The History of the Refrigerator

The conventional refrigeration of foods generates significant greenhouse gas emissions due to refrigerant leakage, and the use of electricity. In 2019, these emissions 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. Before that, the majority of households relied on cold slabs in their pantries. These were inefficient at maintaining an even temperature and caused much food spoilage.

The History of Fridges in the UK

Fridges are one of the most important kitchen appliances that allow us to keep food and drinks fresh for days at an time. They're also incredibly energy-efficient. It's easy to forget that refrigerators were once considered a luxury, however. In reality, it wasn't until the 1950s when they began to really take off. But even then it took a very hot summer to make them become popular in the UK.

Before refrigerators were invented, people relied on insulated iceboxes to keep their food cool. In the winter they would collect blocks of ice on lakes and store them for warmer months. The ice boxes were far from ideal, however. They were carried around by an 'ice man' and were heavy. The first electric refrigerators appeared on the market in 1918, but it was a while before they were widespread in homes.

Today, fridges are more energy efficient than they were a decade ago. They use less energy than they did a decade ago, and some refrigerators consume just 4 kW per day (equivalent to 170 W continuous). The majority of refrigerators used in homes are energy-efficient, with the majority having an A+ rating.

In the early 1950s, manufacturers began to introduce refrigerators with separate freezer compartments. They also began making models with a chrome finish, which was very popular at the time. Since then, fridges are available in a variety of colours and finishes. Pastel shades, such as turquoise and pink were very popular in the 1960s. Earth tone colors, such as almond and avocado green became increasingly popular in the 1970s and the 1980s. In the early 1990s stainless steel started to take over.

Fridges in the 1920s

Before refrigerators, people made use of wooden covered "ice boxes" to store fresh food and drinks. Icemen would bring blocks of ice to fill them up and they'd keep things cool all year round. These ice boxes were usually found in kitchens of well-off households.

In 1918 the first electric refrigerator was launched. It was atop the existing ice box in a home. They were noisy, heavy and costly. They were also referred to as monitor-tops because of the motor on the top of the refrigerator cabinet. William C. Durant bought out the Mellowes refrigerator company in 1918 and set the Guardian Frigidaire company to mass make refrigerators. Durant was influenced by a design by Cistercian Monk Marcel Audiffren, and Swiss Engineer Albert Singrun. This was a refrigerator that absorbed sulfur dioxide.

In the 1920s, these new refrigerators became affordable for many households. These new refrigerators could store much more food and drinks, and kept them colder for a longer period of time than the old ice boxes.

Advertising on refrigerators was creative appealing, captivating and filled with promises of ice-cold drinks and fashionable designs. These ads from the past are fascinating to read because they provide us an insight into the life of that time.

By the end of the 1920s Electric refrigeration was installed found in almost all homes. Electric utilities encouraged the trend by offering rebates to those who purchased refrigerators. In the Great Depression, these appliances were considered essential to the survival of a home and their demand grew even more.

Fridges in the 1950s

Refrigerators were not widely available in the 1920s, but they became increasingly commonplace during the 1950s. In the late 1960s, you could find them in almost every home (although it is important to note that you would not have found a fridge in every home in the past, since it was a high-cost purchase for a lot of people).

Early refrigerators were utilitarian, simple appliances that were matched to kitchen decor. They were usually smaller fridges that sat on visible legs with a wide range of colors available (though the majority were in the pastels - think mint greens). During this period there were a lot of fridge manufacturers which included Whirlpool (who had just emerged as a leading brand), Gibson, Hotpoint and Tappan.

These brands were known for their reliable and high-quality refrigerators. They also diversified their product lines, providing different kinds of appliances for homes. For example, Crosley was a manufacturer of radios prior to their move into refrigerators in the 1940's and were famous for their compact refrigerators that fit well into smaller spaces.

In the 1950s, refrigerators became more fashionable and were sold to housewives as a status sign. They were designed in a way that was in line with the cabinets and the walls of the kitchen, and were typically white with chrome handles.

In the 1960s, refrigerators began to evolve into gadgets that included separate freezer sections as well as ice-cube makers. In addition, manufacturers began to use cheaper materials and were able offer them at much more affordable prices.

Fridges in 1960s

Refrigerators became a common feature in most households in the 1960s, with a lot of families having two fridges. They were expensive for a while - in America the average best fridge uk cost on average $600 (that's around $7000 in 2024 dollars) however at the end of the 60s they were down to $200.

The refrigerator was a significant advancement at the time. It revolutionized kitchens and changed the way we preserved our food. The fridge also boosted the comfort of homes as it helped keep meat and dairy fresher for longer, which enabled people to buy fridge uk in bulk and cook meals ahead of time, and then put them away for later.

The first refrigerators were made of poisonous gases like ammonia, sulfur dioxide and methyl chloride for refrigeration. This was dangerous for humans since these gasses leaked out of the refrigerators. Many people died of poisoning, and it wasn't until in 1929 that a safe method for cooling food, made of carbon dioxide, was created.

It enabled manufacturers to design safer and more efficient refrigerators that could be used in homes. Some refrigerators had an internal freezer accessible by opening the refrigerator door. These were referred to as bi-door refrigerators, and were extremely popular during the 1950s and 60s.

The 1960s refrigerators were sleeker and more modern. They had soft curves, and a sleek look that suggested an era of efficiency and home freedom. They were still fairly large however the boxy style of refrigerators in the 1940s was beginning to fade.

Fridges today

Modern fridge freezers are available in a range of colors styles, designs and finishes that can be customized to fit your kitchen and personal taste. Some fridge freezers come with intelligent 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 check inside the refrigerator.

French door models now dominate the market, as people want modern looks and features such as dispensers for water or ice, flex drawers and in some cases, a smart display. A lot of these appliances are rated as A B, A or even A+ for energy efficiency after the revamp of the mandatory labelling system in refridgerator uk appliances.

This Hotpoint model is a favorite due to its elegant design. It features an innovative UVNano self-sterilizing system that eliminates the presence of bacteria in the fridge. Additionally, it comes with two salad drawers that come with adjustable humidity sliders. It's also large, with plenty of space for bottles, jars and a generous utility compartment inside the door of the fridge.

Look for fridges with the eco-friendly ICE+ feature that uses less energy. Alternately, you could save even more by selecting a model with an automatic ice maker, that creates a continuous supply of ice that is ready to use in the morning.

A fridge freezers for sale that's A or A+ in energy efficiency is among the most beneficial ways to help the environment. It's important to consider the fridge's annual energy consumption as part of your household budget when deciding on a new appliance. It is crucial to remember that we can't afford to put electricity on the back burner. Everyone deserves access to affordable, reliable and abundant electricity to live a healthy and happy life, be comfortable, and protect the planet.