If you regularly need to grab a prepared portion, choose an upright freezer with drawers that fit your containers. For larger quantities, consider a chest freezer if you have the space and can keep it organised. A small freezer is suitable for a few extra portions, while a fridge-freezer is mainly worth considering if you also need to replace your fridge. In that case, check the capacity of the freezer compartment alone.
If you regularly take out a meal, check how the drawers open and whether your usual containers will fit. An upright freezer lets you sort portions into compartments, but its usable capacity needs to hold everything you want to store between batch-cooking sessions.
A chest freezer is worth considering for large containers or bulk buys. Que Choisir says chest freezers can hold up to 600 L; however, make sure you have enough floor space and use baskets or bins to reach portions stored at the bottom.
If you only need to store a few meals in advance, consider a small freezer rather than a large separate appliance. If you also need to replace your fridge, a fridge-freezer can fit into a single space, as long as its freezer compartment has enough capacity for your stock.
First, estimate the largest number of portions you’ll need to store at any one time. Then check that your containers will be easy to access and that the room where the appliance will go is suitable.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and freezing performance | Compare the freezer’s usable capacity in litres, not the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. If you freeze a lot of portions at once, also check its freezing capacity in kg/24 h. | I want enough room for the portions I prepare between cooking sessions, without relying on space in the fridge. |
| Access to portions | Check that the drawers and baskets, as well as the internal dimensions, suit your containers. With a chest freezer, think about how you’ll find food stored underneath other items. | If I regularly take out a meal, I’d rather be able to see its date and reach it without moving everything else. |
| Installation | Measure the space, check that the door or lid can open fully and allow for the clearances specified in the instructions. If you’re putting the appliance in an unheated cellar or garage, check the permitted ambient temperature range for the exact model. | My room can get cold in winter, so I need an appliance that can be installed in temperatures like these. |
| Power cuts and maintenance | Compare the stated power-cut safe storage time in hours, whether there’s an alarm and the defrosting method. Que Choisir recommends defrosting a manual-defrost appliance as soon as the ice reaches 3 mm, as it increases energy consumption. | If I’m concerned about power cuts or want to avoid manual defrosting, these features matter just as much as storage. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare annual energy consumption in kWh/year and noise levels in dB(A) between appliances of a similar type and capacity. Check the energy label and the model’s product information. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to consider both the noise from an appliance that runs all the time and its energy consumption. |
Some of that capacity is taken up by the fridge. For example, the CHiQ JR227LSE listed by Joybuy has a total capacity of 227 L, of which 74 L is for the freezer.
Compare the maximum number of portions you need to store with the usable capacity of the freezer compartment, then check how it’s laid out.
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the model. Beko says the B5RFNE295W can operate in temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this feature isn’t available on all appliances.
Check the room’s temperature in winter and compare it with the range given in the documentation for your chosen model.
The open space can hold containers of different sizes, but food at the bottom is harder to reach when you’re taking portions out regularly.
Check which baskets are included and, if needed, use labelled bins for different meals or dates. Keep the portions you’ll use next within easy reach.
Manual-defrost appliances need regular attention to remove ice, which can increase energy consumption. The stated safe storage time during a power cut also varies by model.
Compare the defrosting method, power-cut safe storage time in hours and freezing capacity in kg/24 h on the product information for the models you’re considering.
These features apply to the models mentioned, not to every freezer made by each brand.
The B5RFNE295W is an upright freezer worth considering for an unheated room: Beko lists its Freezer Guard feature for this model.
The GSN33VWEP is an upright freezer worth considering if you’d like to store portions in a separate appliance.
The FNd 5026 Plus is an upright freezer worth considering if you need to install it in a cold place.
The W3RHS37EW1 is a chest freezer to consider for larger quantities, provided the room can accommodate it and you can access it from above.
These options include an upright freezer for organising portions, two chest freezers for top-down storage and two fridge-freezers if you also need to replace your fridge. Compare freezer capacity and installation requirements before choosing a style.
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If you regularly take out portions, this model lists three drawers, an alarm and a reversible door hinge. The −14 °C to −22 °C range shown in its name doesn’t tell you the permitted ambient temperature. Check this if you’re installing the appliance in a cold room.
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This fridge-freezer is for households replacing their fridge as well; the stated capacity of 538 L is for the whole appliance, not just the freezer. Check the capacity of the freezer compartment and the energy label for the exact model: the energy efficiency class information listed for this model is contradictory.
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If you want to combine refrigeration and freezing in one appliance, assess your storage needs based on the freezer compartment rather than the 437 L stated for the whole appliance. The freezer is listed as manual-defrost, so factor in the maintenance this requires.
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This top-opening chest freezer can store a supply of portions in a separate appliance; its product title mentions a removable basket and five temperature settings. Check that there’s enough space to open the lid, and check the permitted ambient temperature before installing it in a cold room.
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This 141 L chest freezer is another option for storing portions separately from your fridge. Its product title mentions a removable basket and a seven-setting thermostat. If you regularly take out meals, think about how you’ll reach those stored below the basket, and check the installation requirements.
An upright freezer with drawers makes it easier to organise portions and take them out regularly, as long as the compartments fit your containers. Que Choisir recommends checking that you can handle the drawers and remove food easily.
No. Check the ambient temperature range for the exact model and compare it with the temperature in your garage during winter. Beko says the B5RFNE295W can operate in temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to all freezers.
Start with the usable freezer capacity, dimensions and freezing capacity in kg/24 h. Then compare the stated power-cut safe storage time, energy consumption in kWh/year and noise in dB(A), taking each appliance’s type and capacity into account.
No. It mainly comes down to how much maintenance you’re happy to do. If you choose a manual-defrost appliance, Que Choisir recommends defrosting it when the ice reaches 3 mm, as ice increases energy consumption.