Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer
An American fridge freezer is the ultimate in domestic white goods, offering more storage space than your average model and a raft of additional features like full air circulation for freezer compartments that are frost-free and fancy fruit and veg drawers. To make installation easy opt for non-plumbed units that don't require access to plumbing.
Storage
There are numerous storage options for small American refrigerator freezers. There are models that have two large salad crispers, two freezer drawers and zones that can switch from freezer to refrigerator at a touch of a button. You can also choose an additional drink door to keep your wine chilled.
In general, you'll find American fridge freezers that have long doors that look like cupboards, with the fridge on the right and the freezer on the left. They also have side-byside fridges and freezer units. You might also come across models that have a refrigerator on the top of a drawer for freezer or two, known as French-style refrigerators.
These models can take up a little more space in your kitchen but they'll leave more space for your grocery items than a standard freestanding model. You can find slim American refrigerator freezers that measure just 70cm wide which is ideal for kitchens with limited space.
No matter what size you decide to buy, look for a an frost-free freezer to avoid you the hassle of frequently defrosting the freezer by hand. Some models even have a speed-freeze setting that boosts freezing times, so food stays fresher for longer. You can find models with adjustable shelves, which allows you to make the most of your space. You should also factor in the energy efficiency of the appliance because it will tell you how green it is for the environment as well as what it will cost to run.
Convertible zones
Some fridge freezers, such as the Fridgemaster MS83430FFS, have convertible zones. These zones can be changed between fridge and freezer by pressing a button. This is great for storing fresh wines, vegetables, beer as well as a huge batch of ice cream. It's also useful at Christmas, when you have plenty of leftovers to freeze and heat.
For another fantastic feature, take a look at Samsung's FlexZone compartment, which can be adjusted to accommodate different food items - it can be set to Freeze, Soft Freeze, Chill or Refrigerate. This is a great way to keep all your frozen food organized and ready for big dinner parties.
Other handy features include door alarms that notify you if the doors to the fridge or freezer have been left open for too long, helping stop food spoilage. There are models that feature twin cooling systems to separate fridge and freezer compartments. This keeps the cold, dry air from the freezer from drying food inside the fridge. It also helps you save energy.
Before buying, don't forget about the energy rating. The higher the rating, the more efficient it is. It's also worthwhile to check the yellow Energy Guide label to get an estimate of the running costs.
Ice and water dispensers
Many American refrigerator freezers come with dispensers for ice and water so you can have chilled, filtered water or cubes on the touch of an button. They're great if you like to have drinks available for guests or kids. You can also find models with manual ice makers in the freezer section, where you simply fill a removable tray and twist the dial to release crushed ice.
Plumbed American fridge freezers need to be connected to the main water supply, so they're only appropriate if your kitchen is already set up and can be accommodated. However, if you're looking to save money or don't have the space for a plumbed fridge there are alternatives like fridges with refillable water jugs that you can refill yourself.
If you are a fan of entertaining then consider an American refrigerator freezer that has built-in wine coolers that can hold up to 28 bottles and is engineered for optimal cooling. It is also possible to find models with a smart door open sensor that lets you manage and monitor your appliance remotely using Smart ThinQ technology via your smartphone or tablet. In addition, you can locate an energy-efficient model with a low A+ rating, which american style fridge freezer uk will help you to cut your carbon footprint while saving money on operating costs.
Built-in cameras
Refrigerator freezers with cameras are a nice feature to have' rather than an essential feature, but they can be beneficial for those who want to keep track of food items and help reduce the amount of food consumed. They let you see what's in the fridge without opening the door, which can be particularly helpful for busy households. You can also use the camera to check whether you've shut the fridge before heading out to shop, as an example.
Samsung offers a variety of fridge freezers with cameras, including the elegant RS50N3513WW/EU. It has a big touchscreen display that allows you to examine the contents of your fridge, search for recipes, and even order groceries. It's powered by the company's own smart assistant Bixby and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant too. You can control it with your tablet or smartphone and also alter the temperature settings of the fridge remotely.
Hisense's fridge freezer FMN431W20C offers a low-cost choice. It has a 550ltr capacity in both the freezer and fridge. Front-mounted water and ice dispensers are also available. It features no-frost technology that will alleviate the pain of removing 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 efficient and cheap to operate too. It may not have the fancy cameras the Samsung models do however, you can get a lot of food for less.