The History of the Refrigerator
The traditional refrigeration of food items generates significant greenhouse gas emissions due to leakage of refrigerant, as well as the use of electricity. In 2019, these emissions made up 3.2 percent of the total UK territorial GHG emissions.
The summer of 1959 was the first time fridges were a common feature in British homes. Before 1959, the majority of British households relied on cold slabs stored in the pantry. They were not efficient in maintaining a constant cool temperature and led to a lot of food loss.
The History of Fridges In The UK
Refrigerators are among the most essential kitchen appliances, which allows us to keep food and drinks fresh for days at a time. They're also extremely energy efficient. It's easy, though, to forget that refrigerators were once a luxury item. It wasn't until 1950s that they began to take off. However, even then it took a very hot summer for them to really become popular in the UK.
Before refrigerators were invented people relied on insulated iceboxes to keep their food cool. They would collect blocks of ice from lakes in the winter months, and store them throughout the warm seasons. However, these ice containers weren't ideal. They were heavy and needed to be carried by an "ice man". In 1918 the first refrigerators with electric motors were released to the market. But it took a long time before they became common in homes.
The efficiency of fridges has improved dramatically over the years. They consume less energy than they did ten years ago. Some fridges only use 4 kW*h per day (equivalent of 170 W continuous). The majority of domestic refrigerators are energy efficient, with a majority having an A+ 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-finished finish which was very popular at the time. Since then, fridges are offered in a variety of colours and finishes. In the 1960s, pastel colors such as turquoise and pink were extremely popular. Earth tone colors such as avocado green and almond became more popular in the 1980s and 1970s. By the 1990s stainless steel was a popular choice.
Fridges in the 1920s
Before refrigerators, people utilized wooden insulated "ice boxes" to store fresh food and beverages. Icemen would bring blocks of ice to fill them up and they would keep cool throughout the year. These ice boxes could be found in well-off kitchens.
In 1918, the first electric refrigerator was launched. It was atop the existing icebox in a home. They were noisy, bulky and expensive. 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 set up the Guardian Frigidaire to mass-produce refrigerators. Durant was inspired by a design developed by Cistercian monk Marcel Audiffren and Swiss engineer Albert Singrun. This was a sulfur dioxide absorption refrigerator.
In the 1920s these new refrigerators were affordable for many homes. They were able to hold much more food and drinks and kept it cooler for longer than old ice boxes.
Refrigerator advertising was imaginative and captivating, with promises of refreshing drinks and chic designs. These ads are fascinating to read as they give us a glimpse into what life was like in the past.
At the time of the 1920s, refrigerators with electric power were 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 home survival and their popularity increased.
Fridges in the 1950s
Refrigerators were still scarce in the 1920s, but were more commonplace in the 1950s. By the end of the 1960s they were commonplace in the majority of homes.
The majority of fridges from the early days were utilitarian, with simple designs that were suited to the kitchen decor of the time. They were usually smaller refrigerators that were mounted on legs and had a variety of colors available (though the majority were in the pastels - think mint greens). In the era of refrigeration there were a variety of companies manufacturing fridges including Whirlpool, Gibson, Hotpoint and Tappan.
These brands were known for their high-quality and reliable refrigerators. They also expanded their product lines, offering different kinds of home appliances. For instance, Crosley was a manufacturer of radios prior to their move into refrigerators in the 1940's. They were renowned for their compact refrigerators that could be tucked away in smaller space.
In the 1950's, refrigerators became more fashionable and were promoted as a status symbol for housewives. They were designed in a way that matched the cabinets and walls of the kitchen and were usually white with chrome handles.
In the 1960s, refrigerators began transform into gadgets that included separate freezers and ice cube makers. In addition manufacturers began to employ cheaper materials and were able to offer them at much more affordable prices.
Fridges in the 1960s
In the 1960s, fridges became a necessity in many households. Some families even had two refrigerators. They were expensive for a time - in America the average
cheap fridge freezers uk cost on average $600 (that's around $7000 in 2024 dollars) - but by the end of the 60s, they were only $200.
The refrigerator was a major advancement at the time, transforming kitchens and changing the way we stored food. The fridge was also a great home comfort since it kept meat and dairy fresher longer. This enabled people to buy in bulk, cook meals ahead and then keep them in the fridge.
The first refrigerators used toxic gases like sulfur dioxide, ammonia and methyl chloride to cool food. This was dangerous for humans since these gases were released from refrigerators. In 1929 carbon dioxide was introduced as a safer way to cool food items. A number of people were poisoned and passed away.
It allowed manufacturers to build more efficient and safer refrigerators that could be used in homes. Certain refrigerators had an internal freezer that was accessible through the refrigerator's door. These were called bi-door fridges and they were very popular in the 1950s and 1960s.
Fridges in the 1960s were more futuristic than those of today, with soft curves and a sleek look that suggested the future of efficiency and freedom for the home. The refrigerators were still big, but the boxy design of the 1940s was beginning to fade.
Refrigerators Today
The latest
fridge freezers are available in a variety of styles, colours and finishes that can be adapted to your individual tastes and kitchen decors. Some
fridge freezer on sale freezers come with smart features that are connected to Wi-Fi. This lets you quickly customize the settings. Some even come with an inbuilt camera that allows you to check inside your refrigerator.
French door models dominate the market, as consumers seek modern features and designs like dispensers for water or ice and flex drawers. In certain instances smart screens are included. Many of these appliances are also evaluated as A, B or even A+ for energy efficiency after the revamping of the labelling system that is mandatory in
refridgerator uk appliances.
We love this Hotpoint model due to its sleek design, which features a clever UVNano technology that self-sterilises the
fridge freezers uk sale to kill bacteria and two salad drawers with adjustable humidity sliders. It's also big with plenty of storage space for bottles and jars and a large storage box inside the fridge door.
Refrigerators that don't include a traditional ice tray can use up to four times more power than those with ice makers, so look for one with an environmentally friendly ICE+ option that uses less energy. You can save even more money by selecting a model with an automatic ice maker, which produces a constant supply of ice that's ready to use in the morning.
A fridge that is A or A+ in energy efficiency is among the best actions you can take to protect the environment. When selecting a refrigerator it is recommended to include the annual consumption of electricity of the fridge in your budget for household expenses. It's important to keep in mind that the world isn't an area where we can afford to take electricity for granted. Everyone should have access to affordable, reliable, abundant electricity to sustain the quality of their lives and safeguard our planet.