Kitchens, especially in multi-storey buildings of Soviet construction, have a small footage, which does not allow everything needed to be distributed over the surfaces. The result is multi-storey structures, when equipment is placed not only in niches, on shelves and tables, but also on other units. Most often they place the TV on the refrigerator, but sometimes other equipment is also placed on this unit. Read more in the article about whether this can be done and what household appliances cannot be placed on a refrigerator.
Refrigerator as a stand
Installing a separate TV stand in the kitchen is impractical. Placing the device on a worktop is the same. They try to install the TV as high as possible so that it does not interfere with cooking and the image can be seen from anywhere in the kitchen.
Important! The placement height should be comfortable. An poorly placed TV is uncomfortable to watch. You will have to constantly raise your head.
The option of hanging a TV on the wall is not suitable for everyone. Installing a special bracket is even more unnecessary. There may simply not be a free area on the wall. Therefore, many owners place the TV on the refrigerator. Is this a rational decision?
The opinions of experts and manufacturers differ. Some believe that such an arrangement of equipment does not in any way affect its performance. Others argue that nothing should be placed on the refrigerator. Therefore, the last word remains with the owners.
It is clear that everyone strives to create comfortable conditions in the kitchen. But we must not forget about safety rules.
A refrigerator is considered a poor TV stand for several reasons:
- Compressor load. The device located on top disrupts the cooling mode. The performance of the capacitor deteriorates and the refrigerator motor starts more often. This leads to rapid wear of the unit and increased electricity consumption.
- Vibration. Older refrigerator models vibrate during operation. The process intensifies when the compressor starts and stops. Vibrations do not have the best effect on the TV. The image begins to distort due to lack of electricity. In addition, thin-screen TVs are unstable. Any vibration may cause the device to fall. Modern refrigerators are equipped with a more powerful compressor, which reduces vibration to a minimum. However, they consume more electricity. Therefore, when the unit is turned on, the TV turns off.
- Weight. Old TVs are often placed in the kitchen. These models are usually heavy. There is a risk of damage to the top panel of the refrigerator and more. The thermal insulation process is disrupted, followed by the normal operation of the unit.
Some housewives consider having a TV in the kitchen unacceptable. Why? Firstly, it distracts from the cooking process and prevents you from concentrating on the dish. Secondly, watching TV while eating disrupts your digestion.
Attention! There is an opinion that eating in front of the TV leads to weight gain. The person is focused not on the dish, but on the screen. He does not enjoy the taste of food, and therefore does not feel full. Therefore, during dinner, combined with watching TV, more than one extra plate may be eaten.
How electrical appliances affect each other
Some new generation refrigerators have a built-in TV, but in this case, the manufacturers calculated all the harmful effects of such a neighborhood and installed protection. Modern developers understand that the kitchen can be simply overcrowded with all kinds of electromagnetic fields, and create models taking such conditions into account.
If in your kitchen there is a refrigerator that is not the first one, and the TV is also old, the following troubles may occur:
- when electromagnetic waves are superimposed, radiation increases;
- the load on the mechanisms increases;
- an old refrigerator vibrates, this is not good for both the monitor and the eyes;
- a heavy TV can deform the refrigerator lid.
The Mschistota.ru resource found out from specialists that no breakdowns occurred due to this arrangement of devices. Indeed, on the day of installation and for a long time after it, nothing happens. The TV and refrigerator served their service life honestly and were sent for recycling. But no one knows how much longer they could have worked if they had stood far away from each other.
Tip: If you consider the refrigerator to be the best place for a TV in the kitchen, purchase a modern model of a freezing unit with a built-in plasma panel.
If you just can’t do without watching programs in the kitchen, you can put the TV on a special stand. Make a shelf for it or hang it on the wall using special brackets. Owners of flat, lightweight models sometimes want to hang the TV on the refrigerator. There is definitely no need to do this. There is a lot of movement around the freezer equipment, with all family members frequently opening and closing the door. In this case, there is a high probability of dropping and breaking the plasma panel.
Causes of danger
Combining a TV with a refrigerator seems like a good idea. In this case, space is saved, which is always sorely lacking in the kitchen. But such an alliance can cause problems. For example:
To eliminate problems, refrigerator manufacturers clearly state in the instructions that it is impossible to install foreign objects on the appliance.
At the same time, you can easily find combined refrigerator + TV models on sale. It turns out that neighborhood is still possible. And with the right approach, you can arrange their co-location.
Is it possible or not to place the TV on the refrigerator?
The reasons why the TV is often placed on the refrigerator is to free up kitchen space and to position the device at an easy-to-eye height.
Despite the stated advantages of such optimization, it is important to remember the negative consequences that result from installing a TV on the lid of the refrigerator. These include:
- Increased load on the compressor. This, in turn, leads to cooling failures inside the food storage chamber. The capacitor operates intermittently. In this regard, the refrigerator engine is forced to start much more often. All this leads to rapid wear of the device and increases energy consumption. Food products begin to spoil much more often.
- Presence of vibration in older models of refrigerators. It increases when the compressor is turned on or off. The TV may fall over sooner or later. Modern models do not create strong vibrations, but consume more electricity. When they are turned on, the TV located on top turns off.
- Heavy weight. This primarily applies to older TV models. Placing them on the refrigerator lid can deform it. As a result, thermal insulation is compromised. The compressor may fail.
- Inability to concentrate on the process of preparing or eating food. Also, watching TV while eating disrupts the functioning of the digestive system.
From all of the above, the conclusion is that it is not recommended to place the TV on the refrigerator.
If the presence of a TV in the kitchen is still necessary, you need to take a responsible approach to choosing a place to place it. For this purpose, the options located next to:
- Wash (to prevent moisture ingress).
- A stove or heating radiator (this provokes overheating of the equipment).
- On a window in direct sunlight (possible overheating).
Results
You cannot place household appliances - a microwave, a TV, a stereo system, a multicooker or other heavy objects on the top cover of a refrigerator or freezer. This is due to the fact that, under the weight of equipment and other objects, the body of the refrigeration equipment may be damaged, and the vibrations of the unit will transfer to other equipment and will accelerate breakdowns.
Craftsmen who repair refrigeration equipment have not yet recorded a single case where a refrigerator or freezer has failed due to foreign objects and equipment placed on top, but this does not guarantee that there will be no precedent. An alternative is to find another place to place the TV and other household appliances, without putting additional stress on the refrigerator body.
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What you can and cannot put on the refrigerator
There are devices that can be conditionally placed on the refrigerator and which absolutely cannot be placed on the lid of the refrigeration unit.
Devices that can be placed on the refrigerator
These include relatively light appliances - a multicooker, an electric kettle, a microwave.
In this case, you must follow the safety rules:
- Availability of free space around the device. The microwave and multicooker have air ducts. If they are blocked, the device will quickly fail.
- Refrigerator height. If it reaches a height of 2 meters, then the use of objects placed on the unit will be problematic.
- Using a cardboard sheet. Positioning it between the refrigerator lid and the bottom of the microwave will reduce radiation levels.
- Infrequent use. Appliances that are constantly running should not be placed on the refrigerator or freezer.
Devices that should not be placed on the refrigerator
First of all, it is important to remember that a refrigerator is not a lifting device. It also requires careful care and careful operation. Devices that should absolutely not be placed on a refrigerator or freezer include:
- Another refrigerator or freezer. The presence of an additional unit in an apartment is often necessary for the people living. However, placing one such device on top of another is prohibited. Even a small refrigerator can damage a larger one. If the device installed on top has the “No Frost” function, then sooner or later water will begin to flow onto the refrigerator located below.
- Other heavy objects (for example, coffee machines).
- Flowers. Insufficient air and generated radiation negatively affect plant growth and flowering.
You should not ignore the recommendations. Otherwise, the refrigerator will break down regularly. You will need to contact service centers or buy new equipment.
Modern perfection
All previously described refrigerator models were released relatively long ago, and do not yet provide the opportunity to fully use all the advantages of modern technological achievements. , which released the WI-FI RF3289 refrigerator model, took on this problem This gadget is equipped with original and high-quality functionality:
- The TV display is only 8 inches in size, which will not allow you to use it from a long distance, as if it were a full-fledged device.
- The TV monitor has the ability to connect to the Internet, which will make it possible not only to watch videos and films in real time, but also to quickly search for all the recommendations and necessary recipes. The built-in browser will give you access to almost all social networks, so you will be connected to the outside world even in the kitchen.
- The monitor is supplemented with 2-3 widgets that help you leave messages for people living in the apartment.
- Among the additional functions, we can highlight the possibility of remote temperature control. There is also a specialized program that tracks when you put certain foods in the refrigerator. This will make it possible to control the shelf life and use the food in a timely manner.
And now about the pros and cons.
Choosing the right place
As can be seen from the above facts, placing a TV in the kitchen on the refrigerator is a rather unfortunate (one might say extreme) solution, which does not lead to anything good both in terms of human health and in terms of the performance of the equipment adjacent in such close contact.
If there is even the slightest opportunity to change the situation to reduce negative consequences, you need to take advantage of it. To do this, you should look for another place in the kitchen for the TV, rather than using the refrigerator as a stand for it.
And the main criteria should be the following points:
- to make it convenient to watch TV both in height and at the required angle;
- distance to the screen - at least 5 diagonals;
- the screen should not be exposed to the sun;
- away from wet places (that is, the TV can be placed away from the sink);
- The kitchen stove also does not fit next to the TV.
Based on the above, we can conclude that the best place to place a TV in the kitchen is a wall cabinet or a special shelf.
Only when ordering or selecting kitchen furniture is it necessary to take into account the factor of choosing a place for the TV. But we must not forget about ventilation of the space around the device.
The second option could be wall brackets for hanging a TV with a rotating device. The same rotating device can be installed in a closet to make viewing comfortable.
For information on where to place the TV in the kitchen, see the following video.
Make your own bracket
Is it possible to put hot food in the refrigerator?
There are different ways to mount a TV on the wall with your own hands. Let's consider one of them. To make your own wall bracket for a 32/42-inch TV, you will need:
- 4 metal corners;
- bicycle spoke or nail with a large head;
- plastic dowels;
- drill;
- plastic box for wires;
- building level.
To make a reliable TV bracket with your own hands, choose the right materials for fasteners and corners. Aluminum corners will be easier to work with. Decide on the width of their sides. The corners will set the distance separating the device from the wall. This distance must be sufficient for normal ventilation of the rear wall of the device. If the device is poorly ventilated, the device will inevitably overheat and quickly fail.
Choose stronger dowels to ensure the most reliable mounting of the TV on the wall. If something goes wrong, the gimbal will collapse along with the television set.
The process of mounting a TV on the wall:
- Drill 2 holes on two corners for mounting to the TV. Make sure that the location of the holes coincides with the desired locations on the back surface of the device. The length of the corners is not as significant as the width. The main thing is that the length is enough to make the necessary holes. Make sure that all the holes you make are located exactly opposite each other, otherwise the device will hang crookedly.
- In the upper part of the corners, located perpendicular to the side of the mount to the TV, make one hole for a bicycle spoke.
- When these corners are ready, fix them on the TV block with screws. You can attach TV mounts to M4 screws.
- Take another pair of corners. Make holes in them to mount the TV on the wall, at least two. Calculate the optimal number of holes based on the weight of the device. For heavy devices, you will need more holes, otherwise the homemade TV bracket will not withstand the load.
- Drill holes for the bicycle spokes on the other side of the corners, at the top.
- Make markings on the wall using the holes in the corners. The distance between the corners should be slightly less than between the parts attached to the back panel of the device. The corners on the panel should cover the wall corners on the outer sides.
- To place parts more evenly on the wall, use a building level. If the markings are not level enough, the TV will fall off the bracket. Perhaps the wall will also be damaged.
- Plastic dowels are useful for securing aluminum corners to the wall.
- Raise the device to the level of the corners and align the fasteners.
- Thread a bicycle spoke through the holes. Remember that these holes must be at the same level relative to each other. The knitting needle can be replaced with thick nails, the length of which is approximately 100 mm. To prevent the nails from jumping off the bracket, they need to have a head with a diameter larger than the size of the holes.
- Secure the fastener.
Similar working principle:
The PVC box is needed to safely store the wires coming from the TV. How to remove a TV from this type of wall mount? Bend back the tops of the nails, carefully supporting the expensive device from the bottom or sides.
Another method for assembling a TV bracket with your own hands, using a wooden rail and 4 hanging hooks:
- Take a wooden strip with a cross-section from 3 to 10 cm. Divide it into 2 equal segments corresponding to the width of the device. If you need to set the angle when installing the TV on the wall, make the bottom rail one and a half centimeters thinner.
- Take 4 self-tapping screws with ringed heads. Screw 2 screws into the ends of the slats, not too close to the edges.
- Using a drill, make holes in the slats for fastening to the device. Secure the wooden strips to the device.
- Mark the wall. It will need to make holes for the rings at the ends of the screws.
- Drill the required holes.
- Secure hanging hooks in the holes.
- How to hang a TV on the wall with a homemade bracket? Lift the device and place the rings on the hooks. The wall mount for your device is ready.
How to remove a TV from a wall bracket? Simply lift the device so that the hooks pop out of the rings.
What is electromagnetic radiation
Household appliances that run on electricity produce electromagnetic waves. Scientists cannot come to a clear conclusion about the harm of their influence on human health.
Some argue that in the modern world there is no need to be afraid of electromagnetic waves: the technology is designed in such a way that the body practically does not feel their effects. But many say that electromagnetic waves in any quantity can cause harm.
However, experts agree that a refrigerator is not the best place to install a TV. The fact is that these household appliances have the same range of electromagnetic waves, which will negatively affect their operation. This will manifest itself, at a minimum, in a decrease in quality and operational failures.
It is also important that such an arrangement will lead to a blow to the family budget, since electricity consumption will increase.
Design parameters
Electromagnetic radiation is just one of the reasons why it is not recommended to install a TV on a refrigerator. This arrangement is also not the best option because it significantly increases the load on the refrigeration unit.
- Any large object installed on top interferes with the full movement of air along the back wall of the refrigerator. As a result, ventilation and airflow of the housing are reduced, and the parts are subject to overheating. This will lead to frequent engine starting and rapid breakdown.
- Do not forget about the vibration that occurs when starting or stopping the engine. It will affect the operation of the TV: interference or image distortion may occur.
- Looking at a periodically flashing display is harmful to the eyes: the increased load will make them tired and sore. It should be noted that in the latest models of refrigerators, vibration is minimized.
- The old TV is quite heavy. If it is on the refrigerator, it can cause deformation of the case.
- The refrigerator lid will sag, which will not go unnoticed by all the functions of the appliance. This does not mean that the solution is to install a modern, lightweight LCD TV on the refrigerator.
- They do not have a stable base and can simply fall when opening and closing the refrigerator.
There is a rather controversial assumption that a TV in the kitchen can deteriorate the quality of food. But this is unlikely. There are appliances in the kitchen that have much more power. For example, a microwave oven.
Consequences
We can assume the result from the actions of the owners who place the TV on top of the refrigeration unit in the kitchen.
- The refrigerator will consume more energy and turn off less often, trying to maintain the set temperature inside. The reasons for this: incorrect operation of the compressor due to increased load on it under the weight of a heavy TV, and also, possibly, damage to the thermal insulation of the top panel of the refrigerator. As a result, faster failure of all refrigeration equipment than the design resource allows for proper operation of the unit.
- Compressor motor overheating due to insufficient cooling in a confined space. The reason for this phenomenon may be the closing of the rear upper air gap between the wall and the refrigerator by the protruding part of the TV (ventilation will be impaired).
- Vibration of the refrigeration unit can cause failures in the operation of the TV: there will be desoldering in electrical connections, shedding of the kinescope phosphor, and flickering of the image. It is also possible that the receiver may fall.
- An increase in electromagnetic radiation from the kitchen space has a negative impact on human health. However, watching TV programs while eating is harmful to the digestive tract.
- The electromagnetic effect of devices on each other leads to breakdown of both devices.
- Uncomfortable viewing of TV if it is located on a large refrigeration structure can affect diseases of the eyes and cervical vertebrae.
Is it possible to place appliances in the freezer?
The surface of the refrigerator, at first glance, is the best option for placing electrical appliances. If you install a TV on it, this will provide a good viewing angle and will save space in the kitchen.
Despite all the advantages, placing electrical appliances in this way is not recommended for several reasons. They are as follows:
- The load on the refrigerator increases.
- The radiation intensity increases.
- Devices located on the surface of the refrigerator are affected by vibration. This is especially true for older model refrigerators.
- Exceeding the permissible weight causes the lid of the refrigeration unit to sag.
- Insufficient air to cool the radiator of a freezer or food storage chamber contributes to their rapid failure.
It is best to place the microwave or multicooker on other surfaces. These include a table or window sill. It is possible to organize a special niche in the kitchen furniture, placing it next to a separate outlet. You can install the devices in another room. This arrangement will also protect electrical devices from moisture and contact with water.
How to position equipment correctly
When deciding to get a TV in the kitchen, you need to take into account several important rules.
- Large sizes are best left for the hall. In the kitchen, a 20-inch is sufficient. Finding a place for it will not be difficult, it will not interfere or harm other equipment.
- Do not install the TV at a high height (another reason why the refrigerator is not the best place). If you always have to raise your head to view, this will lead to problems with vision and the cervical spine. The optimal height is no higher than two meters.
- Make sure that the TV is at a sufficient distance from the sink. Moisture on its surface may cause malfunction or failure. What's worse is that an accident may occur. If there is no other installation option, order a special protective screen made of thick glass or plastic.
- The TV should not be placed near heating appliances or gas or electric stoves. Due to exposure to sunlight, the location next to a window is not the best option. Heating will lead to rapid wear of equipment parts. In addition, daylight will interfere with viewing, creating glare on the screen.
Pay attention to the wires: they must be securely hidden. A dangling wire touched by carelessness will cause the TV to fall.
Modern manufacturers have taken care of those who want to cook and watch movies at the same time. The installation problem was solved by creating a refrigerator with a built-in LCD screen. Those who decide to change all their equipment at once should take a closer look at this option. This refrigerator is easy to use and ergonomic. The only negative is the rather high price. The purchase will cost more than if you buy the equipment separately.
Another option is a refrigerator with a special opening for installing a TV. Of course, here you will have to adapt to the existing sizes, and not choose at will. Modern kitchen sets include a special niche for the TV.
Correct location
The location of such equipment in the kitchen is excluded in several cases:
- Installation near a sink will result in moisture getting into the surface of the TV. With constant exposure, this will lead to complex breakdowns.
- A battery or direct sunlight also contributes to heating of equipment and rapid wear of its parts.
TVs for the kitchen do not have to have a large screen. The optimal size would be a design with a diagonal of up to 20 inches. They should be located at a distance of 2 m from the observer.
Pay attention to the height. If you install the device too high, you will have to constantly raise your head.
There are several ways to optimally position the TV in the kitchen:
- A refrigerator with a built-in opening for such equipment. Please note that the hole size is often standard and you will have to adjust the dimensions of the equipment to fit it.
- Closet . Shelves for installation can be provided at the design stage of the headset. In another case, you need to attach a special frame to one of the openings of the cabinet.
- Bracket. There are many types of fastening systems on the market today. With their help, you can hang the structure on a special base. An alternative to such designs are rotating systems, which are located in cabinets and save space.
The location of the refrigerator and TV is theoretically possible anywhere, but it is advisable to take into account the manufacturer’s recommendations. You can install them on top of each other as a last resort.
Allowed options for mounting a TV above the refrigerator
Modern, flat and lightweight, the TV can be attached anywhere in the kitchen using specialized fasteners. Such hangers can be purchased in every store that sells household appliances. Fasteners may vary in type and cost. There are four most common fastener options:
- Fixed - tilting and turning the equipment is eliminated, and the cost of such fasteners is low.
- Tilt-and-rotate – make it possible to adjust the tilt of the equipment so that the image is not distorted when viewed from anywhere in the room with a maximum tilt and rotation angle of 180 ̊.
- Inclined – compact models that allow a vertical tilt angle of 20 degrees.
- Ceiling - it is possible to adjust the tilt and rotation by 360, they are the best option for rooms with high (3 m or more) ceilings.
The wall bracket for TV equipment is selected after purchasing the TV. The key selection criterion, after the owner of the LCD panel is convinced that the bracket is suitable, is the goals being pursued and the desired angle of inclination with rotation.
Main functionality
The refrigerator in which the TV is built in is interconnected units that play different roles. The main purpose of this design was cooling and freezing food. For this reason, these models are no different from ordinary household modifications, which are additionally equipped with several cameras, a specialized temperature support system, open door control and ice generators. As for built-in TV models, their functionality is also not much different from designs that stand alone.
Here you can find a set of functions such as:
- Possibility of using external storage devices.
- Access the Internet using wireless networks.
- Watch videos and films in different formats and much more.
Kitchen without TV
The question arises whether a TV is needed in the kitchen. This is a special room, where food is prepared, the family gathers around a common table. It is no secret that most programs do not contribute to a good mood: talk shows discuss the problems of dysfunctional families, the news is filled with chilling stories. Do you enjoy having lunch while your nail affected by fungus is shown on full screen?
Good housewives know that when cooking they need to focus only on this process and not be distracted by anything. At this time, they even turn off their phone. The quality of a dish largely depends on the mood in which you cook it. If you cry over the problems of the characters in a melodrama or get carried away by a crime series, don’t be surprised that the food turns out to be tasteless, and all family members will feel heaviness in their stomachs for a long time. If the TV is on the refrigerator, the temptation to turn it on is very great, and you are unlikely to prepare a tasty and healthy lunch.
If you are bored of working in silence in the kitchen, turn on the radio or player with your favorite tunes that will create a pleasant emotional atmosphere.
Doctors do not recommend watching TV shows, discussing serious issues, or talking on the phone while eating. Disconnect from all your problems, enjoy delicious food and don’t forget to praise the hostess. Share good news and make each other happy. You can then watch the missed episodes of an interesting detective story on the Internet.
Each person must decide for himself whether it is possible to place the TV on the refrigerator. If you think that it is impossible to think of a better place, take care of the safety of all family members. All devices must be installed firmly and stably. Place the electrical cord and antenna cable so that they cannot be accidentally touched or pulled. And yet, keep the screen off more often; communicating with family and friends is much more interesting than with characters in TV series.