There are so many different fridge types and fridge styles to choose from. You can choose a smaller fridge that fits into a smaller kitchen space, or a retro-inspired fridge that matches a ’50s-inspired kitchen aesthetic.
However, there are two distinct fridge types in particular that often cause a lot of confusion. French-door fridge freezers and American-style fridge freezers are very commonly confused with one another. This makes it even more difficult to choose the perfect fridge!
Desperate to find out what actually separates these two popular fridge styles? Allow us to help out!
What Is The Difference Between A French-Door And American-Style Fridge Freezer?
One of the main reasons French-door and American-style fridge freezers are confused is because they both feature side-by-side doors. These doors open to the left and right respectively, which creates a panoramic effect once both doors are opened. This can help to increase the amount of storage space available.
The major difference between the two types of fridge freezers is where the freezer compartment is situated. Within an American-style fridge freezer, the freezer compartment is situated entirely within one side of the fridge, behind one of the two doors. For instance, one American-style fridge freezer may have the freezer compartment behind the right door, while another may have the freezer behind the left door. Having both compartments side-by-side means that both the left and right doors can extend from the top of the fridge to the very bottom.
French-door fridge freezers, on the other hand, situate the freezer compartment directly below or above the main fridge compartment. Both of the parting doors open up to reveal an incredibly wide fridge compartment. Above or below these parting doors is a single-door freezer compartment that usually features a number of drawers.
The freezer compartment in an American-style fridge freezer is behind one of the two parting doors. The freezer compartment in a French-door fridge freezer is in its own compartment above or below the doors!
French-door fridge freezers strike a sort of balance between traditional dual-compartment fridge freezers, and American-style fridge freezers.
So now that we’ve cleared up the differences between these two fridge freezer types, you might wonder which of the two is truly best for you. Let’s find out!
Which Of The Two Is Best?
It would be foolish to claim that one of these fridge freezer styles is better than the other. They both offer very different experiences that may be more beneficial to some than others. Let’s take a closer look at each type!
Why Opt For A French-Door Fridge Freezer?
One of the main benefits of a French-door fridge freezer is how it organises space. If you like to really stock up your fridge with everything you could need, then a French-door fridge freezer is for you! The central fridge compartment is situated behind both of the parting doors. This means that you are afforded far more storage space than usual.
The separate freezer space is also highly convenient. Because it is able to take up its own compartment, it is not forced to occupy an incredibly narrow space. If you like to stock up on plenty of frozen goods, then the wider space makes this a lot easier.
French-door fridge freezers are great for those who want to really stock up their fridges. The wider space offered by the parting doors makes it easy to store countless products!
French-door fridge freezers are best for those who make more use of the fridge compartment than the freezer compartment. If you make frequent use of the freezer compartment, then you may find bending down to reach for frozen food a little annoying!
Why Opt For An American-Style Fridge Freezer?
American-style fridge freezers are incredibly tall. This means that they are packed to the brim with plenty of shelving. With an American-style fridge freezer, it’s incredibly easy to stock up your fridge in a way that is simple and tidy. Many of these shelves can also be moved about and adjusted as you see fit.
American-style fridge freezers are for those who like to keep track of everything they have in the fridge. The extra shelving space makes it easier to keep everything organised in a sensible manner!
The side-by-side structure of an American-style fridge freezer is also convenient for those who make frequent use of their freezers. You won’t have to crouch down or wrestle through drawers just to find specific items. Just open the door, browse the shelves, and go!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s The Difference Between A French Door Fridge Freezer And An American Fridge Freezer?
The main difference between a French-door fridge freezer and an American-style fridge freezer is where the freezer is situated! In a French-door fridge freezer, the freezer is in a separate compartment above or below the fridge compartment. In an American-style fridge freezer, the freezer is situated behind one of the two parting doors.
Are American Fridges Worth It?
If you have space for an American-style fridge freezer, then they are very worth the cost. American-style fridge freezers boast incredible storage space that extends from the very top of the fridge, all the way to the floor! They also come with plenty of shelving space, so you can make use of every single inch of capacity!
Why Are American Fridges So Big?
Generally, the reason why these types of fridges tend to be so big is because of how Americans shop for groceries. Instead of performing a “Weekly shop”, American consumers tend to buy numerous products in bulk, to cut down on shopping trips. In the UK, on the other hand, we tend to buy more fresh produce each week, rather than buying in bulk.
