Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer

The American fridge-freezer is the king of domestic white goods. It offers more storage than any other model, and comes with a variety of additional features like full air circulation to keep freezer compartments frost free and fancy drawers that can be used for vegetables and fruits. Look for non-plumbed models that do not require access to your plumbing for easy installation.

Stores

The good news is that there are plenty of alternatives for storage options for small American fridge freezers. There are models that come with two large salad crispers, two freezer drawers and zones that switch from freezer to refrigerator with just a click. They can also have separate doors for drinks, so you can keep your wine chilled and readily available.

Typically, you'll find American fridge freezers that have long cupboard-like doors with the fridge on the right side and the freezer on the left. They also have side-byside fridges and freezer units. You can also find French-style refrigerators. They have the fridge stacked on 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. You can find slim American refrigerator freezers measuring just 70cm in width ideal for kitchens with small spaces.

Make sure you have a frost-free freezer, regardless of size. This will free you from needing to defrost the freezer manually. Certain models come with an option for speed-freezing, which increases the freezing time so that food stays fresher for longer. There are models with adjustable shelves to make the most of your space. You should also be aware of the energy efficiency of the appliance since this tells you how good it is for the environment as well as how much it'll cost to operate.

Convertible zones

Some fridge freezers such as the Fridgemaster MS83430FFS come with convertible zones which can be switched from freezer to fridge and back at the push of a button. This is a great way to store fresh wines, vegetables, beer as well as a huge batch of ice cream. It is also useful at Christmas when you have a lot of leftovers to freeze and reheat.

For another fantastic feature, check out Samsung's FlexZone compartment, which you can alter to suit different food items - it can be set to Freeze or Soft Freeze chill, Refrigerate or Chill. This is a great way to keep all your frozen foods in order and ready for those big dinner gatherings.

Other useful features include door alarms that warn you if the doors to the fridge or freezer have been left open too long, helping avoid food spoilage. There are models that feature twin cooling systems that create a separate fridge and freezer compartments. This stops dry, cool freezer air from drying food items in the fridge and can help to cut the cost of energy.

Before buying, don't forget about the energy rating. The higher the rating, the more efficient the model will be. You can also look at the yellow Energy Guide label for an estimate of operating costs.

Ice and water dispensers

Many American refrigerators feature water and dispensers for ice that allow you to get chilled water or filtered ice cubes at the touch of a button. They're great to keep drinks handy for guests or the kids. You can also find models with manual ice makers in the freezer section where you fill a removable tray and then turn the dial to release crushed ice.

Plumbed American fridge freezers need to be connected to the main water supply, which means they're only suitable if your kitchen is already installed and you can accommodate them. However, if you're looking to cut costs or don't have the space to install a plumbed option, there are alternatives such as refrigerators that have refillable water jugs that can top up yourself.

If you are a fan of entertaining then you should look for an American refrigerator freezer that comes with an integrated wine cooler that can hold up to 28 bottles and is built for optimal cooling. It's also possible to find models with an intelligent door opener to allow you to control and monitor your appliance remotely using Smart ThinQ technology via your smartphone or tablet. There are also models that have an A+ energy rating, which will assist you in reducing your carbon footprint while also saving money on operating costs.

Built-in cameras

Refrigerator freezers with cameras are a nice to have' and not an essential feature however they can be useful for those who like to keep track of their food products and decrease the amount they consume. They let you see what's in the fridge without opening the door, which is especially useful for families with busy schedules. You can also use the camera to check if you forgot to close your fridge before you go shopping, for example.

Samsung offers a range of fridge freezers with cameras, including the sleek RS50N3513WW/EU. It's got a 29-inch touchscreen display that you can use to view the contents of your fridge, find recipes and place orders for groceries. It's powered by the company's own smart assistant Bixby and works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant too. You can control it using your tablet or smartphone, and also change the temperature settings of your fridge remotely.

If you're looking for a less expensive option, look at get more info Hisense's FMN431W20C refrigerator freezer. It boasts a massive 550ltr capacity across the freezer and fridge, plus front-mounted water and Ice dispensers. It comes with no-frost, which will save you from the discomfort of chipping away ice by hand, and LED lighting for easier interior navigation. It's frost free and EnergyStar rated, which means it can be efficient and cheap to run as well. It doesn't have the fancy cameras of the above Samsung models, but it will still keep you well-fed at a lower cost.