Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer
An American fridge freezer is the ultimate in white goods for the home, with more storage space than the typical fridge and a host of additional features like full air circulation for freezer compartments that are frost-free and fancy 0@ fruit and veg drawers. Choose models that aren't plugged in and do not require access to your plumbing for a simple installation.
Storage
The good news is that there are a variety of options for storage for small American fridge freezers. You can find models with two freezer drawers as well as large salad crispers, and zones that change from freezer to fridge at the flick of a button. They can also have an additional door for drinks to keep your favorite wine chilled and on hand.
Frydge is common to find American fridge-freezers with long doors that resemble cupboards, with the fridge on the left and the freezer on the right, or side by side fridge and freezer units. You might also come across models with a fridge on the top of a drawer for freezer or two, 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. There are even slim American fridge freezers that measure just 70cm in width - ideal for smaller kitchens.
No matter what size you decide to buy, look for a model with a frost-free freezer, which will save you the hassle of constantly defrosting it manually. Some even have a speed-freeze setting that speeds up freezing times, so food stays fresher for a longer period of time. There are also models with adjustable shelves to ensure you're making the most of the available space. It is also important to consider the energy efficiency rating of the appliance as it tells you how great it is for the environment as well as what it will cost to operate.
Convertible zones
Some fridge freezers like the Fridgemaster MS83430FFS, feature convertible zones. These zones can be changed between fridge and freezer with a single touch. This is great for storing fresh food, wine, and beer or even a huge batch of ice-cream. It can also be useful during the holiday season when there are plenty of leftovers that you can freeze and then reheat.
For another great feature, look into Samsung's FlexZone compartment that you can alter to suit different food items - it can be set to Freeze or Soft Freeze chill, Refrigerate or Chill. This can be a great way to keep all frozen food items in order and ready for those big dinner celebrations.
Door alarms are an additional useful feature that can keep food from spoiling by alerting you when the door to your freezer or fridge has been left open too long. There are models with twin cooling systems that divide the fridge and freezer compartments. This prevents cool, dry freezer air dehydrating food items in the fridge, and can help to cut the energy consumption.
Make sure you check the energy rating of the model you are considering before purchasing. The higher the rating is, the more efficient it is. It's also worth checking out the yellow Energy Guide label to get an estimate of the running costs.
Ice and water dispensers
Many American refrigerator freezers come with water and ice dispensers, so you can get chilled water and cubes with the push of an button. They're great if you like to keep drinks on hand for guests or the kids. You can find manual ice makers for the freezer section. Simply fill the tray with ice and turn the dial.
American fridge freezers that are plumbed require an water supply that is mains. They can only be used in a kitchen that's already in place and has enough space to accommodate them. If you want to save money, or don't have enough space for a plumbed fridge freezer There are other options. For example you can buy a fridge that comes with refillable water bottles that you fill yourself.
If you love to entertain then look for an American fridge freezer that has an integrated wine cooler that can accommodate up to 28 bottles and is designed for optimal cooling. There are also models with a smart door open sensor that lets you control and monitor your appliance remotely via Smart ThinQ technology via your smartphone or tablet. There are also models that have an A+ energy rating that will assist you in reducing your carbon footprint while saving money on running expenses.
Built-in cameras
Refrigerator freezers with cameras are a nice to have' rather than an essential feature, but they can be useful for those who like to keep track of food products and decrease the amount they consume. They let you 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 find out the fridge for any traces of not closing the fridge prior to going out to shop, for instance.
Samsung has a range of fridge freezers equipped with cameras, including the sleek RS50N3513WW/EU. It features a large touchscreen display that lets you look through the contents of your fridge, look up recipes and order groceries. It is powered by Bixby, the intelligent assistant of the brand. It can also be controlled by Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can adjust the temperature of your fridge from your tablet or smartphone.
Hisense's fridge freezer FMN431W20C is a cost-effective option. It has a huge 550ltr capacity across the fridge and freezer along with front-mounted water and Ice dispensers. It comes with no-frost technology to avoid the annoyance of chipping away ice by hand and LED lighting that makes it easier to navigate the interior space. It's frost free and EnergyStar certified, which means it will be efficient and cheap to operate too. It doesn't have the fancy cameras of the other Samsung models, but it will still provide you with a healthy diet for less money.