Is Best American Fridge Freezers Really As Vital As Everyone Says?
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Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer
An American fridge freezer is the king of domestic white goods, offering more storage space than the typical model, and a myriad of extra features like full air circulation to keep freezer compartments frost-free and fancy zero-across fruit and vegetable drawers. To make it easy to install, look for non-plumbed units that don't need access to your plumbing.
Storage
There are plenty of storage options for small American refrigerator freezers. There are models with two freezer drawers along with large salad crispers and zones that can switch from freezer to fridge with the touch of a switch. You can also purchase a separate drink door to keep your wine chilled.
You'll usually find American refrigerator-freezers with long, doors that resemble cupboards, a fridge on the left and freezer on the right or a side-by-side freezer and fridge units. You may also find French-style refrigerators that have a fridge stacked on top of one or more freezer drawers.
These models can take up a bit more space in your kitchen but they'll leave more room for your groceries than a conventional freestanding model. There are even slim American fridge freezers that measure only 70cm wide, which is perfect for smaller kitchens.
No matter what size you select, look for a model with an frost-free freezer to avoid you the hassle of constantly defrosting it by hand. Some models even have a speed-freeze setting that boosts freezing times to ensure that food stays fresher for a longer period of time. There are also models that have adjustable shelves that ensure you're making the most of the available space. You'll also need to take into consideration the energy efficiency rating of the appliance as this tells you how good it is for the environment as well as what it will cost to run.
Convertible zones
Some fridge freezers, like the Fridgemaster MS83430FFS, have convertible zones. These zones can be switched between fridge and freezer by pressing a button. This can be great for storing fresh veg as well as keeping beer and wine chilled, or even an enormous batch of Ice cream. This can be very useful for Christmas leftovers that you would like to freeze and reheat.
Samsung's FlexZone compartment is another great feature. You can alter it to suit different types of food items - you can set it to Freeze or Soft Freeze. It can be set to chill or Refrigerate, or Freeze. This can be a great way to keep all your frozen food items organized and ready for big dinner gatherings.
Other useful features include door alarms that warn you if the doors to the freezer or fridge were left open for too long, helping to avoid food spoilage. There are models equipped with twin cooling systems that divide the freezer and fridge compartments. This stops dry, cool freezer air from drying food items in the fridge, and can reduce energy costs.
Make sure to check the energy efficiency rating of the model you're considering before you buy. 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 running costs.
Water and ice dispensers
Many American refrigerator freezers have water and ice dispensers, so you can drink chilled, filtered water or cubes with the push of one button. They're great if you like to have drinks available for guests, or even the kids. 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 should be connected to the mains water supply. They can only be used in a kitchen that's already set up and has the space to accommodate them. However, if you're looking to cut costs or don't have the space for a plumbed option there are alternatives such as refrigerators that have refillable water jugs that can fill yourself.
If you enjoy entertaining, then you should look for an American refrigerator freezer that has built-in wine coolers which website can store up to 28 bottles and is built to ensure optimal cooling. There are also models that have sensors for opening doors that are smart to allow you to manage and monitor your appliance remotely with Smart ThinQ technology via your smartphone or tablet. There are also models that have an A+ energy rating, which will aid in reducing your carbon footprint while also saving money on operating costs.
Built-in cameras
Fridge freezers with cameras are a 'nice thing to have', not an essential feature, but they can be beneficial for those who like to keep track of their food items and help reduce the amount of food consumed. They allow you to 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 whether you have forgotten to shut your fridge before going shopping, for example.
Samsung offers a number of fridge freezers that come with cameras, including the elegant RS50N3513WW/EU. It features a 29-inch touchscreen display, which allows you to see the contents of your fridge as well as get recipes and place orders for groceries. It's powered by the brand's own smart assistant Bixby and can work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant too. It can be controlled via your smartphone or tablet and adjust the temperature settings of your fridge remotely.
Hisense's fridge freezer FMN431W20C is a budget-friendly option. It boasts a massive 550ltr capacity across the freezer and fridge along with front-mounted water and Ice dispensers. It has no-frost technology to spare you from the difficulty of chipping away ice by hand and LED lighting for easier interior navigation. It's frost-free as well as EnergyStar certified, so it is efficient to run. It's not equipped with the fancy cameras of the above Samsung models however it can keep you well fed at a lower cost.