Households cooking several portions for the week
If you store cooked dishes alongside fresh ingredients, check the space between the shelves and where the coldest zone is. Your containers should fit without overcrowding the fridge.
Which set-up is right for you?
Households regularly freezing batches of meals
Compare the freezer capacity and drawer access with the number of portions you usually keep. If frozen food takes up most of the space, consider a dedicated freezer.
Small kitchens and limited spaces
Measure the width and depth, and allow enough clearance for the door to open and for ventilation. A compact appliance saves space, but its freezer compartment still needs to suit your habits.
What should you check before choosing?
Fridge-freezer
Consider it if: you want to keep fresh meals and frozen portions in one appliance.
The trade-off: the internal layout may leave less room in one compartment than the total capacity suggests.
Small freezer compartment
Consider it if: you mostly store fresh food and only freeze things occasionally.
The limitation: storing batches of portions can quickly become tricky; check the compartment specifications.
Separate fridge and freezer
Consider it if: you need plenty of space for both fresh meals and frozen food.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for both appliances, and should compare their annual energy consumption.
Additional freezer
Consider it if: you’re happy with your fridge but its freezer drawers are no longer big enough.
The trade-off: an upright freezer makes drawer access easier; a chest freezer needs more floor space and careful organisation.
| What to check | Points to consider | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the fridge and freezer capacities shown on the energy label separately. Check the shelf height and whether your usual containers will fit in the drawers. | I want room for ingredients, prepared dishes and frozen portions without relying on a total capacity that hides how the space is divided. |
| Temperatures and storage | Find the coldest zone and check that it reaches 4 °C for perishable foods, in line with Anses recommendations. Leave space between containers rather than overfilling the appliance. | My prepared meals and other perishable foods need to fit in the cold zone without blocking air circulation. |
| Freezer storage | Check the compartment capacity, drawer layout and the model’s guidance for home freezing at −18 °C, the temperature recommended by Anses. Look at frost-reduction features, but don’t confuse them with temperature control. | If I keep several batches of portions, I need enough space to find them and access the drawers. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, and check how far the doors or lid open. Follow the ventilation clearance requirements and check the model’s climate class in the manual. | In a small kitchen, I need to be able to fit the appliance and open its compartments fully. |
| Energy and noise | When comparing appliances of a similar size and capacity, check the A to G energy rating, annual consumption in kWh and the noise level shown on the energy label. If you have two appliances, check each one separately. | If the kitchen opens onto the living area, noise matters as much as the space the appliance takes up. |
Which common mistakes should you avoid?
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Looking only at the total capacity
A spacious fridge-freezer may not have enough freezer space for your portions, or enough fridge space for the meals you’re making for the week.
Compare the usable capacity of each compartment separately and match it to what you store at the same time.
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Confusing No Frost with food preservation
Frost reduction doesn’t remove the need to set the appliance correctly, find the cold zone and avoid overfilling it.
According to Anses, aim for 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge for perishable foods and −18 °C for home freezing.
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Underestimating the space needed for a second freezer
A chest freezer takes up floor space and needs room for its lid to open; an upright freezer also needs clear access to its drawers.
Measure the space and check the manual for ventilation clearances and the climate class before choosing a model.
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Letting frost build up
Frost takes up storage space and can increase the energy consumption of an appliance that runs continuously.
If you choose a manual-defrost model, plan to maintain it regularly and check the condition of the door seals.
UFC-Que Choisir states that frost more than 3 mm thick can lead to a 30 % increase in energy consumption.
Which branded models should you consider?
These examples highlight features to compare on the specific model’s product page; they don’t represent every product range from these brands.
Bosch
The freestanding KGN36VLED fridge-freezer is worth considering if you want to compare the space set aside for fresh food and frozen portions separately.
- Bosch lists 237 L of fridge capacity, 89 L of freezer capacity and a No Frost function for this model.
- Check the dimensions and energy label of your chosen model before deciding whether it will fit your space.
Liebherr
The CBNsda 572i combines several compartments and cooling features worth considering if internal organisation is a priority.
- Liebherr lists a total capacity of 360 L, as well as BioFresh, NoFrost and DuoCooling for this model.
- These features don’t replace the temperature checks recommended by Anses; also check how the capacity is divided between compartments.
Samsung
The RB34T600CSA/EF is worth considering if total capacity and the depth of your available space are key factors.
- Samsung lists a total capacity of 340 L and a depth of 600 mm for this model.
- Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately: total capacity alone won’t tell you how much room there is for your portions.
Beko
The built-in B3BCNA294HS is worth considering if you’re looking at a model with separate airflow systems for the fridge and freezer.
- Beko calls this separate airflow system NeoFrost Dual Cooling.
- For a built-in appliance, check the installation dimensions and the temperature guidance for the specific model.
A fridge-freezer option on Joybuy
This fridge-freezer combines a fridge and freezer in one appliance. If you prepare meals in advance, compare its internal layout with the size of your containers and the number of portions you want to freeze.
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CHiQ JR263LGE, 262 L Low Frost fridge-freezer, 70/30, black
This fridge-freezer combines both storage zones in an appliance measuring 54 cm wide and 176 cm high. The title states a 70/30 split: check the usable capacity of each compartment and make sure there’s enough room for your containers. Find the coldest zone in the manual and check that it reaches 4 °C for perishable foods, in line with Anses recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
Where should you store cooked dishes and perishable foods?
Keep perishable foods in the coldest part of the fridge. Anses recommends maintaining a temperature of 4 °C there and storing items such as raw meat and fish, as well as homemade dishes. Check your appliance’s manual to find this zone.
Does No Frost mean you don’t need to check temperatures?
No. No Frost reduces ice build-up, but it doesn’t replace temperature checks. Anses recommends 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge for perishable foods and −18 °C for home freezing.
How can you tell if a fridge-freezer’s freezer is big enough?
Compare the freezer compartment’s usable capacity and drawer access with the number of portions you usually store, rather than relying on the total capacity. If you regularly freeze large batches, look for a fridge-freezer with more freezer space or consider an additional appliance.
Should you choose an upright or chest freezer to supplement your fridge?
An upright freezer makes it easier to organise and access portions in drawers; a chest freezer is better suited to storing a very large amount of food, as long as you have enough floor space. In either case, check the model’s dimensions, clearances and climate class.
What should you look for on a fridge-freezer’s energy label?
When comparing appliances of a similar size and capacity, check the A to G energy rating, annual consumption in kWh, fridge and freezer capacities, and the stated noise level. The European Commission explains the information shown on fridge and freezer energy labels; separate capacity figures are particularly useful if you store meals in both compartments.