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American Fridge Freezer Buying Guide
American fridge freezers are a popular choice because of their size and range of features. Our guide will walk you through everything from the different types and the best features to look out for. So, when you come to choosing, you’ll know exactly what you’re after.
Choose your width
Did you know?
Because American fridge freezers are a lot wider than standard fridge freezers, it’s a good idea to check you have enough space in your kitchen to house one before you buy. See our handy measurement guide for more help and advice.
Choose your door configuration
Two-door
Also known as side by side, this is your most common type of American fridge freezer. It comes with both an upright fridge and freezer compartment.
Three-door
The three-door set up, or the French door, has a double door fridge compartment at the top with a freezer drawer at the bottom. This layout means you have easier access to your fridge space, which you’ll most likely use more.
Four-door
The four-door set up has a large double door fridge at the top, and a slightly smaller double door freezer at the bottom. Again, similar to the three-door design, you’ll get easy access to the large fridge compartment for all that lovely fresh food.
What capacity should I get?
American fridge freezers are BIG, meaning you can pack a whole lot of shopping in. Standard models have around 500 to 600 litres of storage which is more than enough space for a family of four. If you want to go even bigger, then a model with a 700-litre storage can hold around 40 bags of shopping.
Key Features
Built-in camera
Some American fridge freezers come with built-in cameras so you can see what you have at home when you’re at the shop. The camera will take regular pictures of what’s inside your fridge and send them directly to your smartphone through an accompanying app. So, you can easily check whether you need to pick up that block of cheese on your way home.
Glass viewing panels
American fridge freezers with glass panels let you see what’s inside without having to open the door. Some models will light up the fridge when you knock on the glass panel so you can see exactly what you’ve got without letting cool air escape.
Mini bar door
Want easy access to your refreshing cold drinks? Look out for the mini bar door feature. This is a little door on the main fridge door that folds down so you can grab that cold beer. Even better, when the mini door is folded down, it can also double up as a bar to pop your drinks on.
Twin cooling
Twin cooling tech uses two cooling systems, one for the fridge, and one for the freezer. Unlike standard fridge freezers that use just one for both, this method keeps your food in each compartment fresher for longer. This is because the air in the freezer needs to be dry, while the air in your fridge needs to be wetter. Plus, you won’t have to worry about smells mixing between both sections.
Convertible zones
A convertible zone in an American fridge freezer is a third compartment that you choose how to use. Need more room for your yummy fresh food? Use it as extra fridge space. Or if you’re stocking up on all those frozen treats, turn in into an extra freezer compartment. This means you can create the perfect space for your favourite foods.
Water and ice dispensers
You’ll find a lot of American fridge freezers with water and ice dispensers, and for good reason too. Water dispensers give you a fresh supply of fridge cold water whenever you need to quench your thirst, and ice dispensers means you’ll always have ice on hand to freshen up your drinks.
It’s handy to know that some models will connect straight to your water supply and some will come with tanks that you’ll need to fill up every now and then.
Door-in-Door storage
Look out for models with the useful Door-in-Door storage. This double layered door lets you easily get to the food you use the most without having to open the whole door. Not only is this handy, but it’ll also mean less cool air gets lost from the fridge.
LED & touchscreen displays
You don’t have buttons on your phone, so why have them on your fridge freezer? A lot of great American fridge freezers have easy to use touchscreen buttons, so you won’t have fiddle about when tweaking those cooling settings. Plus, they’re super stylish too and easy to clean.
How much does it cost to run?
American fridge freezers will roughly go through 358kWh of electricity a year, which will cost around 16p per day.
Features we love
Samsung’s RS8000 range of American fridge freezers
This guide covers all you need to know about Samsung’s new range of RS8000 American fridge freezers
Fridge Freezer Food Preservation
Help reduce the amount of food you throw away and the chance of odours filling the fridge
Fridge Freezer Food Management
Reduce food waste and make sure you always have milk for that much needed cup of tea.
Large capacity fridge freezers
Stock up on all your favourite fresh and frozen food with a spacious fridge freezer
Delivery
Kitchen & Home Delivery
We deliver 7 days a week and have flexible delivery options, but for a little extra you can pick a timeslot. Get everything from fridge freezers to dishwashers delivered exactly when you want them
FAQs
- What is an American fridge freezer?
An American fridge freezer is a tall and wide double door fridge freezer. The two doors open out from the middle giving you loads of fridge and freezer space for all your food.
- What is a multi-door American Fridge Freezer?
A multi-door American freezer is laid out in a different way to your standard two door version. The fridge compartment will be in the top half, with two smaller double doors. While the freezer will be in the bottom, either again with two doors or as one big drawer.
- What is the standard size of an American fridge freezer?
American fridge freezers come in various sizes from narrow two-door models through to wider multidoor options. Check out our measurement guide for more information.
- Are all American Fridge Freezers freestanding?
Because of their huge size, American fridge freezers are typically freestanding appliances.
- Do all American Fridge Freezers have to be plumbed in?
Some models will need plumbing in, but you’ll also find plenty of ones that don’t. You can find this out in the product specifications on our product pages on site.
- Where can I put an American Fridge Freezer?
Generally, anywhere you have access to plug sockets. If it’s a plumbed model it will need to be placed near your water supply so that it can be installed properly. American fridge freezers are much wider than standard models, so bear that in mind.
- What is the length of the water pipe on a plumbed in fridge freezer?
This is usually around 5m.
- Are American Fridge Freezers deeper than standard fridge freezers?
Yes, they’re usually 10 to 15cm deeper.
- Where can I buy a metal backed fridge freezer?
All the fridge freezers we sell are metal backed or metal laminated.
- What are my colour and finish options for an American Fridge Freezer?
Black and stainless steel tend to be the most common finishes, but you’ll find other nice colours such as cream and graphite. You’ll find all the colour options here.
- What is the door alarm for on my fridge freezer?
The door alarm on your fridge freezer will let you know when you haven’t closed the door properly. This way you won’t be losing any cool air from your fridge, which will be nicer on your energy bills and on your fresh food too.
- What is twin cooling?
A fridge freezer with twin cooling means both the fridge and freezer have their own cooling systems. This is ideal as frozen and fresh food need different types of cooling to keep for longer.
- What are flexible cooling zones?
Flexible cooling zones can be changed to suit the type of food you like. This space can be used as a fridge space if you love fresh fruit and veg, or if you prefer to stock up on all those frozen treats, you can turn it into extra freezer space.
- What is frost free?
Frost free tech stops any icy build ups in by constantly moving the cool air around your freezer. This means you won’t have to manually defrost again.
- What is Total No Frost?
Total No Frost makes sure no ice builds up in your freezer. It keeps the cool air moving around so it has no chance to stick, meaning you won’t have to manually defrost again.
- What is door in door storage?
Door in door storage uses a clever two door system that makes it easier for you to get to your most used food and drinks.
- What is holiday mode on an American fridge freezer?
The holiday setting will lower the temperature so that your fridge freezer uses less energy. This is ideal for when you’ll be away from home and want to benefit from a lower energy bill. It’s handy to know that you can only use this setting when your fridge is empty.
- How do I know when to replace my fridge freezer?
Usually this will become clear when your food starts going off quicker, or if the temperature in your fridge isn’t very cold.
- Will you install my American fridge freezer for me?
If you choose our Installation service, then we’ll hook up your new appliance, so you don’t have to.
- Will you take away my old fridge freezer?
Select our Remove & Recycle service at the checkout and when we deliver your new fridge freezer, we’ll take away your old one and recycle it for you.
- Will you take away all the packaging?
Choose our Unpack service and we’ll get your new appliance out of all its packaging, check that everything’s as it should be and take any leftover packaging with us.
