American Fridge Freezer - The King of Domestic White Goods
In sparkling silver, minimalist white or sophisticated black, American fridge freezers promise kitchen praise. They also deliver on practicality with a raft of innovative features, including air circulation, as well as fancy drawers for vegetables and fruits to ensure optimum long-lasting freshness.
Some have ice and water dispensers that are plumbed-in while others have jugs of refillable ice. Be sure to measure your doorways and interior spaces before purchasing.
Size
American fridge freezers are more spacious than UK models. This is an important selling point for a house with lots of guests who bring food, or like to entertain. They can also be stylish and sophisticated with their flat fronts and handles that are recessed to be a perfect match to kitchen appliances for a unified look. Some come with plumbed in water dispensers and ice makers that provide instant chilled and filtered water. It is also easy to make cubes to pop into drinks - ideal for celebrations.
They can be large and occupy a lot of space in the kitchen. There's good news! Manufacturers are now releasing smaller 70cm American refrigerator freezers specifically for the UK market. You can still enjoy the sleek design and modern features without having a huge appliance occupying your kitchen.
It is important to measure the space prior to buying to be sure that you are able to fit the model you're looking for. Remember that you'll need an opening of 60cm around the door frame. It's a matter of finding the ideal place for your American refrigerator freezer so you don't need to rush across the back or sides of the new appliance to fit everything.
Style
American fridge freezers are the best of white goods for the home. They can hold up to 38 bags of food items. They're also extremely elegant and stylish with the shiny silver finish which makes them a true kitchen piece of art that will delight your family and friends. They're also loaded with extra features, like clever technology such as air circulation for frost prevention and fancy drawers that keep fresh vegetables and fruits.
If you don't have room for a massive two-door monster but you're keen on an American fridge freezer, there are slimline models that are perfect for smaller space. Many manufacturers now offer 70cm American fridge freezers that are specifically designed to fit the UK market, delivering the coveted look and fridge freezers modern tech of an American without taking up too much space.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly model that has plenty of storage space, consider this Haier American fridge freezer. It's got a large capacity of 521 litres which can hold 28 bags of food items. This model features Total No Frost Technology, meaning you'll never need to defrost the appliance manually again. It also has water dispensers to keep ice-cold beverages at your fingertips. There's even LED illumination to help you find what you require in the dark.
Technology
American fridge freezers are packed with plenty of technological features to ensure they are operating at their peak. Smart screens can help you organize your shopping lists, or refer to recipes. Handy dispensers that dispense chilled or cubed ice are also available.
Models with convertible zones can be converted from freezer to refrigerator. This is an excellent feature for the holidays or other occasions when you have to store any extra food items. Other useful features include Twin Cooling to prevent freezing air that is warm from the freezer drying the fresh food you have prepared, and no-frost technology that stops you from having to chip away at the layers of ice.
Certain models come with automatic ice makers that can create fresh, filtered ice cubes with the press of a single button. There are also plumbed in options that are connected to your mains system, and will deliver refreshingly chilled water or instant ice. You can also add a manual or automatic ice maker to the refrigerator if that is what you prefer.
Energy efficiency is a key factor to consider in evaluating your home, with the Energy Saving Trust recommending that you choose a model with an A G rating and 'E' or 'F' being especially efficient. The E-F label for energy replaces the previous plus sign and A-D rating and will show the estimated annual operating costs in kWh.
Energy
Refrigerator freezers that have an ample capacity are ideal for those looking to buy food items in bulk and save money by not having to go to the store as often. However, large appliances can consume more energy, so it is crucial to find ones with good energy efficiency ratings. The latest UK energy labels are more clear and display an energy rating from A to G, as well as the annual energy consumption in kilowatts.
There are some fridge freezers that have higher energy ratings. Based on your usage and electricity rate an appliance with a lower rating may actually be more affordable to run.
No Frost technology is also available on a variety of models. This stops the accumulation of frost or ice, which can obstruct storage space and require manual defrosting. Plumbed-in models connect directly to your water supply, while non-plumbed models draw their power from an integral tank that's quick and easy to refill.
There are some who are concerned about the size of an American refrigerator freezer, as they typically measure 90cm wide by 178cm high. The manufacturers have responded by creating slimmer models of 70cm which offer the desired look with additional storage and modern technologies without the bulk. Take measurements of your front and interior doors prior to purchasing one of these slimline versions to ensure that you can easily fit it in your home.