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 average model and a raft of extra features such as full air circulation to keep freezer compartments frost-free and fancy zero-across fruit and vegetable drawers. Look for non-plumbed models that do not require access to your plumbing for a simple installation.
Storage
The good news is that there are a variety of options when it comes to storage options for small American fridge freezers. There are models that have two large salad crispers, two freezer drawers and zones that switch from freezer to refrigerator with the push of a button. They also have a separate door to store drinks so that you can keep your favourite wine chilled and in stock.
There are a lot of American refrigerator-freezers with long, doors that resemble cupboards, a fridge on the left and the freezer on right or a side-by-side fridge and freezer units. You may also find models that have a refrigerator on top of a freezer drawer or two, referred to as French-style refrigerators.
These models will take up more space in your home but you'll also have more space to store your groceries. You can even find slim American fridge freezers that are just 70cm wide - perfect for kitchens with smaller spaces.
Find a frost-free freezer, regardless of size. This will prevent you from having to defrost your freezer manually. Some even have a quick-freeze setting that speeds up freezing times and ensures that food stays fresher for a longer period of time. There are also models that have adjustable shelves to ensure you're making the most of the available space. You'll also need to consider the energy efficiency of the appliance as it will tell you how green it is for the environment as well as how much it'll cost to run.
Convertible zones
Some fridge freezers like the Fridgemaster MS83430FFS feature convertible zones that can be switched between fridge and freezer and back again at the touch of an button. This is ideal for storing fresh beverages, wine and beer as well as a huge batch of ice cream. It's also useful during the holiday season when you have plenty of leftovers that you can freeze and then reheat.
For a different feature that is great, look into Samsung's FlexZone compartment that can be adjusted to fit various food types. It can be set to Freeze, Soft Freeze and Chill, or even Refrigerate. This is a great way of keeping all your frozen food organized and ready for big dinner parties.
Other useful features include door alarms that alert you if refrigerator or freezer doors are left open for too long, helping avoid food spoilage. There are models that have twin cooling systems to divide the fridge and freezer compartments. This stops dry, cool freezer air from drying food items in the fridge and helps cut down on energy costs.
Make sure you check the energy efficiency rating of the model that you've chosen before you buy. The higher the rating the more efficient it will be. You can also check the yellow Energy Guide label for an estimate of operating costs.
Ice and water dispensers
Many American refrigerator freezers have water and ice dispensers so you can have chilled water and cubes on the touch of an button. They are great to keep drinks on hand for guests or kids. You can find manual ice makers for the freezer section. Simply add ice to the tray on the removable tray ice and turn the dial.
American fridge freezers that are plumbed should be connected to a mains water supply. They are only able to be installed in a kitchen that is already set up and has enough space to accommodate them. If you're looking to save money, or you do not have enough space for a fridge freezer that is plumbed there are alternatives. For instance you can buy a refrigerator that has refillable water bottles that you fill yourself.
If you enjoy entertaining, then consider an American refrigerator freezer that has an integrated wine cooler that can hold up to 28 bottles and is engineered to provide optimal cooling. There are also models with a smart sensor that can detect the moment that the door is opened. This allows you to control and monitor your appliance remotely using Smart ThinQ via your smartphone or tablet. In addition, you can locate an energy-efficient model that has a low A+ rating, which will help you to reduce your carbon footprint while saving money on running costs.
Frydge -in cameras
The refrigerator freezers that come with cameras are a 'nice to have' rather than an essential feature, but they are useful for those who like to keep track of food supplies and cut down on over-consumption. You can check what's in your fridge without opening the door. This can be extremely helpful for busy families. You can also use the camera to check what you've left out if it's not closed your fridge before going shopping, for instance.
Samsung offers a range of fridge freezers that have cameras, including the stylish RS50N3513WW/EU. It has a large 29-inch touchscreen display, which allows you to see the fridge content, get recipes ideas, and even order groceries. It is powered by Bixby which is the smart assistant of the brand. It can also be controlled by Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can alter the temperature of your fridge via your tablet or smartphone.
For a budget-friendly alternative consider Hisense's FMN431W20C fridge freezer. It can hold 550ltr in both the freezer and fridge. Front-mounted water and Ice dispensers are included. It's got no-frost technology, which will save you the annual misery of breaking ice by hand and LED lighting to help navigate through the interior space. It's frost-free as well as EnergyStar certified, so it is efficient to run. It may not come with the high-end cameras that Samsung models do, but it's still a good choice. Samsung models do, but you can still enjoy a large amount of food for less.