If you’re dreaming of a big, family-friendly fridge freezer that can finally cope with the weekly shop, an American-style model is often top of the list. The Fridgemaster MS91520ES Total No Frost American Fridge Freezer in silver is a popular, wallet-friendly option that brings side-by-side doors, generous storage and modern styling into a typical UK kitchen without premium-brand prices.
In this guide, we’ll walk through what to think about before buying an American fridge freezer, using the Fridgemaster MS91520ES as a real-world example. We’ll also highlight some closely related models like the MS91558 range that are worth a look if you prefer a different finish or extra features. For deep technical detail, you can always read our full review of the Fridgemaster MS91520ES Total No Frost American Fridge Freezer once you’ve got a feel for what you need.
Why choose an American fridge freezer?
American fridge freezers are all about space and convenience. Instead of a narrow, tall fridge with a small freezer compartment, you get a wide, side-by-side layout that makes it much easier to see and reach everything. Large bottles, pizza boxes, meal-prep containers and big joints for Sunday roasts all become far simpler to store.
They also tend to look the part. A full-width, double-door design in silver or black instantly modernises a kitchen and can become a focal point in an open-plan space. The Fridgemaster MS91520ES fits neatly into this idea: a silver, E-rated American fridge freezer with a contemporary look that won’t dominate smaller UK kitchens as much as some of the very largest models.
Understanding the Fridgemaster MS91520ES in plain English
Before getting lost in model numbers, it helps to translate what the Fridgemaster MS91520ES actually offers in daily life. It’s an American-style, side-by-side fridge freezer in a silver finish with Total No Frost technology and an E energy rating.
Total No Frost means chilled air is circulated to stop ice building up on the freezer walls and drawers. In practice, that means no more chipping ice off the shelves or defrosting the freezer every few months. An E rating puts it in line with many modern large appliances under the current, stricter energy labels, which is good going considering the size and capacity that American models provide.
These headline features, combined with a strong user rating of 4.9 out of 5 from over 250 owners, suggest it’s designed as a practical workhorse for busy homes. If you want a closer look at the feature list and layout, you can see the in-depth breakdown in our dedicated Fridgemaster MS91520ES review.
Planning the space: will it fit your kitchen and lifestyle?
The biggest mistake people make with American fridge freezers is focusing only on the capacity and forgetting about the space around them. The MS91520ES follows the classic American layout, so there are a few practical checks to make before you fall in love with it.
Measure doorways and delivery route
Because American models are wide and deep, you need to measure not only the kitchen gap but also:
- Front and back doors
- Hallways and tight corners
- Staircases (if it’s going somewhere unusual)
Compare these with the fridge freezer’s dimensions on the retailer’s page. Allow a bit of wiggle room – you don’t want delivery day stress because it’s a centimetre too wide for the front door.
Leave room to breathe
Any fridge freezer needs some space around it for ventilation. Squeezing the MS91520ES tight between cupboards or right against the wall can make it work harder and potentially shorten its life. Aim for at least a small gap either side and behind, and check that the doors can open fully without hitting a wall or unit.
Think about where the doors open
With side-by-side doors you want clear access to both the fridge and freezer. Ideally, the main thoroughfare in your kitchen shouldn’t be blocked every time someone opens the fridge. Visualise where you’d stand to load shopping, prep meals and put things away, then make sure the doors don’t clash with an island or table.
Total No Frost: what it means day to day
Frozen peas welded to the drawer, mystery ice lumps behind frozen pizza and a weekend wasted defrosting. If that sounds familiar, Total No Frost on the Fridgemaster MS91520ES will be a genuine upgrade in everyday life.
This technology keeps cold air circulating so that moisture doesn’t settle and freeze on surfaces. For you, that means:
- No manual defrosting sessions
- Drawers that slide easily, even when full
- Better visibility because the walls and shelves stay ice-free
- More consistent temperatures, helping food stay fresh and safe
If you like this idea but are drawn to a different finish, the related models Fridgemaster MS91558EB Total No Frost American Fridge Freezer in black and Fridgemaster MS91558ES Total No Frost American Fridge Freezer in silver also offer Total No Frost, pairing that low-maintenance freezer with slightly different styling and features.
Energy rating and running costs: what E really means
The Fridgemaster MS91520ES is rated E under the current energy label system. On paper that doesn’t sound as impressive as an A or B, but the newer labels are much stricter than the old A+++ system, and large appliances like American fridge freezers have a lot of internal space to keep cool.
To keep running costs sensible, you can:
- Set the fridge to around 4°C and the freezer to -18°C rather than the coldest settings
- Let hot food cool before putting it in the fridge
- Keep the doors closed as much as possible – don’t stand and browse
- Defrost-free models like this help it run efficiently over time
If you’re comparing efficiency within a very similar price and size bracket, it’s worth looking at the whole MS915 range. The alternatives such as the Fridgemaster MS91558DEB Total No Frost American Fridge Freezer in black and Fridgemaster MS91558DES Total No Frost American Fridge Freezer in silver also come with an E rating and similar large capacities, so it often comes down more to finish, layout details and extra functions than energy numbers alone.
Layout and storage: making the most of side-by-side design
Although exact litre capacities vary by model, side-by-side American designs like the MS91520ES are built around a simple idea: one tall fridge on one side, one tall freezer on the other. This layout can be a real game changer for larger households.
Fridge side: eye-level fresh food
The fridge compartment typically includes multiple glass shelves, door balconies and crispers for fruit and veg. The beauty is that fresh food sits at eye level, making it much easier to see what you have and cut down on waste. Wide shelves are great for platters, leftovers and big food shops ahead of parties and family gatherings.
Freezer side: organised frozen storage
On the freezer side, the vertical layout means you don’t have to dig down to the bottom of deep drawers. You can keep everyday items like chips and vegetables on central shelves, with bulk buys, batch cooking and backup meals further down. Total No Frost helps keep everything accessible without layers of frost hiding labels.
Small layout differences between models
The MS91520ES and the various MS91558 alternatives share the American layout but may differ in the number and style of drawers, shelf adjustments or extra features on the door. If you have a lot of tall bottles, ready meals, or like to store large joints of meat, it’s worth checking the interior photos and diagrams closely on each review. The subtle tweaks can make a surprising difference to how the space works for you.
Finish and style: silver vs black, and subtle design touches
Once you know an American fridge freezer will fit, the finish often becomes the deciding factor. The MS91520ES comes in a clean, modern silver that pairs well with most kitchen units and doesn’t show fingerprints as much as some darker finishes.
If your kitchen aesthetic leans towards sleek and dramatic, the Fridgemaster MS91558EB in black or MS91558DEB in black with a slightly different spec might fit better. If you love the look of silver but want to compare interior layouts and control panels, the MS91558ES in silver and MS91558DES in silver are excellent like-for-like options to consider alongside the MS91520ES.
Practical tips for living with an American fridge freezer
Choosing the right model is only half the story. A few simple habits can help you get the best from a large American fridge freezer and keep it running smoothly for years.
Get the temperature right
Use the recommended settings in the manual as a starting point, usually around 4°C in the fridge and -18°C in the freezer. If salad is freezing or ice cream feels too soft, tweak a degree or two at a time and give it 24 hours to settle before adjusting again.
Organise zones for different foods
With so much space, it really helps to create zones. Keep raw meat on a dedicated lower shelf or drawer, dairy and snacks where you can see them, and everyday freezer staples in easy reach. Clear plastic tubs or baskets can make it even easier to group smaller items and prevent them getting lost at the back.
Clean little and often
Total No Frost cuts down on heavy-duty defrosting, but a quick wipe of shelves and door seals every few weeks keeps things hygienic. Use a mild, food-safe cleaner or a simple mix of warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid, and always dry seals fully so they continue to close tightly.
Comparing the Fridgemaster MS91520ES with close alternatives
All of the alternatives listed here sit in the same broad family: American-style, Total No Frost, E-rated fridge freezers at similar price points. The right one for you will depend on how much you care about finish, tiny layout differences and the exact feature set.
- Fridgemaster MS91558EB – Black finish, ideal for modern, darker kitchens or where you want the fridge freezer to stand out as a statement piece.
- Fridgemaster MS91558ES – Silver finish like the MS91520ES, but part of the slightly updated MS91558 line, worth comparing on features and internal layout.
- Fridgemaster MS91558DEB – Another black option with Total No Frost and an E rating, suited to those who prefer darker appliances but want to stick to a similar budget.
- Fridgemaster MS91558DES – Silver, closely related to the MS91558ES but with a slightly different spec, handy to compare if interior configuration is a top priority.
All four alternatives are worth shortlisting if you decide the MS91520ES concept is right for you but you want a different look or the very latest variation.
Is an American fridge freezer like the MS91520ES right for you?
Ultimately, a model such as the Fridgemaster MS91520ES Total No Frost American Fridge Freezer suits households that need more room, prefer an organised side-by-side layout and want to avoid the faff of defrosting. It’s especially appealing if you enjoy batch cooking, shop once a week or less, or have a busy family with constant traffic to the fridge.
If you’re still unsure which specific model to choose, take a moment to think about finish, space and how you cook and shop. Then, dive into the detailed breakdowns: you can read our full review of the Fridgemaster MS91520ES here, and explore the linked alternatives to see which one best fits your kitchen and your routine. With a bit of planning now, you’ll end up with a fridge freezer that quietly does its job for years without demanding attention.