A freezer and a refrigerator are two separate appliances, but they are often combined into one unit known as a refrigerator-freezer or simply a fridge.
A refrigerator is a kitchen appliance designed to cool and store food at temperatures above freezing (typically between 34°F to 41°F or 1°C to 5°C). It contains various compartments, including shelves and drawers, to organize and keep food fresh. The primary purpose of a refrigerator is to slow down the spoilage of perishable items by maintaining a cool temperature.
On the other hand, a freezer is an appliance that is specifically designed to freeze and store food at temperatures below freezing (typically at 0°F or -18°C). It preserves food for longer periods by halting bacterial growth and enzyme activity, which slows down food spoilage.
In many households, especially in modern kitchens, refrigerators and freezers are combined into one appliance, often referred to as a "fridge-freezer" or "refrigerator-freezer." These units consist of a refrigeration compartment for fresh food storage (the refrigerator) and a separate freezing compartment (the freezer) for frozen food storage. The freezer is usually located at the top or bottom of the refrigerator unit, and both sections share a single cooling system.
However, it's also possible to have stand-alone freezers that are separate from the refrigerator. These standalone freezers come in different sizes, including chest freezers and upright freezers, and are commonly used when additional frozen food storage is needed, or when a household does not have a refrigerator-freezer combination.
In summary, a freezer can be part of a refrigerator or it can be a stand-alone appliance, depending on whether it is integrated into a refrigerator unit or exists independently.