Compatibility of Neff fixed hinge fridge freezer with Howdens kitchen unit

[Rich Jones]

I'll soon be getting my kitchen gutted and replaced and have run into a question regarding the compatibility of fully integrated fridge freezer with the Howdens units and doors.  The model is an extra tall (193 cm) and extra wide (70 cm) and it has soft-close fixed hinges.  As I'm not buying it from Howdens, they wont guarantee that it will work correctly with their extra tall/wide fridge freezer unit.  I've done my own research and I'm confident that the internal space in the unit/carcass is adequate. The doors will also be the right dimension (70/30 split) and the weight of the doors are within the weight tolerance of the appliance.  Where I'm now concerned is whether the positioning of the hinges on the appliance doors will be compatible with the positioning pre-drilled 'holes' on the back of the unit doors (which usually take the hinges of the unit door to fix them to the carcass). As its a fixed hinge configuration, I wont need the hinges to attach the unit doors to the carcass as the appliance hinges will take all of the weight, but I will need the appliance hinges to be fixed to the 'main thickness' of the unit door and not overlap with where the pre-drilled holes are in the back of the unit doors.   Does anyone have any experience of this and what I can do to check 100% compatibility before I go ahead and purchase this appliance?

I do have the option to go for a sliding hinge appliance by a different brand (Bosch and Siemens do these with those dimensions), however, the energy rating of these aren't quite as good (according to the specs)....  and I liked the sound of the soft-close option with Neff.

[Spinny]

On 20/11/2025 at 11:50, Rich Jones said:

As I'm not buying it from Howdens, they wont guarantee that it will work correctly with their extra tall/wide fridge freezer unit. 

Assuming you are paying Howden's to design and fit the kitchen I personally would not accept their statement. If they insist on it then go elsewhere.

Our kitchen supplier has been perfectly happy to divi up the sourcing of appliances where they cannot achieve the same pricing, or have no supply arrangements. And it is part of the design and install planning to make whatever appliances the customer is having fit properly - all the manufacturers produce comprehensive installation and dimensioning documents.

 

But price and service are no doubt linked.

 

(PS When looking at install details it is well worth seeing the actual physical appliance with a tape measure and phone camera. Sometimes manufacturers are quite cautious and can over egg one or two required dimensions and clearances.)