Hello everyone, this is DIY Renova.
Recently, frozen foods have become delicious and frozen bento services have developed, so opportunities to use the freezer have increased.
Therefore, in this article, we have put together a list of refrigerators that are large enough to store items above the freezer for two or three people who are having trouble with home appliances.
Let me tell you the conclusion first.
If you're looking for a refrigerator with a large freezer compartment and easy storage for things on top for two or three people, it's easy to choose from the following three types.
- If you mainly use pre-prepared or frozen foods → Iris Ohyama “IRSN-HF24A-B (235L, 3 doors)”iris ohyama
- For tall people and those who value the balance between freezing and refrigeration → MAXZEN "JR230ML02 (231L, 2 door)"MAXZEN
- If you want to use it flexibly with a variable temperature room and prefer a silver color → COMFEE "RCB239DS1JP (237L, 2 doors + variable temperature room)"
In this article, we will organize and introduce information to make it easier for people who are remodeling their kitchen or buying a new refrigerator to make a comparison.
We have also summarized the points you should check before making a DIY shelf or placing a microwave on top.
So, here you go.
Conditions assumed in this article
- Living with two or three people (family living together, living together, sharing a room, etc.)
- The freezer compartment is quite large (70L or more as a guide)
- The top surface is as flat as possible, making it easy to store and place home appliances.
- Capacity is approximately 220-300L
- The height should preferably be around 170cm (299L model is introduced as an exception)
Organize candidate models for easy comparison
List of candidates
| Model name | full capacity | Freezer capacity | Height x width x depth (approx.) | Number of doors | height image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMFEE RCB239DS1JP | 237L | 90L | 172.5×56.5×56.5cm | 2 doors + variable room | For a person who is 160cm tall, the upper surface is slightly higher than the head. |
| MAXZEN JR230ML02 | 231L | 70L | 170×54.5×57.6cmMAXZEN | 2 door | Just above eye level |
| Iris IRSN-HF24A-B | 235L | 123L (33L of which can be refrigerated)iris ohyama | 172.5×56.2×56.3cm | 3 door | As much as COMFEE |
| Iris IRSN-30A-W | 299L | 91Liris ohyama | 185×59.5×60cm | 2 door | For tall people |
| Sharp SJ-PD28P-T | 280L | 92L | Approximately 156.8×56×66cmYamada Denki web | 2 door | It's low so it's easy to place things on top, but it's not compatible with heat-resistant top tables. |
*Capacity and size are based on the manufacturer's published values, but please be sure to check the sales page for the latest information before purchasing.
How much capacity is right?
Domestic housing media uses it as a guideline for refrigerator capacity.
A simple formula is often introduced: ``70L x number of people + 100L to keep on hand + 70L for future purchases''.Japanet
- Two people living: 70×2+100+70=310L
- Three people living: 70×3+100+70=380L
Just looking at this calculation, the 300L class seems to be just right for two or three people. However, in reality
- Frequency of self-cooking (only on weekends/cooked every day)
- How much frozen food to keep on hand
- How many times a week do you go shopping?
The required capacity varies considerably.
If you live a lifestyle where you go shopping frequently and don't stock up on drinks, a 230-240L class is often sufficient.
Important points when choosing a refrigerator
1. Freezer size
This time's theme is "Large freezer".
Looking at the freezer compartment ratio of each model
- COMFEE: 90L (approximately 38% of the total)
- MAXZEN: 70L (about 30% of the total
- Iris HF24A-B: 123L (approximately 52% of the total)
- Iris 30A-W: 91L (approximately 30% of the total)
For people who want to buy in bulk and put it in the freezer, or who want to prepare bread and meat and freeze it, a model with a higher freezer compartment ratio will be easier to use.
2. height and things to put on top
Most microwave ovens in Japan are around 30cm high, so
Considering "a range on top of the refrigerator + about 10 cm of heat radiation space",
For people who are around 160cm tall, it is easy to use a refrigerator with a height of around 170cm.
moreover,
- Does the manufacturer clearly state that it is a “heat-resistant top table”?
- In the instruction manual, is it possible to place a microwave oven on top?
is important. An explanation from a home electronics retailer states that ``You should avoid placing a microwave oven in a model that does not support heat-resistant top tables.''SHARP Sharp Corporation
Among the candidates this time, there are no models that are clearly written as "compatible with heat-resistant top tables," and the Sharp SJ-PD28P in particular is clearly marked as "not compatible with heat-resistant top tables."Yodobashi.com
Therefore,
- Place the microwave on a "dedicated rack or shelf"
- Place only “light items (wrap, baskets, Tupperware, etc.)” on top of the refrigerator
It's safe if you assume that.
Be sure to check the instruction manual to see if you can place the microwave on top of the refrigerator.
3. Energy saving performance and electricity bill
Even with the same capacity, the annual power consumption varies by several tens of kWh depending on the model.
for example
- MAXZEN JR230ML02: Annual power consumption approximately 295kWh
- Iris IRSN-30A-W: Annual power consumption approximately 340kWh
If the electricity rate is 30 yen per kWh, in a year
295kWh → approximately 8,850 yen, 340kWh → approximately 10,200 yen (actual unit price will vary depending on the power company and contract).
Since these are home appliances that will be used for a long time, it is best to have a rough idea of not only the purchase price, but also the electricity bill for 10 years.
Recommended patterns by lifestyle
A model suitable for pre-made and frozen foods
Iris Ohyama IRSN-HF24A-B (235L/3 door)
The freezer compartment alone has 123L, making it an extreme ``refrigeration-oriented'' model with more than half of the total freezer space.
- A 33L room called the "select room" can be switched between refrigeration, soft freezing, and freezing.
- The freezer compartment is pull-out, making it easy to organize food items.
- At approximately 172.5cm in height, it is easy to secure space to place daily necessities on the top plate.
It's very compatible with a lifestyle where you can get through the weekdays with frozen foods, then prepare and freeze them in bulk on the weekend.
As a point of caution,
- The refrigerator compartment is a little small at 112L.
- If you plan to place the microwave on top, be sure to check the instruction manual to see if it is possible.
There is a point.
People who want to save money by focusing on the balance between refrigeration and freezing
MAXZEN JR230ML02 (231L/2 door)
This model packs 231L into a slim body with a width of 54.5cm.
- Refrigerated 161L + frozen 70L, both of which are well balanced above average.
- At 170cm in height, even short people can easily reach the top plate.
- Fan type that does not require defrosting, comes with an alarm in case you forget to close the door
It's the perfect size for families who do a fair amount of self-cooking, but don't rely solely on freezing, and who want to keep a certain amount of drinks in stock.
Points to note are
- The freezer compartment is 70L, which is not enough to freeze a heaping amount.
- Since it is not officially specified whether the top plate is heat-resistant, a separate rack for the microwave oven is recommended.
The price range is relatively low, making it suitable for people who want to balance their household budget. Yahoo! Shopping and Rakuten Market often offer large point rewards during campaigns, so it's easy to search by model number to find the lowest price.
For those who want flexible use with a variable temperature room
COMFEE RCB239DS1JP (237L, 2 doors + variable room)
The feature is the configuration of "90L refrigerated storage + 33L variable temperature room + 90L frozen storage". The temperature of the variable room can be changed from -18 to 5 degrees Celsius, so it can be used as a vegetable room, chilled, or frozen.
- Thin design with a depth of approximately 56.5 cm, making it easy to fit into kitchens with narrow aisles.
- With 90L of frozen food, it's easy to make both pre-made food and frozen food at the same time.
- Silver design goes well with stainless steel kitchens
On the other hand, user reviews
- 2L plastic bottle cannot be placed in the door pocket
- Some individuals are concerned about strange noises.
- Installation troubles due to misreading of dimension descriptions
Because of this, it is important to check the width, depth, and height of the installation space with plenty of room to spare.
This is a very flexible product for people who want to change the way they use refrigeration and freezing depending on the season, or who use a lot of both vegetables and frozen foods.
Plenty of capacity, suitable for people who buy in bulk (tall people)
Iris Ohyama IRSN-30A-W (299L/2 door)
At 185cm in height, it is by far the tallest model among the models, but it has a spacious capacity of 299L.
- 208L refrigerated + 91L frozen, plenty of vegetables, drinks, and frozen foods
- It has a decent depth of 60cm, but the internal depth is also 46cm, making it easy to put in and take out.
If you have a family of two and want to buy in bulk once a week, have a lot of drinks in stock, or want to stock up on lots of pre-made Tupperware, the 299L class gives you peace of mind.
however
- The main body is 185cm, so short people may have difficulty reaching the top plate.
- If you place the microwave on top, you will need a stepladder, which is dangerous, so it is not recommended.
From this point of view, it is suitable for people who are taller or who want only a storage box above the refrigerator.
This model is low so it is easy to place things on top, but it is not compatible with microwave storage.
Sharp SJ-PD28P-T (280L/2 door)
This model is attractive because it has a low height of approximately 156.8cm, making it easy to place things on top.
- With a capacity of 280L, it is large enough for two or three people to live together.
- Equipped with Plasmacluster to sterilize and deodorize the inside of the refrigerator.
On the other hand, the official specifications clearly state that it is ``not compatible with heat-resistant top tables,'' and you cannot place a microwave oven on top of it.Yodobashi.com
It's a good choice for people who think, ``I only need a storage box or basket on top of the refrigerator,'' or ``I'd like something with a sterilization function,'' but it's a little off the mark in terms of ``being able to put things on top of it (including the microwave),'' which is the theme of this article.
Things to check before installation
No matter which model you choose, you will be less likely to make a mistake if you write down the following points on paper and check them.
- "Width, depth, height" and "outlet position" of the installation location
- Refrigerator's "width, depth, height" and "required installation dimensions" (gap between walls)Bic camera
- Delivery route (width of entrance, hallway, stairs, and corners)
- Door opening direction (most doors open to the right, so be careful of interference with the wall)
- Items you plan to place on top (range, toaster, storage box, etc.)
Especially if you want to place the microwave on top of the refrigerator.
- Is it explicitly allowed by the manufacturer?
- Even if it is permitted, are the weight and size of the range within the requirements?
It is safe to always check the following, and if you are at all concerned, use a dedicated rack.
Summary
- When choosing a refrigerator with a large freezer compartment for a household of two or three people, it will be easier to compare if you look at ``freezer capacity,'' ``height,'' and ``energy saving performance.''
- If you mainly use refrigeration, the "Iris IRSN-HF24A-B" is a good option, if you want balance, the "MAXZEN JR230ML02" is a good option, and if you want to use it flexibly, the "COMFEE RCB239DS1JP" is a good candidate.
- Be sure to check the manufacturer's instructions on whether or not to place the microwave on top, and if you are unsure, it is safe to use a dedicated rack.
- When shopping online, the best way to avoid mistakes is to search by model number, check the price, reviews, and size all at once, and don't forget to measure the delivery route and installation space.
After reading this article, if you write down your lifestyle and the size of your kitchen on paper, we hope that you will be able to clearly see which type of refrigerator suits you.
If you're wondering "How much renovation or remodeling can I actually do on my own home?" or "Where should I even start?", please visit this page. If you're looking to learn more about specific renovation processes or construction details, don't miss this page as well!
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Information referenced
- Explanation of "refrigerator capacity guideline" provided by housing information sites (e.g. 70L x number of people + 100L + 70L spare)Japanet
- MAXZEN “JR230ML02” official website and press releaseMAXZEN
- Iris Ohyama "IRSN-HF24A-B" "IRSN-30A-W" official page/product page of home electronics retaileriris ohyama
- Sharp "SJ-PD28P" product page and home appliance retailer's explanation (statement that heat-resistant top table is not compatible)Yamada Denki web
- Explanatory articles by home electronics retailers and manufacturers regarding ``conditions under which it is okay to place a microwave oven on top of a refrigerator''SHARP Sharp Corporation
Based on this information, I have organized it in a way that applies it to real life as much as possible.
When purchasing, be sure to check the latest specifications and instruction manual to choose one that you can use with confidence.
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