How to Choose the Best American Style Fridge Freezer

American fridge freezers are huge beasts, perfect for families with plenty of mouths to feed. They can hold a huge amount of food and high technical specifications, such as ice dispensers.

If you're in the process of upgrading your kitchen or just moved into a new house, choosing the best American-style fridge freezer can be an expensive investment. How do you narrow down the options?

Larger storage space

American fridge freezers provide plenty of interior'meal estate' perfect for those with large families, are fond of frozen food or simply desire the ultimate dual-purpose kitchen appliance. They are usually wider than standard fridge freezers, that measure 90cm or greater. This is in contrast to a standard 70cm model. They are not suited to smaller UK homes and you'll need to make sure you have enough space for them before making a purchase.

But the oversized dimensions are not all bad news as they often come with lots of innovative features designed to keep your food fresher for longer. For instance, air circulation prevents frost build up, and fancy fruit and vegetable drawers can be used to store chilled food at the ideal temperature to ensure long-lasting freshness. Fridge freezers may also include dispensing features, such as water dispensers or ice cube makers for cold drinks at any time.

This Hisense model may not have the highest-rated energy efficiency of of our higher-end models but it is a stylish and well-loved choice that provides plenty of storage space in a slimline package. It has a capacity of 521 litres that is equivalent to 28 bags of food. This is more than enough to satisfy any family. The feature that does not freeze means that you won't have to manually defrost it again. Adjustable shelves and LED lighting complete the user-friendly interior.

Smart technology

This American fridge freezer has many clever features that help keep your food fresher for longer. The LINEARCooling system keeps the temperature precise, and the Pure N Fresh feature gets rid of any odours that can cause vomiting. The refrigerator's door also has a wine rack and four shelves for your monthly shopping. Additionally, it's WiFi compatible so you can manage your American Fridge Freezer from anywhere.

This Hisense American refrigerator freezer is a great addition to your kitchen. It's not cheap, but it makes an impression. It's slimline but offers huge capacity of 431 litres that is enough to store 23 bags of food items! It also comes with Total No Frost so you never have to worry about defrosting manually and a smart MultiFlow air cooling system that evenly circulates cold, fresh air throughout the freezer and fridge.

This refrigerator freezer has an impressive A+ energy rating, so it won't cost an exorbitant amount to run. It's also super quiet, at just 44dB. This means you won't be disturbed when you take an ice-cold glass from the non-plumbed dispenser on the right hand door. The clever LED illumination in the freezer and fridge compartments is an additional nice touch and you can alter how the freezer compartments are arranged to meet your requirements.

Better airflow

A favourite of Mumsnet users, narrowest american fridge freezer fridge freezers can be an impressive addition to any kitchen. These side-by-side models are huge and offer plenty of room for food and drinks. They also have cutting-edge technology such as water and ice dispensers, and smart screens that allow you to create shopping lists, check recipes and keep track of inventory, among other features. They can be heavy, and are typically 90cm wide. This means that you'll need plenty of space around them. Some manufacturers offer slimmer 70cm versions that can be adapted to UK homes. These models offer the style and storage of the American however are more manageable for smaller spaces.

For instance this model from LG features a Multiflow Air Cooling' system that circulates air throughout the freezer and fridge sections to prevent any accumulation of ice or water which means no more manual defrosting. It is also rated as energy efficient with an 'E' rating which can help you reduce your energy bills.

As with any major purchase you must make sure you purchase a reliable model. Refrigerators operate 24/7 and so you have to make sure that yours will last. This is especially crucial in the case of expensive frozen food items or fresh produce. If you're looking for a fridge-freezer with an extended warranty, or one that gives a replacement without question if something goes wrong, look out for those.

Easy to clean

The Kenwood KSBSX20 is a stately fridge-freezer with great reviews from both industry experts and owners alike. The large capacity of the Kenwood KSBSX20, that includes a MyZone drawer with temperatures from between -1C and +1C, allows you to store fresh fruits and vegetables at the right temperature and also chill drinks in a short time. It also features a Humidity Zone, which keeps the temperature inside the freezer at 90 percent humidity. This is perfect for frozen fruits and vegetables.

This fridge freezer is ideal for kitchens with a lot of activity with its Samsung RS67A8811S9 Matt Stainless Steel American Fridge steel exterior that is resistant to fingerprints, and its recessed handles. It's an excellent choice for those who have limited space because it has an impressive capacity of 521 litres - or 28 bags of shopping! It includes an ice maker, as well as Total No Frost Technology that will prevent the accumulation of ice layer.

This American fridge freezer is an excellent value at this price and offers great value for price. Its generous sized salad crisper helps you keep track of fresh vegetables and has LED lighting throughout the fridge compartment, so it is easy to find that last ounce of food that's hidden in the back of the drawers. It's also energy efficient, with an E rating and a holiday mode that helps you save more power.