Households that prepare meals in advance
If you cook several meals at once, you need portions that are easy to identify and take out. The French National Consumer Institute says that prepared food can be frozen in portions for later use.
Who is this choice for?
Households that buy in bulk
Bulk shopping or bulky items call for a careful comparison between usable capacity and the space available. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide highlights, in particular, the large open space in chest freezers and the storage options in upright models.
Households with limited space
If your built-in compartment is almost big enough, a small additional appliance could give you the extra capacity you need without taking up room for a large chest freezer. Make sure its usable capacity can hold your maximum stock, not just a few portions you usually keep.
Which features should you prioritise?
Start by working out whether you mainly need more capacity, easier access to portions or more space at home. Then choose a format. You’ll also need to make sure the appliance is suitable for the temperature of the room where it will be installed.
Upright freezer
Consider this if: you often take out individual portions and want to sort them into drawers.
Bear in mind: the drawers need to fit your containers and remain accessible once the appliance is installed.
Chest freezer
Consider this if: you store bulk buys or bulky items and have floor space to spare.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom takes more organising to make it easy to find.
Small separate freezer
Consider this if: your built-in freezer is still usable, but you need extra room for a few portions.
Bear in mind: this format leaves less spare capacity for large bulk buys.
Fridge freezer
Consider this if: you’re already replacing your fridge and your frozen stock is modest.
Bear in mind: it’s the freezer compartment’s capacity, not the total capacity of the appliance, that needs to be enough for your portions.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the net capacity in litres with your maximum stock. If you add a lot of food at once, also check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h. | When buying in bulk, I want to store bulky items without using up the space I’ve set aside for portions; around 36% of consumers would make capacity their top priority. |
| Access to portions | Check the size and layout of the drawers or baskets against the containers and bags you use. | When I take out a meal regularly, I want to find it without moving all my other food; easy access to portions would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Location and power cuts | Compare the room temperature with the range allowed in the manual, and check the stated storage time in the event of a power cut. | If the appliance is going in a cellar or garage, I need to know whether it can operate at that room’s temperatures and take power cuts into account; around 21% of consumers would put these factors first. |
| Compact extra capacity | Measure the space and door clearance, then check the net capacity of the compartment intended for your portions. | I only need room for a few home-cooked meals and don’t want to take up more space at home; around 14% of consumers would put this need for extra capacity first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on litres alone
A large chest freezer can make food at the bottom difficult to reach. In an upright freezer, the shape of the drawers may limit which containers you can store.
Before buying, check your containers and bulky items against the drawers, baskets and internal dimensions listed for the model.
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Putting the appliance in a garage without checking the temperature
According to UFC-Que Choisir, the climate class indicates the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed to operate in. A room that is too cold could cause problems for a model that isn’t suitable for those conditions.
Check the room temperatures, then compare them with the limits in the manual for the model you’re considering. A stated ability to operate down to −15 °C applies only to models that explicitly claim this.
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Stacking hot dishes or food without dates
Undated portions are difficult to rotate, while adding lots of food that is still hot doesn’t match the appliance’s stated freezing capacity in kg/24 h.
Let meals cool, divide them into portions, wrap and date them. For home-cooked food, UFC-Que Choisir recommends a four-star compartment or a temperature of −18 °C.
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Overlooking storage time during a power cut
The stated storage time varies by model; you can’t work it out simply from whether you choose a chest or upright freezer.
Compare the stated times for the appliances you’re considering and check whether they have a temperature alarm.
Brands to consider for these formats
Whirlpool
The range includes upright and chest freezers worth considering if you’re deciding between drawer storage and a large open space.
- Whirlpool France lists a capacity of 404 L, a freezing capacity of 19 kg/24 h and 11 hours of storage time for the WHFF6403W4E upright freezer.
- These figures apply to this model. Compare the dimensions, storage layout and storage time of each model you’re considering.
Beko
Some models are worth considering for installation outside the kitchen, particularly if the room can get cold.
- Beko France states that the RFNM200T40WN can operate at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- This capability doesn’t apply to the whole Beko range. Check the permitted temperature range in the manual for your chosen model.
Bosch
Upright freezers in the range may suit households that want to organise portions while still having room for bulky items.
- Bosch Electroménager France lists a usable capacity of 366 L and 12 hours of stated storage time during a power cut for the GSN58AWEV.
- Check the interior layout and dimensions of the model you choose rather than assuming these features apply to all Bosch upright freezers.
Joybuy products to suit your needs
These appliances show three ways to make room for portions: choose a fridge freezer when replacing your fridge, add a small upright freezer or install a chest freezer for a larger stock. Compare the format with the space you have and the amount of food you want to freeze.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 4-door fridge freezer, 467 L
Worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge and want to keep storing your portions in a combined appliance.
The product name lists a total capacity of 467 L and Total No Frost. For your stock, check the capacity of the freezer compartment separately.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 3-door fridge freezer, 360 L
Compare it with other fridge freezers if you’re already replacing your fridge and have modest frozen-storage needs.
The listed total capacity is 360 L, with Total No Frost. Make sure the freezer compartment alone can hold all the portions you plan to store.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E), 60 L upright freezer
This separate format can provide extra capacity for a small stock of portions when space is limited. Its 60 L capacity may not be enough to replace space for large bulk buys.
The product name lists a reversible door and drawers. Check the dimensions and clearance required before planning to install it under a worktop.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible fridge freezer chest
A chest freezer can suit a larger stock if you can make room for it on the floor and organise access to food at the bottom.
This product is described as convertible between fridge and freezer modes, with a removable basket and defrost drain. To store frozen portions, check the freezer-mode setting and the permitted ambient temperature range.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 L chest freezer, 4-star
This chest freezer could work as an extra appliance if you prefer its open storage space and your stock is limited. Compare its 99 L capacity with the maximum number of portions and bulk buys you plan to store at once.
The product name mentions a removable basket and sliding lid. Check that there’s enough room to open the lid where you plan to put it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I freeze portions straight after cooking?
Yes, once the food has cooled and been divided into portions. The French National Consumer Institute says it can then be frozen for later use. Anses recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until the end of its use-by date.
Which compartment should I use for home-cooked food?
UFC-Que Choisir recommends a four-star compartment or a temperature of −18 °C for cooled home-cooked food. Anses points out that domestic freezing at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but doesn’t destroy most micro-organisms. It won’t make food safe if it wasn’t safe before it was frozen.
Can you put a freezer in an unheated garage?
Yes, but only if the temperatures in the garage stay within the range permitted in the model’s manual. UFC-Que Choisir explains that the climate class defines an ambient temperature range. A stated ability to operate down to −15 °C for a Beko model doesn’t automatically apply to other appliances.
How should I defrost a prepared portion?
Anses recommends defrosting food in the fridge, in a microwave using the defrost setting, or quickly by cooking or reheating it. Defrosted food should be eaten promptly, within a maximum of three days, and must not be refrozen.