A Buying Guide For American Style Fridge Freezers
American style fridge freezers are the latest must have for your kitchen. Lustrous, fashionable and roomy, these appliances are just what you need to make a statement. With a choice of colours and innovative features, once you have one you won’t go back and will wonder how you ever managed before.
Americans have enjoyed the luxury of these massive fridge freezers and they are now widely available in the UK. Many of your favourite refrigeration manufactures have taken the latest innovative know-how and design to bring you a range of models so that you are bound to find an appliance that will suit your family circumstances and everyday storage needs.
A Selection of the Best Selling American Style Fridge Freezers
There are a number of considerations before you go to the store to buy an American style fridge freezer and this buying guide will help you decide on matters such as energy efficiency, storage capacity, colour, style and what is likely to be the most important agenda, how much space you have to site it.
What size American style fridge freezer do I need?
The main factor to consider when choosing an American style fridge freezer is how much spare space you have in your kitchen to store it. Positioning is of utmost importance as it will need to be situated in a cool place, out of direct sunlight and away from your boiler and cooker, otherwise your appliance may need to work harder. Consequently it will be less energy efficient and your running costs will be higher.
Information on ice making and water dispensers will be discussed later, but this will need some thought at the planning stage. If the appliance is to be plumbed in, it should be sited within a meter of your existing dishwasher or washing machine. A plumber will be able to advise you about this matter.
American style fridge freezers are divided into various heights and widths. Once you have decided on the best place to site your new appliance, you need to take these measurements from the space that you have available. You will then be able to choose the right model to fit your existing space. This is a relatively easy task and many manufacturers have considered the new European sizing in kitchen units and make models that will fit accordingly.
American style fridge freezers and energy efficiency
There is a great deal of pressure on manufacturers of American style fridge freezers to make them as energy efficient as possible. This is because the majority of consumers are concerned about their carbon footprint, as well as the soaring costs of electricity.
Fridge freezers are one of the few household appliances that you must have switched on twenty four/seven and so energy efficiency is a really important factor. All American style fridge freezers are graded and labelled according to how energy efficient they are. This has prompted many manufacturers to incorporate new technology into their appliances to ensure they rate an efficient A.
A few Manufacturers selling A+ side-by-side American style fridge freezers include SMEG, Liebherr, Caple Caff, Maytag and Whirlpool, but there are many others. There are also certain precautions that you can take to ensure you appliance does not use more energy than necessary:
- Make sure you keep doors shut when not in use.
- Allow sufficient ventilation at the top and behind your fridge freezer.
- Regularly clean the cooling fins behind the appliance.
- Adjust the thermostat so your appliance runs at the correct temperature.
- Always cool items before adding to either the fridge or freezer.
American style fridge freezers storage capacity
The great thing about American style fridge freezers is their massive size, some with a gross capacity exceeding twenty cubic feet. Despite this being double the size of a regular fridge freezer, they are unlikely to take up more floor space than your old individual fridge and freezer.
There are various different ways that the fridge or freezer sections can be split and you have the option or two, three or even four doors. It really depends on your own personal requirements whether you choose a larger fridge section or a larger freezer section. However you will need to give some thought to your lifestyle and needs and then to pick your combination accordingly.
When you buy an American style fridge freezer you also get the additional benefit of a larger door in the fridge section, which means the door will have double the amount of useful storage space. This is extremely useful for storing tall drink bottles and you can even store up to a gallon size storage bottle in the fridge door.
For those who decide against plumbed in options for chilled water, this extra space can be utilised for a large four-litre tank for filtered water. Generally known as Brita water filter dispensers, they sit inside the door and you can fill any size jug or kettle from the dispenser. This is a clever addition that has a unique electronic cartridge exchange meter and it will give you an automated reminder when you need to change the filter.
Do I want an American style fridge freezer with a water and ice dispenser?
The Brita water dispenser option is an excellent idea if your kitchen does not allow the right circumstances for you to buy a plumbed in model, but they will require you to manually refill them when they are empty. However, if circumstances allow many American style fridge freezers have a water and ice feature that dispenses crushed ice, water and ice cubes twenty four hours a day.
On the whole plumbed in models are the best as they allow you to take fresh water direct from the mains. Consequently you will have a constant supply of ice or fresh chilled water on tap, whenever you want. As mentioned in the first section, you will need to site your unit within a metre of your dishwasher or washing machine.
What’s the best colour and style for my kitchen?
If you are planning a new kitchen, you are likely to choose matching appliances and several manufacturers of American style fridge freezers make a range of cookers, washing machines, dishwashers, coffee makers and wine coolers to match their fridge freezers.
If on the other hand you intend your appliance to fit in with your existing kitchen, it will certainly make quiet an impact and be at the heart of your kitchen. This is why it is imperative that you choose according to your personal taste and a colour and model that coordinates with your other appliances.
They are available in various colours including silver, stainless steel, white, cream and glossy black. First you need to choose a colour that is just right for you and your kitchen. Once you have this sorted you can visit the online stores and take a look at all the various styles until you find the American style fridge freezer that’s perfect for you.
Other benefits and features to American style fridge freezers
Accessibility – This is an important feature and means that you will be able to see everything that you have stored as soon as you open the door. This not only makes your appliance easier to clean but you will also spend less time with the door open looking for a particular item.
Frost-free – This feature prevents ice build up. It is energy saving and keeps food fresher and more nutritious for longer. As air is constantly circulating, it cuts down the risk of odours forming. It also averts packaging frosting and spoiling food and you will never have to defrost again. Brands that have frost-free models include Baumatic, Samsung, Hotpoint, Daewoo, LG, Whirlpool and Maytag, though this is not a comprehensive list.
Home Bar – Will allow instant access to your preferred drinks, whilst helping you save energy. It will provide a handy shelf as you pour and if you store frequently used things such as milk in this facility it will save the fridge door being opened so many times and reduce running costs.
Fast freeze – This is perfect for fresh food and will quickly reduce temperature to the coldest point, which means you food will have a better texture and taste when you defrost. Some brands of American style fridge freezers that have models with fast freeze include Samsung, SMEG, Rangemaster, LEC, Daewoo and Whirlpool, but there are many others.
Temperature controls – Models with electronic controls often have a display on the outside so you can instantly see that accurate internal temperatures are being sustained.
Separate Temperature Controls – this means that the fridge and the freezer have individual cooling systems so that the air in the two sections never combines.
There are three obvious advantages to this:
- The fridge maintains its humidity levels so food stays fresh.
- Odours cannot spread from fridge to freezer or vice versa.
- Both sections retain constant temperatures, which aids efficiency.
Antibacterial Protection – This feature is integral to the lining of the American style fridge freezer and hinders the growth of potentially dangerous bacteria. It lasts for the life of the product and will also reduce odours.