How to Choose the Smallest American Fridge Freezer
American fridge freezers are huge and take up lots of space. It's crucial to assess your kitchen space to make sure that it will fit. You don't want to leave a gap, or risk hitting it against other white goods, cause damage.
Some manufacturers offer slim American fridge freezers that are specifically designed for the UK market. These models are 70cm in width and feature all the design, technology and storage capacity you'd expect from a fridge.
Size
If you're confined to space in your kitchen and want to upgrade your kitchen with a bold American fridge freezer, opt for one of our slim models. At under 70cm wide they're shorter than the standard freestanding fridge and provide more practical storage capacity too. They look great when they're pushed back against a set of kitchen cabinets to create a streamlined appearance.
Be sure to check the dimensions carefully to make sure they will be suitable for your home. Make note of the height too - many models are taller than 180cm, which is too tall for certain homes. You can refer to our refrigerator sizes guide to compare the different models against one another or ask a sales representative in the store for assistance.
You should also take into consideration the energy rating for any American fridge-freezer you are considering purchasing. The ratings are indicated with a letter, and range from A to F. A is the most efficient. Select a model with an energy rating of 'E or above to save money on costs for utilities. You may also want look at the annual running costs per kWh within the product's specifications, as it will give you a true picture of how much it will cost to run your new appliance.
Capacity
American fridge freezers are cavernous inside, which means you'll have plenty of space to store your weekly shop. You'll want to look for models that can hold up to 700 litres, as that's enough space for most families. There's usually a separate freezer and an automatic dispenser. Digital displays let you monitor your energy usage and make sure the door is shut correctly.
Choose a model with two cooling systems to keep the fridge and freezer at different temperatures. This stops dry, cold freezer air from dehydrating your food in the fridge. It also helps keep smells from transferring between the two zones. It could be up to 10 percent more efficient than single zone appliances, and also reduce your annual electricity bill.
Slimline American fridge freezers designed for smaller homes are readily available if you're working with a limited kitchen space. Hisense RQ560N4WCF has a low energy rating of "E" and a holiday mode that saves your energy even when the fridge is not full. It's also one of the quietest American fridge freezers we've tested. It can be put into the cabinet, which makes it ideal for kitchens with odd shapes or small spaces. Be sure to measure your cabinets before purchasing any white good to ensure the fridge freezer you purchase will fit. Make sure you have space for ventilation at the back, sides and top of the appliance too.
Design
The beauty of a refrigerator freezer in the American style is that it can be either pushed back to fit into a kitchen unit for a more sleek appearance or left out as an accent piece. It is important to ensure that your new appliance is a good fit for the space, if you decide for a standalone design or one that is tucked away in a cabinet. Also, note the distance from your cooker so that you can factor in the amount of clearance required to open and close the doors - all fridges and freezers require a little space around them to allow for air circulation.
This slimmer version of full-size models incorporates a fridge drawer with an upright model. This makes it easy to access your food and reduces the energy usage since you only open the door one time at one time. This is a great choice for smaller households. It comes with a non-plumbed water dispenser to provide instant refreshment.
This American-style Beko freezer could be just the thing for you for those who want to enjoy freshly brewed coffee and crisp sodas without having to leave your home. It's elegant and offers plenty of storage space that allows 33 bags of food items. It also features an ice maker with no plumbing for instant drinks and a no-frost system to ensure your foods stay free of frost and crisp.
The following are some examples of
American fridge freezers provide a lot more than just storage for drinks and food, they also have intelligent screens for making shopping lists, recipes or inventory and can dispense chilled water and ice cubes also. There are models that feature automatic ice makers that will fill a separate tray of crushed ice. Or manual ones where you add water to the freezer compartment and then turn a knob.
You here can choose between slim models, which are around 70cm wide and larger models up to 90cm. Some models are also taller reaching 175cm, or 180cm excluding the feet. This is essential when your kitchen has low ceilings or if the space for a fridge-freezer is limited to a small area.
A lot of the models on our best small American fridge freezer list have not frost-free or have no frost which makes it easier to keep it clean and tidy. This can save time as well as money on defrosting, and reduce your energy costs.
You can find a range of fridge freezers with various features on our top American fridge freezer page, or make use of our filters to narrow the choices to your desired size price, brand or retailer. You can also narrow down your choice by colour to maximize the kitchen's decor.