American Fridge Freezer
A built-in American fridge freezer is a common choice for families and comes with sophisticated features. These sleek units can be used as a distinct feature on their own or be put back into the kitchen's units in a row for a streamlined design.
On average they offer 390 cubic litres of storage space. This is enough to store around 20 grocery shopping bags worth of food items. You can find models with water and ice dispensers that do not require plumbing.
Size
American fridge freezers are generally wider and deeper than UK models, so they are likely to take up more space in your kitchen. If you are replacing an old American refrigerator freezer or adding one to a new, open-plan kitchen make sure you determine the size of the room to ensure it will fit without any awkward corners or gaps.
The bigger size of the American fridge freezer means it can hold more than a standard UK model. This is ideal when you have a big family, frequently host house guests, or want to stock up on frozen food for quick meals.
This LG American-style side by-side fridge freezer has four shelves, two bins on the door and a salad crisper. It even has a plumbed-in water and ice dispenser to provide convenience of a ready-to-use beverage.
Capacity
American fridge freezers can pack a lot of food in the freezer, and some models come with distinct compartments and ice & water dispensers. They can also feature smart screens that allow you to prepare shopping lists, browse recipes, and much more.
A standard side by side model has a storage space of 600 litres. This is sufficient for most families. You can have more storage space by purchasing a French door model that has two full-length doors and allows access at eye level.
You can find models that are slimmer too and are designed to fit inside cabinets and can help reduce energy consumption. You can pick a built in fridge/freezer which is fully integrated into the cabinet. This lets you conceal it when not in use. These are ideal for kitchens with smaller spaces or if you don't want to be greeted with a refrigerator freezer that dominates the room.
Layout
Contrary to traditional top-freezers that can be a mess due to their freezer compartments labelled 'Joker' (or according to what we've heard), American fridge freezers offer more organised and accessible storage. Their standard width is 90cm. However, slimline models are available, and they're typically deeper and wider, usually around 70cm or more.
If american fridge freezer of buying a fridge freezer with American design, measure your kitchen before buying to make sure it's able to accommodate this larger size. Also, remember that they are freestanding appliances that stand out more than being incorporated into a run of floor-to-ceiling white appliances, and will require plenty of space.
There are two main layouts you can pick from, both accessible via doors that are full length. The French door design is an amalgamation of a double-door refrigerator section and freezer drawers below. You can only open one drawer at a time. This reduces loss of cold air and also saves energy.
Features
American fridge freezers provide plenty of space for storage of drinks and food and also offer a variety of features that help keep things fresher longer. There are models with filtered ice and water dispensers however these can add to the power consumption. Look for a smart display on the front of the unit to access a raft of apps, including recipes, shopping lists and messages.
There are models that will remind you to cancel your milk delivery if you're away. There are also models with holiday mode that will keep the settings, but decrease power consumption. Look out for twin cooling systems, because this will stop cold, dry air in the freezer damaging fresh food items in the fridge, and assist you in saving money on your energy bills.
Look for a low energy rating on your new american refrigerator freezer, as this will reveal how beneficial it is for the environment as well as how much it will cost to run. You should also check that it fits through any doorways, hallways or corners that you may need to maneuver it through.
Water and ice dispensers
Many American fridge freezers have an ice water dispenser, which is a great way to encourage everyone to stay hydrated. This feature requires plumbing, which can restrict where you can put the appliance. It could also have a filter that must be changed every six months.
Certain models of American refrigerator freezers are able to disperse crushed and cubed ice. It will be replenished automatically, so you don't need to worry about running out on cold drinks.
Some brands provide SodaStreams that allow you to enjoy carbonated water at any time. You can learn more about this in the manual for your appliance.
Non-plumbed
American refrigerator freezers with ice dispensers are an excellent alternative if you don't have a water supply or don't want to pay for the additional expenses. These models offer regular cold water and cubed or crushed ice with some models offering daily 144 cubes of ice which is enough to keep your entire family well-hydrated.
These appliances are spacious and have four shelves in the fridge's cavity Two drawers for fruit and vegetables, and mini shelves in the door to store frequently used items. They also tend to feature many clever features such as air circulation for full-time to avoid frost, an easy-to-use flat-buttoned electronic control panel that appears elegant and meaningful.
LG provides a wide selection of American-style fridge freezers which include water and ice dispensers. You're bound to find one that will suit your family. A majority of these models are Energy STAR(r) certified also. This means they offer outstanding performance without sacrificing quality or performance.