Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer
An American fridge freezer is the queen of white goods that are used in the domestic kitchen, providing more storage space than the typical model, and a myriad of additional features like full air circulation to keep freezer compartments frost-free and fancy zero-across fruit and vegetable drawers. To make it easy to install you should look for units that aren't plumbing that don't require access to plumbing.
Storage
There are plenty of storage options for small American refrigerator freezers. There are models that have two freezer drawers large salad crispers as well as zones that can change from freezer to fridge at the push of a button. They also have separate doors to store drinks so that you can keep your wine chilled and on hand.
Typically, you'll find American fridge freezers that have long doors reminiscent of cupboards with the fridge on the right and the freezer on the left, or side-by-side refrigerators and freezer units. There are also French-style refrigerators, with refrigerators that are stacked on top of one or more freezer drawers.
These models can take up some space in your kitchen however they'll provide more space for your food items than a traditional freestanding model. You can find slim American refrigerator freezers measuring only 70cm in width ideal for kitchens with small spaces.
Whatever size you select, look for a a frost-free freezer to save you the hassle of regularly defrosting the freezer by hand. Some models have the option of fast-freezing, which will increase the time of freezing to ensure that food stays fresher for longer. There are models with adjustable shelves, which allows you to make the most of your space. The energy rating will also reveal how efficient the appliance is as well as how much it costs 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 useful for storing fresh vegetables, keeping wine and beer chilled, or even just a big batch of ice cream. This can be very useful to store leftovers from Christmas that you wish to freeze or reheat.
For another fantastic feature, check out Samsung's FlexZone compartment that can be adjusted to fit different food types - it can be set to Freeze or Soft Freeze or chill before storing in a refrigerator. This is a great way to keep your frozen food in order and ready for big dinner parties.
Other useful features include door alarms that will alert you when the doors to the freezer or fridge were left open for too long, helping to avoid food spoilage. There are models with twin cooling systems that create a separate fridge and freezer compartments. This prevents cool, dry freezer air dehydrating food in the fridge and helps cut down on energy costs.
Make sure to check the energy rating of your chosen model before you buy. The higher the rating the more efficient it is. It's also worth looking at the yellow Energy Guide label to get an estimate of operating costs.
Ice and water dispensers
Many American refrigerator freezers come with dispensers for water and ice so that you can have chilled, filtered water or cubes with the push of one button. They're great to keep drinks handy for guests or children. There get more info are also models with manual ice makers in the freezer section. you fill a disposable tray and then turn the dial to release crushed ice.
Plumbed American fridge freezers need to be connected to the main water supply, so they're only suitable if your kitchen is already equipped with plumbing that can accommodate them. If you're looking to save money, or don't have enough space for a fridge freezer that is plumbed There are other options. For instance, you can buy refrigerators that have refillable water bottles that you can fill yourself.
If you are a fan of entertaining it is best to choose an American fridge freezer that has a built-in wine chiller. It can accommodate up to 28 bottles of wine and is designed to offer optimal cooling. It is also possible to find models that feature an intelligent door sensor which allows you to control and monitor your appliance remotely with Smart ThinQ technology via your smartphone or tablet. You can also find models with an A+ energy rating that will assist you in reducing your carbon footprint and save money on operating expenses.
Built-in cameras
Fridge freezers that have cameras are more of a 'nice to have feature than an essential one. However they can be useful for those who wish to keep track and reduce their food consumption. They let you know what's in your fridge without opening the door, which can be especially useful for families with busy schedules. You can use the camera to see whether you have forgotten to shut your fridge prior to shopping, for instance.
Samsung has a range of fridge freezers equipped with cameras, including the elegant RS50N3513WW/EU. It has a big touchscreen display that lets you view the contents of your fridge, locate recipes, and even 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 control it via your tablet or smartphone, and also change the temperature of the fridge remotely.
For a less costly option check out Hisense's FMN431W20C refrigerator freezer. It has a 550ltr capacity in both the fridge and freezer. Front-mounted water and ice dispensers are also available. It comes with no-frost, which will save you from the pain of chipping ice away by hand, and LED lighting to facilitate navigation within the interior. It's frost free and EnergyStar rated, so should be economical and efficient to operate too. It's not equipped with the fancy cameras of the aforementioned Samsung models, but it will still keep you well fed for less.