Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer
An American fridge freezer is the ultimate in white goods that are used in the domestic kitchen, providing more storage space than your typical fridge and a host of extra features such as full air circulation to keep freezer compartments frost-free and fancy fruit and vegetable drawers. Look for non-plumbed models that do not require access to your plumbing for a simple installation.
Storage
There are plenty of storage options for small American refrigerator freezers. There are models with two freezer drawers, large salad crispers and zones that change between freezer and fridge at the touch of a button. You can also get a separate drink door to keep your wine chilled.
Most often, you'll come across American refrigerator freezers that feature long doors that resemble cupboards, with the fridge on the right and freezer on the left. They also have side-byside fridges and freezer units. You may also find models with a fridge on top of a freezer drawer or two, also known as French-style refrigerators.
These models will take up more space in your home however, you'll have more space to store your groceries. You can also find slim American fridge freezers that measure just 70cm in width - ideal for smaller kitchens.
Whatever size you decide to buy, look for a model with an unfrosted freezer to spare you the hassle of regularly defrosting it by hand. Some even have a fast-freeze setting that boosts freezing times and ensures that food stays fresher for longer. There are models that have adjustable shelves that allow you to make the most of your space. The energy rating will indicate how efficient the appliance is as well as what it costs to run.
Convertible zones
Some fridge freezers like the Fridgemaster MS83430FFS are equipped with convertible zones that can be changed from fridge to freezer and back at the push of the button. This can be ideal for storing fresh vegetables, keeping wine and beer chilled, or even a big batch of Ice cream. It is also helpful at Christmas, when you have a lot of leftovers to freeze and then reheat.
Samsung's FlexZone compartment is another fantastic feature. It can be adjusted to suit different types of food - you can set it to Freeze or Soft Freeze. It can also be set to Chill as well as Refrigerate or Freeze. This is a great method of keeping all your frozen food organised and ready for big dinner parties.
Other useful features include door alarms that will alert you when the fridge or freezer doors have been left open too long, which can help avoid food spoilage. There are also models with twin cooling systems that divide the freezer and fridge compartments. This prevents cool, dry freezer air from drying food items in the fridge, and can reduce energy costs.
Before purchasing make sure you check the energy rating. The higher the rating the more efficient the model will be. You can also check the yellow Energy Guide label for an estimate of operating costs.
Water and ice dispensers
Many American refrigerators come with water and ice dispensers that let you get chilled purified ice cubes and water at the touch of the button. They are ideal to have drinks readily available for guests or kids. There are manual ice makers for the freezer section. Simply fill the tray with ice and turn the dial.
Plumbed American fridge freezers need to be connected check here to the mains water supply, which means they're only suitable if the kitchen is already set up and can be accommodated. If you want to save money, or don't have enough space to accommodate a plumbed fridge freezer there are alternatives. For instance, you can buy a fridge that comes with refillable water bottles that you can fill yourself.
If you like to entertain it is best to choose an American fridge freezer with built-in wine chillers. It can store up 28 bottles of wine and is designed to provide maximum cooling. There are 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. Plus, you can find an energy-efficient model with a low A+ rating, helping you reduce your carbon footprint and save money on operating expenses.
Built-in cameras
Refrigerators with cameras are more of a "nice-to-have' than an essential feature. However they can be useful for those who wish to keep track of their food and cut down on their food consumption. They let you see what's in your fridge without opening the door, which can be especially useful for families with busy schedules. You can also use the camera to find out whether you've closed the fridge before leaving to shop, for instance.
Samsung has a range of fridge freezers that have cameras, including the stylish RS50N3513WW/EU. It has a big touchscreen display that allows you to look through the contents of your fridge, look up recipes and place orders for groceries. It is powered by Bixby which is the smart assistant of the brand. It can also be used with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can control it via your tablet or smartphone, and adjust the temperature settings of the fridge remotely.
Hisense's fridge freezer FMN431W20C is a cost-effective option. It has a 550ltr capacity in both the freezer and fridge. Front-mounted water and Ice dispensers are also part of the. It has no-frost technology to avoid the annoyance of slicing the ice manually and LED lighting to make it easier to navigate through the interior space. It's frost-free and EnergyStar certified, which means it will be efficient and cheap to run too. It may not have the fancy cameras that Samsung models do, but it's still a good choice. Samsung models have but you'll be able to have plenty of food at a lower cost.