Perfect finishing touch (Siemens KG32U193GB)

Member Name: mrs.d

Product:	Siemens KG32U193GB
Date:	04/11/05 (771 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Eye catching, frost free (low maintainence) 5yrs manufacturers guarantee

Disadvantages: expensive

When I had my kitchen replaced 18 months ago I really wanted to make it special.
A. because I have to spend a large portion of my hometime there and
B. the cost of kitchens being what they are, I'm going to have to put up with it for a very long time!
So after a lot of internet searching I found this fridge (and incidentally the W/M to match).

The unit is a metallic charcoal, the interior is very well designed and spacious (with MICROBAN to prevent mould build up) and best of all its frost free. The 4 drawers in the freezer compartment are solid so if you get a pea spillage they are contained in the drawer and not in the bottom of the compartment.

There is a bottle holder attachment in the fridge, presumably for wine, I personally have taken this out because it takes up quite a lot of useful space in the shelve below it.
There is a fan in the fridge compartment which circulates the cool air, this helps the temp to stay similar on each shelf.
The price was a bit high, but with 5yrs cover from the manufacturers and the cost of 4yrs extended warranty on top of a run of the mill fridges price, there really wasn't much in it.

The appliance doors had to be switched and it wasn't the easiest of tasks and when you're loading the freezer after a biggish shop the 'door open' buzzer goes off after about 30secs which means you either put up with the noise, close the freezer door and reopen it or.. and this proves a man designed it...you open the fridge door, press the buzzer mute button and closed the fridge door..DOH! I tend to block the noise out (just pretend it one of the kids!!)

The unit being frost free is noisier than a standard unit. This is partly because there is a fan running in each compartment and also because refrigeration units today run on a refrigerant called R600a and so a lot less of it is needed compared to R134a and R12(these gases are no longer used due to greenhouse effect etc. and are enviromentally UNfriendly), however the pipe space withing the units have not changed. This means there is a lots less refrigerant flowing through the pipework which can sound quite hollow (like a ghostly wooshing noise!).
The unit is fitted with one compressor (motor) and this runs both compartments via a diverter valve which can makes an audible click occasionally.

Overall I am very happy with the units function and general set up and design. IT LOOKS GREAT!

Here's the technical bit-
Gross capacity. Fridge section 194L/6.9cu.ft
Gross capacity. Freezer section 126L/4.5cu.ft
Dimensions 185H x 60W x 64D cm
Instant response temp sensor
climate equilibrium sensor (ambient temp sensor)
door sensor (alarm if freezer door open)
LED display

Fridge has safety glass shelves
fexible bottle rack
removeable door storage
twin salad bins

Siemens say the average annual running cost under test conditions is £25.83
Obviously it is CFC and HFC free.

I would definitely recommend Siemens Appliance for performance and looks.

Summary: Makes a medium priced kitchen look extremely expensive

Processing/Quality:
Reliability:
Ease of use:
Features:
Cleaning/Maintenance: