There are three types of shelves in modern refrigerators:

• Metal - consisting of bars running in parallel at a certain distance.
• Glass - made of special durable glass.
• Plastic - from of various kinds plastics.

For the buyer, it sometimes turns out to be a big problem to make a choice between the same type of refrigerators equipped with internal shelves from various materials.

Let's try to deal with this "unsolvable" problem.

Metal shelves in the refrigerator.

Strictly speaking, metal is metal. Such shelves are practically not afraid of any mechanical stress. You can knock on a metal shelf, you can throw it at a neighbor, you can even knock out a carpet on the street with it, and then calmly put it back in the refrigerator (do not forget to wash it first, of course).

But they also have their drawbacks:
- At first, liquid accidentally spilled on such a shelf will flood everything below.
- Secondly, metal shelves from of stainless steel does not happen (in any case, I have not seen) and therefore the metal from which the refrigerator shelf is made is covered special paint... Unfortunately, the reality is that the quality of this coating is far from always at its best, and the shelf is devoid of protective coating starts to rust quickly.

Glass shelves in the refrigerator.

Among many buyers of refrigerators, there is an opinion that fragile-looking glass shelves are afraid of loads and three-liter cans of culinary delights preserved in the summer should not be placed on them. This is a fundamentally misconception!

Glass shelves used in modern refrigerators are made of special tempered glass and can withstand loads of 20 even 25 kilograms.

However, you don't need to trust the sellers who will claim that glass shelves are unbreakable. Beat! And how! Try to do the same exercises with such a shelf as with the metal one, which I wrote about above, and you will have one less shelf.

Glass refrigerator shelves are much easier to keep clean than metal ones.

In addition, the liquid poured on the glass shelf will no longer spill lower, unless, of course, its volume is measured in liters.

Plastic shelves in the refrigerator.

As I already wrote at the very beginning, plastic shelves are made of special food grade transparent plastic.

Personally, I think this is the most dangerous type of shelf used in refrigerators. It is dangerous not because plastic is not a reliable material. It's just that plastic is different from plastic, and the chance to run into low-quality plastic is much greater than metal or glass.

The plastic used in expensive quality refrigerators can be very different from the plastic used in cheap models. This can threaten that your plastic shelves will suddenly begin to crack with all the ensuing consequences.

These are the shelves in refrigerators. And the choice is naturally yours!

By the way, I would like to hear your opinion in the comments.

Internal refrigerator shelves are increasingly made of durable tempered glass, edged with plastic or other materials. So Electrolux uses wood for edging in some models of their refrigerators, while Liebherr prefers stainless steel. The edging often plays the role of a protective side, which protects the lower shelves of the refrigerator from accidental spilling of liquid on them. All shelves are removable and easy to clean. Electrolux also allows you to remove the edging and rinse the entire surface. glass shelf... This is very convenient, because dirt is most difficult to remove precisely from the places of contact with the edging.
Glass shelves can support a lot of weight, so you can put heavy pots on them without fear. If you still prefer trellis shelves in the refrigerator, then they can still be found in models from Samsung, Whirpool, LG, etc.
On the one hand, glass shelves are much more convenient than lattice shelves, since they make it easier to keep the refrigerator clean, but, on the other hand, ventilation and heat exchange in the refrigerator deteriorate. In order for heat exchange to become normal, refrigerator manufacturers establish additional systems ventilation, which somewhat increases the final cost of the refrigerator.
When buying a refrigerator, you should pay attention to how the shelves are fixed in place, whether it will "go" along with the heavy pan that you take out. In stores, the shelves in the refrigerator are often attached with tape, so you need to ask the store consultant to peel it off and show how the shelves hold or take his word for it.
It is also important to know whether it is possible to adjust the height of the refrigerator shelves and how great is the possibility of choosing a new place. Some of the refrigerator models have corrugated side walls along the entire height, so the shelves can be easily arranged depending on the size of the dishes used. But in some, usually cheaper models of refrigerators, the shelves can be rearranged only one position, about 5 cm, which, of course, is less convenient.
Some manufacturers (Electrolux, AEG, Liebherr) offer half-width shelves. Bosch and some other companies in their devices install a shelf in the refrigerator, divided into two parts. If necessary, the front half of the shelf can be moved under the rear or removed completely, thus freeing up space for tall dishes. Electrolux offered a sloped shelf in the refrigerator. These shelves are very convenient to use if you put a tall bottle or a three-liter jar in the refrigerator.

Bottle holder

Refrigerator or bar? Manufacturers today pay special attention to the storage of bottles. The most common storage accessory is the bottle holder grate, which attaches like a shelf and can easily accommodate up to five beverage bottles at a time. Such a bottle holder can be included in a set of devices from various manufacturers and is found in both expensive and fairly cheap models.
Sometimes the kit includes a bottle holder for one bottle that attaches under any shelf. It can be lattice - (Hansa, LG - some models), or it can be plastic (Ariston, Whirpool, LG, Bosch). The plastic bottle holder in Ariston refrigerators (MBA 4041 C, MBA 3831, etc.) looks very nice, it can be bent so that it does not interfere if this moment it is not used, but I would not trust the heavy one, after all, this shelf is more intended for cans of drinks. Whirpool holder is more convenient, but only found in the most expensive models(ART 735, ART 710), and the models with lattice shelves (ART 882, ART 962) have a high wavy side on one of the shelves half of its entire length, on the bends of which the neck of the bottle is fixed, while the bottle itself lies on the shelf. Thus, drinks in lde [large bottles.
V Bosch models KGS 36310 uses a plastic bottle holder for two bottles, which can be installed under any of the shelves. The holder looks very sturdy and reliable. LG offers a similar holder for two bottles, only grid, which is attached under any grid shelf. Some manufacturers (Hansa, Kaiser, Reeson, etc.) can adjust the backward tilt angle for conventional shelves. This position allows for the correct and safe stacking of wine bottles. The only inconvenience is that the bottles are not fixed and can knock against each other if placed carelessly.
Siemens installs shelves in its Vario appliances. On the one hand, it is a smooth shelf for storing food, but if you turn it over, you get a shelf with wave-shaped grooves for storing bottles.
Electrolux offers big choice for true lovers of vintage wines - in some models (ER 9096, ER 9099) a special Coolling Rack is installed, made in the form of a container filled with a solution of ammonia salts with a high heat capacity, which allows you to quickly cool drinks, and the ER 9098 BSAN model is equipped with a wooden (! ) a shelf with compartments for bottles. In addition, in some models (ERE 3900 / ERE 3900 X) there is also a Quick Chiller foldable shelf, which is a flat plastic plate with metal fence, with which the bottle is fixed in an inclined position. An interesting bottle holder is offered by Liebherr (models KGT 4066, KGT 3866, etc.). It looks like lightweight construction made of metal and plastic with folding handle. Bottles in it can not only be stored in the refrigerator (in an upright position), but it is also not a shame to put them on the table. For horizontal storage of bottles, this manufacturer uses a three-storey lattice shelf (model KGT 5066, etc.), which is installed next to the trays for vegetables. Shelves - racks on the shelf have a slight backward tilt for safer bottle storage. More often the set includes a two-story shelf with flat shelves (KGB 4046, KGB 3646, etc.). The beauty of whatnots is that they are multifunctional - you can easily use them to store sausages or other products, and if necessary, put bottles of drinks.
AEG in the S 3742 refrigerator has dedicated a whole compartment for storing bottles, which is located between the refrigerator and freezer compartments. True, they stand vertically in this compartment, but at a specially selected temperature. In addition to bottles, this compartment can store greens for salads, vegetables and fruits.

Storage of vegetables and fruits

Modern cellar. No less, and maybe more important things are vessels for storing vegetables and fruits. There are models with two vessels and one large vessel with or without a septum. In some models, the septum can be moved and thus change the volume of the compartments in the vessel. Typically one large vessel is installed in top-freezer refrigerators. (For example, Ariston model MTA 401 V, Samsung RT 37 MBM). But most refrigerators, both top and bottom freezers, come with two vessels. They can be of the same size, but one of them can also be larger than the other (Vestfrost BKF 285 E40), which is especially convenient for storing small vegetables and fruits.
The most common arrangement of the vessels is horizontal when they stand side by side. But in some refrigerators, the vessels are stacked on top of each other. V best models refrigerators, containers for storing vegetables and fruits are transparent, which allows you to see all stacked products without pulling out the container itself. On cheap mass refrigerators, the vessels are not transparent. On exclusive Electrolux models, instead of plastic containers, they offer baskets woven from natural wicker. The combination of the coldness of the device and the natural warmth of wood "in one bottle" is very original and is popular with wealthy customers.
LG equips some models with a proprietary cover for trays Magic Crisper, which has a honeycomb structure. Excess moisture collects on the lid and evaporates from it, rather than flowing down, so the vegetables stay fresh longer.

Vessels for animal products

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Large enough containers with or without lids for storing dairy, meat and fish products offered by many refrigerator manufacturers. Usually cheese is painted on them, but the dimensions of the container for an hour are such that you can even put a whole chicken in them or big piece meat. Most often, these containers are made from transparent plastic and have a tight-fitting lid, which can also be opaque (for example, in Atlant refrigerators). You can place them on any shelf of the refrigerator that is convenient for you. Ariston, Siemens and other manufacturers in a number of models offer a pull-out container that is fixed under the shelf and has a fairly large volume.
A box for storing small items is also found in some models of AEG, Electrolux, etc. It is made of transparent plastic and can be installed both on the door shelf and inside the refrigerator compartment.

Refrigerator door

On inner panel refrigerator doors are convenient for placing everyday products. Here we store bottles, boxes of milk and kefir, butter, some medicines, eggs, and mayonnaise. All manufacturers try to make the most of the usable space on the refrigerator door panel. In the very simple version three to five shelves are placed on the refrigerator door in its entire width. The top shelf is often covered with a lid like a breadbox. Sometimes a form is installed on it for storing eggs. Removable shelves on the refrigerator door can be transparent or non-transparent. It is possible that some of the shelves are transparent, and some are not.
The bottom shelf is usually molded onto the refrigerator door panel itself. It is designed for bottles and tall bags. Unfortunately, if you put a lot of heavy bottles on this shelf at the same time, over time, cracks will appear in its walls. Manufacturers often do not indicate what maximum weight this shelf can withstand. Often there is a movable stop on the bottom shelf - a divider, with which you can fix one or several bottles. In some models of Electrolux refrigerators, a removable retainer increases the height of the shelf, preventing bottles from falling when the refrigerator door is suddenly opened. Such a holder can be installed on the two lower shelves of the refrigerator. It should also be said that the highest bottles and cans are usually placed on the lower shelf, therefore the distance between it and the upper shelves is much greater than between all the others. Sometimes the shelves on the door are each in its place, sometimes manufacturers give the opportunity to change the location of some door shelves by a few centimeters (Whirpool, Hansa, etc.). Most often, you can outweigh the second shelf by placing it higher or lower, depending on the height of the bottles on the lower shelf. The use of reversible half-shelves and small boxes allows you to change the interior of the refrigerator door. In the Atlant MXM 1704 refrigerator, only the lower shelf for bottles is made in the full width of the door. Above it there are as many as 9 (!) Small shelves, seven of which are staggered. Two boxes with lids are located next to each other at the top. One of these boxes is divided into two compartments for various little things... Similar semi-shelves are available for refrigerators Bosch, Siemens, Beko, LG, etc.

Egg storage

In the design of small accessories for refrigerators, the concept "from refrigerator to table" is now relevant, i.e. small dishes are offered, which can be used for table setting. To a greater extent, this applies to oilers and egg storage molds.
A variety of devices are used to store eggs - from a simple plastic plate with holes to an elegant basket with a handle. Electrolux suggests storing large quantities of eggs in the packaging in which they are sold. And place six eggs in a basket. When you need to get them out, just take the basket by the convenient handles and transfer it to the table. Baskets with handles can also be found from other manufacturers, for example, from Stinol, and some Atlanta models have two baskets, each of several pieces and they are placed on 2 shelves on the door of the device.
Indesit has a completely different approach. Refrigerators of this brand are equipped with a stand for storing three dozen eggs, which seems to be specially designed for many Russian housewives who are used to buying eggs from a large number in markets where there is usually no special packaging.

Oil storage

To store oil in bulk refrigerators, a small shelf built into the refrigerator door is used, which opens like a bread bin (some Bosch, LG models). In more expensive models for storing butter, they offer cute boxes that can be placed on the table. For example, Ariston makes some accessories (a stand for storing eggs, a shelf for jars, an oiler) of blue plastic, which gives these details an additional charm.

Frozen food chambers

Freezer containers are increasingly made of transparent plastic for convenience and beauty. If a non-transparent material is used, then it can be tinted solely for a better appearance. In refrigerators with an overhead freezer compartment, vessels are usually not used; shelves similar to those in the refrigerator compartment are installed there. In addition to large vessels, many refrigerators from a variety of manufacturers have a shallow plastic tray for freezing dumplings, berries, small and chopped fruits and vegetables. The frozen food is then packaged and transferred to a special container or container. This tray is a must if in the summer you are preparing for the winter, as it allows you to better preserve the taste, beneficial features and the shape of berries and vegetables.
Of course, the equipment of freezers is more standard than that of cold rooms... But still something interesting can be found here. So Ariston offers a special bucket that is located in the freezer. It contains champagne with special function(Ice Party) is cooled to the desired temperature, and then it can be served on the table.
An important part of all modern freezers is, without a doubt, the ability to make ice. Most often, several pull-out containers with lids are fixed above the upper shelf (in refrigerators with a lower freezer), or placed on a shelf (in refrigerators with an upper freezer). Ariston, for some of its models, installs molds (Easy Ice) on the inside of the freezer door, rationally using this usually free space. South Korean firms (Samsung, LG) have come up with special devices in their appliances that make it easier to remove ready-made ice cubes from the freezer. Samsung calls this device the "TIT Swivel Ice Tray", LG calls it "EasyGet Ice Tray". The principle of operation of these devices is simple - you do not need to pull out the container with ice cubes and pick them out. You open the freezer and turn the special lever. At the same time, ice cubes fall into a special tray, which is located under the tray. You just have to pull out this tray and take the ready-made ice.
There is an unusually large amount of accessories in a modern refrigerator. The main thing is that all of them should be securely fixed, easily pulled out, and have no specific smell. An unpleasant moment - a shelf or other part may break sooner or later. A nice moment - you can buy a new accessory at the service center or even buy the accessory that you liked, provided that the sizes of the refrigeration units match.

Refrigerator shelves - metal, glass or plastic?

It sometimes turns out to be a big problem for the buyer to make a choice between the same type of refrigerators equipped with internal shelves made of different materials.

There are three main types of shelves in modern refrigerators:

Metal - consisting of bars running in parallel at a certain distance.

Glass - made of special durable glass.

Plastic - from various types of plastics.

Metallic. In inexpensive refrigerators of the price segment "economy" shelves are mainly metal, lattice. In modern refrigerators, metal shelves, as a rule, have special plastic "clothes" - so it is more hygienic and aesthetically pleasing. Metal shelves in the refrigerator should be easily rearranged in height, removed if necessary.

Strictly speaking, metal is metal. Such shelves are practically not afraid of any mechanical stress. You can knock on a metal shelf, you can throw it at a neighbor.

But they also have their drawbacks:

- Firstly, the liquid accidentally spilled on such a shelf will flood everything below.

- Secondly, metal shelves made of stainless steel do not exist (well, in very chic models.) and therefore the metal from which the refrigerator shelf is made is covered with special paint. Unfortunately, the reality is that the quality of this coating does not always turn out to be at its best, and a shelf devoid of a protective coating begins to rust quickly.

Glass- made of special durable glass.

More expensive and beautiful option(in refrigerators of the middle and upper price segment) - glass shelves. They are made of tempered glass that can withstand loads of up to 25 kg. The accepted part of the glass shelves is a plastic or metal edging that turns into a small side. If liquid spills on the shelf, the rim will prevent it from flowing down.

Some refrigerators have glass shelves that are half the depth of the refrigerator. This is necessary for storing bulky products in the refrigerator, dishes (large pots, three-liter jars). It happens that such shelves are made sliding - you push one part under the other and get additional space, push it apart - again there is a full-fledged shelf. There are also models with Z-shaped metal shelves(Samsung RSJ1KERS), also serving for the convenience of storing food in dishes of non-standard dimensions.

Among many buyers of refrigerators, there is an opinion that fragile-looking glass shelves are afraid of loads and three-liter cans of culinary delights preserved in the summer should not be placed on them. This is a fundamentally misconception!

Glass shelves used in modern refrigerators are made of special tempered glass and can withstand loads of 20 even 25 kilograms.

However, you don't have to trust the sellers who will claim that glass shelves are unbreakable. Beat! And how! Try to do the same exercises with such a shelf as with a metal one, then you will have one less shelf.

Glass refrigerator shelves are much easier to keep clean than metal ones.

In addition, the liquid spilled on the glass shelf will no longer spill lower, unless, of course, its volume is measured in liters.

The main disadvantage of glass shelves is that they impede the normal movement of air in the refrigerator. Therefore, when purchasing a refrigerator with glass shelves, pay attention to the system of uniform distribution of air flows.

Plastic shelves in the refrigerator.

Plastic shelves are made of special food grade plastic.

Personally, I think this is the most dangerous type of shelf used in refrigerators. It is dangerous not because plastic is not a reliable material. It's just that plastic is different from plastic, and the chance to run into low-quality plastic is much greater than metal or glass.

The plastic used in expensive quality refrigerators can be very different from the plastic used in cheap models. This can threaten that your plastic shelves will suddenly begin to crack with all the ensuing consequences.

These are the shelves in refrigerators. And the choice is naturally yours!

Manufacturers of modern refrigerators equip products with components of different type, quality and material of manufacture. So, for the manufacture of shelves, metal, glass, plastic are used. The highest quality are glass shelves. They can withstand a large weight of products, serve for a long time and are practical. But in cheap refrigeration devices ah, glass shelves are not used. This is a feature of the models of the middle and high price category.

General characteristics

For the manufacture of shelves in refrigerators Atlant, Bosch, Minsk, the manufacturer uses high quality tempered glass. The material is durable, long term operation, the ability to withstand heavy weight. Often, when choosing glass shelves for the Atlant refrigerator, buyers ask sellers how much weight this product can withstand? It turns out that the strength of tempered glass is designed for 20-25 kg.

Another advantage of glass shelves for Liebherr refrigerators is the presence of edges along the perimeter of the shelves. If liquid is spilled, it will not flow down the refrigerator. The hostess only needs to carefully collect the liquid with a sponge or rag from one shelf. The spaciousness of the shelves should also be noted. Each of them is designed for almost half of the entire depth of the refrigeration unit.

Housewives note the ease of caring for the glass components of the Bosch, Vestfrost, Liebherr refrigerator. Indeed, glass surfaces are much easier to keep clean than the metal grates of refrigerators. This material does not accumulate grease, dust and other contaminants. Regular cleansing with water, and detergent will be enough to keep the refrigerator clean.

Choosing shelves

No refrigerator is complete without internal parts. Shelves, containers, drawers and stands are irreplaceable for any model of a refrigerating device. But there are situations in which you need to purchase a new component. Shelves often become unusable.

This happens due to various reasons:

• If the shelf is accidentally toppled onto the floor.
• When sloppy handling with technology.

To purchase a replacement, you need to measure the dimensions of the broken part. A great option is to take the old shelf with you to the store and pick up a similar model at the point of sale. But, if the order is made via the Internet, it is necessary to take accurate measurements and indicate the manufacturer of the refrigeration device. After all, each manufacturer equips equipment with original components.

Differences between shelves from popular manufacturers

For example, glass shelves for Atlant refrigerators are made of high-strength tempered opaque material white... But also, depending on the model of the unit, the shelves may be transparent. In both cases, the shelves are equipped with special rubberized bumpers. The peculiarity of the new options for the shelves is the framing of every detail along the entire perimeter. Previous models had bumpers only in the front and rear.

LG refrigerator glass shelves are available in various configurations. The fact is that the peculiarity of refrigeration devices is the presence of several compartments for storing and cooling various products. Each compartment is located at a certain height. In this case, a separately taken shelf has its own configuration, repeating the shape of the inner chamber.

When choosing glass shelves for refrigerators Bosch, Vestfrost, Liebherr, you should also take into account the dimensions and exact location of the part. In the assortment of any store you can find shelves designed for:

• for doors,
• freshness zones,
• for the freezer compartment,
• for storing bottles.

Taking into account the nuances of the characteristics, you can easily choose a suitable component.

In custody

If the glass shelf of the Atlant, Bosch, Minsk refrigerator accidentally breaks down, it will not be difficult to purchase a replacement. If you choose a shelf made of high-quality, tempered glass, then there will be no doubt how much weight this part can withstand. Branded spare parts from leading manufacturers household appliances always meet the standards and requirements of the operation. When choosing, you should not forget to measure the exact dimensions of the product, and remember the location and method of fixing the shelf in the refrigerator.