What is an American fridge freezer? We explain!

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Updated on 01 Aug 2023
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You have undoubtedly seen them in numerous Hollywood films: the gigantic refrigerators from which the lady of the house gets jerry cans of milk and orange juice to prepare breakfast in the morning. The American fridge freezer did not get its name for nothing, then: in the United States, this model has been popular for many years. Today, it is breaking through in more countries, including the Netherlands. 

The refrigerator and freezer compartment side by side

An American fridge is a freestanding fridge-freezer. These two sections are not underneath, but next to each other. For this reason, the American fridge is also called a side-by-side fridge. This refrigerator model offers a lot of space, mainly in width and depth, and thus looks almost as big and impressive as the United States itself. 

The size as the biggest advantage of the American fridge

The spacious size is definitely the biggest plus of the American fridge. This fridge has double doors, making it easy to reach everything. Some variants have shelves that you can arrange according to your preferences, allowing you to use the space even more efficiently. The fridge and freezer capacities can reach up to 410 and 270 litres respectively. 

An ice cube maker and/or cold water tap

However, the above advantage does not stop there. An American fridge also has an ice cube maker and/or a cold water tap. Sometimes you can even see from the outside how much is left. The presence of a tap or ice cube maker automatically means the presence of a water filter. This filter prevents the water from becoming cloudy. On average, the water filter should be replaced every six months. Some American refrigerators indicate by themselves when it is time to do so.  

An American fridge is the eye-catcher of any kitchen.

An American fridge can be called large not so much in terms of height, but in terms of width and depth. This type of fridge is always at least 70 centimetres wide. Widths of more than 90 centimetres are no exception. So a side-by-side refrigerator really cannot be ignored in a kitchen. It is therefore important to always consider the space you have left for opening both doors;

Three different types of American refrigerators

Side-by-side is synonymous with American fridge, but it is actually the name of the most common type of American fridge. Apart from the side-by-side fridge, two other models can be distinguished: the French door fridge and the door-in-door fridge. The former is a fridge whose top section has no partition. This makes it easy to store very wide items, such as a complete baking tray. The door-in-door fridge is the type that has a small door in the front door. Behind it are the refrigerated products you use most often. 

Does an American fridge have any disadvantages?

Are you considering buying an American fridge? Then always keep in mind that a larger fridge-freezer like this one also has higher energy consumption. Consequently, American refrigerators often fall into a less favourable energy class. In addition, they are noisier than regular models. If the fridge is close to your living space, this might cause irritation. 

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