Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer
An American fridge freezer is the queen of white goods in the home, offering more storage space than the average model and a raft of additional features like full air circulation to keep freezer compartments frost-free and fancy 0@ fruit and veg drawers. Find models that aren't plumbing-based and don't require access to your plumbing to make it easy to install.
Storage
The good news is that there are many alternatives for storage options for small American fridge freezers. You can find models with two freezer drawers along with large salad crispers and zones that can switch from freezer to fridge with the flick of a button. They also have separate doors for drinks to keep your favourite wine chilled and on hand.
You'll usually find American fridge-freezers that have long doors that resemble cupboards, a fridge on the left and the freezer on right, or side by side fridge and freezer units. There are also models with a fridge on the top of a freezer drawer or two, known as French-style refrigerators.
These models could take up some space in your kitchen however, they'll offer 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.
Find a frost-free freezer, regardless of size. This will free you from needing to defrost the freezer manually. Certain models come with an option for speed-freezing, which increases the freezing time to ensure that food stays fresher longer. There are models with adjustable shelves, which allows you to make the most of your space. You'll also want to take into consideration the energy efficiency of the appliance, as it will tell you how green it is for the environment as well as how much it will cost to run.
Convertible zones
Certain fridge freezers, such as the Fridgemaster MS83430FFS, have convertible zones. These zones can be switched between freezer and fridge by pressing a button. This is great for storing fresh veg as well as keeping beer and wine chilled, or even a big batch of frozen ice cream. This is a great idea for Christmas leftovers which you'd like to freeze or reheat.
For a different feature that is great, look into Samsung's FlexZone compartment, which you can alter to suit various food types. It can be set to Freeze or Soft Freeze or chill before storing in a refrigerator. This is an excellent way to keep all your frozen food items organized and ready for big dinner celebrations.
Other handy features include door alarms that will alert you if refrigerator or freezer doors were left open for too long, which can help prevent food spoilage. You can also find models with two cooling systems that separate freezer and fridge compartments. This prevents the cold, dry air from the freezer from drying food items in the fridge. It also helps 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. You can also check the yellow Energy Guide label for an estimate of operating costs.
Ice and water dispensers
Many American refrigerators are equipped with water and ice dispensers that let you access chilled frozen ice cubes or water at the touch of an button. They are ideal to keep drinks on hand for guests or children. You can find manual ice makers for the freezer section. Simply fill the tray that is removable with ice and turn the dial.
Plumbed American refrigerator freezers must be connected to the main water supply, which means they're only suitable if the kitchen is already set up and you have the space to accommodate them. If you want to save money, or you 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 love to entertain then you must look for an American fridge freezer that has an integrated wine cooler which can store up to 28 bottles. It is designed to ensure optimal cooling. It is also possible to find models that have sensors for opening doors that are smart so you can control and monitor your appliance remotely with Smart ThinQ technology via your smartphone or tablet. There are also models with an A+ energy rating that will help you reduce your carbon footprint while also saving money on running expenses.
Built-in cameras
Refrigerators with cameras are more of a 'nice-to-have more than an essential feature. However they can be beneficial for those who need to track their food consumption and reduce their consumption of food. They allow you to see what's in the fridge without opening the door, which is especially useful for families with busy schedules. You can also use the camera to determine the fridge if you didn't close your fridge before going shopping, best american style fridge freezer for instance.
Samsung offers a range of fridge freezers with cameras, such as the fashionable model RS50N3513WW/EU. It comes with a huge 29-inch touchscreen, which you can use to browse the fridge content, get recipe ideas and 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 alter the temperature of your fridge remotely using your smartphone or tablet.
For a more budget-friendly option take a look at Hisense's FMN431W20C refrigerator freezer. It boasts a massive 550ltr capacity across the fridge and freezer along with front-mounted water and Ice dispensers. It comes with no-frost, which will save you from the annual pain of chipping ice away by hand, and LED lighting for easier navigation within the interior. It is frost-free and EnergyStar rated so should be efficient to run. It doesn't have the fancy cameras of the previous Samsung models, but it will still keep you well-fed for less money.