Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer
The American fridge-freezer is the top model of domestic white goods. It has more storage than any other model, and has a host of additional features like full air circulation to keep freezer compartments free of frost, and fancy drawers that can be used for vegetables and fruits. Look for non-plumbed models that don't require access to your plumbing to make it easy to install.
Storage
There are numerous storage options for small American refrigerator freezers. There are models with two freezer drawers as well as large salad crispers, and zones that change from freezer to fridge with the touch of a button. There is also a separate drink door to keep your favorite 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 the freezer to the left. They also have side-byside fridges and freezer units. You may also find French-style refrigerators, with refrigerators that are stacked on top of one or more freezer drawers.
These models might take up a little more space in your kitchen but they'll leave more space to store your groceries as opposed to a standard freestanding model. There are slim American refrigerator freezers measuring just 70cm wide, perfect for small kitchens.
Look for a frost-free freezer, regardless of size. This will free you from needing to defrost the freezer manually. Some models have the option of speed-freezing which can increase the time to freeze so that food stays fresher for longer. There are also models with adjustable shelves to ensure that you're making the most of your space. You'll also need to be aware of the energy efficiency rating of the appliance since this tells you how good 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 switched between freezer and fridge at the touch a button. This is great for storing fresh beverages, wine and beer, or even a large batch of ice-cream. This can be extremely useful for leftovers from the Christmas season that you wish to freeze and then reheat.
For a different feature that is great, look into Samsung's FlexZone compartment, which can be adjusted to accommodate various food types. It can be set to Freeze or Soft Freeze and Chill, or even Refrigerate. This can be an ideal way to keep all your frozen food items organized and ready for big dinner gatherings.
Door alarms are an additional useful feature that will help you to prevent food spoilage by warning you when the door to your freezer or fridge is open for too long. There are also models with twin cooling systems which separate the fridge and freezer compartments. This stops the cold, dry air that comes from the freezer from drying food inside the fridge. It can also help to save energy.
Don't forget to look at the energy rating of your chosen model before purchasing. The higher the rating the more efficient the model will be. 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 have water and ice dispensers so you can have chilled, filtered water or cubes with the push of the button. They are ideal to have drinks readily available for guests or kids. You can find 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 to the mains water supply, which means they're only suitable if the kitchen is already equipped and can be accommodated. If you want to save money, or you don't have enough space to accommodate a refrigerator freezer with a plumbed connection there are alternatives. For instance you can buy a fridge that comes with refillable water bottles that you fill yourself.
If you like to entertain, then you should look for an American refrigerator freezer that has built-in wine coolers which can store up to 28 bottles and is designed for optimal cooling. It's also possible to find models with a smart door open sensor that lets you control and monitor your appliance remotely with Smart ThinQ technology via your smartphone or tablet. american style fridge freezer can also find models that have an A+ energy rating, which will assist you in reducing the carbon footprint of your home while saving money on running expenses.
Built-in cameras
Fridge freezers with cameras are a 'nice to have' and not an essential feature, but they are useful for those who prefer to keep track of food supplies and reduce over-consumption. They let you know what's in the fridge without opening the door, which can be especially useful for families with busy schedules. You can also make use of the camera to determine whether you've closed the fridge before leaving to shop, for instance.
Samsung offers a variety of fridge freezers with cameras, including the sleek RS50N3513WW/EU. It has a large touchscreen display that lets you view the contents of your fridge, find recipes and place orders for groceries. It's powered by the company's own smart assistant Bixby and can be used with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant too. You can adjust the temperature of your fridge remotely using your smartphone or tablet.
Hisense's fridge freezer FMN431W20C offers a low-cost choice. It boasts a massive 550ltr capacity across the fridge and freezer, plus front-mounted water and ice dispensers. It has no-frost technology to help you avoid the hassle of chipping away frozen ice by hand. It also has LED lighting to help navigate the interior space. It's frost-free as well as EnergyStar rated so should be efficient to run. It doesn't have the flashy cameras of the aforementioned Samsung models however, it's still able to keep you well-fed with less expense.