Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer
The American fridge-freezer is the most popular of domestic white goods. It provides more storage than any other model, and has a host of extra features like air circulation that keeps freezer compartments frost free and fancy drawers that can be used for fruits and vegetables. Look for non-plumbed models that do not require access to the plumbing to make it easy to install.
Stores
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 along with large salad crispers and zones that can change between freezer and fridge at the flick of a button. You can also purchase an additional drink door to keep your wine chilled.
In general, you'll find American fridge freezers with long doors reminiscent of cupboards with the fridge on the right and the freezer on the left. You can also find side-by-side fridges and freezer units. You may also find French-style refrigerators that have the fridge stacked on the top of one or more freezer drawers.
These models will take up more space in your home however, you'll have more space to store your grocery items. There are slim American refrigerator freezers with just 70cm wide, perfect for small kitchens.
Look for a frost free freezer, no matter the size. This will free you from having to manually defrost it. Some models have the option of fast-freezing, which extends the time for freezing so that food stays fresher longer. There are models that have adjustable shelves, which allows you to make the most of your space. You'll also need to consider the energy efficiency of the appliance, as it will let you know how efficient it is for the environment and the cost to operate.
Convertible zones
Some fridge freezers, like the Fridgemaster MS83430FFS, have convertible zones. These zones can be switched between freezer and fridge with a single touch. This is useful for storing fresh vegetables or keeping beer and wine chilled, or perhaps a big batch of Ice cream. It's also useful at Christmas when you have a lot of leftovers to freeze and then reheat.
Samsung's FlexZone compartment is a different great feature. You can adjust it to accommodate different kinds of food. You can set it to Freeze or Soft Freeze. It can be set to chill or Refrigerate, or Freeze. 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 warn you if the fridge or freezer doors have been left open for too long, which can help prevent food spoilage. There are models that have twin cooling systems that separate fridge and freezer compartments. This stops dry, cool freezer air dehydrating food items stored in the fridge. This can help to cut the cost of energy.
Don't forget to look at the energy efficiency rating of the model that you've chosen before purchasing. The higher the rating, the more efficient the model will be. It's also worthwhile to check the yellow Energy Guide label to get an estimate of operating costs.
Water and ice dispensers
Many American refrigerators are equipped with water and ice dispensers that let you get chilled frozen ice cubes or water at the push of the button. These are great to have drinks readily available for guests or children. You can find manual ice makers in the freezer section. Simply add ice to the tray on the removable tray ice and turn the dial.
American fridge freezers that are plumbed require a mains water supply. They are only able to be installed 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 room for a refrigerator freezer with a plumbed connection there are alternatives. For instance you can buy a fridge that comes with refillable water bottles that you can fill yourself.
If you enjoy entertaining it is best to choose an American fridge freezer that has built-in wine chillers. It can hold up to 28 bottles of wine and is designed to provide maximum cooling. It is also possible to find models that feature a smart door open sensor to allow you to control and monitor your appliance remotely via Smart ThinQ technology via your smartphone or tablet. You can also find an energy-efficient model that has a low A+ rating, allowing american fridge freezer with ice maker you to cut your carbon footprint and save money on running costs.
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 want to track their food intake and reduce their food consumption. You can see what is in your fridge without having to open the door. This is extremely beneficial for busy families. You can use the camera to check whether you have forgotten to shut your fridge before going shopping, for instance.
Samsung offers a variety of fridge freezers with cameras, including the stylish RS50N3513WW/EU. It comes with a huge 29-inch touchscreen display, which allows you to look at the contents of your fridge, get recipes ideas, and even order groceries. It's powered by the brand's own smart assistant Bixby and can work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant too. You can control it via your tablet or smartphone, and also adjust the temperature settings of the fridge remotely.
Hisense's fridge freezer FMN431W20C offers a low-cost option. It's got a huge 550ltr capacity across the fridge and freezer along with front-mounted water as well as ice dispensers. It's got no-frost features to spare you from the daily hassle of removing ice by hand, and LED lighting for more efficient interior navigation. It's frost-free as well as EnergyStar rated so should be efficient to run. It doesn't have the flashy cameras of the above Samsung models however it can keep you full for less money.