replacing built-in under counter fridge and freezer

[jemh720]

Good morning,
the current set up has both units in a kitchen island with a column of drawers in the middle separating the two. The layout / set up cannot be changed. The fridge is over heating (most likely due to lack of proper ventilation) and the freezer, while working, could do with replacing too as it ices up too easily for my liking (ditto ventilation issues). As far as I can tell, both units are generic cheap-as-chips contractor garbage (possibly CDA) and will not therefore be missed.
I am looking at AEG SKS58200F0 (fridge) and AEG ABB68211AF (freezer) as the replacements.
[u]1st question[/u]: providing the new appliances fit within the cavities vacated by the old ones, can this be viewed as a simple swap out or am I missing something? I will be looking to improve the ventilation during (re-)installation
2nd question: Is there anything I need to be aware of with reference to door fitments — slider kits vs fixed door?
3rd question: excluding cosmetic considerations, would there be any advantage to choosing free standing over built in units?
Any input gratefully received. Kind regards, J. Havard

[electrofix]

Re: replacing built-in under counter fridge and freezer

not too bad to swop these sort of things. you can check the ventilation but normally there is gaps below the door to allow air in to base of the unit. most units use fan to push the air through the condenser to cool in and provided the hole where it sits is not completely sealed the will be enough air under the units and gaps in the kick strips to get the heat out. only time consuming job is fitting the outer door as it has to be accurately places. Tip do not secure the unit under the work surface until after you have fitted the door. That way if its not in line you can tweek it before locking it in

all the door fitting instructions will come with the new unit. normally including some sort of template. It is best not to put all the screw in before you have it correct. put the odd screw in to hold door outer then temp fit it to see if its right before you fit all the screws

if you use free standing units you may have lots of cosmetics to do. Cut kick strip, poss floor problems as they tend no to fit the floor under the appliances plus you would have to fit kick strips to the left and right of the aperture at floor level to stop you seeing under the kitchen units

Dave

[jemh720]

Re: replacing built-in under counter fridge and freezer

Thank you so much for the quick reply. Tips noted and taken on board.
Have a good weekend 🙂

[jemh720]

Re: replacing built-in under counter fridge and freezer

Hi again,
I probably should have just bought what I was originally looking and made my life easy. But no, I have looked further and have now come across CAPLE in my price range. They seem to be being grouped / mixed in with Bosch/Neff/Siemens, (as in AEG + Whirlpool + Zanussi often listed together with each essentially the same machine, but a different badge) so I wondered if CAPLE are the top end of AEG group or the lower end of Bosch group. CAPLE RBL4 and RBF4.
Am I right in thinking that the door hardware on built ins/unders is interchangeable — if I currently have slider fixings I can change this to fixed door fixings and vice versus? Are such kits easily available after purchase?
Thank you in advance again for any input. Kind regards, J. Havard

[electrofix]

Re: replacing built-in under counter fridge and freezer

if I was you i would stick to something you can get spares for easily as you may have to go to Caple direct if you break something
don’t know who makes fridges for caple all i can say is they don’t make their own

if price is a problem try looking at Beko. They appear a lot not only under their own name but also in disguise for other suppliers. you still get a 2 year guarantee if you register the appliance. you can pick the fridge up for about £230

obviously if you went up market you may well get better quality fittings etc

Bosch , Neff and siemans are the same manufacturer

AEG, Zanussi, Electrolux and tricity bendix are the same manufacturer

Dave

[jemh720]

Re: replacing built-in under counter fridge and freezer

Thanks again Dave for sharing your wisdom.
Kind regards, J. Havard

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