 the 1950s when they started to become popular. However, even then it took a particularly hot summer to make them become popular in the UK.
Before refrigerators were invented, people would use the insulated ice containers to keep their foods cool. They would gather blocks of ice from lakes during the winter months, and store them throughout the warm summer months. However, the ice boxes weren't ideal. They required to be carried by an ice man and were heavy. In 1918 the first refrigerators with electric motors were introduced to the market. But it took a long time before they were widely used in homes.
Today, refrigerators are more energy efficient than they were a decade ago. They use less energy than they did 10 years ago. Some fridges only use 4 kW*h per day (equivalent of 170 W continuous). The majority of refrigerators in the US are energy-efficient, with the majority with an A+ rating.
In the 1950s, manufacturers began to introduce refrigerators with freezer compartments that were separate. They also began producing models with a chrome finish which was extremely popular at the time. Since then, refrigerators are available in many different colours and finishes. Pastel shades, like turquoise and pink, were popular in the 1960s. Earth-tone colors like avocado green and almond became more popular in the 1980s and 1970s. In the 1990s stainless steel started to take over.
Fridges in the 1920s
Before refrigerators, people utilized wooden insulated "ice boxes" to store fresh food and drinks. Icemen would bring blocks of ice to fill them and they'd keep things cool throughout the year. Ice boxes can be found in the well-off kitchens.
In 1918, the first electric refrigerator was launched. It was atop the ice box that was already in a house. They were heavy noisy and expensive. The motor was located on top of the cabinet. They were also known as monitor-tops. 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 developed by Cistercian monk Marcel Audiffren and Swiss engineer Albert Singrun. It was a refrigerator that absorbed sulfur dioxide.
In the 1920s, these new refrigerators became affordable to many households. These new refrigerators could hold more food and drinks and kept them cool for a longer time than the old ice boxes.
Refrigerator advertising was creative, captivating and full of promises of cold drinks and stylish designs. Vintage ads are interesting to read because they provide us a glimpse into the lifestyle of the time.
At the end of the 1920s, electric refrigerators were commonplace in homes. Electric utilities pushed the trend by offering discounts to those 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. By the late 1960s, they were common in all homes.
Early refrigerators were utilitarian, simple appliances that fit in with the decor of the kitchen. The fridges were usually smaller and had legs. They were available in a range of colors (though most were pastels like mint). During this period there were a lot of firms that made fridges which included Whirlpool (who had just emerged as a leading brand), Gibson, Hotpoint and Tappan.
All of these brands were known for their high-quality, reliable refrigerators. They also offered other kinds of appliances in their product range. Crosley, for example, was first a radio maker before launching refrigerators in 1940. They were known for their compact refrigerators which fit in small spaces.
In the 1950s, refrigerators became more fashionable and were sold to women as a status symbol. They were designed to match the cabinets and walls in the kitchen, and were usually white with chrome handles.
Then in the '60s refrigerators began to transform into gadget-oriented appliances that included things like separate freezer sections as well as ice cube makers. In addition manufacturers began to employ less expensive materials and were able to sell them at much more affordable costs.
Fridges in the 1960s
Fridges finally became a staple in many households in the 1960s, with many families having two refrigerators. In the 1960s, the average American fridge cost $600 (roughly $7000 in 2024 dollars). At the close of the decade, the cost had dropped to just $200.
The fridge was a major innovation at the time. It revolutionized kitchens and changed the way we stored our food. The fridge also increased home comfort since it helped keep dairy and meat fresher for longer, allowing people to buy in bulk and cook meals ahead of time, and then keep them in the fridge freezers for sale uk to be used later.
The first refrigerators used poisonous gases like ammonia, sulfur dioxide and methyl chloride to cool food. This was hazardous for humans since these gases leaked out of the refrigerators. Several people died from poisoning and it was only in 1929 that a more secure method for cooling food, made of carbon dioxide, was developed.
It enabled manufacturers to design more efficient and safer refrigerators that could be used in homes. Some refrigerators had an internal freezer that was accessible by opening the door of the refrigerator. These were called bi-door fridges and were extremely popular in the 1950s and 1960s.
The refrigerators of the 1960s were more futuristic than the ones of today, with soft curves and a modern look that suggested an era of convenience and domestic freedom. They were relatively large, however the boxy style of refrigerators from the 1940s was starting to decline.
Refrigerators Today
Modern fridge freezer freezers are available in a variety of colors styles, designs and finishes that can be customised to match your kitchen and personal style. Some offer smart features that connect to Wi-Fi, providing an easy way to alter the settings, and some include cameras for checking inside your refrigerator from any location.
French door models dominate the market as consumers demand modern features and designs, such as water or ice dispensers and flex drawers. In some cases, smart screens are also included. Many are also rated A, B or A+ in energy efficiency ratings after changes to the labelling system that is mandatory for Refridgerator Uk appliances.
This Hotpoint model is well-loved because of its sleek design. It features an innovative UVNano self-sterilizing technology that eliminates the presence of bacteria in the fridge. It also has two salad drawers that have adjustable humidity sliders. It's also spacious, with plenty of storage space for bottles and jars and a generous utility box that fits inside the fridge door.
Refrigerators that don't include an ice tray of the traditional type could consume four times more energy than models with ice makers, so look for one with an eco-friendly ICE+ option that uses less energy. You can also save more money by selecting one that comes with an automatic ice maker. This will create an unending supply of ice ready to use in the morning.
Buying a fridge freezer collection that's A or A+ in terms of energy efficiency is among the most beneficial ways to help the environment. When choosing an appliance it's a good idea also to include the annual power consumption of the best fridge uk in your household budget. It is crucial to remember that we can't afford to take electricity for granted. Everyone deserves access to reliable, affordable and abundant electricity to lead a healthy lifestyle, be comfortable, and help protect the earth.