Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer
The American fridge-freezer is the most popular of domestic white goods. It provides more storage than any other model and includes a myriad of extra features such as full air circulation to keep freezer compartments free of frost and fancy drawers that can be used for fruit and vegetables. For a simple installation you should look for units that aren't plumbing that don't require access to plumbing.
Stores
The good news is that there are many options when it comes to storage for small American fridge freezers. There are models with two large salad crispers, two freezer drawers and zones that switch from refrigerator to freezer at the push of a button. You can also choose separate doors for drinks to keep your wine chilled.
Most often, you'll come across American fridge freezers that have long cupboard-like doors with the fridge on the right and the freezer to the left. They also have side-byside fridges and freezer units. There are also French-style refrigerators, with an stacked fridge on the top of one or more freezer drawers.
These models can take up a little more space in your kitchen, but they'll give you more space to store your groceries than a standard freestanding model. You can even find slim American fridge freezers that are just 70cm wide - perfect for kitchens with smaller spaces.
Make sure you have a frost-free freezer, regardless of size. This will prevent you from having to manually defrost it. Certain models come with an option for speed-freezing, which increases the freezing time to ensure that food stays fresher longer. You can also find models with adjustable shelves that ensure you're making the most of the available space. You'll also need to take into consideration the energy rating of the appliance because it tells you how great it is for the environment as well as what it will cost to run.
Convertible zones
Certain fridge freezers, such as the Fridgemaster MS83430FFS have convertible zones. These zones can be switched between fridge and freezer with a single touch. This is great for storing fresh veg or keeping beer and wine chilled, or perhaps an enormous batch of frozen ice cream. This is especially useful for Christmas leftovers that you want to freeze and reheat.
Another great feature is to look into Samsung's FlexZone compartment that can be adjusted to accommodate various food types. It can be set to Freeze or Soft Freeze and Chill, or even Refrigerate. This is an ideal way to keep all your frozen foods organised and ready for big dinner celebrations.
Other useful features include door alarms that notify you if the refrigerator or freezer doors were left open for too long, helping to avoid food spoilage. There are also american fridge freezer 80cm wide models equipped with twin cooling systems that separate the fridge and freezer compartments. This stops dry, cool freezer air dehydrating food items in the fridge and can reduce the cost of energy.
Make sure to check the energy efficiency rating of the model you are considering before you buy. The higher the rating the more efficient the model will be. You can also look at the yellow Energy Guide label for an estimate of operating costs.
Ice and water dispensers
Many American fridge freezers are equipped with water and ice dispensers, so you can drink chilled, filtered water or cubes on the touch of a button. They're great to keep drinks on hand for guests, or even the kids. There are also models with manual ice makers in the freezer section where you fill up a removable tray and then turn the dial to release crushed ice.
Plumbed American fridge freezers must be connected to the main water supply, which means they're only suitable if the kitchen is already set up and you can accommodate them. If you're looking to cut costs or don't have enough space for a plumbed option there are alternatives like fridges with refillable water jugs that can top up yourself.
If you are a fan of entertaining it is best to choose an American refrigerator freezer that comes with a built-in wine chiller. It can accommodate up to 28 bottles of wine and is designed to provide optimal cooling. There are models that have a smart sensor that detects when the door is opened. This allows you to control and monitor your appliance remotely using Smart ThinQ via your smartphone or tablet. Plus, you can find an energy-efficient model with a low A+ rating, allowing you to cut your carbon footprint and save on running expenses.
Built-in cameras
Fridge freezers with cameras are a 'nice thing to have' rather than an essential feature however they can be useful for those who prefer to keep track of food products and decrease the amount they consume. You can view what's in your fridge without opening the door. This can be very helpful for busy families. You can also use the camera to determine whether you have forgotten to shut your fridge before going shopping, for instance.
Samsung offers a variety of fridge freezers that have cameras, including the sleek RS50N3513WW/EU. It has a large 29-inch touchscreen display that allows you to look at the contents of your fridge as well as get recipes ideas, and even order groceries. It's powered by the company's own smart assistant Bixby and can work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant too. You can alter the temperature of your fridge remotely using your smartphone or tablet.
Hisense's fridge freezer FMN431W20C is an affordable choice. It boasts a massive 550ltr capacity across the fridge and freezer along with front-mounted water and Ice dispensers. It has no-frost technology to help you avoid the hassle of slicing frozen ice by hand. It also has LED lighting to make it easier to navigate through the interior space. It's frost-free and EnergyStar rated, so should be economical and efficient to run as well. It might not feature the top-quality cameras that the Samsung models have however, you'll still enjoy a large amount of food for a lesser cost.