By Patrick Avenell

MELBOURNE, VIC: Miele has once again demonstrated its commitment to increasing average sales prices, introducing its new range of freestanding refrigerators for those consumers who want the best no matter the cost.

Unlike its built-in range, which featured the magnificent $19,000 MasterCool model, Miele’s premium new freestanding model is ‘only’ just under $5,000. That’s still enough, however, to make it one of the most expensive on the market.

The new premium series is the K14.000 range. There are six models in this range: four combination fridge/freezers, one standalone fridge and one standalone freezer.

At the top of this range is the KFN14.827 Fridge/Freezer with PerfectFresh (RRP $4,700). This is a stainless steel model with a 321-litre total gross volume (171 litres in the fridge, 150 litres in the freezer). There are two PerfectFresh drawers, an Active AirClean filter, a single height adjustable shelf and a chrome-plated metal bottle rack.

The freezer has an automatic ice maker, three freezer drawers and two half freezer drawers.

There’s also LED lighting and touch controls with a temperature display. As with all Miele products, the German brand says it has tested this product rigorously to ensure lifecycle quality.

Also in this range is KFN14.842 combination fridge/freezer (RRP $4,399). This model, which is slightly cheaper, actually has more storage space (458 litres total), but it doesn’t have the PerfectFresh cooling system.

According to the release, “The PerfectFresh zone keeps fruits and vegetables, poultry, seafood, cheese and deli items fresh for up to three times longer than standard fridge drawers at a temperature slightly above approximately 0°C and in controlled humidity conditions.”

For those consumers that just want PerfectFresh for their refrigerator, the freestanding fridge-only model (K14.827) is available for RRP $3,699.