Chilled-food storage prioritiser
If opened tofu, leftovers and fresh groceries take up most of your space, focus on usable fridge capacity and keeping food at the right temperature rather than adding an ice box.
Who needs which type of fridge?
Tight-layout kitchen planner
If the fridge must fit below a worktop or beside a narrow walkway, check its full dimensions, door opening and whether the space is intended for a freestanding or integrated appliance.
Small freezer-space seeker
If you need some frozen storage alongside refrigeration, an ice-box model is worth considering, provided its remaining chilled space accommodates your tofu and other fresh food.
What matters when choosing?
Start with safe chilled storage, then check whether the fridge fits and whether an ice box is worth giving up some fresh-food space.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Safe chilled storage | Confirm that the fridge can be set to 5°C or below and that you can check its temperature in use. Allow space for a covered tofu container. | If I keep opened tofu with other chilled food, I need room for the container and a fridge I can keep cold enough. Around 45% of consumers put safe chilled storage first. |
| Fit and access | Check the exact model's width, height, depth and required clearances; make sure its door can open in the intended position. | In a cramped kitchen, I cannot use a fridge that projects into the walkway or has a blocked door. Physical fit comes first for roughly 33% of consumers. |
| Chilled versus frozen space | Compare chilled and frozen volumes separately, and decide whether an ice box is useful enough to justify less fridge space. | If I need to keep a little frozen food as well as tofu, I can accept a smaller chilled compartment. About 22% of consumers prioritise that storage flexibility. |
Buying pitfalls to avoid
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Assuming all under-counter fridges fit the same gap
Width alone will not tell you whether a fridge clears the worktop, projects into the room or leaves enough space for its door.
Measure the whole position and compare it with the exact model's dimensions and installation instructions before ordering.
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Comparing total capacity instead of chilled space
An ice box occupies space that could otherwise be used for opened tofu and fresh groceries. Chilled and frozen volumes serve different needs.
Compare the compartments separately, and choose an ice box only if you expect to use the frozen space.
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Assuming a new fridge is enough for safe storage
Food storage also depends on the temperature at which the fridge operates and on the tofu pack's instructions. The NHS advises setting a fridge to 5°C or below.
Set and check the temperature after installation, keep opened tofu covered, and follow its pack's storage and use-by instructions.
Relevant brands to consider
Beko
Beko is relevant when comparing freestanding and integrated under-counter layouts, as well as larder and fridge-freezer formats.
- Beko lists standard and slimline under-counter designs; its BLSF3682 integrated larder example has a stated 130L fresh-food volume.
- The BLSF3682 is labelled discontinued on Beko's listing. Check the dimensions and housing requirements of the current model you intend to buy.
Hotpoint
Hotpoint offers freestanding under-counter examples for comparing a larder fridge with a model that includes an ice box.
- Hotpoint states that the H55R1 112X UK larder fridge measures 54cm wide, 84cm high and 59cm deep.
- An ice-box model divides its space between chilled and frozen storage. Check each compartment's stated volume for the exact variant.
Bosch
Bosch provides an under-counter fridge-with-freezer example for shoppers checking both installation size and chilled volume.
- Bosch lists the KTL15NWEAG at 850 × 560 × 580mm, with 106L of chilled-compartment volume and an integrated freezer compartment.
- Check availability and the exact model's installation requirements before planning around this appliance.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should I use for opened tofu?
Set the fridge to 5°C or below, as the NHS advises for chilled food. Follow the tofu pack's storage and use-by instructions; NHS guidance says to use opened food within two days unless its packaging says otherwise.
Should I choose a larder fridge or one with an ice box?
Choose a larder fridge when chilled space for tofu and other fresh food is the priority; consider an ice box if you also need a small amount of frozen storage. Compare the exact models' chilled volumes separately from their frozen volumes before deciding.
How should I measure for an under-counter fridge?
Measure the available height, width and depth, then check the exact fridge's installation instructions for required clearances. Allow for the door to open in the finished kitchen layout, even if the model has a reversible door.
What energy information should I check when buying in the UK?
Check the energy label displayed for the fridge you are considering. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Office for Product Safety and Standards state that products within the UK energy-labelling rules must display an energy label at the point of sale.