Freezerless Refrigerator

Sometimes all you need is a refrigerator, no freezer. Luckily there are freezerless refrigerator models on the market. They are also known as "all refrigerator" units. But either way, they give you a way of safely storing fresh foods in cold storage without the added bulk and expense of an included freezer unit.

There are a number of instances, when a freezerless refrigerator simply makes sense. They are available in a variety of sizes, styles, and finishes. You'll even find them in a wide range of prices. On this page you can learn a bit more about the advantages of these appliances, find a few tips for choosing one, and see some popular models as well lower on this page.

Photo by AnitaFrench.

A freezerless refrigerator may not be for everyone, but in some instances they are perfect and they provide some advantages.

For people who have a stand alone freezer, there is little need to use up space with the small freezer area that most refrigerators offer. If all you need is an ice maker, then there are freezeless refrigerators that offer this feature.

Having an all refrigerator unit also allows you to have more storage space for fresh foods. For those who garden or who are health conscious enough to commit to eating more whole foods, a freezerless refrigerator just makes sense. The space within the unit is dedicated completely to fresh food storage.

These refrigerators accommodate wide dishes and pans better than a traditional side-by-side refrigerator. With shelves that typically run the entire width of the unit, such pans and dishes present no problem.

If you have limited space in your kitchen a freezerless refrigerator can also make sense. Their overall dimensions tend to be smaller than the typical freezer/refrigerator combination model. Again, if you need ice, some of these units do offer an ice maker, and of course if you have extra room in an adjacent room or garage, you can keep a separate freezer unit there. It just depends on your individual situation what will work best.

A refrigerator-only appliance will also use less energy than one that also hosts a freezer, so in some cases, there is an energy savings to be realized.

Shopping for a freezerless refrigerator is similar to choosing any refrigerator.

They come in a variety of styles. Some are full sized models like you see below. Many of the other options are smaller. Some are compact refrigerators, many of which are undercounter refrigerator models and some which are refrigerator drawers. There are also some that are designed more like a chest with a top lid that flips up.

Once you've decide which style and general size you want, consider what will fit and what will store the amount of fresh food that you have. Check the dimensions of the space you have available (allowing a bit of room for clearance). Then think capacity. A compact or under counter refrigerator often has a capacity of 4 to 6 cubic ft. If you have a large family, entertain a great deal, or garden, this likely won't be enough unless you have another refrigerator. A full sized freezerless refrigerator will generally have a capacity of 16 cubic ft. or more.

Of course, you will also want to consider the types of shelves and compartments offered. Glass shelves are easier to clean and offer a more universally useable surface since smaller items can topple on wire shelves. On the other hand, coated wire shelves can be more affordable. See through bins on the door make it easier to view things. Slide out baskets and bins make it easier to access items you have stored. If you want to be able to chill wine, a wine rack is useful. If you want to store large gallon jugs of milk and so forth, gallon sized door bins are useful. Some people also want racks for canned beverages.

Adjustable shelves help assure you can configure things as needed. Temperature and humidity controlled crispers are advisable for produce.

While many freezerless refrigerators don't offer a water dispenser or ice maker, there are some that do.

These refrigerators vary significantly in price. An affordable model may cost around $500 while a high end unit might offer more precise temperature control, independent cooling zones, and so forth for a price of $5,000-$7,000.

This Frigidaire freezerless refrigerator has coated wire shelves. This model measures 64 1/2" H 32' W x 26 1/2" D and provides a 16 cubic ft. capacity.

It is a frost-free refrigerator with interior lighting and a white finish. It offers 2 adjustable coated wire shelves and 2 fixed wire shelves. There are also 5 door racks for condiments, bottled beverages, and other items.

This unit can operate in ambient temperatures as low as 10 degrees F.