Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer
An American fridge freezer is the best of white goods for the home, with more storage space than your regular model, as well as a wealth of extra features such as full air circulation for freezer compartments that are frost-free and fancy fruit and veg drawers. Look for non-plumbed models that don't require access to your plumbing to make it easy to install.
Storage
The good news is that there are a variety of options when it comes to storage for small American fridge freezers. There are models that have two freezer drawers along with large salad crispers and zones that change between freezer and fridge at the touch of a button. You can also get an additional door for drinks to keep your favorite wine chilled.
It is common to find American fridge-freezers with long doors that resemble cupboards, a fridge on the left and the freezer on right or a side-by-side freezer and fridge units. You might also come across models that have a fridge on the top of a drawer for freezer or two, referred to as French-style refrigerators.
These models will take up more space in your home but you'll also have more room to store your groceries. You can also find slim American fridge freezers that are just 70cm in width - ideal for smaller kitchens.
Whatever size you decide to buy, look for a an unfrosted freezer to spare you the trouble of frequently defrosting it manually. Certain models come with an option for speed-freezing, which extends the time for freezing to ensure that food stays fresher for longer. There are models that have adjustable shelves to make the most of your space. The energy rating will also show you how efficient the appliance is and how much it will cost to run.
Convertible zones
Certain fridge freezers, such as the Fridgemaster MS83430FFS model, have convertible zones. These zones can be switched between freezer and fridge with a single touch. This is great for storing fresh veg, keeping wine and beer chilled, or even just an entire batch of Ice cream. This is especially useful for leftovers from the Christmas season that you wish to freeze and then reheat.
For a different feature that is great, check out Samsung's FlexZone compartment, which you can adjust to suit different food types. It can be set to Freeze or Soft Freeze chill, Refrigerate fridge freezers american or Chill. This is a great way to keep all your frozen food organised and ready for big dinner parties.
Other handy features include door alarms that will notify you if the refrigerator or freezer doors have been left open for too long, which can help prevent food spoilage. There are models with twin cooling systems that separate the freezer and fridge compartments. This stops dry, cool freezer air from drying food items in the fridge and can reduce energy costs.
When you purchase take note of the energy rating. The higher the rating the more efficient it is. You can also check the yellow Energy Guide label for an estimate of operating costs.
Water and ice dispensers
Many American refrigerators are equipped with water and dispensers for ice that allow you to get chilled purified ice cubes and water at the touch of a button. They're great to have drinks in the fridge for guests or kids. There are manual ice makers in the freezer section. Simply fill the tray with ice and turn the dial.
American fridge freezers that can be plumbed need to be connected to the mains water supply. They can only be put in a kitchen that's already set up and has enough space to accommodate them. However, if you're looking to save money or don't have enough space to fit a plumbed model, there are other options, such as fridges with refillable water jugs that can refill yourself.
If you love to entertain then look for an American fridge freezer with built-in wine coolers which can store up to 28 bottles. It is designed to provide optimal cooling. There are also models that have an intelligent door sensor so you can manage and monitor your appliance remotely via Smart ThinQ technology via your smartphone or tablet. Plus, you can find an energy-efficient model that has a low A+ rating, helping you to cut your carbon footprint and save money on operating expenses.
Built-in cameras
Refrigerator freezers with cameras are a nice to have' rather than essential feature, but they can be beneficial for those who prefer to keep track of their food items and help reduce the amount of food consumed. They allow you to see what's in the fridge without opening the door, which is particularly helpful for busy households. You can use the camera to see what you've left out if it's not closed your fridge before going shopping, for instance.
Samsung has a range of fridge freezers that have cameras, such as the fashionable RS50N3513WW/EU. It features a large touchscreen display that lets you look through the contents of your fridge, find recipes, and even order groceries. It's powered by the company's own smart assistant Bixby and works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant too. You can control it using your tablet or smartphone, and also adjust the temperature settings of the fridge remotely.
Hisense's fridge freezer FMN431W20C offers a low-cost choice. It's got a massive 550-litre capacity across the freezer and fridge as well as front-mounted water and ice dispensers. It has no-frost technology to help you avoid the hassle of slicing frozen ice by hand. It also has LED lighting that makes it easier to 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 other Samsung models, but it will still keep you full for less.