Most of us probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the size of our refrigerators. After all, as long as we haven’t installed a walk-in freezer in our homes, we’re probably doing okay. A trip to virtually any other country in the world raises an interesting question, however. Why are the fridges in America so big? The versions found in European kitchens are comparably tiny, often built into a cabinet. America is known for doing things bigger and better, but how exactly did our fridges come to be so colossal?

Cold Chains

One of the main factors is the history of “cold chains.” These were supply chains developed in the 20th century to deliver cold goods across long distances in the US. This all started with selling ice, which became a commodity and needed to be transported. People became used to having it in their homes. This led to iceboxes, refrigerators, and eventually, the massive walk-in freezers you’ll find in restaurants.

Grocery Buying Habits

But still, why do they need to be so big? Americans currently only grocery shop about once a week, which means they need a fridge that can store all their food. Many Europeans prefer fresh food and, therefore, shop more frequently. These cultures never developed a need for large cold storage. Other countries also tend to prioritize energy efficiency over storage. The only country with similar sized fridges is Canada, although popularity for large refrigerators is growing in China.

A lot of Americans simply can’t imagine lives without their enormous fridges, which don’t seem that big compared to commercial refrigerators and walk-in freezers. As energy-efficient technology continues to grow, it’s possible that other countries will be more interested in increasing the sizes of their appliances since the environmental impact will be lessened. At the end of the day, no matter what size your fridge, there’s nothing like reaching in for a cold drink!