American Style Fridge Freezer Buyers Guide

American Style Fridge Freezer Buyers Guide

A very popular choice, American style fridge freezers are perfect for larger families or for those who enjoy hosting dinner parties. With a split door design, these appliances are a focal point in any kitchen and offer plenty of storage space. Packed with clever features, these state-of-the-art appliances will provide an exceptional, energy-saving refrigeration performance. But with so many unique features to choose from, it can be hard to know which model is best for you.

At Atlantic Electrics, we are here to help you. We know how important it is to make the right choice when choosing an appliance for your home. So, we offer a wide selection of exceptional appliances that will provide you with the best performance and outstanding refrigeration. 

In our handy American Style Fridge Freezer guide, we will explain everything you need to know and help you step-by-step through the purchasing process to ensure you find what you are looking for.

A few things to consider

The most important features to consider when buying an American style fridge freezer are fit, capacity, functions and energy ratings. We will explore these features in detail in this guide to help you find the right model for your home.

Plumbing types

The first thing to consider when choosing an American style fridge freezer is which plumbing type you require. You can choose between two different plumbing types: Plumbed and Non-plumbed.

Plumbed-

Generally, plumbed American style fridge freezers are equipped with a water or ice dispenser that can be connected to your water mains, providing you with easy access to chilled water whenever you like.

Non-plumbed-

Similar to a standard fridge freezer, these models require no plumbing. Most non-plumbed American style fridge freezers are connected to a water reservoir which can be easily removed for refilling. So, you can now enjoy fresh, filtered beverages with ease from the handy water or ice dispenser. Another thing to consider with a non-plumbed appliance is you can place your appliance wherever you like, making these models the more flexible option.

Fitting & Door Types

American style fridge freezers offer a unique, modern style to your home. Generally, most American style models are freestanding, giving you the ability to place your appliance anywhere in your space. And, with three different door types to choose from, you can find the model that suits your style and kitchen layout the best.

Side by side (two-door)-

Side by side models (also known as two-door) are the most common type of American style fridge freezer. These models feature an upright fridge and freezer compartment, offering plenty of storage space for your stored goods.

Three-door-

The three-door models offer a double door fridge compartment with a spacious freezer drawer below. Also known as the French door design, this layout provides you with easy access to your refrigerator space and is ideal for if you purchase more chilled products than frozen.

Four-door-

The four-door models offer two large fridge doors at the top of the appliance and two slightly smaller freezer doors at the bottom. These unique models enable you to easily organise your stored essentials.

Choosing the right capacity

The size of your household will determine the right light capacity you require for your home. American style fridge freezers offer impressive, large capacities that can vary between 400-700 litres. This will provide you with plenty of storage space, so you never have to worry about buying a little bit of extra shopping.

Key Features to consider

As technology has developed over time, fridge freezers have benefitted from a range of additional features to improve the refrigeration performance and make life easier for you. We have created a list of key features to consider to help you make the right purchase.

Frost Free-

The convenient Frost Free technology eliminates the need to manually defrost your freezer. By consistently circulating the movement of air, this feature will prevent moisture from sticking to your food and forming ice. This ensures that you can safely store your essentials for longer without any ice build-up.

Quick Freezing-

Some models feature a Fast Freeze function which enables you to rapidly freeze your food to maintain nutrients and flavours. This feature is great for when you get home from shopping and want to quickly freeze your freshly stored goods.

Holiday mode-

Some models feature Holiday Mode which is ideal for if you are going to be away from home for a while. All you have to do is simply clear out your stored goods, activate the setting and leave the appliance switched on. This function ensures that the temperature inside the appliance will be regulated at an energy-efficient level so you will not come home to any unpleasant odours.

Super quiet-

If you are looking for a silent appliance, we’ve got you covered. We stock a wide selection of fridge freezers that are specially designed to be quiet so you can enjoy a peaceful home.

Smart technology-

Smart fridge freezers can be controlled from the manufacturer’s app on your smartphone or tablet using your Wi-Fi connection. This enables you to control your appliance with ease as well as receive alerts and personalised notifications for your fridge freezer.

Choosing an eco-friendly model

Staying eco-conscious has never been easier. If choosing an eco-friendly fridge freezer is important to you, there are a number of factors to consider. You can find out how energy efficient a particular model is by checking the model’s energy rating. All labels are graded from A-G to help you understand how efficient an appliance is. Generally, appliances with an A grading are the most energy efficient as they are equipped with several intelligent, energy-saving features. This is to ensure you are provided with an exceptional performance whilst taking the environment into consideration.

Measurements and Installation

Measurements at home-

The size of an American style fridge freezer is one of the most important things to consider before purchasing. We have listed below a few key home checks you should complete before you choose your new fridge freezer.

·      These models are wider than a standard door frame therefore, you need to consider how you will get the appliance into your home. You must measure your doorways and any tight corners that may be difficult to manoeuvre around to ensure no damage is caused to your appliance.

·      Ensure you leave enough space around your appliance for the doors to open with ease.

Installation-

If you have chosen a plumbed in model, you will need to make sure the appliance is within 5 metres of the water supply.

Model measurements-

American style fridge freezers are much wider and bulkier than a standard fridge freezer model. To ensure you find the right size model for your home, the key measurements to focus on are the height, width and depth of the appliance.

Useful tips to consider

Fridge Freezer brands-

There is a wide variety of trusted brands to choose from when selecting a fridge freezer. You can pick your favourite or find the brand that offers the specific features, capacity, functionality and colour you are looking for. Take some time to research and discover the brand that is right for you.

Picking your colour-

American style fridge freezers come in a variety of colours and designs so you can choose the appliance that matches and completes your home.

Maintenance

It is important to take care of your appliance to ensure you protect your fridge freezer’s performance. American style fridge freezers are now designed with efficiency and longevity in mind, requiring only a few simple steps to keep them in their best condition.

·      We recommend that you wipe the exterior and interior of the appliance with a damp cloth. This will help to remove any fingerprints and stains.

·      You can wash the racks and fridge shelves in warm, soapy water.

·      Defrost your freezer as and when is necessary.

Defrosting your freezer-

If your appliance does not offer frost free technology, you will need to manually defrost your freezer to prevent the build-up of ice. Defrosting your fridge freezer is not a difficult task and can be done in just a few quick steps. We advise that you check your manufacturer’s guide to see how often you should defrost your freezer in order to protect the appliance’s performance.

1.        First, you must turn off the appliance at the wall.

2.        Then, remove any food from the appliance and keep the door open. Place a towel down to prevent any spills on your kitchen floor.

3.        Next, place a bowl of hot water on the bottom shelf of the freezer and leave this for a few hours.

4.        Once all the ice has melted, you can simply wipe the interior of the appliance down with just a sponge.

We recommend that you check your manufacturer’s guide and product details to ensure you understand what maintenance care your fridge freezer needs, and what you can do to help keep your appliance running smoothly.

FAQs

We have listed some common questions we often get asked when buying a fridge freezer below.

1.        How do I know when it is time for a new fridge freezer?

Typically, if you think you may need a new fridge freezer, the key things to look for are:

·      If your food begins to go bad quicker.

·      If the temperature in your refrigerator isn’t very cold.

2.        What size compartments will I need?

The size of your fridge and freezer compartments will depend on the type of food you like to buy. If you purchase more chilled goods, then a bigger fridge compartment is the right choice for you. If you stock up more on frozen goods, we recommend choosing a fridge freezer with a larger freezer compartment.

3.        Why do I need to leave a little bit of space around the fridge freezer?

We recommend that you leave a few centimetres of space around your fridge freezer to ensure you have room for any plugs and pipes, and to enable your fridge freezer to run efficiently.

4.        Can I keep my appliance in my garage, utility room or outbuilding?

Generally, most manufacturers don’t recommend placing a fridge freezer in one of these locations as they do not meet the right temperature for the appliance to run smoothly. We advise that you check if your chosen model can be placed in a different room before you make that purchase.

5.        Will it fit through the doors?

You need to measure your doorways and any tight corners to ensure you can get the appliance into your home.

We are happy to help you with anything you need. So, if there are any more questions, simply get in touch with our team.

The quality and reputation of the brand, place of manufacture and attractiveness of the design will all affect the price. At Atlantic Electrics, we will help you to choose a reliable model that provides you with the best results for your refrigeration needs. If you would like to take a look at some models in person, we have a vast selection on display in our showroom.

Telephone: 020 8208 6999

Email: web@atlanticelectrics.com

Our store: 970 North Circular Road London, NW2 7JR