Cookology UCIB113BK Undercounter Fridge & Ice Box Review

Have you been looking for a compact fridge with a proper ice box that actually fits under your counter and still looks stylish?

What You Need to Know About the Cookology UCIB113BK

You’re probably considering the Cookology UCIB113BK 55cm Freestanding Undercounter Fridge & Ice Box in Black [Energy Class F] because you want something that’s compact, reliable, and not loud or ugly. This model aims to give you exactly that: a neat, undercounter fridge with a genuine 4-star freezer compartment, wrapped up in a sleek black finish.

You get a combination of practicality and style, especially if you’re short on space but still want proper chilled and frozen storage.

Key Features at a Glance

You don’t always have time to read pages of specifications, so here’s a clear summary of what this fridge offers. This quick look helps you see if it suits your needs before you get into the details.

This gives you a snapshot of what you’re getting: a compact fridge-freezer setup that works well in flats, studios, annexes, offices, and small kitchens.

Design and Appearance

You care about how an appliance looks in your kitchen, not just what it can store. The Cookology UCIB113BK is built to blend into a modern home rather than stand out for the wrong reasons.

Sleek Black Finish That Fits Modern Kitchens

You’re getting a fridge with a black exterior that looks smart and minimal rather than bulky or cheap. The clean lines and simple door design help it match darker worktops and cabinets or act as a contrast against white units.

You can easily pair this with other black or stainless steel appliances without it clashing, which makes it a good choice if you’re trying to keep a consistent look in your kitchen or utility room.

Under-Counter Freestanding Layout

This model is freestanding and designed to slide neatly under your kitchen counter. At 55 cm wide, it’s slightly slimmer than the classic 60 cm width, which gives you a bit more flexibility in tighter spaces.

You don’t need to build it into your cabinets; you simply give it a dedicated gap, level it, and plug it in. That makes it ideal if you’re:

• Renting and can’t heavily modify the kitchen
• Setting up a small annex or guest kitchen
• Adding a secondary fridge in a utility room, garage (within temperature limits), or home office

Internal Layout and Storage

You want to know whether this fridge will actually take your weekly food shop or just a handful of items. The UCIB113BK is designed with a practical layout so you can organise food properly, even in a compact space.

Main Fridge Compartment

Inside the main fridge section, you’ll find 2 strong glass shelves and a salad/vegetable drawer at the bottom. The use of glass shelves instead of wire racks makes a big difference in real-world use.

You can:

• Store smaller items without them tipping over
• Wipe spills easily because the shelves are flat and solid
• See through to lower levels, giving better visibility

You can adjust the shelf positions to create more height where you need it, such as for tall bottles or large containers.

Salad / Vegetable Drawer

At the base of the fridge, there’s a clear crisper drawer designed for fresh produce. You can keep your:

• Lettuce, spinach, and herbs fresher
• Carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers organised
• Fruit separate so it doesn’t roll around the main shelves

This helps you stop things from getting lost at the back and reduces food waste because you can actually see what you’ve bought.

Door Storage for Essentials

On the inside of the door, you have 3 door shelves. This is where you’re likely to keep everyday items you grab frequently, such as:

• Milk and juice cartons or bottles
• Eggs in a tray
• Butter, spreads, and cheese
• Jams, sauces, and condiments

Storing tall items in the door frees up the main shelves for food containers and leftovers, which lets you use the internal space more efficiently.

The 4-Star Ice Box: A Real Freezer, Not Just a Chiller

The standout feature here is the 4-star ice box. Many undercounter fridges only offer a basic chiller compartment that’s okay for ice cubes but not ideal for long-term frozen food.

What a 4-Star Freezer Rating Means for You

A 4-star (****) freezer rating means the compartment can reach and maintain -18°C. That’s the standard temperature you need for safe, long-term frozen food storage.

So you can confidently store:

• Frozen vegetables
• Ready meals
• Meat and fish (safely, within recommended times)
• Ice cream and desserts
• Ice cubes for drinks

You’re not limited to using it just as a short-term ice tray section. It works as a proper mini freezer, which is especially helpful if you only have this appliance and no separate freezer.

Practical Uses for the Ice Box

You might use the ice box in several ways depending on your lifestyle:

• If you live alone or as a couple, it can handle your core frozen basics.
• If you have a main freezer elsewhere, you can keep your most-used frozen items in this smaller ice box for quick reach.
• In a guest annexe, student room, or office kitchen, it gives you enough frozen storage without needing a full-size freezer.

This flexibility makes the UCIB113BK more useful than a fridge-only model, especially in smaller homes or shared spaces.

Noise Level and Everyday Use

You probably don’t want a fridge constantly humming in the background, especially in an open-plan living area, studio flat, or bedroom-adjacent kitchen.

Whisper-Quiet Operation at 39 dB

The UCIB113BK runs at about 39 dB, which is genuinely quiet. For comparison, that’s roughly the level of a soft library or a quiet home at night.

You can place this fridge:

• In an open-plan kitchen-diner without it distracting conversations
• In a small flat where your living and cooking space are combined
• In a guest bedroom kitchenette or annex room without annoying your guests

Over time, low noise levels make a big difference to how comfortable your home feels, especially if you’re sensitive to background sounds.

Simple Day-to-Day Use

The internal layout, door shelving, and clear glass shelves all work together to keep your everyday use straightforward. You won’t struggle to find things, and you won’t have to constantly reorganise items to make space.

Because it’s a freestanding model, you can also pull it out more easily for cleaning behind and underneath it, which is helpful if you’re trying to keep your kitchen as hygienic as possible.

Energy Efficiency and Running Costs

You’re rightly paying attention to energy labels and ongoing costs, not just the purchase price. This fridge gives you clear information about how much it’s expected to cost to run.

Energy Class F (Previously A+)

Under the current EU/UK energy labelling system, this appliance is rated Energy Class F. However, it’s important to know that the labelling scale was changed, and what used to be an A+ rating now appears as F in the new system.

In other words, this doesn’t suddenly mean it’s inefficient compared to older A+ models; the goalposts were moved to push future appliances to be even more efficient.

Approximate Annual Running Cost

The UCIB113BK uses around 174 kWh per year. With an energy price of £0.155 per kWh, that works out at roughly £27 per year in running costs.

In practical terms, this means:

• You’re paying only a few pounds per month for refrigeration and freezing.
• Over several years, the running cost remains relatively low compared to meaningfully larger or older fridges.

If you’re upgrading from a much older or less efficient unit, you might actually cut your overall bills even with this modestly sized appliance.

Practical Benefits for Different Types of Users

You might be wondering whether this specific fridge suits your situation. The UCIB113BK works especially well in a few common setups.

Ideal for Small Kitchens and Flats

If your kitchen doesn’t have room for a tall fridge freezer, or you’re renovating a compact galley kitchen, this undercounter model can sit neatly beneath the worktop.

You still get separate chilled and frozen storage without sacrificing floor space or cabinet run. This is particularly handy in:

• Studio flats
• Small city apartments
• Compact holiday lets

Great as a Secondary or Overflow Fridge

You might already have a main fridge freezer but still find yourself running out of space, especially around holidays or when you batch-cook.

This Cookology unit is an excellent overflow fridge that you can place in:

• A utility room
• A garage (if within recommended ambient temperature)
• A home bar or garden room

You can store drinks, party food, or extra ingredients without overloading your main fridge.

Useful for Guest Rooms, Annexes, and Offices

If you have a guest annex, Airbnb, or an office with a small kitchenette, this fridge is a neat all-in-one solution. Guests or staff get both chilled storage and a proper ice box without taking up a large footprint.

Because it runs quietly, you’re not disturbing anyone who might sleep or work nearby, and the black finish tends to suit most generic decors without standing out.

Build Quality and Durability

You want your appliance to last several years without constant issues. While this is a reasonably priced fridge, it’s still built to feel solid in daily use.

Strong Glass Shelves

The two glass shelves are designed to take the weight of your regular grocery load, including heavier items like:

• Glass jars
• Full containers
• Plates of leftovers

They’re easier to clean than wire racks and help stop smaller things from tipping over or falling through gaps. This not only gives a more premium feel but also reduces the chance of accidents and spills.

Practical Interior and Door Design

The interior is laid out with practicality in mind:

• Transparent drawer and shelves for easy visibility
• Door compartments shaped for bottles and cartons
• Ice box positioned so you can reach it without digging through piles of food

Over time, a simple and logical layout like this makes your everyday routine much smoother because you don’t have to rethink where things are every time you open the door.

Installation and Setup

Getting this fridge running properly is straightforward, but there are a few points you’ll want to consider so you can get the best performance.

Freestanding Undercounter Placement

Since it’s freestanding, you don’t have to worry about fitting it into a cabinet carcass or attaching door fronts. You just need:

• A level surface
• Sufficient ventilation space at the sides and rear
• A standard power outlet within reach

Position it under your counter with a bit of clearance so that warm air can escape comfortably. This helps the fridge maintain its temperature efficiently and supports its long-term reliability.

Leveling and First Use

When you first set it up, you should:

1. Adjust the feet so the fridge is level. This helps the door close correctly and reduces vibration.
2. Let it stand upright for a few hours (especially if it’s been transported horizontally) before plugging it in, to allow refrigerant to settle.
3. Turn it on and give it time to get cold before loading it with food, particularly the ice box, which needs steady time to reach -18°C.

Once it’s running, you just need to keep the usual clearance behind it, avoid overpacking, and check that the door seals properly.

Everyday Convenience and Usability

You want more than just cold food; you want an appliance that feels easy to live with. The UCIB113BK aims to make your routine simpler.

Organising Your Food Efficiently

You can create a logical layout inside:

• Top shelf: leftovers, prepared meals, dairy
• Middle shelf: chilled ingredients, snacks, drinks
• Salad drawer: fruit and vegetables
• Door shelves: milk, sauces, condiments, small bottles

This simple organisation lets you grab what you need without shuffling everything around. Because the interior is compact, it encourages you to keep things tidy and not hoard expired items at the back.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The smooth interior surfaces and glass shelves are easy to wipe down if you spill something. You can remove the shelves and drawer to give them a proper wash when needed.

To keep it working efficiently, you’ll want to:

• Periodically check for ice build-up in the ice box and defrost if necessary
• Make sure the door seals remain clean so they close tightly
• Avoid blocking the internal airflow with oversized or overloaded shelves

These small habits help your fridge stay efficient and hygienic.

Pros and Cons of the Cookology UCIB113BK

You’ll make a better choice if you can weigh up the main strengths and potential downsides clearly. Here’s a simple breakdown.

Main Advantages

You get a combination of useful features in a compact body. These are the main benefits you’re likely to notice:

• Compact undercounter size (55 cm): Fits nicely in small kitchens or as a secondary fridge.
• 4-star ice box: Works as a genuine freezer at -18°C, not just an ice tray compartment.
• Low noise (39 dB): Very quiet, suitable for open-plan spaces and bedrooms nearby.
• Sleek black finish: Matches modern kitchens and looks more premium than plain white units.
• Glass shelves and crisper drawer: Practical storage, easy to clean, and good visibility.
• Reasonable running cost: Around £27 per year at the stated energy rate.

Overall, it’s a sensible, good-looking, and functional solution if you’re limited on space but still need both fridge and freezer capability.

Possible Drawbacks

No appliance is perfect, and this one may not suit everyone. Here are a few things you should consider:

• Energy label F: Although it equates roughly to the old A+ class, the label itself might put you off if you’re heavily focused on top-tier efficiency.
• Limited total capacity: As an undercounter unit, it won’t match a tall fridge freezer for volume, so it’s best for smaller households or as a second appliance.
• Single-door design with ice box inside: Opening the main door also exposes the ice box area to warm air, so you need to be a bit mindful when accessing it frequently.
• Black finish shows dust and fingerprints more easily: You might need to wipe the exterior a bit more often to keep it looking pristine.

If you’re a large household or you do huge weekly shops, you may find the internal space too restrictive as your only fridge.

Who This Fridge Is Best Suited For

To decide if this is right for you, it helps to match it to typical real-life situations rather than just specs.

You Want a Main Fridge in a Small Space

If you’re living in a small flat, studio, or single-occupancy home, this can function as your main fridge with the ice box acting as your primary freezer. You’ll probably find it big enough for your main groceries and some frozen staples.

You’ll need to shop with its size in mind, but in exchange you save floor space and keep your kitchen feeling open and uncluttered.

You Need a Second Fridge/Freezer

If you already have a standard fridge freezer but always feel short on space, this unit works well as:

• A drink and snack fridge
• Extra storage for meat and fresh produce
• A backup for frozen essentials

You can keep it in a utility or side room and use it to take the pressure off your main appliance, especially around parties, events, and busy family weeks.

You Run a Guest Space or Small Office

For Airbnb lets, annexes, or office kitchens, this model offers the perfect balance of size and function:

• Guests get a proper freezer, not just a token ice cube slot.
• Office staff can store lunches, milk, and a few frozen items.
• The quiet operation helps keep the environment pleasant.

If you want to give people a little independence and comfort without taking up a lot of room, this fridge fits the bill.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your UCIB113BK

Once you’ve chosen this fridge, there are a few simple habits you can follow to optimise both space and performance.

Organise the Space Intelligently

You can make a small fridge feel much bigger if you use it smartly:

• Use square or rectangular containers to maximise shelf space.
• Keep similar items together so you see at a glance what you have.
• Reserve the top shelf for items most affected by temperature changes, such as dairy and leftovers.

By keeping things grouped and clearly visible, you reduce waste and avoid overbuying.

Use the Ice Box Wisely

The ice box is capable of long-term storage, but you’ll get better results if you:

• Avoid overpacking it, so cold air can circulate.
• Label frozen items with dates, so you know when to use them.
• Place items flat at first to freeze quickly, then rearrange if necessary.

This helps the freezer maintain its -18°C temperature and keeps your frozen food in good condition.

Maintain Good Airflow and Sealing

To keep the fridge running efficiently, you should:

• Leave a little space between items and the back wall inside.
• Check the door seal from time to time and wipe away crumbs or residue.
• Avoid propping the door open for longer than necessary when loading groceries.

All of this helps reduce the workload on the compressor, saving energy and prolonging the appliance’s life.

How It Compares in Its Category

You might be comparing several undercounter fridges and wondering how this one stands out. The UCIB113BK focuses on a balanced set of strengths.

Compared with many basic undercounter fridges:

• You get a proper 4-star freezer rather than just an ice compartment.
• The noise level is impressively low, making it more comfortable in living spaces.
• The black finish gives it a more contemporary look than standard white units.

Compared with high-end, ultra-efficient models:

• It may not reach the very top of the new energy scale, but it usually costs less upfront.
• You still get reasonable energy consumption at around 174 kWh/year, which is decent in real terms for this size.

If your top priority is style, quiet running, and a genuine ice box in a compact footprint, this Cookology model offers a strong mix of these traits.

Final Thoughts: Is the Cookology UCIB113BK Right for You?

You’re looking for a fridge that doesn’t take up too much room, looks good in a modern kitchen, and still gives you the practicality of a real freezer compartment. The Cookology UCIB113BK 55cm Freestanding Undercounter Fridge & Ice Box in Black [Energy Class F] delivers exactly that.

You get:

• A compact, stylish undercounter unit in sleek black
• Quiet operation at just 39 dB
• A genuine 4-star ice box capable of -18°C
• Practical internal storage with glass shelves, a salad drawer, and three door shelves
• Reasonable running costs of around £27 per year at the given energy rate

You do trade off some capacity compared to a tall fridge freezer, and the new F energy label might look less appealing at first glance, but in day-to-day use this appliance feels well balanced, thoughtfully designed, and easy to live with.

If you’re furnishing a small kitchen, setting up an annex or office, or adding a second fridge for overflow storage, this model gives you a reliable, quiet, and good-looking option that fits neatly under your counter while still handling both your chilled and frozen essentials.

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