How to Choose the Best American Fridge Freezers
The capacity of these American fridge freezers is so large that they can remove the need for a large refrigerator and a crammed-up freezer. They often come with useful features too like frost-free freezers, and a speed-freeze feature that keeps new food from sticking.
The majority of American models require plumbing, which can restrict their use. To keep your bills down, look for models with high energy efficiency ratings.
Capacity
The fridge freezers are a great source of storage space, and can be an expensive purchase. Based on what you require, you may want to choose a model with either a bottom freezer or a French-door style which offers more freezer space. It is also worth considering the ratio between fridge and freezer space. The majority of American models have the doors for the fridge and freezer above each other, meaning the ratio is usually 70:30, however there are models that are 50:50 too when you don't shop for a lot of frozen food.
If you're looking for a low-cost and large fridge-freezer, this model from Hisense is a great choice. The sleek, minimal design and reversible door can make a great addition to any kitchen. It has plenty of storage space for both the freezer and fridge. It also has a wine cooler that is ideal for hosting. Other features include a freezer that doesn't freeze, which avoids the annual misery of slicing away ice, an recessed salad crisper to keep your fruits and vegetables fresh, and LED lighting to let you understand what's in.
This refrigerator can be tailored for your specific needs due to its flexible temperature zones. It also comes with a holiday mode that allows you to turn off the fridge and keep the freezer operating. The frost-free refrigerator is equipped with a spacious layout with adjustable shelves and a generous salad crisper. It also comes with an energy efficiency class of A+.
Style
Mumsnet's forums are full of positive recommendations for models with sophisticated features and plenty of space. They are costly and take up a significant amount of space in the kitchen, so you should be certain that you are able to commit to purchasing one before you make an investment.
American-style refrigerator freezers are double-doored with the freezer area generally being deeper than the fridge section. This means they have much higher capacities than regular fridge-freezers. They are typically equipped with a range of clever techniques, including air circulation as well as fancy fruit and veg drawers that help keep food fresher longer.
Some cameras let you see inside the fridge without opening it which is ideal for those moments when you're not feeling inspired and you want to check what's in the fridge before you shopping or when you're trying to avoid food waste. LG's RS67A8810B1 is a sleek refrigerator equipped with a glass-fronted window which allows you to see inside. This is great for when you need inspiration and want to see the contents before you shop or to avoid food waste.
This Hisense model is another stylish option with a stainless steel finish. It's easy to buy and comes with no-frost technology that saves you from having to cut away ice every year. It also comes with adjustable shelves and LED lighting. It's smaller than other options, but has plenty of storage space.
Energy efficiency
It's important to know how much energy a fridge freezer is using up. Find models with an energy efficiency rating that is high which means you'll save money in the long run due to lower operating costs.
Look out for fridges with intelligent features, like cameras that allow you to check what's inside without opening the door (particularly handy during Covid-19 restrictions). These cameras are available in a variety of angles and resolutions so that you can check how fresh your food really is or if you require milk to make it home.
You can also find American fridge freezers that have integrated wine coolers. These can store up to 28 bottles and ensure they are in top condition. They are great if you like wine or have a family that likes wine.
Refrigerators that have ice and water dispensers offer chilled, filtered water right on the tap, and automatic Ice makers mean no more defrosting the freezer for those cold drinks. Some models come with an ice tray manual, which you can fill with water and twist to release cubes.
Other storage options that are useful include refrigerators with chilled drawers for fish, meat and salad vegetables and fruits. There are fridges with a reversible door, so you can open it either on either the left or right more info side, based on the design of your kitchen.
Water dispenser
Refrigerators that have water dispensers offer a handy source of chilled crushed, filtered or filtered ice. They typically require plumbing which can impact where you put the fridge and increase installation costs. You can avoid this by choosing an option without one, or choosing separate water filtering jugs instead.
American fridge freezers are usually equipped with a variety of clever features that make life easier. Some models have digital displays, so you can monitor the temperature by tapping of a finger, while others come with tablets that allow you to write shopping lists or watch cooking videos.
Total No Frost is another useful function that removes the frozen ice, so you can spend less time cleaning and scraping. Some models also feature the speed-freeze feature that speeds up freezing times to have fish and meat ready faster but it will also increase the energy consumption.
Find a refrigerator freezer with an open balance drawer that is moist as well as a quick-freeze feature. Many models also have flexible zones that allow you to switch from a refrigerator to an freezer, allowing you to keep extra food items for special occasions. There are also models with dual cooling systems that keep the freezer compartment separate from the fridge, stopping dry, cool air from dehydrating food items and allowing it to keep it frozen for longer.