Start by choosing according to the number of portions you need to freeze at once and the space you actually have, rather than relying on a standard capacity. A fridge freezer with a separate freezer section is suitable for meals prepared regularly; an additional freezer becomes worthwhile when the drawers remain full over time, while a small freezer compartment is mainly suitable for occasional freezing. You should also be able to keep the coldest area between 0 and +4 °C, without overloading the fridge.
If you prepare several meals and keep some portions for the following weeks, prioritise the usable freezer capacity, number of drawers and available installation space rather than the appliance’s total capacity.
If prepared meals are mainly eaten within the following few days and you only freeze food occasionally, a compact appliance or freezer compartment may be enough. However, check the compartment’s actual capacity and the space available.
If your fridge is still working well but there has been too little room for frozen portions for some time, an additional freezer could meet your needs, provided its size, installation requirements and energy use are suitable for your home.
Start by estimating the volume of portions you need to store after a typical cooking session, then check the interior layout, location and storage conditions.
Choose this if: you prepare several portions each week and regularly replenish your stock.
Bear in mind: freezer capacity is more limited than with a dedicated appliance.
Choose this if: you mainly eat meals within the following few days and only freeze a few portions.
Bear in mind: portions, everyday frozen foods and ice cube trays can quickly use up the available space.
Choose this if: portions build up from one session to the next or frequently fill your fridge freezer.
Bear in mind: you will need to install, power, clean and organise an additional appliance.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the freezer’s usable capacity separately from the fridge’s. Look at the shape of the drawers or baskets, external dimensions and the intended location. | I want to store frozen portions in their containers without losing access to the other food. |
| Keeping food cold | The coldest area must be able to remain between 0 and +4 °C. Check the temperature setting, interior layout and air circulation. | I want to cool and store cooked meals without filling the fridge so much that food cannot be stored safely. ANSES recommends placing meals in the fridge no later than two hours after preparation. |
| Use and maintenance | Compare the energy label, stated energy consumption and noise level between appliances of a similar type and capacity. Also check the installation requirements and climate class. | I want to avoid choosing extra capacity that creates unexpected installation, energy-use or maintenance demands. |
A large fridge does not solve a lack of space for portions that need freezing. Capacities must be considered compartment by compartment.
Take stock of a typical session: the number of portions to freeze, the size of the containers and the space already occupied by frozen food. Then compare freezer capacity, drawers and internal dimensions.
An integrated compartment may be suitable for occasional freezing, but it can quickly become full after preparing a batch of portions.
Check the product details for the exact model and confirm the freezer capacity before buying; simply stating that an appliance has an integrated freezer compartment tells you nothing about its capacity.
ANSES states that overloading can restrict air circulation, while perishable cooked meals should be placed in the coldest area at 4 °C.
Distribute portions without blocking the air vents, monitor the temperature in the cold zone and quickly freeze any portions that will not be eaten in the short term.
An additional freezer provides extra storage, but its operation also depends on the location and conditions specified by the manufacturer.
Measure the space and check the clearances in the instructions, the climate class, the noise level and the installation conditions for a cellar or garage.
Compare the stated energy consumption on the energy label and the product details for the model you are considering.
Worth comparing if you are looking in France for a fridge freezer with a bottom freezer, a freestanding upright freezer or a built-in fridge with a freezer compartment.
A brand worth considering when comparing fridge freezers and freezers with different frost-management, freshness and capacity technologies.
Worth comparing when your priority is a substantial reserve of portions rather than daily access to the drawers of a fridge freezer.
Joybuy fridge freezer option for storing fresh and frozen portions in separate compartments.
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For weekly meal preparation with portions to freeze, its separate compartments make it easier to keep fresh meals and frozen portions apart.
187 L fridge capacity, 75 L freezer capacity and three freezer drawers. Width: 54 cm; height: 176 cm; reversible door and adjustable feet.
The stated fridge temperature range is 2 to 8 °C; after installation, check that the coldest area remains between 0 and +4 °C. The 75 L freezer capacity may be limiting if portions build up from week to week.
The Low Frost system reduces frost build-up, but defrosting is still manual. The stated ambient temperature range of 16 to 38 °C is not suitable for a garage or cold outbuilding.
ANSES recommends keeping the coldest area of the fridge between 0 and +4 °C and storing cooked meals there in particular. Put them in the fridge no later than two hours after preparation and avoid overloading the appliance.
It is best to freeze food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than at the end of its use-by date. According to ANSES, domestic freezing at -18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but most micro-organisms survive; once defrosted, eat the food promptly and do not refreeze it.
It becomes worthwhile when frozen portions regularly fill the fridge freezer or need to be kept separate from other frozen foods. Compare the usable freezer capacity, dimensions and stated energy consumption: one Bosch example offers 129 L of freezer capacity in a fridge freezer and 249 L in an upright freezer, although these figures do not define a suitable capacity for every household.
Do not assume so: check the climate class and instructions for the exact model. Beko states that some models with Freezer Guard can operate at an ambient temperature as low as -15 °C, but this does not apply to every freezer or every room.
Compare the energy class, the capacity of each compartment, stated energy consumption and noise level between appliances of a similar type and capacity. ADEME points out that the energy label helps guide this choice; the class letter alone is not enough to compare very different formats.