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Verdict: The Smeg FAB38RPBAU is a very large, frost-free 1950s-style bottom-mount refrigerator with useful electronic controls and a 0°C drawer, but it is a legacy model that CHOICE lists as discontinued. Buy one only after confirming its condition, warranty, delivery route and replacement parts; otherwise compare the current FAB38 5AU range. Published capacity varies from 504 L of claimed storage to 510 L gross, and its 569 kWh/year energy figure is high by current standards.
What is the Smeg FAB38RPBAU?
The FAB38RPBAU is a freestanding, freezer-on-bottom refrigerator in Smeg’s 1950s-inspired FAB line. It targets households that want a statement retro cabinet without giving up the capacity of a full-size modern fridge. CHOICE tested the model in 2021 and classifies it as a large 451–525 L refrigerator, with 504 L total claimed volume, 315 L refrigerator volume, 151 L freezer volume, a two-year warranty and a listed price of $3,990 at the time. CHOICE now marks the exact model as discontinued, so any unit offered today is likely old stock, a display unit or second-hand equipment.
Manufacturer and retailer documents use different capacity conventions. Smeg’s technical sheet gives 510 L gross capacity, split into 355 L refrigerator and 155 L freezer, while CHOICE reports 504 L total and lower claimed compartment figures. Treat 504 L as the more conservative storage-style figure and 510 L as gross capacity; they are not interchangeable measurements.
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How much can the FAB38RPBAU hold?
Expect roughly 500 L of usable household-scale storage, but check which measurement a seller is quoting. The following figures come from the named sources and are not a single unified capacity test.
| Source and measurement | Total | Refrigerator | Freezer | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHOICE listing (2021 test; claimed storage-style figures) | 504 L | 315 L | 151 L | Independent listing figures; CHOICE marks the model discontinued. |
| Smeg technical sheet | 510 L gross | 355 L | 155 L | Manufacturer gross-capacity specification. |
| Appliances Online listing | 510 L | 355 L | 155 L | Retailer repeats the manufacturer-style figures. |
The difference is normal for appliance specifications: gross volume can include spaces that usable-storage measurements exclude, such as clearances around shelves, drawers and cooling hardware. For meal-prep containers, large bottles and frozen-food boxes, use the lower CHOICE total as your planning baseline rather than assuming every litre is free shelf space.
How is the interior arranged?
Smeg’s sheet lists three quick-chill glass shelves, a crisper, Life Plus drawers and LED lighting in the refrigerator compartment. The freezer has two drawers plus a fast-freezing compartment. A dedicated Life Plus drawer is designed for storage around 0°C, useful for meat, fish or other short-term chilled foods that benefit from a colder zone than the main refrigerator.
What are the FAB38RPBAU dimensions and access requirements?
The cabinet is tall and deep enough that delivery access is a more serious issue than with an ordinary 600 mm-deep refrigerator. Smeg specifies 706 mm width and 2,050 mm height; depth is 811 mm including the handle on its technical sheet. Appliances Online lists 2,050 × 706 × 771 mm and a 113 kg shipping weight, indicating a different depth convention, probably measured without the handle or with another reference point. Measure the actual route and ask the seller which dimension includes the handle before ordering.
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| Specification | Published value | Source and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 706 mm | Smeg technical sheet and retailer listing. |
| Height | 2,050 mm | Smeg technical sheet and retailer listing. |
| Depth | 811 mm including handle; 771 mm on retailer listing | Different measurement conventions; verify with the seller. |
| Weight | 113 kg | Appliances Online listing. |
| Door-open and ventilation clearance | Not stated in the supplied specifications | Allow the manufacturer’s installation clearance and check hinge swing on the exact unit. |
How should you check a kitchen before delivery?
- Measure the refrigerator recess at its narrowest point, including skirting boards, trim, benchtops and overhead cabinets.
- Measure the full delivery path: property gate, turns, stairs, lift, hallway and the final position. Compare every opening with the packaged and unboxed dimensions supplied by the seller.
- Check ceiling height. At 2,050 mm before any adjustment, the cabinet may not clear a low bulkhead or need to be tilted through a doorway.
- Mark the door swing and handle projection on the floor. A cabinet that fits the recess can still block a wall, island or adjacent appliance when opened.
- Confirm rear and side ventilation clearances from the installation manual for your exact suffix. Do not push the cabinet hard against a wall simply because its width fits.
Because the unit is listed at 113 kg, arrange suitable delivery equipment and at least two trained movers. Do not plan to carry it up stairs or tip it onto its side without the seller’s handling instructions.
How much electricity does the FAB38RPBAU use?
The legacy model is rated at 569 kWh per year in Smeg’s technical sheet and CHOICE’s listing. CHOICE records a two-star energy rating for its 2021 assessment. At your electricity tariff, multiply 569 by the rate per kWh to estimate annual running cost; for example, a tariff of $0.30/kWh would make the label-equivalent consumption about $170.70 per year, before accounting for temperature, room conditions or tariff changes.
Do not transfer newer label figures to the RPBAU. Current FAB38 5AU models use a newer label generation and are shown at 328 kWh/year and class E on Smeg’s Australian product page for the white model. Label stars and classes from different generations are not directly comparable, so compare the printed annual kWh figure and the test standard shown on the appliance label.
Why can two RPBAU listings show different star ratings?
Appliances Online displays a four-star rating alongside 569 kWh/annum for the exact FAB38RPBAU, while CHOICE records two stars. This conflict is a reason to inspect the physical energy label and model suffix, not evidence that the refrigerator has two valid ratings. Ask for a photograph of the label on the door frame and retain it with the invoice.
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What features does the refrigerator provide?
The FAB38RPBAU’s strongest practical features are electronic dual-zone control, frost-free operation and dedicated rapid-chilling and freezing modes.
- Dual-zone electronic temperature control: refrigerator and freezer temperatures can be managed separately.
- Multi-Cooling No Frost: Smeg says circulating cool air prevents ice build-up, so the freezer does not require routine manual defrosting and storage space is not lost to frost. See the Smeg FAB38 technical sheet.
- ECO mode: a lower-consumption operating option when maximum cooling performance is not needed.
- Fast freezing and a fast-freezing compartment: useful when loading a large amount of fresh food, provided you follow the manual’s loading guidance.
- Temperature alarm: warns when temperatures rise beyond the set range.
- Acoustic and visual door-open warning: helps prevent a door being left ajar.
- Life Plus 0°C drawer: a colder drawer for short-term storage of sensitive fresh foods.
- Storage hardware: three quick-chill glass shelves, crisper and Life Plus drawers, two freezer drawers and LED lighting.
There is no water dispenser or plumbing requirement, so installation is simpler than for plumbed models but you also get no built-in chilled-water or ice-dispensing convenience.
How noisy is the FAB38RPBAU?
Smeg specifies 42 dBA for the RPBAU technical sheet. That is a laboratory-style sound rating, not a guarantee of what you will hear in an open-plan room; compressor cycling, floor vibration, cabinet resonance and the distance from the refrigerator all affect perceived noise. The current FAB38RBL5AU successor is listed at 41 dB(A), but that figure belongs to the newer model and should not be used as the RPBAU’s specification.
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Is the Smeg FAB38RPBAU discontinued?
CHOICE lists the exact FAB38RPBAU as discontinued. Smeg’s technical documentation remains useful for dimensions and features, but it does not establish that new production or full factory support continues. Before paying for a legacy unit, get written confirmation of remaining warranty coverage, availability of door seals, shelves, drawers and control boards, and who will service it in your region.
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Legacy stock can still make sense when the price is substantially below a current model and the cabinet, seals and electronics pass inspection. The risk is not only age: an unoccupied display refrigerator may have cosmetic wear, missing accessories or a warranty that started when the retailer first received it.
What is the current equivalent of the FAB38RPBAU?
Smeg’s FAB38 5AU models are the closest current family comparison, but they are not the same refrigerator with a new label. Smeg lists 481.1 L total storage, 343.7 L fresh-food storage and 137.4 L frozen storage for the black FAB38RBL5AU, with an inverter compressor, 41 dB(A) noise, 9 kg/24 h freezing capacity and dimensions of 2,050 × 706 × 711 mm before the handle. Its displayed list price is $4,990 for black on the Australian page.
| Measure | FAB38RPBAU legacy model | FAB38 5AU current family |
|---|---|---|
| Total capacity | 504 L claimed by CHOICE; 510 L gross in Smeg/retailer specifications | 481 L or 481.1 L storage, depending on page and rounding |
| Refrigerator section | 315 L claimed by CHOICE; 355 L manufacturer figure | 343.7–344 L |
| Freezer section | 151 L claimed by CHOICE; 155 L manufacturer figure | 137.4–137 L |
| Annual energy | 569 kWh/year | 328 kWh/year on the current white model page |
| Energy label | Two stars in CHOICE’s 2021 listing; retailer shows four stars | Class E on Smeg’s current white model page |
| Noise | 42 dBA | 41 dB(A) on FAB38RBL5AU |
| Depth | 811 mm including handle on Smeg sheet; 771 mm on retailer listing | 711 mm before handle on FAB38RBL5AU page |
| Freezing capacity | Not stated | 9 kg per 24 hours on FAB38RBL5AU |
| Price and availability | CHOICE recorded $3,990 and discontinued status in its listing | $4,990 displayed list price for black FAB38RBL5AU; verify current retailer pricing |
The newer range uses less stated annual energy and has a shallower published body depth, but it also provides less storage than the RPBAU’s gross specification. Compare the exact colour, hinge arrangement, handle depth and label before treating it as a direct replacement. See Smeg’s FAB38RBL5AU page and FAB38RWH5AU page.
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What should you inspect when buying a discontinued RPBAU?
- Verify the model: photograph the rating plate and energy label so the suffix is definitely FAB38RPBAU, not a visually similar FAB38 variant.
- Check the cabinet and doors: look for dents, rust, paint damage, twisted hinges and doors that do not close evenly.
- Inspect the seals: run a sheet of paper around each gasket. Resistance should be consistent; loose sections can cause warm running and condensation.
- Test every control: confirm that both zones change temperature, ECO and fast-freezing modes activate, alarms sound and the interior light works.
- Confirm accessories: count shelves, drawers, bottle racks and freezer bins against the manual or seller’s inventory. Replacement parts may be difficult to source for a discontinued unit.
- Ask for operating evidence: request a recent temperature reading from a refrigerator thermometer after the unit has stabilised, rather than relying on a brief demonstration.
- Get warranty terms in writing: establish whether the warranty is Smeg’s five-year parts-and-labour coverage shown on the technical sheet, a retailer warranty, or no warranty at all. CHOICE’s listing records a two-year warranty, so the document governing your purchase matters more than an advertisement.
- Price in delivery: the cabinet’s size and 113 kg listed weight can make specialist delivery expensive, especially where stairs or narrow access are involved.
What are the main advantages and drawbacks?
| Advantages | Drawbacks and risks |
|---|---|
| Distinctive retro styling and a large family-size interior. | Very tall, deep and heavy; access and door clearance need careful planning. |
| Frost-free freezer avoids routine manual defrosting. | Legacy 569 kWh/year consumption is high compared with current FAB38 5AU figures. |
| Electronic dual-zone control, ECO, fast freeze and temperature alarms. | Published capacity, dimensions, warranty and star rating vary by source and measurement convention. |
| 0°C Life Plus drawer and quick-chill shelves improve food organisation. | CHOICE lists the exact model as discontinued, creating stock and parts uncertainty. |
| No plumbing is needed. | No water dispenser or built-in dispenser convenience. |
Is the Smeg FAB38RPBAU worth buying?
It is worth considering only for a buyer who specifically values the retro design and very large cabinet, has a verified route into the kitchen, and can obtain a meaningful discount with written support terms. The 0°C drawer, no-frost system and electronic controls are genuinely useful, but they do not offset an uncertain discontinued-model supply chain or the higher stated energy use for every household.
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For a new purchase, compare a current FAB38 5AU model first. It has lower published annual consumption and a newer label, while the RPBAU may offer more nominal storage. Choose the RPBAU only when its condition, capacity convention, dimensions, label and warranty are documented for the exact unit you will receive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the FAB38RPBAU be installed without a water connection?
Yes. The retailer specification lists no plumbing and no dispenser, so installation requires electrical power but not a dedicated water line. That also means there is no automatic water or ice-dispensing system to connect.
What does 0°C storage do in practice?
The Life Plus drawer provides a colder compartment than the main refrigerator for short-term storage of foods such as meat and fish. Use a separate refrigerator thermometer if you need to verify the actual temperature, because the set-point display is not a substitute for an independent reading.
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Use the larger figure until the seller confirms the measurement convention for your unit. The manufacturer’s sheet includes the handle at 811 mm, while a retailer lists 771 mm, so a doorway that barely fits the smaller number may still obstruct the handle or door swing.
Does the five-year warranty apply to every RPBAU listing?
No. Smeg’s technical sheet states five years of parts and labour, while CHOICE records a two-year warranty and older stock may have different terms. Read the warranty document tied to the serial number and seller invoice before assuming coverage.
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.
