Often times we are asked about being able to obtain universal or generic fridge plastic parts as people, usually faced with little option but to buy a new machine if they can’t get what they need, can be desperate for a solution.

Even more so when they are in the likes of rented accommodation and the options are, to get a replacement part of, lose their deposit.

We really feel for people in these positions but sadly, we do not have good news for them.

Plastics & Sizes

Plastic parts are moulded to fit a particular cabinet be that to the internal cabinet moulding or the door moulding.

When we say that these are specific, we are not kidding. So much so that as little as a millimetre or less out and the part you are trying to slot into place just will not fit. You will either find it won’t physically slot in or, it falls down or off if it does slot in at all.

Where you see “alternative” or compatible parts of this nature it is as they have been used in other branded products that use the same internal parts or furniture as it’s often known.

For example, you can have a Smeg model that was largely made for Smeg by say, Gorenje and that will use a bunch of Gorenje parts. So, the Gorenje parts will fit the corresponding Smeg models that use the same parts and vice versa but, those parts will not fit other models.

In part this is why sizes are not used at all for most plastics, they should not been required and honestly, they often cause more problems than they solve.

People will buy stuff based on the size and then be totally miffed as to why a part, the correct size doesn’t fit when the mould is completely different to what they actually need so the part ordered would never have fitted.

Volume For Generic Parts

For actual producers of parts, generic parts that is, and not cheap parts bought out the back of factory doors as it were, they need significant volumes to be bothered with making any given part.

That means they need a demand. Then they need to be able to sell enough and with enough margin to justify the significant tooling cost to set up production. Bear in mind that to tool up to make a batch of parts can cost many thousands of pounds never mind the cost of making the moulds to do it.

Then there’s the chance that one or more of the OEMs throw their teddies out of their pram and sue them for IP infringement.

But there are, literally, tens of thousands of these plastic parts and producers (other than the OEM) have no clue how many are out there and what the demand might be or not.

So it’s too costly, too risky and frankly, too hard to be bothering with for them.

Universal Freezer Drawers

Universal freezer drawers or baskets are probably the most common generic part that we get asked about and it is a complete myth that such a thing exists, they do not.

You cannot rely on using sizes to find one that will fit or be close enough.

We will often say to people that if you use sizes you might as well go to Ikea and buy a plastic tub as close as you can get as, that is effectively what you’re doing when relying on sizes alone. We say this on order to highlight the futility of what people are trying to do, despite us advising that this is not the way to go about it and will almost inevitably fail.

All you need is one bit of moulding to be different from the original drawer and, it will not fit. One millimetre out on size and, it won’t fit.

So the chances of getting one that is obsolete or, getting a cheaper alternative are pretty much zero.

Except, where the likes of ourselves have found the same on alternative part numbers from another producer, like our Smeg/Gorenje example above. But where the only source was the original OEM, we’re afraid there is and will be, no other option.

Universal Door Shelves

The next most common to be asked about often with comments like “Surely there’s something that will fit it?”. No, if the part is obsolete and no longer made, nothing will fit.

For all the reasons given, there will be no alternatives.

Fridge Shelves

Same deal really but, there are universal fridge shelves but, we don’t recommend them if there’s any other choice.

You can get cut-to-size “plexiglass” shelves but they’re not great at all. In wider units especially, they will bow in the middle, and they will not hold too much weight.

It might look, on the surface, like a great solution but the reality is not so great at all.

For pure glass shelves, you do have an option though.

If you get the exact size needed, pop into a local glazier and ask them to cut one for you from tempered glass (you need that for safety) and ask them to grind the edges, so you don’t have sharp edges on it.

Fridge Shelf Trims

These are cabinet and glass-specific; there are no generic ones. None at all.

If you can’t get the original one/s you need or often the complete shelf if that’s how they come, you will have no other options.

Freezer Flaps/Drawer Fronts

Yet again, we’re sorry but these are cabinet specific parts for which there are no alternatives and not a thing will fit if the one you need is unavailable for any reason.