Not so cool: our test of six bar-type fridges suggests you wouldn't want to leave your prawns in some of them for too long ... (Test: small fridges).(Product/Service Evaluation)

Publication: Choice (Chippendale, Australia)

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COPYRIGHT 2003 Australian Consumers' Association

If you're after another fridge to add flexibility to your food and drink storage, you might think a small bar fridge is the answer. If you only want to keep your soft drinks or beer cool, you might be right. However, if you think this type of fridge is a mini version of larger ones and has much the same capabilities, you're quite wide of the mark.

WHEN IS A FREEZER REALLY A FREEZER?

According to the Australian standard for fridges, the models we tested are classed as 'group 2'. This means they have a fresh-food compartment with an optional icemaker. One thing they don't have is a freezer, otherwise they'd be classed as 'group 3' (with a short-term freezer capable of achieving -9[degrees]C) or 'group 4' (with a freezer able to maintain at least-15[degrees]C).

However, these standard distinctions aren't always reflected in the instructions for these fridges, or in their marketing. For example, the instructions for the NEC FR-136R refer to the icemaker as a freezer, and the SAMSUNG website describes the icemaker of the SAMSUNG SRG-148 as a 'full-width short-term freezer'. The KELVINATOR M140H also stretches the point by using the term 'mini-freeze' on its icemaker.

Most people aren't familiar with the standard and would take the word 'freezer' at face value. If you bought one of these fridges and tried to use the icemaker as a freezer, you'd pretty soon end up as the disillusioned owner of a lot of spoiled food. Manufacturers need to provide accurate information at the point of sale about the function and limitations of these icemakers.

A RATHER...

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