How to Choose an American Side by Side Fridge Freezer
The fridge you pick depends on your budget size, capacity and storage requirements. Find out more about selecting the right refrigerator for you in our Refrigerator Buying Guide.
Side-by-side refrigerator freezers offer equal access to the fridge and freezer. The fridge and freezer sections typically comprise four shelves each along with two produce drawers, one large deli bin and gallon-sized door storage bins.
Capacity
The typical american side by side refrigerator freezer can hold a capacity of around 25 cubic feet, comfortably fitting enough food for four people in a family. It might be worth investing in a larger model when you have a big family.
Some models feature modern and sleek features, such as adjustable shelves as well as a produce drawer, deli drawers or gallon-sized bins. Some models also have built-in cameras that send regular updates to your phone. This lets you know what's in short supply before you head to the market, which will prevent you from buying things you already have at home.
Depending on what you need, you might want to opt for a side by side refrigerator that comes with a dispenser and an ice maker. The ice makers are offered in dual and single versions, with the former with an additional ice storage bin as well being able to dispense ice through the door.
For a more subtle option there are a number of counter-depth refrigerators made by KitchenAid. They are flush with your cabinetry for a sleek, sophisticated built-in appearance.
Door storage
Be aware of the capacity of the fridge-freezer when shopping. These refrigerators come with two doors for storage for fresh foods and a freezer compartment. Certain models have an ice maker which can disperse cubes or crushed water directly from the door. This avoids the trouble of reaching into the freezer, and permits you to fill containers and bottles without the need to reach inside.
Some models offer adjustable shelves and produce crisper drawers, while others have gallon-sized door storage bins for storing beverages and canned foods. Other features include the milk compartment, butter drawer, and the cabinet for deli items. Many side-by-side refrigerators and freezers are sleek and have a contemporary design that complements other kitchen appliances. Some manufacturers offer an stainless steel finish that is resistant to fingerprints as well as other visible dirt marks.
This sleek GE model offers plenty of room for both fresh and frozen food items. It is also Wi-Fi compatible and features a technology center on the door where you can browse recipes, watch TV or listen to music, display photos and more. It's possible to get alerts whenever a door is opened or if there is something that requires attention. This feature is more expensive, but it's well worth it if you're looking to keep connected to your fridge and your family. The GE Side by Side fridge freezer is available in a variety of finishes, including on-trend slate and high-gloss black.
Energy efficiency
Side-by-side fridges provide plenty of space for your weekly groceries with refrigerator and freezer compartments situated on opposite sides. There are models with different capacities, ranging from 20 to 27 cubic feet. Some models come with an icemaker that can create cubed ice in the standard manner and crushed ice for dispense directly from the door. It also stores ice inside an extra storage bin.
If you're shopping for the latest American side-by-side refrigerator freezer make sure you choose one with a high energy efficiency rating. You will save money on your monthly utility bill. You can examine the ratings of different models by looking at the kWh values on the refrigerator's energy label.
While a side-by-side fridge freezer has plenty of space for your family's food, you need to organize it well in order to maximize its capacity. Store beverages in the refrigerator's door bins, so they're easy to grab and make use of crisper drawers to store produce that needs a low-humidity environment.
Some models have smart features that allow you to control your refrigerator with a smartphone. These features are helpful however they're not essential for a top quality side by side fridge. Choose a model that's simple and doesn't include these features if on an extremely tight budget or wish to save money on energy. This will give you an affordable fridge that's reliable.
Noise
If you have a refrigerator freezer that has an ice dispenser, it could be quite loud when making ice. The door also emits noise when it opens and closes. This isn't a problem. The evaporator fan of your refrigerator can make some noise but it shouldn't be excessively loud. It's an important component of the cooling system and is necessary to ensure that your refrigerator functions properly.
The American style fridge freezers are ideal because they have a single unit which contains both the refrigerator and the freezer compartment. They are much easier to transport, and less likely to get damaged during delivery or transportation. They can also be more easily fitted in your kitchen, particularly if it is an open-plan living space.
There are side by side fridge freezer integrated of American fridge freezers, such as stack and French door models. These models differ in capacity and storage. A stacked model can provide more space in the fridge than a side by side fridge. A side-by-side fridge can be more energy efficient and comes with almost the same amount of storage in both compartments.
This energy-rated American style refrigerator is available in sleek, fingerprint-proof stainless steel finish, with curved doors and child controlled locks. It comes with an LED display that is smart with a vacation mode, a home bar and a max ice feature.