Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer
An American fridge freezer is the best of white goods that are used in the domestic kitchen, providing more storage space than your average model and a raft of extra features such as full air circulation for freezer compartments that are frost-free and fancy fruit and vegetable drawers. To make installation easy choose units without plumbing that don't need access to your plumbing.
Storage
The good news is that there are plenty of options for storage for small American fridge freezers. There are models that have two large salad crispers, two freezer drawers and zones that switch between freezer and refrigerator at the push of a button. They also have separate doors to store drinks so that you can keep your favorite wine chilled and on hand.
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 might also come across models that have a fridge on top of a freezer drawer or two, referred to as French-style refrigerators.
These models might take up some space in your kitchen however, they'll offer more space for your food items than a standard freestanding model. You can find slim American refrigerator freezers that measure only 70cm in width ideal for kitchens with small spaces.
Look for a frost-free freezer, no matter the size. This will spare you from having to manually defrost it. Some models have an option for speed-freezing, which can increase the time to freeze to ensure that food stays fresher longer. You can also find models that have adjustable shelves to ensure that you're making the most of your available space. The energy rating can reveal how efficient the appliance is as well as how much it costs to run.
Convertible zones
Some fridge freezers, like the Fridgemaster MS83430FFS, feature convertible zones. These zones can be switched between fridge and freezer with a single touch. This is great for storing fresh wines, vegetables, beer or even a large batch of ice cream. This is a great idea for Christmas leftovers that you would like to freeze and then heat.
Another great feature is to look into Samsung's FlexZone compartment that can be adjusted to accommodate different food types. It can be set to Freeze or Soft Freeze, Chill or Refrigerate. www.frydge.uk is an excellent way to keep all frozen food items in order and ready for big dinner gatherings.
Other handy features include door alarms that alert you when the doors to the fridge or freezer have been left open too long, which can help keep food from spoiling. There are models with twin cooling systems that separate the freezer and fridge compartments. This prevents cool, dry freezer air from drying food in the fridge and helps cut down on the energy consumption.
Before you buy be sure to check the energy rating. The higher the rating, the more efficient it will be. It's also worth looking at the yellow Energy Guide label to get an estimate of operating costs.
Water and ice dispensers
Many American refrigerator freezers have dispensers for water and ice so that you can get chilled, filtered water or cubes on the touch of an button. They're great if you like to keep drinks on hand for guests or the kids. There are also models with manual ice makers in the freezer department where you fill a disposable tray and then turn the dial to release crushed ice.
American fridge freezers that can be plumbed must be connected to an water supply that is mains. They can only be used in a kitchen which is already set up and has the space to accommodate them. If you want to save money, or 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 can fill yourself.
If you are a fan of entertaining then consider an American refrigerator freezer that has an integrated wine cooler that can store up to 28 bottles. It is designed to provide optimal cooling. It's also possible to find models with an intelligent door sensor to allow you to manage 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 and save money on operating costs.
Built-in cameras
Refrigerator freezers that have cameras are a 'nice to have' rather than essential feature, but they are useful for those who want to keep track of food items and help reduce the amount of food consumed. You can view what's in your refrigerator without opening the door. This can be very helpful for busy families. You can also use the camera to check whether you've closed the fridge before going out to shop, for example.
Samsung offers a few refrigerator freezers equipped with cameras, including the fashionable RS50N3513WW/EU model. It comes with a huge 29-inch touchscreen display, which allows you to look at the contents of your fridge, find recipes and place orders for groceries. It is powered by Bixby, the smart assistant of the brand. It can also be controlled by Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can adjust the temperature of your fridge remotely with your tablet or smartphone.
For a less costly option take a look at Hisense's FMN431W20C fridge freezer. It can hold 550 litres in both the freezer and fridge. Front-mounted water and Ice dispensers are also available. It comes with no-frost technology to save you the annual misery of chipping away the ice by hand, and LED lighting that makes it easier to navigate the interior space. It's frost free and EnergyStar accredited, so it should be efficient and affordable to run as well. It might not have the fancy cameras that the Samsung models do but you'll be able to enjoy a large amount of food for less money.