Dawlance 9173WB Chrome Pro

Description

The 9173 sits at 13-14 cubic feet (328 litres) in Dawlance’s range, which puts it with a family of four to six.

Capacity and layout

13-14 cubic feet (328 litres), double door with the freezer mounted on top, built on the wide body cabinet. Suited to a family of four to six. If you are torn between this and the next size up, the larger one usually wins in practice: a fridge packed tight runs warmer and works its compressor harder than one with room for air to move.

Inverter compressor, 135V to 260V

Chrome Pro is where the range picks up an inverter compressor, and it is specified to run across a 135V to 260V supply. That is an unusually wide band and the single most useful thing about this trim if your voltage drops in the evening. Dawlance rates it up to 38 percent more efficient than a conventional compressor. The cabinet is chrome hairline with a mirror glass door.

Cooling and refrigerant

Direct cool, using R600a. R600a runs at lower pressure than the older refrigerants, which tends to make the compressor quieter, and it is readily available locally if the system ever needs recharging.

Placement

Leave a hand’s width behind and above the cabinet. A refrigerator sheds its heat through the back, and pushed flat against a wall in a hot kitchen it will run far longer than it needs to. Keep it out of direct sun and away from the cooker if the layout allows.