Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer
An American fridge freezer is the queen of white goods in the home, offering more storage space than the typical fridge and a host of additional features, including full air circulation for freezer compartments that are frost-free and fancy 0@ fruit and veg drawers. Look for non-plumbed models that do not require access to the plumbing for a simple installation.
Storage
The good news is that there are plenty of alternatives for storage for small American fridge freezers. There are models that have two large salad crispers, two drawers for the freezer and zones that switch between freezer and refrigerator at just a click. They also have separate doors to store drinks so that you can keep your wine chilled and available.
Typically, you'll find American fridge freezers that have long doors that look like cupboards, with the fridge on the right side and the freezer on the left, or side-by-side fridge and freezer units. You may also find models that have a fridge on the top of a freezer drawer or two, also known as French-style refrigerators.
These models can take up a little more space in your kitchen but they'll leave more space for your food items than a standard freestanding model. There are slim American refrigerator freezers that measure only 70cm in width, perfect for small kitchens.
Find a frost-free freezer, regardless of size. This will free you from having to defrost your freezer manually. Some models have an option for speed-freezing, which extends the time for freezing so that food stays fresher longer. There are models with adjustable shelves so you can make the most of your space. The energy rating will also indicate how efficient the appliance is and how much it will cost to run.
Convertible zones
Some fridge freezers like the Fridgemaster MS83430FFS are equipped with convertible zones which can be switched from fridge to freezer and back at the push of the button. This is great for storing fresh vegetables, wine and beer, or even a large batch of ice-cream. This is especially useful for leftovers from the Christmas season which you'd like to freeze and then reheat.
Samsung's FlexZone compartment is a great feature. You can set it to suit different types of food. You can set it to Freeze or Soft Freeze. It can be set to chill and Refrigerate or Freeze. 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 will alert you when the doors to the fridge or freezer have been left open for too long, which can help stop food spoilage. There are also 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 can help to cut the cost of energy.
Before purchasing take note of the energy rating. The higher the rating, the more efficient the model will be. You can also examine the yellow Energy Guide label for an estimate of operating costs.
Water and ice dispensers
Many American refrigerators are equipped with water and ice dispensers that allow you to get chilled water or filtered ice cubes at the touch of a button. They are ideal 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 fill up a removable tray and turn the dial to release crushed ice.
American fridge freezers that can be plumbed must be connected to the mains water supply. They are only able to be installed in a kitchen that is already in place and has the space to accommodate them. If you're looking to save money, or don't have enough space for a refrigerator freezer with a plumbed connection, there are other options. For instance you can purchase a fridge that comes with refillable water bottles that you fill yourself.
If you enjoy entertaining and entertain guests, then you should consider an American fridge freezer with built-in wine chillers. It can accommodate up to 28 bottles of wine and is designed to provide optimal cooling. You can also find models with sensors that sense when the door is opened. This allows you to manage and monitor your appliance from afar using Smart ThinQ via your smartphone or tablet. Additionally, you can find an energy-efficient model with a low A+ rating, helping you to reduce your carbon footprint and save on operating costs.
Built-in cameras
Fridge freezers with cameras are a nice feature to have' rather than essential feature, but they are useful for those who want to keep track of food supplies and reduce over-consumption. You can check what's in your fridge without opening the door. This can be very beneficial for busy families. You can also use the camera to see what you've left out if it's not closed your fridge before going shopping, for instance.
Samsung has a range of fridge freezers equipped with cameras, including the stylish RS50N3513WW/EU. It comes with a huge touchscreen display that lets you see the contents of your fridge, find recipes, and even order groceries. It is powered by Bixby, the smart assistant of the brand. It can also be used with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can adjust the temperature of your fridge remotely using your smartphone or read more tablet.
For a more budget-friendly option consider Hisense's FMN431W20C fridge freezer. It boasts a massive 550ltr capacity across the freezer and fridge along with front-mounted water as well as ice dispensers. It features no-frost to save you from the hassle of removing ice by hand and LED lighting to facilitate navigation inside. It's frost free and EnergyStar accredited, so it should be efficient and affordable to operate too. It might not come with the high-end cameras that Samsung models do, but it's still a good choice. Samsung models have however, you'll still have plenty of food for a lesser cost.