Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer
An American fridge freezer is the queen of white goods for the home, with more storage space than your typical fridge and a host of extra features such as full air circulation for frost-free freezer compartments and fancy zero-across fruit and vegetable drawers. Find models that aren't plumbing-based and do not require access to the plumbing for easy installation.
Stores
The good news is that there are plenty of alternatives for storage for small American fridge freezers. There are models with two freezer drawers along with large salad crispers and zones that can change from fridge to freezer at the flick of a button. You can also get an additional door for drinks to keep your wine chilled.
Typically, you'll find American refrigerator freezers that feature long cupboard-like doors with the fridge on the right side and the freezer on the left. They also have side-byside fridges and freezer units. There are also French-style refrigerators that have a fridge stacked on top of one or more freezer drawers.
These models might take up a bit more space in your kitchen however they'll provide more space to store your groceries as opposed to a standard freestanding model. There are slim American refrigerator freezers that measure only 70cm in width, perfect for small kitchens.
Look for a frost free freezer, regardless of size. This will free you from having to manually defrost it. Certain models come with the option of fast-freezing, which can increase the time to freeze so that food stays fresher for longer. You can find models that have adjustable shelves to make the most of your space. You should also take into consideration the energy efficiency of the appliance as this tells you how good it is for the environment as well as the cost to operate.
Convertible zones
Some fridge freezers, like the Fridgemaster MS83430FFS, have convertible zones. These zones can be switched between fridge and freezer with a single touch. This is ideal for storing fresh wines, vegetables, beer, or even a large batch of ice-cream. This is especially useful for leftovers from the Christmas season which you'd like to freeze and then heat.
Samsung's FlexZone compartment is another fantastic feature. You can adjust it to suit different types of food. You can set it to Freeze or Soft Freeze. It can be set to chill, Refrigerate, or Freeze. This is a great way to keep all your frozen food items organized and ready for those big dinner gatherings.
Door alarms are a useful feature that can prevent food spoilage by alerting you when your fridge or freezer door has been left open too long. There are models that feature twin cooling systems that divide the fridge and freezer compartments. This prevents cool, dry freezer air dehydrating food items in the fridge, and can help to cut energy costs.
Don't forget to look at the energy efficiency rating of the model you are considering before purchasing. The higher the rating, the more efficient the model will be. It's also worth checking out the yellow Energy Guide label to get an estimate of operating costs.
Ice and water dispensers
Many American refrigerators feature water and dispensers for ice that let you get chilled filtered ice cubes or water at the touch of an button. These are great to have drinks readily available for guests or for children. You can find manual ice makers that are suitable for the freezer section. Simply fill american style fridge freezers with ice and turn the dial.
American fridge freezers that are plumbed require a mains water supply. They are only able to be installed in a kitchen that is already in place and has enough space to accommodate them. If you want to save money, or don't have enough room for a plumbed fridge freezer, there are other options. For instance you can buy a fridge that comes with refillable water bottles that you fill yourself.
If you like to entertain, then you must look for an American fridge freezer that has an integrated wine cooler that can store up to 28 bottles. It is designed to ensure optimal cooling. There are also models that have a smart sensor that detects when the door is opened. This lets you control and monitor your appliance remotely using Smart ThinQ via your smartphone or tablet. There are also models with an A+ energy rating that will help you reduce the carbon footprint of your home while saving money on operating costs.
Built-in cameras
Fridge freezers that have cameras are more of a "nice to have rather than a necessity. However american style fridge freezer can be beneficial for those who need to track their food intake and reduce their food consumption. They let you know what's in the fridge without opening the door, which can be particularly useful for households with a busy schedule. You can use the camera to see if you forgot to close your fridge prior to going out shopping, for instance.
Samsung offers a variety of fridge freezers with cameras, such as the fashionable RS50N3513WW/EU. It has a large touchscreen display that lets you see the contents of your fridge, locate recipes and order groceries. It's powered by the brand's own smart assistant Bixby and can be used with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant too. You can adjust the temperature of your fridge from your tablet or smartphone.
Hisense's fridge freezer FMN431W20C offers a low-cost choice. It's got a huge 550ltr capacity across the freezer and fridge along with front-mounted water and Ice dispensers. It's got no-frost features to spare you from the annual hassle of removing ice by hand, and LED lighting for more efficient navigation within the interior. It's frost-free and EnergyStar certified, which means it will be cost-effective and economical to run as well. It may not have the fancy cameras the Samsung models do but you'll be able to enjoy a large amount of food for less money.