The History of the Refrigerator
The traditional refrigeration of food produces an enormous amount of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from refrigerant leakage and electrical power consumption. In 2019 the emissions from these sources accounted for 3.2 percent of the total UK annual territorial GHG emissions.
The summer of 1959 was the first time that fridges became common in British homes. Prior to this, most households relied on cold slabs in their pantries. They were inefficient and could not maintain a constant temperature.
The History of Fridges In The refridgerator uk (image source)
Refrigerators are among the most essential kitchen appliances, allowing us to keep food and drinks fresh for a few days at one time. They are also extremely energy-efficient. It's easy, though, to forget that refrigerators were once a luxury product. In fact it wasn't until the 1950s when they began to really become popular. Even then, it was a very hot British summer that helped make them famous.
Before fridges were invented, people used cold ice boxes that were insulated to keep their food cool. They would harvest blocks of ice from lakes in the winter months, and store them throughout the warm months. However, these ice containers weren't ideal. They had to be carried around by an iceman, and they were very heavy. In 1918, the first electric refrigerators were released to the market. But it took a long time before they were widely used in homes.
The efficiency of fridges has improved dramatically over time. They use less energy than they did 10 years ago. Some fridges only use 4 kW*h per day (equivalent of 170 W continuous). Many domestic refrigerators have an energy rating of A+.
In the early 1950s, manufacturers introduced fridges with freezer uk compartments that were separate. They also began to produce models with a chrome finish, which was extremely popular at the time. Since then, refrigerators are available in a variety of colours and finishes. In the 1960s, pastel shades like pink and turquoise were very popular. Earth tone colors such as avocado green and almond became more popular in the 1980s and 1970s. In the 1990s, stainless steel was becoming popular.
Fridges in the 1920s
Before fridges came along people made use of wooden "ice boxes" to keep food and drinks fresh. The ice man would deliver ice blocks to fill them up, and they cooled things throughout the year. These ice boxes could be found in the posh kitchens.
In 1918 the first electric refrigerator was launched. It was placed on top of the ice box that was already in a house. They were heavy noisy and expensive. They were also known as monitor-tops because of the motor that was located on the top of the refrigerator cabinet. William C. Durant bought out the Mellowes refrigerator company in 1918 and set up up the Guardian Frigidaire company to mass manufacture refrigerators. Durant was in the direction of a design created by Cistercian monk Marcel Audiffren and Swiss engineer Albert Singrun. This was a refrigerator that absorbed sulfur dioxide.
In the 1920s, these new refrigerators were affordable for many homes. These refrigerators could hold more food and drinks, and kept them colder for a longer period of time than the old ice boxes.
Advertising on refrigerators was creative attractive, appealing and filled with promises of ice-cold drinks and fashionable designs. These ads are fascinating to read because they offer a glimpse into the world of when they were in the past.
By the end of the 1920s, electric refrigeration was found in almost all homes. Electric utilities encouraged the trend by offering rebates to those who bought 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 became more commonplace in the 1950s. By the end of the 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 sat on legs. They were available in a variety of colors (though the majority of them were pastels like mint). At the time, a number companies were producing refrigerators, including Whirlpool, Gibson, Hotpoint and Tappan.
These brands were known for their high-quality and reliable refrigerators. They also offered other kinds of appliances in their product range. 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 fit well into smaller spaces.
In the 1950's, fridges became more fashionable and were promoted as an image of status for housewives. They were designed to match cabinets and walls of the kitchen, and were typically white and featured chrome handles.
In the 1960s, refrigerators started to transform into gadgets that included separate freezer sections and ice-cube makers. In addition manufacturers began using less expensive materials and were able to sell them at much more affordable costs.
Fridges in 1960s
In the 1960s, fridges became a necessity in many households. Some families even had two refrigerators. They were expensive for a while - in America the average fridge cost on average $600 (that's about $7000 in 2024 dollars) - but by the end of the 60s, they had dropped to $200.
The refrigerator was a major breakthrough at the time, revolutionizing kitchens and changing the way we preserved food. The fridge also boosted home comfort as it made meat and dairy fresher longer, which allowed people to purchase in bulk and prepare meals ahead of time, and then put them away for later.
Early refrigerators used toxic gases like sulfur dioxide, ammonia and methyl chloride for refrigeration. This was dangerous for humans since these gasses leak out of refrigerators. A number of people died from poisoning, and it wasn't until in 1929 that a more secure method of cooling food, made of carbon dioxide, was developed.
This means that manufacturers were able to create safer and more efficient refrigerators that could be used in homes, with certain refrigerators having an inside freezer compartment that was accessed through the refrigerator's door. These were called bi-door fridges and were extremely popular in the 1950s and 1960s.
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 freedom for the home. They still tended to be quite large, but the boxy look of refrigerators from the 1940s was starting to decline.
Today's fridges
Today's fridge freezers come in a wide variety of styles, colours and finishes that can be adapted to your the personal taste and interior of your kitchen. Some fridge freezers come with smart features that are connected to Wi-Fi. This allows you to quickly adjust the settings. Others have an integrated camera to check inside the refrigerator.
best french style fridge freezer uk door models dominate the market, as consumers seek modern features and designs, such as dispensers of ice or water and flexible drawers. In certain instances smart screens are included. Many are also rated A, B or A+ in energy efficiency ratings, following a shake-up of the labelling requirements for UK appliances.
We are awestruck by this Hotpoint model due to its sleek design, which features a clever UVNano technology that self-sterilises the fridge to kill bacteria and two salad drawers with adjustable humidity sliders. It's also large with plenty of storage space for bottles and jars and a large utility box that fits inside the fridge door.
Fridges that don't have an ice tray of the traditional type can consume up to four times more energy than models that do, so look for models that have an eco-friendly ICE+ option that uses much less energy. Alternatively, you could save even more by opting for a model with an automatic ice maker, which creates a continuous supply of ice that is ready to use in the morning.
The best french style fridge freezer uk way to help the environment is to purchase refrigerators that have an energy efficiency rating of either A or A+. When choosing an appliance, it's recommended to include the annual power consumption of the refrigerator in your household budget. It is important to remember that we can't afford put electricity on the back burner. Everyone deserves to have access to affordable, reliable and plentiful electricity to live a healthy life and feel comfortable, as well as ensure the protection of our planet.