Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer

An American fridge freezer is the ultimate in white goods in the home, offering more storage space than the average model and a raft of additional features like full air circulation to keep freezer compartments frost-free and fancy fruit and veg drawers. To make installation easy, look for non-plumbed units that don't need access to your plumbing.

Storage

The good news is that there are a variety of options when it comes to storage for small American fridge freezers. There are models that have two large salad crispers, two drawers for freezers and zones that are able to switch from freezer to refrigerator at the push of a button. You can also get an additional drink door to keep your favorite wine chilled.

It is common to find American fridge-freezers with long doors that resemble cupboards, a fridge on the left and freezer on the right or side by side freezer and fridge units. There are also models that have a refrigerator on the top of a drawer with a freezer or two, also known 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. There are slim American refrigerator freezers that measure just 70cm in width, perfect for small kitchens.

Look for a frost-free freezer, regardless of size. This will free you from having to manually defrost it. Some models even have a speed-freeze setting that can speed up the freezing time, so food stays fresher longer. You can find models that have adjustable shelves that allow you to make the most of your space. You'll also need to consider the energy efficiency of the appliance because it tells you how great it is for the environment and the cost to run.

Convertible zones

Certain fridge freezers, like the Fridgemaster MS83430FFS are equipped with convertible zones that can be switched from fridge to freezer and back again with the click of the button. This is great for storing fresh vegetables, wine and beer as well as a huge batch of ice cream. This can be extremely useful to store leftovers from Christmas which you'd like to freeze or reheat.

Samsung's FlexZone compartment is a great feature. It can be adjusted to accommodate different kinds of food - you can set it to Freeze or Soft Freeze. It can be set to chill, Refrigerate, or Freeze. This is a great method to keep your frozen food in order and ready for big dinner parties.

Other useful features include door alarms that alert you if fridge or freezer doors have been left open too long, helping to prevent food spoilage. There are models with two cooling systems that separate the freezer and fridge compartments. This prevents the dry, cold air from the freezer from drying food in the fridge. It can also help to save energy.

Make sure to check the energy rating of the model you are considering before purchasing. The higher the rating, the more efficient the model will be. It's also worth checking the yellow Energy Guide label to get an estimate of the running costs.

Ice and water dispensers

Many american style fridge refrigerators are equipped with water and dispensers for ice which allow you to access chilled purified ice cubes and water at the push of an button. They're great if you like to have drinks available for guests or kids. You can find manual ice makers for the freezer section. Simply fill the removable tray with ice and turn the dial.

American fridge freezers that can be plumbed must be connected to 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 American frodge you don't have enough space to accommodate a fridge freezer that is plumbed, there are other options. For example you can buy a fridge with refillable water bottles that you can fill yourself.

If you love to entertain then consider an American Frodge refrigerator freezer that comes with a built-in wine cooler that can store up to 28 bottles and is built to ensure optimal cooling. You can also find models that have an intelligent door opener to allow you to manage and monitor your appliance remotely using Smart ThinQ technology via your smartphone or tablet. You can also find models that are energy efficient and have a low A+ rating, allowing you to cut your carbon footprint and save money on running expenses.

Built-in cameras

Refrigerators with cameras are more of a "nice-to-have' than an essential feature. However they can be beneficial for those who want to track their food intake and reduce their food consumption. You can see what is in your fridge without opening the door. This can be very useful for busy families. You can use the camera to check the fridge if you didn't close your fridge before you go shopping, for instance.

Samsung has a range of fridge freezers that have cameras, including the sleek RS50N3513WW/EU. It features a 29-inch touchscreen, which you can use to view the contents of your fridge, get ideas for recipes and even order groceries. It's powered by the brand's own smart assistant Bixby and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant too. You can alter the temperature of your fridge from your tablet or smartphone.

Hisense's fridge freezer FMN431W20C is an affordable choice. It's got a massive 550-litre capacity across the fridge and freezer, plus front-mounted water and ice dispensers. It's got no-frost technology, which will alleviate the pain of slicing frozen ice by hand. It also has LED lighting to make it easier to navigate through the interior space. It's frost-free and EnergyStar rated, which means it can be economical and efficient to run too. It doesn't have the fancy cameras of the aforementioned Samsung models however it can keep you well fed with less expense.