Chest Freezers: Our Selection for Smart Storage

Are you running out of space to freeze garden vegetables, weekly meal preps, or bulk meat purchases? If your refrigerator's freezer compartment is constantly overflowing, you're likely looking for a supplementary storage solution that's both economical and flexible.

The chest freezer stands out as the ideal solution. More energy-efficient than an upright model and offering a large storage volume with a small footprint, it fits easily into a garage, utility room, or cellar. This guide breaks down the essential criteria for choosing the perfect supplementary freezer, without any unnecessary jargon.

How to Choose the Right Chest Freezer?

To ensure you make the right choice, several criteria should be considered.

1. Volume: Assess Your Needs (in Litres)

This is the starting point. The ideal volume depends on the size of your household and your consumption habits.

• For a single person or a couple: A small chest freezer with a capacity of less than 150 litres will be more than enough. A 100L chest freezer, for example, already provides ample storage space for supplementary needs.
• For a family of 3 to 4 people: Aim for a capacity between 150 and 250 litres. This will allow you to store bulk purchases, garden harvests, or large batches of home-cooked meals.
• For large families or heavy users of frozen foods: Look for models over 250 litres, designed for very large storage volumes.

2. Game-Changing Features

Beyond just keeping things cold, certain details can transform a simple freezer into a true everyday ally.

• Mobility: A freezer with wheels is much easier to move for cleaning or rearranging your space. It's a detail that makes all the difference, especially on larger models.
• Counterbalanced Lid: This feature holds the lid open at various angles (usually between 40 and 75 degrees), leaving both your hands free to find or store your food. No more lid closing on you!
• Front Drain: Defrosting is an unavoidable chore. A drain plug located at the front of the appliance makes it much easier to remove water without having to move or tilt the freezer.
• Convertible Function: Some innovative models offer a convertible freezer-to-refrigerator mode. In an instant, you can turn your freezer into a backup refrigerator. This offers incredible flexibility depending on the season or special events (parties, receptions).

3. Interior Organisation: The Key to Success

The main pitfall of a chest freezer? Preventing it from turning into a black hole where food disappears for months. Most models come with one or more hanging baskets, perfect for keeping everyday items within easy reach. Consider using storage bins and labelled freezer bags to compartmentalise the space and easily find your products.

Recommended Chest Freezers

Our editorial team has analysed the market to select models that stand out for their excellent value and practicality.

TCL CF126EWE0FR 98 L Chest Freezer

Highlights: This model stands out with its Switch Zone function, which allows it to switch from freezer to refrigerator mode. It's the ultimate in flexibility for a supplementary appliance.

Benefits:

• Versatility: The convertible freezer-to-refrigerator function makes it useful all year round.
• Convenience: It features a counterbalanced lid, a storage basket, wheels for effortless moving, and a front drain system.
• Compactness: At 98 L, it's a small chest freezer ideal for tight spaces.

Who is it for? Ideal for people living in apartments, couples, or as a first supplementary freezer. Its convertible function is a major asset for those with varying storage needs.

TCL CF182EWE0FR 140 L Chest Freezer

Highlights: This TCL chest freezer offers a more generous storage volume of 140 L while retaining the practical features that simplify daily life.

Benefits:

• Comfortable Capacity: Its 140 L allows for more storage, making it suitable for small families.
• Easy Access: The counterbalanced lid that stays open and the storage basket make accessing food easier.
• Mobility and Maintenance: Equipped with wheels and a front drain system, handling and cleaning are simplified.
• Simple Control: The mechanical thermostat is easy to adjust and reliable.

Who is it for? Perfect for families of 2 to 3 people or for those who regularly buy in bulk and need a reliable and practical storage space.

Pro Tip: Organise Your Freezer Like a Pro

To get the most out of your chest freezer, good organisation is key. Using suitable storage bins helps create compartments and separate different types of food.

These storage boxes, originally designed for cupboards or refrigerator doors, can be cleverly repurposed to group small items inside the freezer (herb packets, ice cubes, individual ice creams) and prevent them from getting lost at the bottom.

Other Solutions for Your Cold Storage?

Is a chest freezer not for you? If you want to explore other ways to organise your cold storage, we have other options.

Discover our full range of accessories and refrigerator storage cabinets to get plenty of great ideas.

Your Questions About Chest Freezers

How much energy does a chest freezer consume?

Consumption depends on its energy class, size, ambient temperature, and how often it's opened. Chest freezers are known to be more energy-efficient than upright models because cold air, being denser, escapes less when the lid is opened. The models presented, rated Class E under the new energy label, offer controlled consumption.

Where can you install a chest freezer?

The ideal location is a cool, dry, and well-ventilated room like a garage, cellar, or utility room. Check the appliance's climate class (indicated on the rating plate) to know the ambient temperature ranges in which it can operate optimally.

How to defrost a chest freezer easily?

1. Unplug the appliance and empty it, storing the food in insulated bags.
2. Open the drain plug (if it has one) and place a container underneath to collect the water.
3. Let the ice melt naturally or speed up the process by placing containers of hot water inside. (Warning: Never use a sharp or metal object to scrape the ice, as you could damage the interior lining).
4. Once defrosting is complete, clean the interior with a sponge soaked in a mixture of water and white vinegar, dry thoroughly, and then plug the appliance back in.

Joybuy, Your Product Advisor