Larder Fridges & Freezers

1. What is a larder fridge or larder freezer?

A larder unit is a dedicated, full-height appliance that focuses entirely on one function—either 100% refrigeration or 100% freezing. Unlike standard combination fridge-freezers, a larder fridge has no ice box or freezer compartment at all, dedicating every single inch of its tall interior to fresh food storage. Similarly, a larder freezer is a full-height tower consisting entirely of freezer drawers and shelves. And yes, you can get a mix of both.

2. Who is a larder appliance best suited for?

Larder appliances are perfect for large households, batch-cookers, or anyone who constantly runs out of space in a standard split fridge freezer. They are ideal if you prefer to buy fresh groceries in bulk, or if you already have a secondary freezer elsewhere, such as in a utility room or garage, and want to maximise your everyday kitchen fridge space.

3. Can I place a larder fridge and a larder freezer side-by-side?

Yes, this is an incredibly popular way to create a massive, custom 'American-style' food station in your kitchen. Many manufacturers design tall larder fridges and freezers as matching pairs with identical handles, heights, and aesthetics, so they look seamless when placed side by side. Some brands even offer a joining kit to seamlessly lock the two independent units together

4. What should I look for if I want to keep a larder freezer in a garage?

If you plan to store your larder freezer in an unheated garage, utility room, or shed, you must ensure it features specialised low-ambient temperature technology (often called "Freezer Guard" or "Winter Guard"). Standard freezers can fail to freeze if the external temperature drops below 10°C, but models with this technology are designed to operate reliably at temperatures as low as -15°C. (Note: Tall larder fridges cannot be kept in unheated garages, as the ambient cold may freeze fresh food.)

5. How much ventilation space do full-height larder units require? Because larder units are large and hold a massive volume of food, their compressors work hard and need proper airflow to prevent overheating. You should always ensure there is a ventilation gap of at least 2cm to 5cm at the sides and back of the appliance, and roughly 2cm of clear space above the top of the unit. Proper clearance keeps your energy bills down and extends the motor's lifespan.