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Verdict: The Smeg FAB38LBLAU is a very large, freezer-on-bottom refrigerator for buyers who want 1950s styling without giving up frost-free convenience, electronic controls or a dedicated 0°C fresh-food drawer. Its capacity and feature set are compelling, but the 706 mm-wide, 2,050 mm-tall cabinet is difficult to move and the published warranty and capacity figures conflict between Australian listings. Before paying around A$3,990, confirm the exact Australian suffix, current written warranty, hinge side, energy label and delivery clearances with the seller.
What is the Smeg FAB38LBLAU?
The FAB38LBLAU is a freestanding Smeg refrigerator/freezer with the freezer at the bottom and a rounded, 1950s-inspired exterior. It is aimed at households that need substantially more storage than a standard-width fridge and are willing to pay for a prominent design object as well as an appliance.
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Smeg Australia’s technical sheet describes double-zone electronic temperature control, ECO mode, fast freezing, a temperature alarm, Total Frost Free cooling and a Life Plus 0°C drawer. The manufacturer presents the FAB line as a focal point for the kitchen; in practical terms, that means the appliance’s appearance is part of the purchase decision, not merely a trim option.
The important qualification is the model code. FAB38 products sold in different markets are not necessarily identical. The Australian FAB38LBLAU figures should not be mixed with specifications for the UK FAB38LBL6 or another suffix.
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Is the Smeg FAB38LBLAU worth its price?
It can be worth the price if you specifically need a large, retro-styled refrigerator and value frost-free operation, electronic controls and specialist chilled storage. It is harder to justify if you mainly want maximum litres per dollar, the lowest running cost or an easy installation in a compact kitchen.
Reasons the price may make sense
- The cabinet offers roughly 500 litres of combined storage, enough for a large household or people who shop infrequently.
- A freezer-on-bottom layout places everyday refrigerator food at a more convenient standing height than a traditional top-freezer design.
- Total Frost Free cooling removes routine manual freezer defrosting.
- The 0°C drawer provides a colder zone for foods that benefit from storage below normal refrigerator temperature.
- ECO, fast-freeze and alarm functions give you useful control over ordinary operation and occasional bulk loading.
- The retro exterior is distinctive; comparable-looking appliances may not offer the same combination of capacity and styling.
Reasons to hesitate
- The refrigerator is unusually tall and deep, so delivery access can be more restrictive than the kitchen opening alone suggests.
- Energy figures published for the Australian and UK markets differ dramatically and cannot be substituted.
- The Australian technical sheet and CHOICE listing disagree about the warranty period.
- Published capacity numbers vary depending on whether they describe gross volume, claimed usable volume or a different regional model.
- At about A$3,990 in CHOICE’s Australian listing, mistakes in measuring the route or choosing the wrong hinge configuration are expensive to correct.
How much can the FAB38 hold?
The Australian manufacturer sheet lists 355 litres for the refrigerator, 155 litres for the freezer and 510 litres gross capacity. CHOICE’s listing for the exact FAB38LBLAU gives 504 litres total, with claimed volumes of 315 litres for the refrigerator and 151 litres for the freezer. These are not necessarily a contradiction: gross and claimed usable volumes are measured differently.
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| Figure | Australian manufacturer sheet | CHOICE FAB38LBLAU listing | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total capacity | 510 L gross | 504 L total volume | Use the seller’s exact capacity definition when comparing models. |
| Refrigerator compartment | 355 L gross | 315 L claimed | Shelves, drawers and internal fittings reduce usable space. |
| Freezer compartment | 155 L gross | 151 L claimed | The values are close but are not stated on the same measurement basis. |
For shopping decisions, treat the appliance as a roughly 500-litre class refrigerator rather than promising yourself a precise 510 litres of usable room. If you compare it with another model, compare like with like: claimed usable refrigerator and freezer volumes are more meaningful than one appliance’s gross figure against another’s net figure.
How the layout affects day-to-day storage
The refrigerator occupies the upper section, while the freezer is below. That arrangement is convenient for fresh food, but the bottom freezer still requires bending or crouching. The Life Plus drawer is designed for foods needing colder-than-standard refrigerator storage; use the product’s controls and the food’s storage guidance rather than assuming every item belongs at 0°C.
What are the FAB38LBLAU’s dimensions?
Smeg Australia lists 706 mm width, 2,050 mm height and 811 mm depth including the handle. CHOICE rounds the listing to 71 cm wide, 205 cm high and 78 cm deep, while a UK FAB38LBL6 page lists 2,050 × 706 × 771 mm. The different depth figures reinforce why the exact Australian SKU and the measurement method matter.
| Measurement | Australian FAB38 sheet | CHOICE listing | Installation implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 706 mm | Approx. 710 mm | Measure the narrowest point of the cabinet opening and the delivery route. |
| Height | 2,050 mm | Approx. 2,050 mm | Check ceiling height, overhead cabinets and the ability to tilt the appliance safely. |
| Depth | 811 mm including handle | Approx. 780 mm | Allow for handle projection, doors, ventilation and your desired front alignment. |
Will it fit through my doorway and kitchen opening?
Do not decide from the cabinet opening measurement alone. The refrigerator must clear the delivery entrance, hallways, turns, lift or stairwell, final opening and any narrow point created by skirting boards or adjacent cabinetry.
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- Measure the opening. Record the narrowest width, height and depth, including trim, hinges, handles and floor transitions.
- Measure the route. Check the external door, internal doors, corridors, corners and any step. A route that is wide when straight may be too tight at a turn.
- Check the appliance dimensions used by the retailer. Ask whether the listed depth includes the handle and whether doors or handles can be removed for delivery.
- Plan the final position. Leave the manufacturer’s required ventilation and door-swing clearance; the exact requirement should come from the installation document for your SKU.
- Confirm hinge configuration. A door that opens toward a wall or island can make an otherwise suitable opening unusable.
Because the FAB38 is about two metres tall and more than 700 mm wide, get written confirmation from the retailer or delivery team before ordering. Do not assume a professional crew can safely force it through a route that has not been measured.
Does the FAB38 need manual defrosting?
No routine manual freezer defrosting should be required. The Total Frost Free system circulates cool air to prevent normal ice build-up, so you should not have to periodically empty the freezer and chip away frost as you would with a conventional static freezer.
Frost-free does not mean maintenance-free. Keep vents clear, avoid blocking air circulation with tightly packed food, clean door seals and investigate unusual ice or temperature changes rather than treating them as normal. A power interruption, damaged seal or blocked airflow can still cause storage problems.
What controls and fresh-food features does it have?
Double-zone electronic temperature control
The refrigerator and freezer are controlled as separate temperature zones, allowing adjustments that suit different loads. The exact display steps and recommended temperatures should be taken from the manual supplied with the Australian unit.
ECO mode
ECO is intended to reduce unnecessary energy use during ordinary operation. It is a convenience setting, not a substitute for the local energy label or a guarantee of a particular electricity bill.
Fast freezing
Fast-freeze mode is useful after adding a large amount of unfrozen food. Follow the manual’s timing guidance and switch back to normal operation when the load has stabilised; leaving a boost mode active indefinitely can waste energy.
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Temperature alarm
The alarm can warn of a door left open or a temperature rise. Treat an alarm as a prompt to check the door seal, airflow and food condition, not as proof that every item remains safe.
Life Plus 0°C drawer
This drawer is designed for colder-than-normal refrigerator storage. It can help separate foods with different temperature needs, but it does not turn the compartment into a freezer and should be used according to the food manufacturer’s storage instructions.
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How much electricity does it use?
The Australian technical sheet states 569 kWh per year. CHOICE’s exact FAB38LBLAU entry repeats 569 kWh/year. That is a label-style annual consumption figure, not a promise that every home will record the same usage: ambient temperature, door opening, food load, temperature settings and installation conditions all affect actual consumption.
To estimate running cost, multiply 569 kWh by your electricity tariff in dollars per kWh. For example, a tariff of A$0.30 per kWh would produce a simple annual estimate of A$170.70, but your bill may differ because the published figure is a standardised test value and tariffs vary.
A UK FAB38LBL6 listing gives 230 kWh/year, a D energy class and 37 dB. Those values belong to the UK FAB38LBL6 specification and must not be used to represent the Australian FAB38LBLAU. The Australian figure is the relevant one for an Australian purchase unless the exact local energy label says otherwise.
How noisy is the appliance?
The Australian sheet lists 42 dBA. CHOICE records the same model’s specifications but does not provide an accessible independent noise score. The UK FAB38LBL6 page lists 37 dB for that different regional model.
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Noise perception depends on room acoustics and how the refrigerator is levelled. Compressor starts, fans and brief operating cycles are normal; persistent rattling, scraping or a new loud vibration warrants checking the installation and contacting service.
What warranty applies in Australia?
The published information is inconsistent. Smeg Australia’s FAB38 technical sheet states a five-year parts-and-labour warranty, while CHOICE’s FAB38LBLAU listing records a two-year warranty. Neither figure should be assumed to override the written terms attached to the exact unit you buy.
Before purchase, ask the seller to identify the model code, warranty duration, what labour and parts are covered, who performs service, whether registration is required and how transport or installation damage is handled. Keep the invoice, serial number and warranty document. If the retailer’s written terms differ from an advertisement or generic product page, resolve that discrepancy before payment.
What did independent testing establish?
CHOICE identifies a 2021 test year for the FAB38LBLAU and places it in the large 451–525-litre category. Its accessible listing does not reveal the expert rating or sub-scores for temperature stability, evenness, noise and other tests. It would therefore be misleading to quote a performance grade or claim that the model won or lost a specific test.
The useful takeaway is narrower: the model has an identifiable independent test entry, but the public information does not establish a complete scorecard. Use the manufacturer specifications for features and the seller’s current terms for purchase details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should I compare before buying?
Compare alternatives on the same measurements and market assumptions rather than on styling alone.
Best Value
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| Comparison axis | Why it matters | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Usable refrigerator and freezer volume | Gross litres can overstate practical storage. | Are both models reporting net or claimed usable capacity? |
| External dimensions | A few centimetres can determine whether delivery succeeds. | Does depth include handles, doors or required clearance? |
| Energy consumption | Annual kWh affects long-term ownership cost. | Is the figure from the Australian label for this exact suffix? |
| Frost control and temperature zones | These affect maintenance and food organisation. | Is the freezer frost-free, and is there a dedicated colder drawer? |
| Noise | Open-plan kitchens make compressor sound more noticeable. | Is the dBA figure for the same market and test method? |
| Warranty and service | Large appliances are costly to repair or return. | Who covers labour, parts and call-out service? |
| Hinge and door clearance | Door swing can block walls, islands or drawers. | Can the hinge side be selected, and what clearance is required? |
| Price and stock | Retail pricing and availability change. | Is the advertised price for the exact Australian model in stock? |
Who should buy the Smeg FAB38LBLAU?
It is a sensible shortlist choice for a household that needs large fresh-food and freezer capacity, has a suitable tall opening and considers retro design a meaningful benefit. Frost-free operation and separate electronic controls also make it more practical than a purely style-led purchase.
It is a poor fit for a tight kitchen, a narrow delivery route, buyers prioritising the lowest annual kWh, or anyone unwilling to resolve conflicting warranty information. If the appliance cannot be delivered without removing doors or cabinetry, include those costs and risks in the decision rather than treating them as an afterthought.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallWhat should you confirm with the retailer before ordering?
- Exact model suffix: FAB38LBLAU, not a similarly named regional variant.
- Current Australian price and stock status.
- Written warranty period and service process.
- Australian energy label and annual kWh figure.
- Hinge side, door-swing clearance and whether reversal is possible.
- Packaged and unpackaged dimensions, including handles.
- Required ventilation gaps and installation conditions.
- Delivery route assessment, stair charges and removal of packaging or an old appliance.
What is the final verdict?
The FAB38LBLAU’s strongest case is straightforward: it combines approximately 500-litre-class storage, a freezer-on-bottom layout, frost-free cooling and useful temperature features in a distinctive retro cabinet. Its main risks are not hidden operating tricks but fit, regional specification confusion and uncertain warranty wording.
Buy it when the design matters, the capacity is genuinely needed and the seller confirms the Australian details in writing. Choose another model when installation space, running cost or unambiguous after-sales terms matter more than the FAB38’s appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Smeg FAB38LBLAU door hinge be changed from one side to the other?
The supplied specifications do not establish whether the Australian unit has a reversible hinge. Ask the retailer or installer for the exact hinge configuration and reversal procedure for the FAB38LBLAU before ordering, because door clearance can determine whether it works in your kitchen.
What temperature should I set the FAB38 refrigerator and freezer to?
Use the temperatures stated in the Australian user manual and your local food-safety guidance. The appliance has separate electronic zones, but the correct setting depends on the load, ambient conditions and the food being stored.
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The safe settling time depends on how the appliance was transported and the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Have the delivery team confirm the required upright period rather than relying on a generic rule, especially if the cabinet was tilted during delivery.
Does a frost-free freezer still need cleaning?
Yes. Frost-free airflow prevents normal ice accumulation but does not remove spills, expired food or dust from accessible areas. Clean the interior and door seals as directed in the manual, and keep vents unobstructed.
Can I use the Australian FAB38LBLAU energy figure to compare a UK FAB38 model?
No. The Australian sheet reports 569 kWh/year, while the UK FAB38LBL6 listing reports 230 kWh/year for a different suffix and market. Compare the local energy labels for the exact models available to you.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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