10 Best Flatbed Combination Microwave To Buy Now

Which Is Better Flatbed Or Turntable Microwave in 2023?

Deciding between flatbed or turntable microwave is not a simple task! The answer to this will depend on what you plan to use it for and how much you want to spend.

We’ve taken a look at the pros and cons of the flatbed designs below,that helps you to get the clear difference between flatbed or turntable microwave. Hopefully this helps you make up your mind when making your purchase.

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What Are Flatbed Microwaves?

Contents

Let’s start by taking a quick look at what flatbed microwaves are.

Flatbed microwaves are those that do not have a turntable mechanism for cooking and heating your food. Instead they have a flatbed base with microwaves fed through a rotating antenna underneath the floor of the microwave.

See More: How Do Flatbed Microwaves Work?

Which Is Better Flatbed Or Turntable Microwave?

Pros:

Increased Cooking Capacity

As the flatbed microwaves do not have turntables, there is much more cooking space available inside. The extra space also means that you can fit in dishes that would otherwise be difficult in similarly sized turntable microwaves.

More Evenly Cooked Food

An oft stated benefit of the flatbed design over and above the turntable microwaves is that they tend to cook and heat food more evenly. This is often due to the technology used for cooking. For example the excellent Panasonic NN-SN686S counter top (Built-in inverter) microwave uses Inverter Technology to cook food much more evenly than a traditional turntable. This then means you don’t have the annoying hassle of constantly reheating your food to get rid of those cold patches at the bottom of your leftover pasta bake.

Easier To Clean

This is a big one for us. As there is no awkward turntable to work around as you would get in a traditional microwave, cleaning spills and splatters inside the cavity is much easier in a flatbed machine.

Cons:

The Cost

The main drawback for the flatbed design is that because the technology is relatively new, the models tend to be more expensive than the turntable alternatives.

This should improve as more models hit the market however, it can put some people off. The advantages that you get however, in comparison to the turntable models mean it is often worth paying the price if it suits your needs and meets your budget.

Best Solo Flatbed Microwaves: #1- Russell Hobbs RHFM2363S

★★★★★

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The Russell Hobbs RHFM2363S is our pick for the best solo flatbed microwave. It combines ultra-sleek design with lots of useful features. Above all else the flatbed design gives you lots of heating and cooking capacity.

Best Solo Flatbed Microwaves: #2 – Hotpoint Extra Space Solo Flatbed Microwave

★★★★★

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The Hotpoint Extra Space Solo Flatbed Microwave is our 3rd choice for best flatbed solo microwave and it’s a great choice for a flatbed microwave if you need something slightly larger than the 23L offered by the Russell Hobbs RHFM2363S.

It’s rare to find products as universally highly rated by users as the Hotpoint Extra Space Solo Flatbed Microwave. It receives glowing reports across the board in terms of its performance, value for money, ease of use and style. And it’s easy to see why; it looks stunning and comes from a highly regarded brand.

Best Flatbed Solo Microwaves: #3 – Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B

★★★★★

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With the delightfully easy Russell Hobbs RHEM2301B you get a super-easy to use microwave that’s also offers great value for money and with a flatbed design that makes it very straightforward to clean. That’s why its our number #1 pick for best flatbed solo microwave and a major difference between flatbed and turntable microwave.

Best Flatbed Combination Microwave – Panasonic NN-DS596BBPQ

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The Panasonic NN-DS596BBPQ delivers a great all-round and versatile appliance that also looks brilliant. It features a microwave – oven – grill – steamer 4 in 1 combination which gives you a lot of flexibility all in the same machine.

Best Turntable Microwaves: #1 – Samsung MS23F301TAK/EU Solo Microwave

★★★★★

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The Samsung MS23F301TAK/EU Solo Microwave looks like it has it all and it tons of very happy users tend to agree that it delivers. Not only does it resemble a cross between cutting-edge technology, design and luxury but it also cooks brilliantly as well according to many highly satisfied buyers. To top it all off it also offers brilliant value for money.

Best Turntable Microwaves: #2 – Toshiba MM-EM20P(WH)

★★★★★

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Not content with making excellent TVs and laptops as well as a whole host of other well-loved appliances, Toshiba put their reliable touch on microwaves. The Toshiba MM-EM20P(WH) has a lot going for it and makes it onto our list as our #3 pick for the best turntable microwave.

Best Turntable Microwaves: #3 – Daewoo KOR6M17R

★★★★★

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By focusing on simplicity with little fuss, Daewoo have produced an absolute winner of a microwave. If you need a microwave that will cook, re-heat and defrost your food effectively, is easy to use and offers excellent value for money then look no further than the Daewoo KOR6M17R.

Best Flatbed Combination Microwave Reviews

Take a look at our full list of the best flatbed combination microwaves after knowing the difference between flatbed or turntable microwave for some more ideas on what to buy and what to look out for when making your choice.

So, these are our well-researched difference between flatbed or turntable microwave in 2023 from our experts.

Tell us what you think in the comments.

How to Make Paprika-Mozzarella Sausage Rolls With Jus-Rol (13 Steps)

These paprika and mozzarella sausage rolls are simply delicious. They are most definitely a special treat and not something we make regularly but they are an absolute delight. They can be used a snack, starter or even as a main dish with some lovely salad on the side.

Ingredients

1 x Whole Pepper (red or yellow) cut into small cubes
4 x Sausages of your choice (We like Sainsbury’s Richmond Vegan Meat Free Sausages) But you can use Chicken or Beef sausages.
1 x Tablespoon of Paprika
150g Mozzarella cut into small pieces
1 x 320g Ready to use puff pastry sheet (We like Sainsbury’s Richmond Vegan Meat Free Sausages)
2 x Tablespoons of red pesto
1 x Tablespoon Ground Black Pepper
1 x Tablespoon Olive Oil
2 x Egg Mix

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 180°C.
Place the olive oil into a pan and heat up gently. Add the cubes of whole fresh pepper and stir for a few minutes until tender.
Place peppers into a separate bowl for mixing with the other ingredients.
Cut the end of each sausage and squeeze out the sausage meat into the mixing bowl with the peppers.
Add the paprika and ground black pepper.
Add mozzarella and red pesto.
Mix all the ingredients together in the mixing bowl and set aside.
Take your pastry sheet and lay it on a flat service. Take your sausage mix and lay in the middle of your pastry sheet all the way along the length of the piece. You want to leave a equal distance on either side of the pastry mix.
- Note: The sausage rolls made in the video above were pretty large and used the whole puff pastry sheet. You can opt to make more bite-size rolls by simply cutting the sheet in half and using half the meat mixture for each side.
Take your egg mix and spread some lightly along the edges of your puff pastry sheet.
Take on side of the puff pastry and roll it over the sausage mix to join the other. Make sure the two sides are properly sealed. You can take a fork and press into the two folds to make sure they are sealed.
Take the your egg mix and spread it over the puff pastry. Make sure you cover the whole surface.
Use a large knife to slice the puff pastry into 9 sections. Place each one onto an oven tray lined with baking paper.
Place in the oven for 45 minutes (they should come out a nice golden brown).
ENJOY!!!

Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ Combination Microwave Review

The Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ is one of the most impressive combination flatbed microwaves on the market and one of our topic picks. Our Panasonic flatbed combination microwave review will give you everything you need to know about the brilliant Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ.

Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ Combination Microwave Review

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Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ Combination Microwave Review

Model	Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ
Type	Flatbed Combination Microwave – microwave, grill & oven
Capacity	23 Litre
Price	Check the latest price on Amazon Now

There’s plenty to like about the Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ. It is sleek and precise from the exterior finish to the way it cooks your food. We especially like the well polished exterior which would be welcomed in most kitchen counters. The black and silver finish give it a real clean look.

The NN-DF386BBPQ is a 3-in-1 combination microwave giving you a microwave – oven – grill all in one appliance. This offers great flexibility when deciding the best way to cook and heat up your foods.

The pull down front door is a nod to more traditional ovens whilst also meaning you can cool down dishes on it. This is particularly handy if you have a smaller kitchen.

The flatbed design gives you plenty of space inside the machine (23 litre capacity). This means you have 30% more space than a traditional turntable microwave of a similar size, enough to fit in a 350 x 230 mm casserole dish.

Inverter Technology will mean that your meals are cooked and heated evenly throughout putting an end to repeated goes in the microwave trying to kill the cold spots. As well as being less annoying this will also mean less energy usage and more time for you.

To cook your food exactly as you need it, the NN-DF386BBPQ has six different cooking settings covering chilled or frozen meals, fresh or frozen vegetables and rice or pasta. To top things off it also has a built-in sensor that means you can cook food without having to enter the time, power level or weight.

The controls are super friendly and fairly easy to pick up. In the event that you do struggle however, the instruction manual is pretty straightforward to follow.

As you would expect with a flatbed design, cleaning the machine is quite easy as you can access the base with no trouble.

All in all this Panasonic model provides a fantastic flatbed combination microwave packed with plenty of features and also looks the part.

Take a look at our other flatbed combination microwave reviews here.

Key Benefits

3-in-1 combination (Microwave – oven – grill)
Large capacity, perfect for large dishes
User friendly controls for no hassle use
Dimensions: 39.6 x 48.3 x 31 cm
Wattage: 1,000 watts

Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ Combination Microwave Review: Let us know your thoughts.

Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861

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The heavily feature packed Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861 is one of the best flatbed combination microwaves around and one of our favourite models.

Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861

Model	Sharp R861SLM
Type	Flatbed Combination Microwave – microwave, grill & oven
Capacity	25 Litre
Price	Check the latest price on Amazon Now

The bold black and silver finish gives the model a real high-end feel and would make a nice addition to most kitchens. Whilst the pull-down oven style door provides easy access for large dishes.

The Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861 is one of the best machines available especially when you consider how much you get for the price you pay (Check the latest price on Amazon).

It combines 3 appliances in 1 with a microwave, grill and convection based oven with a flatbed base (no turntable). The flatbed base gives you much more cooking capacity than a standard turntable microwave – great for those large or awkward dishes.

The Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861 comes with non-slip feet leaving little danger of the microwave moving once you set it on your counter.

Something that may not be entirely to everyone’s taste is the white branded internal base though this certainly gives it a clean feel. In addition, the noise and vibration on some programs maybe something you notice but are not deal-breakers.

Being a flatbed model, cleaning will not be an issue as its easy to access with no awkward turntable to take out and clean separately.

The buttons and controls are straightforward to use and won’t have you reaching for the instruction manual. There’s a handy child lock feature which will leave you secure in the knowledge that your children cannot accidentally use the microwave.

Final Verdict: Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861

Overall the Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861 is a fantastic flatbed combination microwave with lots of features that will leave your happy you made the choice.

Take a look at our other flatbed combination microwave reviews here.

Key Benefits

Flatbed base for 30% more cooking space
Spacious 25litre capacity
Child-lock feature for peace of mind
3-in-1 combination of microwave, grill and oven
Dimensions: 30.0 x 51.0 x 47.0cm

Sharp 900w Combination Flatbed Microwave R861: Let us know your thoughts.

How Do Flatbed Microwaves Work?

Contents

Flatbed microwaves work slightly differently to the traditional turntable technology.

In the classic turntable models, the microwaves were emitted from an antennae on the side of the machine. The waves bounced randomly inside the oven. This partly explains why some items would not always cook or heat up evenly.

In machines with flatbed technology, the microwaves are emitted from beneath the flatbed base via a rotating antenna.

The microwaves will still bounce around the inside but at slightly different angles to the traditional turntable.

Therefore cooking times between the turntable style and the flatbeds may differ slightly.

What Are Flatbed Microwaves?

As you may have gathered from above, flatbed microwaves are those that use flatbed technology rather than rotating turntables.

They are a relatively new technology which can sometimes mean they cost more than traditional models but prices are becoming more competitive as more machines hit the market.

Are Flatbed Microwaves Any Good?

The manufacturers of flatbed microwaves claim that there are two main advantages to this technology:

1 – There is more cooking space within the microwave as you the turntable is not taking up space

2 – They also claim that these types of microwaves cook more evenly.

There are also a few other notable additional advantages in flatbed microwaves. The most significant one is not having to clean the turntable which can often be tricky.

They also often have several of the same features of the traditional microwaves. Like traditional machines, some of them also combine several functions e.g. microwave, oven and grill into one machine.

The Best Flatbed Microwaves

Below are some of the best flatbed microwaves.

Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B – Best Flatbed Solo Microwave

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The Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B is a great choice if your looking for a flatbed microwave. It has a great sleek black mirrored finish coupled with 800Watts cooking power and a diamond cavity to cook more evenly and reduce the chance of cold spots.

The mirrored door finish gives the RHFM2363B a great appearance though visibility during cooking is reduced and fingerprints are easier to see. Nonetheless it gives the machine a high grade look that is likely to upgrade most kitchen work-tops.

With a 23 litre capacity this will be perfect for smaller households rather than large families. Though it would also do well for everyday heating and cooking purposes.

Easily the best feature though is the flatbed technology. If you need to regularly cook large dishes in the microwave, a flatbed machine can accommodate them where as the old style turntables can’t take them.

The flatbed technology can also heat dishes more evenly particularly so in this Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B model due to its diamond cavity. The diamond cavity composition gives better microwave distribution by improving the reflection of the microwaves inside the machine. This means food is cooked more evenly saving you the headache of reheating your food to get rid of cold spots.

As with any purchase, there a few drawbacks to consider. The first mentioned previously is that fingerprints are easier to see on the mirror finish door meaning more regular cleaning. Though this is hardly a deal-breaker, it is something to bear in mind. In addition, it will need to be placed at least 20cm from a wall so consider this as well as the dimensions (51 x 43 x 31 cm) when thinking about where it would go.

When all is considered however, the Russell Hobbs RHFM2363B is an awesome flatbed microwave if you’re looking for power, convenience and a sleek design.

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Key Benefits

800 Watts of power for quick and convenient cooking
Mirror glass finish for a sleek and glossy feel
Internal diamond cavity structure provides effective microwave distribution for better cooking
Dimensions: 51 x 43 x 31 cm

Panasonic NN-DF386BBPQ 3-in-1 Combination Microwave Oven – Best Flatbed Combination Microwave

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The Panasonic NN-DF386 is one of the best machines on the market and our pick for the best flatbed combination microwave.

This model is sleek and precise from the exterior finish to the way it cooks your food.

ThiThe NN-DF386 is a microwave – oven – grill 3 in 1 combination which gives you a lot of flexibility for what you pay. The pull down front door gives it a more traditional oven feel whilst also allowing you to cool down dishes on it – useful for smaller kitchens.

The flatbed feature means there’s plenty of space inside (23 litre capacity), perfect for everyday use.

The Inverter Technology means that dishes are cooked evenly throughout avoiding unnecessary reheating.

To take care of all your cooking needs this model is equipped with six different cooking settings for chilled or frozen meals, fresh or frozen vegetables and rice or pasta. A particularly handy feature is the built-in sensor that means you cook food without having to enter the time, power level or weight.

The controls are very user friendly and straightforward to use. Nonetheless if you struggle the instruction manual has plenty of useful guidance.

The model also comes with a wire rack for the grill and an enamel plate for the oven.

The flatbed base makes cleaning very easy which is always a bonus.

This Panasonic model delivers a great all-round and versatile appliance that also looks brilliant.

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Key Benefits

3-in-1 combination (Microwave – oven – grill)
Large capacity, perfect for large dishes
User friendly controls for no hassle use
Dimensions: 39.6 x 48.3 x 31 cm
Wattage: 1,000 watts

Best Budget Fridge Freezer Under £300

We’ve searched hard to bring you the leading contenders for the best budget fridge freezer under £300.

As you are interested in the best budget fridge freezer under £300 we also assume you’ll want to know which fridge freezers are the cheapest to run in terms of energy consumption so we have presented this information in our table below as well.

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Model	Estimated Running Cost Per Year	Net Capacity	Dimensions
Beko CFG1582DW	£48.43	261 Litres	H182 x W54.5 x D60cm
Russell Hobbs RH50FF144	£31.72	156 Litres	H141.8 × W50 × D54cm
Beko CRFG1582W	£48.51	263 Litres	H182 x W54.5 x D60cm
HOOVER HSC574W	£39.42	242 Litres	H175 x W55 x D58cm
Hotpoint HBD5517W	£39.27	234 Litres	H174 x W54.5 x D58cm

Energy cost based on average cost of £15.40 per unit.

What Factors Should You Consider When Looking For The Best Budget Fridge Freezer Under £300?

Contents

Capacity/Space: The internal storage space of your fridge freezer is something to keep in mind when searching for a new model.

Bear in mind that you will often see both gross and net capacity stated; you want to focus on the net capacity.

The net capacity is the usable space you have once you take away what’s already occupied by shelving units etc.

Gross capacity is the total space you have in a given compartment or overall.

Size: The size of the fridge freezer is obviously critical as it needs to fit into your available kitchen space.

Always check the space where you intend to put the fridge to make sure it is suitable. It also will need space around the back and sides for air circulation.

Annual Running Cost: As well as the upfront cost you pay today for your fridge freezer, you may also want to think about how much it will cost you to run it. Remember that your fridge freezer will almost certainly be switched on 24 hours a day every day so the cost of running it is crucial to controlling your energy costs.

Other Features To Look Out For: Water dispensers can be useful especially for chilled water in the summer months; transparent glass and plastic draw and shelves for visibility and frost-free function for extra convenience.

Best Budget Fridge Freezer Under £300

Beko CFG1582DW – Best Budget Fridge Freezer

Estimated Yearly Running Cost: £48.43

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Pros

Plumbing free water dispenser
Metal backed (flame retardent)
Large net capacity (261 litres)

Cons

You’d have to work very hard to find any obvious ones at this price!

We’ve put the excellent Beko CFG1582DW at the top of the list for best budget fridge freezer under £300 for the features you get for your money.

It combines an excellent 261 litre net capacity alongside a water dispenser, an A+ energy efficiency rating and frost free feature to keep your machine running as it should all year long.

At an estimated cost of £48.43 to run per year, it should also keep your wallet happy long after you have purchased it.

You can find a more detailed review here.

Key Benefits

Metal Backed (Flame Retardent)
261litre capacity
Frost free feature to keep your machine running efficiently
Plumbing free water dispenser
Ice bank tray for easy storage of ice cubes
Energy efficiency rating of A+ which should result in better energy usage
H182 x W54.5 x D60cm

Russell Hobbs RH50FF144 – Best Budget Fridge Freezer For Small Kitchen

Estimated Yearly Running Cost: £31.72

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Pros

156 litre net capacity – great size for a small household
Available in multiple colours – white, black, red and silver
Metal backed (flame retardent)

Cons

Small capacity may not suit everyone

The Russell Hobbs RH50FF144 makes it on to the list for the best budget fridge freezer under £300 and also gets the nod for the best fridge freezer for a single person or small household.

It will cost you an estimated £31.72 per year to run which makes sense given its smaller size when you compare it to the other models on this list.

You can find a more detailed review here.

Key Benefits

Metal Backed (Flame Retardent)
156 Litre Net Capacity – perfect for smaller households
Free-standing – so it can be located anywhere in your kitchen
Available in white, black, red and silver
Dimensions: H141.8 × W50 × D54cm.

Beko CRFG1582W

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Estimated Yearly Running Cost: £48.51

Pros

Frost free system
Reversible door
Large capacity (263 litres)
Flame retardent back

Cons

The highest running cost on the list

The Beko CRFG1582W makes the list of contenders for the best budget fridge freezer under £300 its simple yet effective design and the handy features it offers.

With a frost free system and 263 litre net capacity, this would make a welcomed addition to most kitchen especially for the price.

At £48.51 this model has the highest running cost on the list though this is marginal and overall still offers great value.

Key Benefits

Frost free system for easy maintenance
263 Litre Net Capacity
Reversible door allowing you to make full use of your space
A+ energy rating
Dimensions: H182 x W54.5 x D60cm

HOOVER HSC574W

Estimated Yearly Running Cost: £39.42

Pros

Reversible doors
Reasonable running cost
Twin crisper drawers

Cons

Difficult to read temperature control

The Hoover HSC574W makes it on to the list for the best budget fridge freezer for under £300 as it gives everything you would want in a new model and does it without fuss.

With an estimated consumption of 256KWh per year, it is estimated that it would cost you £39.42 per year in terms of running costs.

The fridge comes with 2 handy adjustable shelves along with twin crisper drawers which are great for storing your fruit and vegetables properly. The freezer is equipped with 4 drawers including one larger compartment at the bottom perfect for keeping larger sized items.

A slight oddity with the design is that the temperature control can sometimes be tricky to see clearly as it positioned near a bright light; certainly not a deal-breaker however.

Key Benefits

242 Litre net capacity
Reversible door opening to maximise the space in your kitchen
10 year parts and 1 year labour guarantee for peace of mind
Dimensions: H175 x W55 x D58cm

Hotpoint HBD5517W

Estimated Yearly Running Cost: £39.27

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Pros

Least expensive to run on the list
Reversible doors
10 year parts guarantee

Cons

Requires manual defrosting on occasion

The Hotpoint HBD5517W fridge freezer is included on our list of best budget fridge freezer under £300 for its classic look and versatile storage. We particularly like the twin fruit and veg crisper drawers in the fridge allowing you to split your groceries for optimum storage.

It is estimated that this model will cost you around £39.27 per year to run, the lowest on this list.

As it is a manual defrost model, it will ideally need to be thawed out from time to time to keep it running at its best.

Key Benefits

A+ Energy Efficiency rating
2 Salad crisper drawers – handy for separating your fruit and veg
234 Litre net capacity
10 year parts and 1 year labour guarantee for peace of mind
Reversible doors allowing you to place it wherever you need to in the kitchen
Twin fruit and veg crisper drawers; 4 freezer drawers
Dimensions: H174 x W54.5 x D58cm

Why Is My Refrigerator Is Freezing My Vegetables?

Why is my refrigerator freezing my vegetables?

Contents

We’ve all been there – you open up the fridge to grab some fresh tomatoes only to find they’re are half frozen over. And you think why is my refrigerator freezing my vegetables?. Here are a few possible reasons for why your vegetables are being frozen:

1 – Your Vegetables Are Too Close To the Cooling Vent

Most refrigerators have a air flow vent in the side or the back of the fridge for cooling.

Make sure that you are not placing sensitive items too close to this vent as they are likely to freeze over.

2 – Your Freezer Is Too Cold

The temperature of the freezer could be the reason your refrigerator is freezing your vegetables.

There are some side-by-side models that pass cold air from the freezer into the fridge via a vent. If the freezer temperature is too low, it will make your fridge colder too, especially by the vents.

3 – Your Fridge Temperature Is Too Low

You should also check that you have the temperature set to the appropriate level in the fridge. The level you set it to should be partly determined by the amount of food you typically store in there.

Ideally your fridge should be set to between 3°C (37°F) and 5°C (40°F) for optimum food storage.

If your fridge does not have easy to read temperature settings then you may want to consider grabbing yourself an appliance thermometer.

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If your fridge has a temperature dial (e.g. 1 to 5) then generally you want to make sure it is set to:

3 or 4 if it tends to remain quite full
1 or 2 if there’s typically not much food in there
The temperature dial lowers the temperature the higher up you go with 5 being the lowest temperature.

4 – Find The Cold Spots

Something to bear in mind is that the issue may be confined to one area of the fridge. The most common places where food is accidentally frozen in the fridge are the top-shelf, bottom of the fridge and door shelves.

If you have found that the problem only occurs in certain compartments then this should be easy to fix; only place food that can withstand the cold in those areas.

5 – Your Fridge Needs Be Defrosted

Sometimes your vents may become blocked which means the air cannot circulate as it should. Try defrosting your fridge and freezer to see if this will solve the problem. Empty the fridge of all its contents and leave it for 24 hours to settle. Give it a good clean and then plug it back in. With any luck this should solve the problem.

6 – The Fridge Is Not Full Enough

This might seem like an odd one but the fact your food may be freezing in because your fridge is not full enough.

Refrigerators work at their best when they are well packed. This is because fridges need to be adequately filled to absorb the cold air circulating inside. If they sit relatively empty then the cold air will sink to the bottom freezing any food there.

Doing this may also help to regulate the temperature in the freezer.

Use The Crisper Drawer

To keep your vegetables at their freshest for longest, the best place to keep your fruit and vegetables in your fridge is the crisper drawer. Take a look at the best way to use your crisper drawer here.

What if it’s still happening?

If these suggestions don’t solve the issue your fridge may have a problem that needs a bit more attention; be aware of some of the signs that could mean you need to call an engineer or consider a new fridge.

What Goes In The Crisper Drawer In The Fridge?

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What Goes In The Crisper Drawer In The Fridge?

Contents

The crisper drawer in the fridge is the best place to keep your fresh fruit and vegetables.

What Is The Crisper Drawer?

The crisper drawer is the compartment (sometimes two side by side) at the bottom of your fridge which is designed to prolong the life of your fruit and vegetables.

It has a different level of humidity to the rest of the fridge allowing you to optimise the conditions for fresh produce storage.

A lot of crispers will have a humidity slider at the back. This allows you to control the air flow into the drawer from a cooling vent;

Close the air flow for high humidity
Open the air flow for low humidity

Managing the crisper drawer correctly can significantly extend the life of your fruit and vegetables. This has a few noticeable benefits:

It will keep your food tasting fresher for longer
It will lower your grocery bill

How Do You Use The Humidity Control On Your Crisper Drawer?

Generally speaking you want to keep produce that rots easily in a low-humidity environment e.g. apples, avocados etc.

Whilst a high-humidity drawer is better for items that tend to wilt easily e.g. lettuce and spinach.

The high humidity section also works well for ethylene sensitive items.

What is ethylene gas and why does it matter?

One of the main reasons certain foods go bad quickly in the fridge is ethylene gas. Ethylene gas is naturally produced by foods such as bananas and apples. It is a plant hormone that is released as gas.

The ethylene hormone initiates cell degredation, turning fruits soft and sweeter.

There are some fruits and vegetables which produce high amounts of ethylene whilst others are more sensitive to it.

High Ethylene Producing Fruits and Vegetables

Apples
Bananas (ripe)
Apricots
Avocados
Grapes
Nectrines
Peaces
Potatoes
Plums

Ethylene Sensitive Fruits and Vegetables

Bananas (unripe)
Brocolli
Carrots
Cauliflower
Garlic
Kale
Onions
Strawberries

The above information should give you some help and guidance when it comes to storing your food. For example you may want to segregate your ripe bananas and your onions.

Some fridge models have more than one crisper drawer which makes it easy as you can separate foods as you need to. If your fridge only has one crisper drawer then you could always look at small storage containers to isolate the items you need to.

How Full Should My Crisper Drawer Be?

Make sure that you do not overfill your crisper drawer. If you are having to cram the last red peppers into the top of the drawer before closing it then take some stuff out.

It’s a good idea to leave space for air to freely circulate which will maintain the set temperature.

Should You Store Meat In The Crisper Drawer?

Given the ease in which you can set the relative humidity in the crisper drawer it could potentially be a good place to store meat.

However, generally raw meat should be isolated from everything else to avoid the risk of cross-contamination.

Therefore if you only have one crisper drawer which you tend to use for fruits and vegetables, avoid placing raw meat in there regardless of how tempting or convenient it might be.

If you have separate drawers and you use one of them for raw meat, make sure you do not use it for anything else.

In the case where your fridge does not have more than one crisper drawer, consider getting a reusable container with seal to if you need to store raw meat in your refrigerator.

What To Do If Your Fruits and Vegetables Are Still Not Staying Fresh?

If you’re still having trouble with keeping your fruits and vegetables fresh after trying out the above, then your fridge may have a problem that needs some technical attention or in the worst case, you may need a new fridge.

Hoisin Roasted Chicken Wings

These BBQ style hoisin roasted chicken wings are simply delicious. The hoisin sauce finish combined with a chargrilled-like look make them incredibly eye-pleasing but this is beaten by the mouth-watering flavours.

Great to go alongside a main dish or eaten as a starter, these wings will have you going back for more.

Ingredients

Chicken Wings 1kg pack
Soy Sauce x2 Tablespoons
Black Ground Pepper x1 Tablespoon
Paprika x2 Tablespoons
Season All x1 Tablespoons
Lemon x1
Fresh ginger x10g (Grated)
Olive Oil x2 Tablespoons
Oregano x1 Tablespoons
Hoisin Sauce x 3 Tablespoons

Method

Pre-heat oven to 220°C
Place chicken wings (thoroughly washed) in mixing bowl and add half a cup of water. Add the soy sauce.
Add the black pepper, paprika and Season All.
Squeeze lemon into the mix.
Add the fresh ginger into the mix.
Add the olive oil into the mix.
Add 1x tablespoons of the hoisin sauce.
Mix everything together until the wings are well covered.
Pour mixture into an oven tray making sure there is enough space for each wing to be fully exposed.
Sprinkle 1 Tablespoon of hoisin sauce over the top of the wings.
Place tray into oven at 220°C for 15 minutes/until golden brown. Turn the wings and sprinkle 1 Tablespoon of hoisin sauce onto other side.
Leave in the oven at 220°C for 15 minutes/until golden brown. Turn wings again.
Lower temperature to 180°C for 40minutes/until wings are well cooked inside and out.
Serve with a side of roasted potatoes.

Is 7 Degrees Celsius Cold Enough For A Fridge?

Your fridge freezer is possibly the most important appliance in your home but do you know its ideal temperature? Is 7 degrees Celsius cold enough for a fridge? Or is it 5 degrees Celsius?

Your fridge should be set to between 3°C (37°F) and 5°C (40°F)

Your freezer should be set to 0°C (-18°F).

It usually takes about 24 hours for any changes to take full effect.

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Here are a few other key questions you might have about your fridge…

Is 1 or 5 colder on a fridge?

Contents

What do the numbers on the temperature dial of your fridge mean? This is a tough one especially as a lot of fridge freezer models don’t always make it clear. You can try looking in the user manual but that’s not always helpful. So if the numbers go from 1 to 5 which is the coldest? Is it temperature or freezing power?

With pretty much all fridge freezers the numbers 1 to 5 indicate the refrigerant power with the higher the number, the colder the machine will be.

What is the ideal number between 1 to 5 for your fridge?

Generally speaking the more food you have in your fridge, the higher the number will need to be. If you have a lot of food 3 or 4 may be appropriate. If you don’t tend to store a much food then 1 or 2 may suffice.

Remember that a lower temperature doesn’t necessarily mean better food storage conditions. If the temperature is too low for the amount of food you have in the fridge you could frost burn your food. Although not harmful, the food may not necessarily have the same taste and texture.

In addition if the temperature is too high, ice may form in the fridge which could cause you problem with running it. When ice forms it could prevent air circulation.

Is 7 Degrees Celsius Cold Enough For A Fridge?

How do I know what temperature my fridge is?

The easiest way to find out what the temperature of your fridge is, is to use a thermometer.

For the fridge you can – place a thermometer in a glass of water in the fridge, leave it overnight and then check the temperature.

Why is my fridge not cold enough?

If your fridge is not cold enough you may be finding that your food is going off well before its use by date.

It usually means that the unit struggling to keep the temperature low enough to chill your food sufficiently.

This may be due to issues with the condenser coils or perhaps an overworked motor.

This is an issue that may need an engineer or may mean you need to consider buying a new fridge.

Here are 8 signs that you need a new fridge freezer.

Where is the best place to defrost food?

There are a few options for places to defrost food; the fridge, kitchen counter, defrost setting on the microwave or even running it under cold water.

However, the best place to defrost your food is the fridge. This is because the whole time the food is being defrosted its temperature is being kept outside the “Danger Zone”. The UK Food Standards Agency states that “bacteria usually grow in the ‘Danger Zone’ between 8°C and 60°C. Below 8°C, growth is stopped or significantly slowed down. Above 60°C the bacteria start to die.”

Make sure you plan enough time for the food to thaw as it can typically take up to day. A good way to do it is to take food out of the freezer the night before you need it or in the morning if you’ll need it in the evening.