How to Choose the Smallest American Fridge Freezer
American fridge freezers are large and take up a lot space. It is essential to measure your kitchen to make sure that it will fit. You don't want to leave gaps or risk banging it into other white goods, causing damage.
Some manufacturers make slim American fridge freezers specifically for the UK market. These models are 70cm in width and come with all the design, tech and storage capacity you would expect from a fridge.
Size
If you're confined to space in your kitchen and would like to add a striking American fridge freezer, go for one of our slim models. With a width of less than 70cm, they're narrower than the conventional freestanding model and provide more useful storage capacity too. They also look great pushed back into a row of kitchen units for a streamlined look.
American fridge freezers are larger than their UK counterparts, so verify measurements carefully to ensure that they fit. Be sure to look at the size of the fridges as well. Some models can go up to 180cm which is way too tall for many homes. Use our refrigerator size guide to find the best models. Ask sales representatives for help.
You should also take into consideration the energy rating for any American refrigerator-freezer that you are thinking of purchasing. The ratings are indicated with a letter, and range from A to F. A is the most efficient. Select a model that has an energy rating of 'E' or better to cut down on your energy bills. You may also want look at the annual running costs per kWh in the information about the product, as this can give you the most accurate estimation of the amount it will cost to operate your new appliance.
Capacity
American fridge freezers are massive inside, so you'll have plenty of space to store your shopping list. Look for models with up to 700 litres of storage capacity - that's enough for most families. There's usually a separate freezer and an automatic dispenser, and digital displays allow you to monitor your energy usage and make sure the door is closed properly.
Select a model with two cooling systems to keep the freezer and fridge at different temperatures. This stops the cold, dry air out of the freezer from drying the food items in the refrigerator, and also helps stop the transfer of smells. It could be up to 10% more efficient than single-zone appliances, as well as reducing your annual electric bill.
Slimline American fridge freezers for smaller homes are available in case you're working with a limited kitchen space. The Hisense RQ560N4WCF is a good choice, featuring a low-energy rating of 'E' and a holiday mode that helps to conserve energy when the fridge isn't full. It's among the quietest running American fridge freezers we've tested and it's designed for cabinets making it ideal for small or awkwardly-shaped kitchens. Always take a careful measurement of your cupboards before purchasing any white good to ensure the fridge freezer you purchase will fit. Make sure you have room for ventilation at the sides, back and the top too.
Design
The beauty of a refrigerator freezer in the American style is that it can be either pushed back to fit into the kitchen to give it a more modern look or left as a freestanding piece to create a statement piece. If you opt for a standalone design or one that fits in a cabinet, it's crucial to measure the dimensions of the space carefully to ensure that the appliance you choose to purchase will fit. Take note of how far away it is from your cooker to allow for the clearance required for opening and closing the doors.
A smaller alternative to full-size models, this fridge freezer from Hotpoint combines an upright fridge with a freezer drawer-style. This allows you to easily access your food items and reduces the energy usage since you only open the door once at the same time. This more info is a great choice for smaller households. It comes with a water dispenser that is not plumbed that can provide instant refreshment.
If you want to enjoy fresh-brewed coffee and crisp soda without leaving the house the American-style freezer from Beko is a good option. It's stylish and has plenty of storage capacity that can store 33 bags worth of food items. It also has a non-plumbed instant drink ice maker and non-frost technology to keep your food fresh and frost-free.
Here are a few examples of
American fridge freezers are more than just a place to keep food and drinks. They also display smart screens that can be used to make menus, shopping lists, or inventories. They can also serve chilled water and ice. You can also choose models with ice makers which automatically create a separate ice tray with crushed ice or manual ones in the freezer compartment. In both, you simply add water and then turn a dial to release a cube.
You can choose between slim models, which are around 70cm wide and larger ones up to 90cm. Some models are tall too with a maximum of 175cm or 180cm including feet. This is important when your kitchen has low ceilings or if space for the fridge-freezer is restricted to an enclosed space.
A majority of the models on our list of the top small American refrigerator freezers are frost-free, or without frost, making them simpler to clean and maintain. This can save you time and money on defrosting, as well as helping to reduce your energy bills as well.
You can find a range of fridge freezers with different features on our top American fridge freezer page, or use our filters to limit the choices to your preferred size price, brand or retailer. You can also narrow your options by colour, in order to get the most out of the design scheme in your kitchen.