Regardless of which one? tests found a Hoover model not meeting safety standards introduced in 2019.

We made the Hoover HD1D90EWC refrigerator a Which? Don’t buy and awarded it a score of 0% after we discovered the model we tested had a flammable plastic back.

Do you just want to know which refrigerators are the best? Go to our refrigerator reviews.

Why our tests found the Hoover HD1D90EWC refrigerator to be a fire hazard

The Hoover HD1D90EWC failed our independent needle flame test, a standardized safety test used to evaluate the flammability of materials. The test involves applying a flame to part of the back of a refrigerator for 30 seconds.

For the back to pass the test, the fire must extinguish itself within 30 seconds of removing the flame.

But in the case of the Hoover HD1D90EWC model we tested, the flame didn’t go out: in fact, we found it burned more intensely when it came into contact with the appliance’s plastic back and continued to burn until the entire back was consumed.

Even burning particles dripped from the plastic. In your home, this can cause a fire to spread.

Read more about our intensive tests in how we test refrigerators.

Hoover’s response to our findings

We contacted Hoover with our findings. Hoover told us that this model has passed its own fire safety tests, during which the back was exposed to fire for 30 seconds.

It said it had changed the backing material for this model from PP (polypropylene) to metal on June 30, 2024. All models manufactured since that date should have the new back. It said the reason for changing the endorsement was that “at Haier (which owns Hoover) we want to meet UKCA guidance, which goes beyond CE compliance”.

CE marking shows that a product has been assessed by the manufacturer and found to meet EU safety, health and environmental protection requirements. After Brexit, this was replaced with the UKCA mark, the conformity mark used for products on the UK market. Regardless of whether this product is CE Compliant or UKCA Compliant, models before 30 June 2024 still pose a safety risk.

Since we haven’t tested the updated model, our Don’t Buy refers only to the plastic-backed version. We asked Hoover how consumers could tell the difference between the metal and plastic-back model, as the brand also confirmed that the model name had not changed.

Hoover told us that metal base models have a label on the inside of the sidewall showing the UKCA badge.

The old and new slopes look like this.

Since the model name has not changed and it is unlikely that you will be able to check the back or inside of your refrigerator before purchasing it, we believe that there is no practical way for consumers to distinguish a model with a metal back.

Currys is the main retailer of the plastic-backed model, Hoover said.

Hoover’s PR agency told us:

“We can confirm that the Hoover under-counter fridge model HD1D90EWC is fully CE Compliant and meets all relevant European safety standards. Independent testing by which? confirmed, ‘this fridge is no more likely than any other to catch fire.’ But when Which? raised concerns about the plastic backing, we took immediate action to address this and improve the safety of our product.

“From June 2024, all Hoover HD1D90EWC under-counter refrigerators are manufactured with a metal base. The safety of our products remains a priority across our range.’

Read the whole Hoover HD1D90EWC refrigerator review

What to do if you own a Hoover HD1D90EWC refrigerator

We asked Hoover roughly how many old models were sold before the change came in. It said more than 2,000 were sold during that time.

If you are among the over 2,000 owners of this fridge, you don’t have to throw yours away as it is unlikely to overheat and catch fire. But if a fire were to break out, this model would spread it rather than resist it as it should.

For this reason, you should take all the usual precautions to avoid fire in the home, including:

• Check the manual to make sure you have allowed enough air flow between the fridge and the wall
• Make sure that the air vents are not blocked and that dust and grease are not allowed to build up
• Plug your refrigerator directly into the wall instead of an extension cord
• Investigate any strange noises – or have a qualified repair technician do it
• Installation of fire alarms and (at least one per floor of your home)
• Install a heat alarm in your kitchen.

The London Fire Brigade has more information on appliances and staying safe from a fire in the home.

See our guide to best fire alarm and that best carbon monoxide detectors.

As? campaigns to improve safety standards

In 2017, following the Grenfell Tower fire which was started by an electrical fault in a fridge freezer, we campaigned for manufacturers to immediately stop making fridges with flammable plastic backs. We have also downgraded all refrigerators with flammable backs on our website to Don’t Buys.

As a direct result of our campaign, new UK safety standards were introduced on 11 July 2019. The new standard states that non-metallic materials on the outer back, in contact with thermal insulation and covering an area of ​​75 cm² or more, must pass the needle flame test or must not burn longer than 30 seconds7 and must not drip flaming particles.

Find out more about cold safety.