SEOUL — What began as a simple double knock has become one of the home appliance industry’s biggest global success stories.
LG Electronics announced that cumulative sales of its InstaView™ refrigerator have surpassed 5.3 million units worldwide, marking a major milestone as the innovative appliance celebrates its 10th anniversary.
First introduced in 2016, the LG InstaView refrigerator challenged the traditional kitchen experience with its now-iconic “Knock Twice, See Inside” feature. By tapping twice on the refrigerator’s glass panel, users can illuminate the interior and check its contents without opening the door.
The feature was designed to offer more than visual appeal. It helps users avoid unnecessary door openings, reducing the amount of cold air that escapes while making it easier to decide what to eat, cook or buy.
One Refrigerator Sold Almost Every Minute
LG said the 5.3 million-unit milestone is equivalent to selling approximately one InstaView refrigerator every minute since its debut.
North America remains the product’s biggest market, accounting for around 30 percent of cumulative global sales. The appliance has also gained a strong following in Europe, where consumers increasingly prioritize energy efficiency, sustainability and food preservation.
Demand is likewise rising across Asia and Latin America as more households invest in premium appliances that combine smart functionality with modern design.
The Double Knock That Changed the Kitchen
Before InstaView, checking the refrigerator usually meant opening the door and letting cold air escape—even when users were simply looking for a snack or checking available ingredients.
LG turned that everyday habit into an opportunity for innovation.
The transparent viewing panel quickly became a defining feature of the company’s premium refrigerator line, combining convenience, energy-conscious design and a futuristic appearance that helped set a new industry standard.
Over the past decade, the LG InstaView refrigerator has earned recognition from several major international design and innovation programs, including the Red Dot Design Award, iF Design Award, International Design Excellence Awards and CES Innovation Awards.
From Useful Feature to Kitchen Status Symbol
LG said customer feedback surrounding InstaView has also changed over the years.
Early reviews primarily praised the practical benefits of seeing inside the refrigerator without opening it. More recent customer comments, however, increasingly highlight the appliance’s sleek appearance and the satisfaction it brings to the overall kitchen experience.
The shift suggests InstaView has evolved beyond being a functional household appliance. For many consumers, it has become a lifestyle centerpiece that adds both technology and visual appeal to the home.
“For a decade now, LG InstaView refrigerator has stood as a testament to our leadership in the home appliance market and to our deep understanding of customers’ lifestyles,” said Baek Seung-tae, president of the LG Home Appliance Solution Company.
“This milestone reflects our success in creating not just an innovative feature, but a more convenient and enjoyable kitchen experience,” he added.
LG said it plans to build on the success of InstaView by further developing its artificial intelligence, refrigeration and food preservation technologies as it continues to pursue more customer-centered kitchen innovations.
Ten years after its debut, the LG InstaView refrigerator proves that sometimes, all it takes to disrupt an entire industry is a simple idea—and two knocks.
