What Is A Convertible Refrigerator?

Refrigerators have two different compartments, one is the freezer and the other one is the fresh food compartment ( Also known as “fridge” in India).

Have you ever thought of converting the freezer space to a fridge or vice versa for whatever reasons? Sounds impossible. Right?

No, it is not. In convertible refrigerators, you can convert your freezer space to fridge space or vice versa, which means the whole refrigerator will be either a freezer or fridge.

Let’s learn more about this convertible refrigerator technology in this article.

What Is A Convertible Refrigerator?

As the name suggests, this technology can convert a freezer to a fridge or vice versa. As simple as that.

Typically the temperature range in a freezer is between -15⁰C to -25⁰C, whereas in a fridge, it’s between 2⁰C to 5⁰C.

When you convert a refrigerator into a freezer, the whole refrigerator temperature range would be between -150C to -25. It would be between 20C to 50C if you convert it to a fridge.

But why do we need to convert?

There could be many reasons. One example could be if you are a vegetarian, you may not need the freezer as freezers are generally used for storing meat. In that case, convert the whole refrigerator into a fridge so that you can store more vegetables.

Now on this flip side, if you are a non-vegetarian, you may want to convert the fridge to a freezer if you want to store more meats ( That is not always the case though)

There could be other hundreds of reasons why you should convert your refrigerator. We will discuss more about these later in this article.

How Does Convertible Refrigerator Work?

Traditional refrigerators have one set of evaporators and a fan, whereas convertible refrigerators have two sets, one for the freezer and one for the fridge. You can control both sets independently based on your requirement.

Since both sets work independently, you can set the temperature of each compartment individually. For example, if you want to convert a freezer to a fridge, you can simply set the freezer temperature to match the fridge temperature.

Please note that the conversion does not happen instantly, it can take a couple of hours for refrigerators to apply the conversion.

Most refrigerators with conversion technology come inbuilt with some pre-built modes. You can simply select the mode, and the refrigerator will do the conversion automatically. We will learn more about this later in this article.

Samsung Convertible Refrigerator [5 In 1]

Samsung Convertible refrigerators come with 5 in 1 convertible feature, which means it has 5 prebuilt modes that you can select to convert your refrigerator.

Here are the details of the different modes.

Normal Mode: This mode is the default. In this mode, the refrigerator has the default freezer and fridge space.

Extra Fridge: The extra fridge mode converts the freezer space into the fridge mode so that you can store more fruits and vegetables.

Seasonal: Seasonal mode allows you to select either the freezer or the fridge space to be active. For example, during winter, you may not need the freezer. In that case, you can turn off the freezer by using the seasonal mode.

Vacation: Vacation mode allows you to turn off the fridge space and all your stuff can be stored in the freezer only.

Home Alone: If you are a bachelor, you may not need the whole refrigerator to operate. In that case, you can choose either the freezer or the fridge space to be active which will save your electricity bills.

LG Convertible Refrigerator [2 In 1]

Unlike Samsung refrigerators, LG does not offer too many conversion modes. All you can do is convert the freezer space into the fridge or vice versa.

Haier Convertible Refrigerator [10 In 1]

Here are the different modes that Haier Convertible Refrigerators offer. Low-end models offer only 5 in-1 modes, however, premium models offer 10 in 1 modes.

Here are the different modes.

Normal Mode: This mode is like any normal refrigerator where the freezer space and fridge space will be available as it is.

Veg Mode: The freezer space is converted into the fridge space in this mode for storing extra fruits and vegetables.

Cold Drink Mode: In this mode, the freezer temperature is set to 0⁰C

Fast Freezer Mode: In this mode, the freezer temperature is set to the minimum which is -24⁰C so that you can freeze any items instantly

Preserve Curd Mode: This mode reduces the fridge temperature to 2⁰C to 4⁰C which is essential for preserving curd.

Soft Freezer Mode: In this mode, the freezer temperature is set to -7⁰C

Surprise Party Mode: In this mode, the freezer mode is set to -24⁰C, and the fridge temperature is set to 1⁰C to 2⁰C.

Whirlpool Convertible Refrigerator [10 In 1]

Whirlpool offers 10 in 1 mode for its premium range of refrigerators. The details of different modes are shown below.

Energy Saving Mode: In this mode, both the freezer and fridge will run at their lowest efficiency and thus save energy for you.

Fast Ice Mode: In this mode, the freezer temperature is set to a minimum so that ice can form quickly.

Party Mode: In party mode, both the freezer and the fridge temperatures are set at an optimum level to get maximum cooling.

Mini Ref Mode: This mode converts the freezer to a fridge compartment which can be used as a mini refrigerator.

Vacation Mode: Vacation mode turns off the fridge and only runs the freezer.

Chef Mode: Chef mode allows you to store food at such a temperature that you don’t have to defrost it before cooking.

Grocery Day Mode: In this mode, the whole refrigerator converts to a fridge so that you can store more fruits and vegetables.

Beverage Mode: Beverage mode keeps the freezer temperature at such a level that your drinks will be chilled but it won’t be frozen.

Deep Freezer Mode: Deep freezer mode adopts a temperature that is required for deep freezing any items.

All-Season Mode: In all-season mode, the refrigerator will decide what temperature is the best considering the cooling load and outside temperature conditions.

Advantages Of Convertible Refrigerator

Energy Efficient: Since you can swap the freezer space with the fridge, there is a scope for energy saving as the freezer does consume more energy.

Saves Space: You don’t have to buy a new refrigerator if you run out of space. Just convert the area in your current refrigerator that you need and you are good to go,

Easy to use: Most convertible refrigerators come with pre-built modes. Just select the mode and your conversion is done.

Competitive price: Convertible refrigerators are not priced way higher than a normal refrigerator. So these are much more affordable.

Disadvantages Of Convertible Refrigerator

100% Conversion is not possible: Convertible refrigerators can not do 100% conversion from a freezer to a fridge or vice versa.

Conversion is not instant: Conversion usually takes about one hour to a couple of days.

Inconsistent frost built up: It has been observed that ice gets built up in some areas due to irregular temperature differences.

5 Best Convertible Refrigerators [ Double Door]

Here are the best 5 Convertible refrigerators available in the market today that have a good number of features and are energy efficient too.

1. Samsung 3 Star 244L Inverter Double Door Refrigerator

Key Specification

Key Features

Smart Digital Inverter Technology Compressor: Smart digital inverter technology helps to save energy. It controls the speed of the compressor based on the cooling load and thus saves electricity.

Curd Maestro Function: A dedicated curd-making module helps to make curd with ease. Just put milk and other necessary ingredients in the bin and with the press of a button curd will be formed after a specified period.

Smart connect inverter: In India, power cut is a common problem. This refrigerator comes with an inbuilt smart connect inverter that keeps the fridge running even after the power cut for a certain amount of time. So your food will always remain fresh.

All-round cooling function: All-around cooling ensures that every corner of the refrigerator is evenly cooled. It has multiple vents through which air circulates to every corner.

Built-in Stabilizer: The built-in stabilizer protects the refrigerator from any voltage fluctuation. So you no longer need to buy any expensive stabilizers.

Movable Ice Maker: A movable ice maker is an excellent flexible option in this refrigerator. On hot days, you would like enough ice to chill down the summer hotness for several purposes. But when the season changes, there’s no need for much space for ice. So you’ll remove it and make space within the Freezer.

Cool Wall: The smart connect inverter will keep the refrigerator ON only for a certain amount of time. But even after that, if there is a power cut, this machine has a cool pack inside the liner that keeps the refrigerator cool for up to 12 hours.

Digital Display: This refrigerator comes with a big digital display that shows all the required vital information on the door itself.

Convertible Technology: You can convert the freezer space into a fridge space and gain up to 88 liters of extra fridge space. This feature is useful when you don’t need the freezer space and want to convert the whole refrigerator into a fridge.

Positives

• Advance Digital Inverter Technology Compressor.
• Movable ice maker
• Cool wall
• Curd maestro function

Negatives

• No such negatives. Everything is good in this model

2. Haier 3 Star 278L Inverter Double Door Refrigerator

Key Specification

Key Features

5-1 Convertable: This refrigerator comes with a 5-1 convertible option. That means that you can convert the freezer to perform as a fresh food compartment and vice versa. Here are those five convertible options.

Aesthetic Design: This refrigerator can change the look of your kitchen. Eye-catching elements with LED lighting inside make it look way more premium than it is.

Bigger Vegetable Box: The vegetable box is bigger and has multiple air vents around it. So your food will always remain fresh and cool

Twin Energy Saving Mode: With dual inverter technology, it saves more energy. So your power bills will be less with this refrigerator.

Turbo Icing Technology: The Turbo Icing technology can accelerate the time for freezing. It can make ice up to 200% faster. Within the same product category, it’s the fastest icemaking machine.

Movable Ice Container: The movable ice container gives you additional space by moving from one place to a different one. It offers space to store extra bottles, cupcakes, and other things.

Positives

• Turbo icing
• Inverter Compressor
• Twin energy-saving mode
• Movable ice maker

Negatives

• After-sales service is a pain
• The price is a little high

3. Whirlpool 3 Star 265L Inverter Double Door Refrigerator

Key Specification

Key Features

Intellisense Inverter technology: The Intellisense Inverter technology adjusts the compressor speed based on the cooling load. Alongside the reduction of energy consumption, it also delivers matchless performance with a 10-year warranty on the compressor.

Zeolite Advanced Technology: The Zeolite advanced technology along with Microblock technology and FreshFlow AirTower with Flexi Vents gives up to fifteen days of garden freshness to fruits and vegetables.

This Zeolite avoids the excessive ripening of fruits and vegetables and keeps them fresh for an extended time. Thanks to this feature, you get a superior quality result rather than a regular Refrigerator.

5-1 Convertible Refrigerator: This refrigerator is convertible. This means you can convert the freezer to the fridge or vice versa.

It has five different modes that you can select for conversion, and the refrigerator will convert it automatically.

Honeycomb moisture lock crisper cover: The honeycomb moisture lock technology condenses the faded moisture from the food to make sure it is fresh and cool.

Auto Connect To Home Inverter: In the case of an electricity outage, it connects to the house Inverter then starts delivering constant output and maintains the freshness level.

Freshonizer: Freshonizer helps to reduce oxidation to preserve the freshness of fruits and vegetables in this refrigerator.

Micro Block Technology: Microblock technology features a unique anti-microbial additive that forestalls the 99% growth of bacteria. It keeps the fruits and veggies fresh and stain-free for an extended time.

Fresh Flow Airtower: It’s a Fresh Flow Airtower with Flexi vents designed and placed so that it permits fresh chilled air. This air reaches into different sections of the Refrigerator and provides consistent cooling for long-lived performance.

Positives

• Adaptive Intelligence.
• Freshionizer.
• 5-1 Convertible option
• Fresh flow air tower

Negatives

• The price is high compared to the features that it offers.

4. Godrej 3 Star 244L Inverter Double Door Refrigerator

Key Specification

Key Features

5-1 Convertible Technology: This is a convertible refrigerator. That means it can convert the freezer to a fridge and vice versa. The best thing is that it has an auto mode that automatically does the conversion based on the cooling load. You can also manually select any mode you like.

All-round Cooling: Unlike traditional refrigerators, this machine has multiple vents all around the refrigerator for all-around cooling. Every corner of the refrigerator gets uniform cooling. So your food will be fresh and cool always

Up To 24 Hours Cooling Retention: Even if there is a power cut, this refrigerator will keep your food fresh and cold for up to 24 hours. Thanks to the PUF technology behind this feature.

Cold Balance: You can keep your fruits and vegetables Farm fresh for up to 30 days with the help of Cool Balance Technology and Moisture control technology.

Ambient Weather Sensing Technology: This refrigerator can sense the outside temperature and adjust the refrigerator temperature accordingly.

Positives

• Convertible Refrigerator
• All around cooling
• Attractive design
• Handle free refrigerator

Negatives

• Doors get dents very easily

5. LG 3 Star 246L Inverter Double Door Refrigerator

Key Specification

Key Features

Convertible Fridge: A convertible fridge can convert a freezer to a fridge and vice versa. The same is true for this refrigerator too. It can convert a freezer to a fridge and increase the water volume by up to 88 liters.

Linear Cooling: Linear cooling uses an inverter linear control compressor that helps in delivering more precise temperature control to reduce internal temperature fluctuations.

Door Cooling: This LG refrigerator has vents all around the fridge to circulate fresh and cool air. Even it has vents on the door panel. So items kept on the door will also get enough cooling.

2 Liter bottle storing capacity: In the door panel, you can store a 2-liter bottle easily without hitting the other panels. This is a great option if you want to store water or drinks in the door panel.

MOIST ‘N’ FRESH: The vegetable box pulls out the surplus moisture from forming so that food remains fresh with an optimum level of moisture

LG’s Smart-Diagnosis: LG’s Smart-Diagnosis helps to diagnose any problem without even calling any technician. Just call LG technical support and keep your phone on top of your refrigerator. The refrigerator can connect to the server and detect any problem that your refrigerator may have.

Auto Smart Connect: The Auto Smart Connect feature helps you connect your refrigerator to the home inverter so that when there is a power cut, your refrigerator still keeps running. One of the best things about this refrigerator is that when connected to an inverter, it just consumes power equivalent to two CFL bulbs.

Positives

• Solid Build Quality.
• Inbuilt stabilizer
• Direct cooling
• Auto smart connect

Negatives

• Bit expensive

Conclusion: Convertible Refrigerator

Convertible refrigerators are the future due to the endless versatility that they offer. The best thing about convertible refrigerators is that they are like other normal refrigerators, consume the same amount of electricity, and offer a similar set of features, but on top of that, you can convert it the way you want.

In India, almost all double-door refrigerators are conversion-friendly. The price is also very competitive. So convertible refrigerators are the way to go.

FAQ | Convertible Refrigerator