• Further energy efficiency improvements on freestanding and built-in units

• Door opens in response to voice commands and tapping

• All in all, more features for your money

Since the beginning of the year, Miele has been marketing fridge-freezer combinations from the K 4000 generation with the highest possible 'A' energy efficiency rating. From spring 2024, further freestanding and built-in units from the K 7000 generation are even more energy-efficient: In both model series, the efficiency of many models has improved by at least one class. And, for good measure, the feature set has been upgraded at attractive price points. The icing on the cake: The new ActiveDoor feature with voice control. All models, whether freestanding or built-in, are now connectivity-enabled*.

This upgrade in energy efficiency is fully commensurate with Miele's high quality standards which aim to ensure that tested and declared energy efficiency is guaranteed over a long life cycle. The majority of refrigerators and freezers from Miele have been improved by at least one energy efficiency class, in some cases even by two. A particular highlight in the portfolio is a new fridge-freezer combination which, thanks to additional insulation panels, is even 10% more efficient than required for an 'A' energy efficiency rating (KFN 4898 A -10 D bs).

'Alexa, open the fridge door!'

Both hands full, with a tray in one hand and a big bottle of juice in the other? The ActiveDoor opening function is a very special convenience benefit on built-in units: Instructions to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant open the door automatically to an angle of up to 115° – with the door closing again at a simple command. This new function offers great support to persons with physical disabilities. As an alternative to voice controls, the door opens and closes automatically in response to light tapping on the door surface.

The opening angle and the time needed for the door to fully close can be customised via the unit's display. If the door should encounter an obstacle while opening or closing, the mechanism is stopped in its tracks and a warning appears in the display. Once the obstacle has been removed, the door closes again automatically. But naturally, the appliance can, as usual, be opened and closed using the cabinetry handle.

Whether fitted with voice-controlled ActiveDoor opening and closing, numerous models also feature SoftClose, a gentle closing technology which brakes the appliance door before contact and gently closes it. The door closes automatically below an opening angle of 30°. This prevents the door from being left open by mistake, preventing unnecessary energy wastage. Gentle closing prevents bottles from rattling or even falling out of the door racks.

Freezing or cooling – depending on demand

Previously the preserve of freestanding models, the smart function Freeze&Cool is now also available on built-in units. With this, a fridge-freezer combination becomes more flexible than ever before as it allows the use of the freezer as a refrigerator compartment. The temperature can either be set to between -25°C and -15°C for freezing food or, as an extension of the refrigerator compartment, to -2°C to +14°C. Particularly practical for fans of fish and seafood: Optimum storage conditions at -2°C to 0°C. The showstopper: Even foods not normally stored in a refrigerator, such as potatoes, tomatoes, citrus fruits and cucumbers, can now be accommodated thanks to flexible temperature settings (either directly at the machine or via the Miele app).

Flexibility on Miele refrigeration products also extends to other areas, for instance in the form of the sectionable FlexiBoard, now also available on built-in units. The front section of the glass shelf slides effortlessly under the rear section and therefore does not need to be stored outside the refrigerator when not in use. This allows rearrangement to allow large items such as bottles and carafes to be stored in the refrigerator compartment. For this purpose, the shelving in the door is infinitely and, above all, smoothly adjustable – without the contents toppling over or having to be removed before adjustments are made.

The new K 7000 generation appliances will be launched on the market from spring 2024.

*The connectivity applications covered in the text are additional digital services provided by Miele & Cie. KG or by partner companies. All smart applications are made possible by the Miele@home system. The range of functions can vary depending on the model and the country.

Company profile: Miele is the world's leading manufacturer of premium domestic appliances including cooking, baking and steam-cooking appliances, refrigeration products, coffee makers, dishwashers and laundry and floor care products. Their product portfolio also includes dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers for commercial use as well as washer-disinfectors and sterilisers for use in medical and laboratory applications. Founded in 1899, the company has eight production plants in Germany, one each in Austria, the Czech Republic, China, Romania and Poland as well as two production plants belonging to its Italian medical technology subsidiary Steelco. Sales in the 2022 business year amounted to around € 5.43 bn. Miele is represented with its own sales subsidiaries and via importers in almost 100 countries/regions. Throughout the world, the family-run enterprise, now in its fourth generation, employs a workforce of around 23,300, of which approx. 11,900 employees work in Germany. The company has its headquarters in Gütersloh in Westphalia.