Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer
The American fridge-freezer is considered to be the king of domestic white goods. It provides more storage than any other model and offers a range of extra features like air circulation that keeps freezer compartments free of frost and fancy drawers with 0@ that are designed for vegetables and fruits. For easy installation opt for non-plumbed units that don't need access to plumbing.
Storage
There are numerous storage options for small American refrigerator freezers. There are models with two freezer drawers, large salad crispers and zones that can change from freezer to fridge at the touch of a switch. They can also have separate doors for drinks to keep your favorite wine chilled and on hand.
Most often, you'll come across American fridge freezers with long doors that look like cupboards, with the fridge on the right and freezer on the left. They also have side-byside fridges and freezer units. You can also find French-style refrigerators. They have an stacked fridge on top of one or more freezer drawers.
These models could take up a bit more space in your kitchen but they'll leave more room for your groceries than a traditional freestanding model. There are slim American refrigerator freezers with just 70cm wide which is ideal for kitchens with limited space.
Whatever size you decide to buy, look for a model with an frost-free freezer to avoid you the hassle of regularly defrosting the freezer by hand. Some even have a speed-freeze setting that boosts freezing times and ensures that food stays fresher for longer. There are also models with adjustable shelves to ensure you're making the most out of the available space. You'll also need to consider the energy efficiency rating of the appliance, as it will tell you how green it is for the environment and what it will cost to run.
Convertible zones
Certain fridge freezers, like the Fridgemaster MS83430FFS are equipped with convertible zones which can be switched from freezer to fridge and back at the push of one button. This is great for storing fresh food, wine, and beer as well as a huge batch of ice cream. It is also helpful during the holiday season when you have plenty of leftovers that you can freeze and then reheat.
For another great feature, look into Samsung's FlexZone compartment that you can adjust to suit different food items - it can be set to Freeze, Soft Freeze chill, Refrigerate or Chill. This can be a great way to keep all your frozen foods in order and ready for those big dinner gatherings.
Other handy features include door alarms that will alert you if doors to the freezer or fridge have been left open too long, helping stop food spoilage. There are models that feature twin cooling systems that separate fridge and freezer compartments. This keeps the cold, dry air that comes from the freezer from causing dehydration of food inside the fridge. It also helps to save energy.
Before you buy be sure to check the energy rating. The higher the rating the more efficient the model will be. here It's also worthwhile to check the yellow Energy Guide label to get an estimate of running costs.
Ice and water dispensers
Many American refrigerator freezers have dispensers for ice and water so you can enjoy chilled filtered water or cubes at the touch one button. They are great to ensure that drinks are readily available to guests or for children. You can also find models with manual ice makers in the freezer department where you simply fill a removable tray and then turn the dial to release crushed ice.
Plumbed American fridge freezers must be connected to the mains water supply, so they're only appropriate if your kitchen is already installed and can be accommodated. If you're looking to save money, or don't have enough space to accommodate a fridge freezer that is plumbed There are other options. For instance you can purchase a refrigerator that has refillable water bottles that you fill yourself.
If you are a fan of entertaining then you should look for an American refrigerator freezer that comes with built-in wine coolers which can store up to 28 bottles and is designed to ensure optimal cooling. It is also possible to find models that feature a smart door open sensor that lets you control and monitor your appliance remotely using Smart ThinQ technology via your smartphone or tablet. There are also models with an A+ energy rating which can help you reduce your carbon footprint while saving money on running 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 track their food consumption and reduce their consumption of food. They let you know what's inside your fridge without opening the door, which can be particularly useful for households with a busy schedule. You can use the camera to determine the fridge if you didn't close your fridge prior to shopping, for instance.
Samsung offers a range of fridge freezers equipped with cameras, such as the fashionable RS50N3513WW/EU. It has a big touchscreen display that allows you to examine the contents of your fridge, search for recipes and place orders for groceries. It's powered by the brand's own smart assistant Bixby and works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant too. You can control the temperature of your fridge remotely with your tablet or smartphone.
Hisense's fridge freezer FMN431W20C is a budget-friendly choice. It has a huge 550ltr capacity across the freezer and fridge, plus front-mounted water and ice dispensers. It has no-frost technology to alleviate the pain of slicing the ice manually and LED lighting that makes it easier to navigate the interior space. 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's still able to keep you well fed at a lower cost.