Teknix THSBS1791INBIX Freestanding American Fridge Freezer review

Looking for a stylish, large-capacity American fridge freezer that keeps your food fresh without the hassle of manual defrosting?

Product Overview

You’re considering the Teknix THSBS1791INBIX Freestanding American Side by Side Door Fridge Freezer – 562L Capacity – Non-Plumbed Ice and Water Dispenser – Frost Free – Black Stainless Steel, H178.7 x W91.0 x D69.0 (cm) [Energy Class E]. This model aims to combine generous storage, modern aesthetics, and useful features like a non-plumbed water and ice dispenser. Below you’ll find a detailed review to help you understand how it will perform in your kitchen and daily routine.

Quick Snapshot

This section gives you a concise summary to quickly grasp the fridge’s main points. It helps you decide whether you want to read the rest in detail or focus on specific features like the ice maker, digital controls, or energy rating.

Key Specifications Table

A table helps you scan the crucial technical details quickly when making a buying decision. You can use this as a quick reference for size, capacity, and standout features.

Design and Build Quality

You’ll notice the first impression comes from the black stainless steel exterior referred to as “Black Steel.” The finish is both modern and a bit more forgiving than mirrored stainless steel for fingerprints and smudges.
Build quality feels solid for a freestanding American-style fridge; hinges and door alignment are crucial and this model aims to provide reliable hardware for everyday use.

Aesthetics and Finish

You’ll appreciate the black steel look if you want a premium, modern appearance without the harsh glare of polished stainless. The darker tone integrates well in most contemporary kitchens and can act as a statement appliance.
The digitally controlled display set into the door enhances that sleek appearance, keeping the front clean while providing easy access to settings.

Door and Handle Design

The side-by-side door layout gives you full-height pantry access in the fridge and freezer sections. Handles are typically integrated or bar-style depending on the distribution, offering a practical grip as you open doors frequently for family use.
You’ll find door alignment and seal integrity important for long-term efficiency; these are areas where the Teknix aims to perform well, preventing warm air ingress and ensuring optimal cooling.

Capacity and Internal Layout

You get 562 liters of total space—371 liters for the fridge and 191 liters for the freezer—which is generous and well-suited for larger families or those who entertain. The internal arrangement is designed to maximize usable space while offering flexible storage options.

Fridge Compartment

The fridge portion gives you ample shelving, door bins, crisper drawers, and the chrome wine rack for bottle storage. You’ll like the bottle storage solution because it prevents rolling and allows a stable place for wine or other beverages.
Shelves are usually adjustable to accommodate tall items like juice cartons or party platters, so you can customize the layout based on your needs.

Freezer Compartment

The 191-liter freezer is split into multiple drawers and shelves, giving you organized storage for frozen meals, bulk buys, and ice packs. You’ll find the Total No Frost technology particularly useful: it keeps the freezer frost-free so you won’t need to manually defrost.
Pull-out drawers make access to food easier, helping prevent spills and allowing quick inventory checks when you’re meal planning.

Cooling Performance and Frost Free Technology

Total No Frost replaces static cooling methods, removing the need to defrost your freezer manually. You’ll benefit from consistent temperatures and reduced ice buildup, leading to more efficient performance and less maintenance.

Temperature Consistency

Consistent temperature across shelves matters if you store dairy, meat, and fresh produce together. The Teknix digital control system helps maintain steady temperatures, which is especially important for long-term food preservation.
You’ll notice fewer temperature fluctuations when doors are opened infrequently; good seals and well-designed airflow systems help maintain internal climate.

Frost Free Benefits

With the frost-free system, you’ll avoid ice accumulation that can reduce usable space and affect cooling efficiency. Frost-free also means you’ll spend less time on maintenance, which is valuable for busy households.
This technology also tends to reduce freezer burn on stored items, helping keep food texture and quality intact for longer.

Non-Plumbed Ice and Water Dispenser

A major convenience feature is the built-in non-plumbed water dispenser and ice maker. This means you’ll enjoy chilled water and ice without the need for a direct waterline connection.

How the Non-Plumbed System Works

The dispenser uses an internal reservoir that you fill manually, which is great if you don’t want or can’t install a water line. You’ll simply refill the tank periodically and have access to chilled water and ice on demand.
This setup is flexible for renters or homes where plumbing installation would be inconvenient or costly, but remember you’ll need to refill the reservoir, so factor in maintenance effort.

Ice Maker and Storage

You’ll find the integrated ice maker produces and stores ice for immediate use, meaning no more trips to the store for cubes. The ice dispenser can make small batches on command, which is handy for last-minute gatherings.
Note that ice production rate depends on usage and reservoir size; heavy use will require more frequent refilling and may take time to catch up after initial use.

Digital Controls and User Interface

A digital display on the door gives you intuitive control over temperatures and modes. You’ll be able to change settings without opening the door, which helps maintain internal conditions.

Ease of Use

The display is intended to be straightforward, showing temperature readouts and allowing quick mode changes for fridges, freezers, and ice-making functions. You’ll appreciate the convenience of adjusting settings for different needs, such as a temporary boost in cooling after adding a lot of groceries.
Some users prefer tactile buttons while others like touch-sensitive panels—Teknix aims to provide a responsive and user-friendly system that avoids complexity.

Modes and Options

You can typically select modes like quick chill, quick freeze, or energy-saving functions from the digital panel. These modes are useful when you’re storing lots of fresh food after shopping or want to conserve energy during quieter household periods.
Remember that frequent use of quick-freeze and quick-chill modes can temporarily increase energy use, so use them when necessary for best results.

Lighting and Visibility

LED lighting is integrated inside the fridge and activates automatically when you open the door. You’ll find it offers bright, even illumination that makes it easy to locate items even in deeper shelves.

LED Benefits

LEDs are long-lasting and energy-efficient, so you won’t need to replace bulbs often and they won’t add significant heat inside the cabinet. You’ll appreciate the clear visibility that reduces the time doors stay open while you find items.
The placement of LEDs is designed to minimize shadows and illuminate key zones like crispers and shelves for quick access.

Practical Visibility

Good internal lighting can change how you use the fridge—faster food retrieval, better inventory management, and less chance of forgetting items in the back. You’ll likely find this improves your overall kitchen efficiency.
The light also contributes to a perceived premium feel, complementing the black steel exterior for a cohesive look.

Energy Efficiency and Running Costs

This appliance has an Energy Class E rating. You’ll want to weigh the features and capacity against the expected energy use when choosing a large fridge-freezer like this.

What Energy Class E Means

Energy Class E is an improvement over older F-rated models and indicates better efficiency than many older units on the market. For such a large capacity appliance, it’s fairly typical for modern side-by-side designs.
You’ll still expect higher power usage compared to a small fridge, so consider your household’s needs and whether the convenience and capacity justify the energy footprint.

Practical Tips to Reduce Running Costs

To minimize running costs, you should place the refrigerator away from direct sunlight and heat sources, keep door seals clean, and avoid frequent prolonged door openings. Regularly defrosting is unnecessary thanks to the frost-free system, but general maintenance helps keep it efficient.
You can also set temperature settings optimally—lower than necessary can waste energy, while slightly higher settings that are still safe for food preservation can save power.

Noise and Vibration

Noise levels are an important consideration, especially in open-plan homes. While the manufacturer doesn’t always provide decibel ratings for every model, you can expect typical side-by-side units to produce low humming and the occasional fan sound.

What to Expect

You’ll hear compressor cycles and fan operation, especially after door openings or when the ice maker is producing. Most users find this background noise acceptable, but it’s worth checking in person if you’re noise-sensitive.
Placing the appliance on a level surface and ensuring it’s installed away from living spaces can further reduce perceived noise and vibration.

Minimizing Noise

If you experience rattling or louder sounds, check that the unit is leveled and that internal shelves and items are secure. Vibration often comes from uneven floors or items loosely placed in drawers, and a quick adjustment can significantly reduce noise.
Technix builds with sturdy components to minimize long-term rattling, but normal operational sounds like the defrost cycle and compressor operation will remain.

Installation and Dimensions

You’ll need to ensure the fridge fits the allocated space and that doors can fully open without obstruction. The dimensions are H178.7 x W91.0 x D69.0 cm, so measure carefully, including allowances for ventilation space.

Placement Considerations

Make sure you account for clearance around the unit for air circulation—this improves cooling efficiency and lifespan. Also confirm door swing and adjacent cupboards won’t block access to drawers and the dispenser.
You’ll also want to verify transport path clearances (through doorways and staircases) when the appliance is delivered, as these large units require careful handling.

Installation Steps

Installation is straightforward: position on a level surface, remove transit bolts if present, and connect power. Since the water dispenser is non-plumbed, you don’t need a waterline, simplifying installation further.
However, do follow the user manual for leveling, door alignment, and initial cooling time—typically waiting several hours before loading very cold items helps the system stabilize.

Maintenance and Cleaning

You’ll find maintenance easy because of the frost-free design and durable finishes, but regular cleaning of seals, filters, and the reservoir is still important for hygiene and performance.

Routine Maintenance

Wipe down door seals to maintain an airtight closure, clean spills immediately to avoid odors, and occasionally vacuum the condenser coils if they’re accessible. You’ll also need to periodically clean the internal water reservoir to prevent build-up.
Keeping the chrome wine rack and shelves clean extends their appearance and helps prevent contamination or odors.

Long-Term Care

If you plan on moving or storing the unit for long periods, ensure it’s fully defrosted (if needed), dry, and doors slightly ajar to prevent mold. You’ll also want to document warranty details and service information for peace of mind.
Teknix includes two years of cover as standard, so keep your receipt and register the product if required to streamline any potential service requests.

Accessories and Added Features

The Teknix model includes features like a chrome wine rack and an internal reservoir for its non-plumbed dispenser. These small additions can make a real difference in day-to-day convenience.

Chrome Wine Rack

You’ll find a dedicated spot for bottles that prevents rolling and frees up shelf space for other items. This is a simple but effective addition if you enjoy storing wine or similar bottles in your fridge.
The rack also helps keep fragile bottles from shifting when the door opens, which is useful in households with active kids or frequent door access.

Other Useful Features

Additional conveniences include adjustable shelving, door bins, and clear drawers for easy organization. You’ll appreciate the digital display for quick status checks and settings adjustments.
Integrated LED lighting and frost-free operation round out the practical feature set that reduces maintenance and improves usability.

Pros and Cons

A balanced look at strengths and weaknesses helps you decide if this model fits your priorities and lifestyle.

Pros

• Large 562L capacity suitable for families and entertainers.
• Stylish black stainless steel finish for a modern kitchen look.
• Non-plumbed water and ice dispenser provides chilled water and ice without plumbing.
• Total No Frost eliminates manual defrosting and ice buildup.
• Digital controls and LED lighting for easy use.
• Chrome wine rack and flexible shelving for organized storage.
• Two-year standard warranty for peace of mind.

Cons

• Energy Class E is decent but not top-tier for efficiency; running costs can be higher than smaller or more efficient units.
• Non-plumbed reservoir requires periodic refilling and cleaning.
• Size may be a constraint in smaller kitchens and requires careful measuring for delivery and placement.
• Potential for typical compressor and fan noise that may matter in quiet spaces.

Who Should Buy This Fridge Freezer?

This unit suits you if you have a larger household, entertain frequently, or prefer an appliance that’s both a style statement and a practical storage solution. You’ll also appreciate the convenience of an ice maker without needing complicated plumbing work.
If you live in a compact apartment or prioritize the highest available energy efficiency, you might want to consider smaller or more energy-efficient alternatives.

Comparison Considerations

When comparing with other American-style fridges, consider capacity, energy rating, dispenser type, and build finish. You’ll weigh the convenience of non-plumbed dispensers and aesthetics against long-term energy costs.
Look at competitors with similar features but different energy classes to judge if the trade-offs align with your priorities—sometimes paying a little more upfront for a higher efficiency unit yields savings over time.

Final Thoughts

You’ll find the Teknix THSBS1791INBIX offers a compelling mix of capacity, style, and useful features like a non-plumbed ice and water dispenser and frost-free technology. It is a solid choice for larger households and those who value a modern black steel finish in their kitchen.
Consider the energy rating and maintenance tasks associated with the non-plumbed reservoir, but if you want a stylish, feature-rich fridge-freezer with minimal defrosting hassle, this model should fit well into your daily routine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

These short answers address common concerns you might have when evaluating the fridge for purchase.

How often will I need to refill the water reservoir?

Refill frequency depends on household usage. If you and your family use a lot of ice or water daily, expect to refill it every few days. For lighter use, weekly refills might suffice.

Can the ice be used for drinks and freezing long-term items?

Yes, the ice is suitable for drinks. However, if you want long-term frozen storage, rely on the dedicated freezer drawers rather than leaving loose ice, which can pick up odors.

Is the black steel finish fingerprint-resistant?

Black steel tends to be more forgiving than polished stainless, but you’ll still get fingerprints. Wiping with a soft cloth and suitable cleaner keeps the finish looking sleek.

What happens if there’s a fault within two years?

Teknix includes two years of standard cover. You should register the appliance or keep your receipt and follow the warranty instructions to arrange service if required.

Does it need professional installation?

Since it’s non-plumbed, you don’t need plumbing work. However, professional delivery and placement are recommended due to the size and weight to avoid damage.

If you want, I can provide a short checklist to measure your kitchen space before ordering, or help you compare this model against specific competitors in the same price or capacity range. Which would you prefer?

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