What is a French Door Fridge Freezer?

Looking for a new fridge freezer? A French-door fridge freezer combines style and practicality with a distinctive double-door design on top and a freezer drawer below.

With their modern designs, French door fridge freezers are becoming increasingly popular in contemporary kitchens – but is it the right choice for your home?

In this Hoover blog, we’re discussing all things French door fridge freezers, from exactly what they are to their pros and cons so that you can find the right fridge freezer for your needs. 

What is a French door fridge freezer?

A French door fridge freezer is a fridge/freezer combo with two fridge doors that open in the middle – like traditional French doors. This allows the full width of the appliance to be used as fridge space, offering users a larger storage area that is conveniently placed at eye level. The two doors can be opened together, or individually, and both usually have additional storage shelves inside.

A French door fridge freezer has a freezer drawer on the bottom that also takes up the full width of the appliance. 

What is the difference between a double door, side by side, and a French door fridge freezer?

A side by side fridge freezer has two full height doors split vertically down the middle, usually with the freezer on the left and refrigerator on the right. Side by side fridge freezers are also commonly known as American style fridge freezers, particularly in the UK and Europe, due to the style originally being popularised in the United States. A side by side, or American, fridge freezer offers equal storage in the fridge and freezer compartments, but can have limited width for larger items. However, they benefit from the ability to store both fresh and frozen goods at eye level.

A double door (also sometimes called top/bottom) fridge freezer has the freezer compartment located either above or below the fridge section. There is a single, full width door for each section, making it ideal for storing wider fresh and frozen items. While the width of each compartment is maximised, a double door fridge freezer requires bending down to access the lower section.

A French door fridge freezer, as discussed, combines elements of both. It has a freezer on the bottom, but the upper fridge section benefits from two doors that open from the middle, offering wide fridge storage and access to fresh food at eye level. 

Advantages of a French door fridge freezer

There are a number of pros to each type of fridge freezer. The key benefits of a French door fridge freezer are:

·       You have better visibility of your fresh food items at eye level

·       Full width shelves can accommodate larger fresh food items, such as platters, pizza boxes, and party food – perfect for entertaining!

·       The ability to open just one door at a time helps maintain temperate, which can save energy

·       They often come with additional features like ice and/or water dispensers, or temperature-controlled drawers between the fridge and freezer sections 

Things to consider before buying a French door fridge freezer

While French door refrigerators offer excellent features and convenience, it's worth considering a few practical aspects before making your decision. These factors can help you determine if this style is the right choice for your kitchen and lifestyle.

• French door fridge freezers are typically more expensive than traditional top/bottom or side-by-side models
• As the freezer is located on the bottom, bending down is required to access food items
• The positioning of the freezer section can make it slightly harder to organise, as it’s usually one large drawer
• Opening both doors simultaneously can impact energy efficiency more than single-door designs

Which is the best fridge freezer for me?

The best fridge freezer for you depends on how you’d prefer to access and store your food. Consider your cooking and shopping habits when making your choice.

If you cook frequently with fresh ingredients, often store larger platters or food items, and don’t mind accessing frozen items in a bottom drawer, a French door fridge freezer is ideal.

If you’re looking for a more budget friendly option, frequently use frozen foods, want easy access to both the fridge and freezer compartments, and prefer maximum width in both the fridge and freezer, an American-style fridge freezer or side by side model may be more suited for your needs.

French door fridge freezers are just one of the many options available. If you’re looking for a reliable fridge freezer that offers great value and practical storage solutions, explore the Hoover range of side by side and double door models. With various sizes and configurations available, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your kitchen and lifestyle.