The type of hinge used by manufacturers for integrated fridge and freezers generally fall into two types, option 1 that opens the fridge or freezer door when the outer cupboard door is opened, and option 2 that allows the outer cupboard door to slide over the fridge or freezer door when the door is opened.
Obviously the hinge set up is completely different for the stand alone appliances in your kitchen, such as fridges, freezers or dual appliances.
Replacing damaged hinges
Neither type of hinge is too problematic to replace, but one is slightly more time-consuming and fiddly than the other. As usual, the main concern is to ensure you source the correct spares for your kitchen units, plus the make and model of your fridge or freezer. You may be interested to know that many of the integrated cabinets and hinges are made by the same manufacturer. These units are then purchased by various kitchen companies who just rebrand them. This obviously reduces the costs considerably, and also makes obtaining spare parts much easier.
Some kitchen companies do manufacture their own integrated units and hinges, but this will make replacement parts more expensive. Read more…