A How-To Guide For Best American Fridge Freezers From Start To Finish

Buying a Small American Fridge Freezer

An American fridge freezer is the queen of white goods for the home, with more storage space than the typical fridge and a host of extra features such as full air circulation for freezer compartments that are frost-free and fancy fruit and veg drawers. Choose models that aren't plugged in and don't require access to your plumbing for a simple installation.

Stores

There are plenty of storage options for small American refrigerator freezers. There are models that have two large salad crispers, two freezer drawers and zones that are able to switch from freezer to refrigerator with the push of a button. They also have separate doors for drinks, so you can keep your favorite wine chilled and available.

Typically, you'll find American refrigerator freezers that feature long doors that resemble cupboards, with the fridge on the right side and the freezer on the left, frydge.uk or side-by-side refrigerators and freezer units. There are models with a fridge on the top of a freezer drawer or two, also known as French-style refrigerators.

These models can take up a bit more space in your kitchen however, they'll offer more room for your groceries than a standard freestanding model. You can even find slim American fridge freezers that measure just 70cm wide - great for smaller kitchens.

Whatever size you select, look for a model with a frost-free freezer, which will save you the hassle of frequently defrosting it manually. Some even have a quick-freeze setting that increases the time to freeze which means food stays fresher for longer. There are models that have adjustable shelves so you can make the most of your space. The energy rating can indicate how efficient the appliance is and how much it will cost to run.

Convertible zones

Some fridge freezers like the Fridgemaster American Side by Side Fridge Freezer - MS91547DFE MS83430FFS feature convertible zones that can be changed between fridge and freezer and back at the push of an button. This is ideal for storing fresh vegetables, wine and beer, or even a large batch of ice-cream. This can be very useful for leftovers from Christmas that you want to freeze and reheat.

Another great feature is to take a look at Samsung's FlexZone compartment, which you can adjust to suit different food items - it can be set to Freeze, Soft Freeze, Chill or Refrigerate. This is a great method to keep all your frozen food organized and ready for big dinner parties.

Door alarms are a useful feature that will help you keep food from spoiling by alerting you if your fridge or freezer door is open for too long. There are models that feature twin cooling systems that divide the fridge and freezer compartments. This prevents cool, dry freezer air dehydrating food items in the fridge and can help to cut the energy consumption.

Don't forget to look at the energy efficiency rating of the model that you've chosen before you buy. The higher the rating, the more efficient the model will be. It's also worthwhile to check the yellow Energy Guide label to get an estimate of the running costs.

Ice and water dispensers

Many American fridge freezers are equipped with water and ice dispensers so you can enjoy chilled filtered water or cubes on the touch of a button. They're great to have drinks in the fridge for guests or children. You can also find models with manual ice makers in the freezer section where you simply fill a removable tray and turn the dial to release crushed ice.

Plumbed American fridge freezers need to be connected to the mains water supply, which means they're only suitable if your kitchen is already set up and can be accommodated. If you're looking to cut costs or don't have the space to fit a plumbed model, there are alternatives like refrigerators that have refillable water bottles that you can fill up yourself.

If you are a fan of entertaining then consider an American fridge freezer that has an integrated wine cooler that can hold up to 28 bottles and is designed to ensure optimal cooling. You can also find models with an intelligent door opener that lets you control and monitor your appliance remotely with Smart ThinQ technology via your smartphone or tablet. There are also models that have an A+ energy rating that can aid in reducing the carbon footprint of your home while saving money on operating costs.

Built-in cameras

The refrigerator freezers that come 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 let you view the contents of your fridge without opening the door, which can be especially useful for families with busy schedules. You can also use the camera to find out whether you've shut the fridge before heading out for shopping, for example.

Samsung offers a variety of refrigerator freezers that have cameras, such as the fashionable RS50N3513WW/EU model. It has a large 29-inch touchscreen, which allows you to see the contents of your fridge as well as get recipe ideas and order groceries. It's powered by the brand's own smart assistant Bixby and can be used with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant too. You can control it with your tablet or smartphone and also adjust the temperature of the fridge remotely.

Hisense's fridge freezer FMN431W20C is a cost-effective choice. It has a 550ltr capacity in both the freezer and fridge. Front-mounted water and Ice dispensers are included. It's got no-frost features to spare you from the yearly discomfort of chipping away ice by hand, and LED lighting for more efficient navigation within the interior. It's frost-free, and EnergyStar certified, which means it will be efficient to run. It doesn't have the fancy cameras of the previous Samsung models, but it will still provide you with a healthy diet with less expense.