Manufacturers are taking cold storage to another level by guaranteeing crisper, fresher foods, and smart technology to help manage both the inventory and the appliance. Whatever a consumer’s priority — long-lasting vegetables, an easier way to grocery shop, or a full household control center — there is a refrigerator to fulfill that need. Check out some of the latest refrigerator technologies below.
Beko U.S. EverFresh+ Technology
Food waste is a global issue — roughly one-third of all global produce is tossed annually — so Beko is taking a stand to put more on plates and less in the trash. By launching its Fresh Produce Promise at the beginning of the summer, Beko is guaranteeing that fruits and vegetables will remain unspoiled for 30 days with Beko’s EverFresh+ technology, or they will refund your refrigerator purchase.
The EverFresh+ crisper uses breathable smart materials — among other technologies — to maximize humidity and minimize moisture loss. Meanwhile, Active Fresh Blue Light technology recreates photosynthesis conditions to preserve vitamin C and fruit and
vegetable taste. The refrigerators also include ProSmart inverter compressors that enable the fridge to be four times quieter and more energy efficient.
Samsung’s Family Hub Smart Fridge
Samsung’s flagship smart refrigerator is much more than efficient cold storage; it’s a control center. This sixth-generation version now works with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, although Samsung’s original voice assistant, Bixby, is still available as an option for users. Along with the refrigerator’s original meal-planning features, the Family Hub now has an expanded set of capabilities such as guided cooking and the ability to send instructions to certain synced cooking appliances. All of these features are accessible from the Family Hub screen.
Additional elements characteristic of the smart screen include a shopping list, a meal planner, the ability to tap or swipe to see inside the fridge without opening the door, access to recipes and videos, notes, calendars, whiteboards and memos for family management, and compatibility with several music and entertainment apps. Integration with several leading smart home companies is also possible. Any Samsung Family hub with Generation 2 software or higher can be upgraded to this Generation 6 software.
GE Cafe Refrigerator
The Cafe Collection by GE focuses on design, including clean lines, a counter-depth and built-in design, and an internal water dispenser, as well as different color and hardware options. A Keurig Coffee Brewing system is also an option for the door. Inside, food is kept fresh with a full-width, electronic temperature-controlled drawer complete with LED lighting. TwinChill evaporators create separate climates in the fresh food and freezer sections.
The refrigerator connects with Alexa, Google Assistant, Sonos, and IFTT. Using the voice assistant, users can schedule their coffee to heat at a certain time, get service notifications, and allow door-open alarms. There is also a hands-free autofill feature that automatically fills any container with filtered water to the desired level.
LG Instaview Door-In-Door Refrigerator
The refrigerator is a big energy user, so keeping the door closed as much as possible saves on money and preserves food for longer. LG makes that possible with its Instaview capabilities, whereby a user needs to only knock on the door twice to see inside. Its Door-in-Door feature allows the user to push a button on the handle of the fridge to open the front panels of the right door; this enables homeowners to grab items out of the in-door shelves without opening the refrigerator fully.
The refrigerator also has connected capabilities with its LGThinQ app, which sends maintenance tips and alerts so that the appliance continues running smoothly. Additional features include a Craft Icemaker, which creates slow-melting, large, round ice for upscale beverages, as well as a Full-Convert Drawer with five different temperature settings.
At only 21 cubic feet of storage space, this clean and user-friendly design boasts options like a flex bar, and removable shelves and bins to allow for different configurations that suit individual needs. The fridge links with the Home Connect app, which allows the user to monitor and adjust temperatures, change lighting and run diagnostics. The app will also alert the user if a door is left open.
The refrigerator also features the FarmFresh system for preserving food better. The VitaFreshPro technology automatically balances both temperature and humidity levels based on the food setting. Meanwhile, the FreshProtect filter absorbs naturally occurring ethylene to slow the ripening of produce — strawberries, apples, asparagus, and lettuce —- that is sensitive to these gases. Dual compressors and dual evaporators offer efficient cooling and humidity control, while limiting odor transfer between the refrigerator and freezer.
