The History of the Refrigerator
The traditional refrigeration of food items produces significant greenhouse gas emissions because of leakage of refrigerant, as well as electrical power consumption. In 2019 the amount of emissions was 3.2% of the total refridgerator Uk annual territorial GHG emissions.
Refrigerators weren't commonplace in British homes until the summer of 1959. Prior to this, most households relied on cold slabs that were placed in pantries. They were inefficient in keeping an even temperatures and triggered a lot of food loss.
The History of Fridges in the UK
Fridges are essential kitchen appliances that allow us to keep food and drinks fresh for many days. They also are extremely energy efficient. It's easy, though, to forget that refrigerators were once considered a luxury item. It wasn't really until the 1950s when they started to become popular. It was an extremely hot British summer that led to their popularity.
Before refrigerators were invented people used insulated iceboxes in order to keep their food cool. They would gather blocks of ice from lakes in the winter, and then store them throughout the warm months. However, the ice boxes weren't ideal. They had to be carried around by an ice man and were heavy. The first electric refrigerators appeared into the market in 1918, but it was some time before they became widespread in homes.
The energy efficiency of fridges has improved significantly over time. They consume less energy than they did a decade ago, and some fridges for sale uk use less than 4 kW per day (equivalent to 170 W continuously). The majority of refrigerators used in homes are energy efficient, with a majority having an A+ 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 many different shades and finishes. Pastel shades, such as pink and turquoise were very popular in the 1960s. Earth tone colors, such as avocado green and almond, became more popular in the 1970s and the 1980s. By the 1990s stainless steel had become popular.
Fridges in the 1920s
Before refrigerators, people utilized wooden covered "ice boxes" to store fresh food and beverages. Icemen would bring blocks of ice to fill them up and they'd keep the temperature cool all year round. Ice boxes were typically 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, heavy and costly. The motor was situated on the top of the refrigerator 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 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 became affordable for many homes. They were able to accommodate more food and drinks, and kept it colder for longer than old ice boxes.
Refrigerator advertising was imaginative engaging, captivating and full of promises of refreshing drinks and stylish designs. These ads from the past are fascinating to read as they give us an insight into the world of the day.
At the end of the 1920s, refrigerators with electric power were commonplace in homes. Electric utilities encouraged this trend by offering rebates on their bills to customers who purchased refrigerators. In the Great Depression, these appliances were considered essential to the survival of a home and their demand increased.
Fridges in the 1950s
Refrigerators became more popular in the 1950s. They were not common in the 1920s. By the end of the 1960s they were commonplace in most homes.
Early fridges were utilitarian and simple appliances that were matched to kitchen decor. They were usually smaller refrigerators that sat on visible legs, with a wide variety of colors available (though most were in the pastels - think mint greens). In the era of refrigeration there were several companies producing refrigerators, including Whirlpool, Gibson, Hotpoint, and Tappan.
These brands were all known for high-quality and reliable refrigerators. They also expanded their product ranges, offering other types of appliances for homes. For instance, Crosley was a manufacturer of radios before moving into refrigerators in the 1940's. They were known for their compact refrigerators that fitted well in smaller spaces.
In the 1950s, refrigerators became more stylish and were marketed to women as a status symbol. They were designed to match the cabinets and walls in the kitchen, and were generally white and featured chrome handles.
Then in the '60s refrigerators began to transform into gadget-oriented machines that came with things like separate freezers and ice cube makers. In addition manufacturers began to employ less expensive materials and were able to offer the fridges at lower costs.
Fridges in the 1960s
In the 1960s, refrigerators became a necessity in many households. Some families even had two refrigerators. In the 1960s, an average American refrigerator cost $600 (roughly $7000 in 2024 dollars). At the close of the decade, the price was down to $200.
The refrigerator was a major breakthrough in the early days, changing kitchens and transforming the way we preserved food. The fridge also provided home comfort as it kept meat and dairy fresher longer. This made it possible to shop in bulk prepare meals in advance and store them.
The first refrigerators were made of toxic gases like ammonia, sulfur dioxide and methyl chloride for refrigeration. This was hazardous for humans since these gasses leak out of refrigerators. Many people died of poisoning, and it was only in 1929 that a safer method of cooling food using carbon dioxide, was developed.
This means that manufacturers were able to design more efficient and safer refrigerators for use in homes, with certain refrigerators featuring an internal freezer compartment that could be accessed by opening the refrigerator door. These were referred to as bi-door refrigerators, and were extremely popular during the 1950s and 1960s.
Fridges in the 1960s were more futuristic than the ones of today, featuring soft curves and a modern look that suggested a future of convenience and domestic freedom. The refrigerators were still large however the boxy style of the 1940s was beginning to fade.
Fridges Today
The latest fridge freezer on sale freezers are available in a variety of styles, colours and finishes that can be adapted to your personal aesthetics and kitchen interiors. Some fridge freezers have smart features that are connected to Wi-Fi. This lets you quickly customize the settings. Others have an inbuilt camera that allows you to monitor the inside of the refrigerator.
French door models now dominate the market, since consumers seek out modern design and features such as water or ice dispensers and flex drawers. In some cases, a smart display. Some are also rated A, B or A+ in energy efficiency ratings after changes to the labelling requirements for UK appliances.
We love this Hotpoint model due to its sleek design. It includes a clever UVNano technology that auto-sterilizes the fridge to kill germs and two salad drawers that have adjustable humidity sliders. It's also large fridge freezers uk, with plenty of room for bottles, jars and a spacious storage compartment for the door of the fridge.
Refrigerators without a traditional ice tray can consume up to four times more power than those with ice makers, so look for one with an environmentally friendly ICE+ option that uses much less energy. Alternately, you can save even more by opting for a model with an automatic ice maker which produces a constant supply of ice that is ready to use in the morning.
A fridge that's A or A+ in terms of energy efficiency is one of the best ways to help the environment. It's also a good idea to think about the refrigerator's annual electricity usage as part of your household budget when you're deciding on an appliance. It is essential to keep in mind that we can't afford to think of electricity as a luxury. Everyone deserves to have access to affordable, reliable and plentiful electricity to live a healthy and happy life and feel comfortable, as well as protect the planet.