To add frozen storage in a cellar or utility room, first check that the room’s temperature and the route to its final position are suitable for the model you’re considering. A chest freezer is best for storing a larger supply if you have enough floor space; an upright makes food easier to access, while an under-counter model is a good option for extra capacity in a suitable alcove. A large fridge freezer is only an alternative if you also need refrigeration and its freezer compartment is large enough for your needs.
If you buy in bulk, a chest freezer could be a good choice, provided you have enough floor space and the room is within the suitable temperature range. UFC-Que Choisir particularly recommends this style for homes with a cellar or utility room. However, you’ll need to accept that food at the bottom of the chest is less easy to reach.
If you regularly reach for items in your freezer, an upright’s drawers can make it easier to organise and find what you need. Remember to allow enough room to open the door and pull out the drawers.
An under-counter freezer can supplement your existing appliance if you have a suitable alcove. Its capacity and installation and ventilation requirements are important: a compact model won’t meet the same needs as a large, separate freezer.
When installing a freezer in an outbuilding or other secondary room, make sure it can handle the room’s actual temperatures before choosing a style. Then compare the appliances based on how you plan to use your freezer.
Consider it if: you have floor space and want a freezer for items you don’t need to access as often.
Bear in mind: stacked food can be harder to find, and you’ll need enough clearance to open the lid fully.
Consider it if: organising food in drawers and accessing it frequently matter more to you than having a large chest.
Bear in mind: the appliance’s height and door clearance must suit both the delivery route and its final position.
Consider it if: you need extra capacity and have a suitable alcove.
Bear in mind: capacity is more limited, and installation must meet the ventilation requirements in the manual.
Consider it if: you need more space for both chilled and frozen food.
Bear in mind: only part of its capacity is for frozen food, so check that the freezer compartment is large enough for your needs.
| Factor | What to check | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | Check the room’s temperatures in winter and summer, then compare them with the ambient temperature range permitted for the exact model, as stated in its manual. | In an unheated outbuilding, I mainly want to make sure the appliance is suitable for the room’s temperatures. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this compatibility. |
| Storage and access | Look at the drawers or baskets, and check how much room you’ll need to open or remove them. | If I check my frozen food often, I’d rather find what I need without rummaging through a chest. This is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Capacity and storage time during a power cut | Compare the usable freezer capacity and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut for each model. | When buying in bulk, I want enough storage and also consider the risk of a power cut. Around 21% of consumers prioritise storage capacity and how long food stays frozen during a power cut. |
| Space and installation | Measure the entire delivery route. For an alcove, check the dimensions and the installation and ventilation instructions. | If there’s a narrow access route or an under-counter alcove, the appliance needs to fit through and be installed correctly. This is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
The energy label helps you compare consumption, but on its own it won’t tell you whether a freezer is suitable for a cold cellar. Beko explains that a climate class indicates the ambient temperature range an appliance is designed to operate in.
Check the temperatures in your room and compare them with the model’s manual before looking at its annual energy consumption.
A chest can offer the storage space you need, but it may not make food as easy to find as separate compartments with drawers.
If you open your freezer often, check how easy it is to access the different compartments. If you’re mainly building up a supply, make sure the chest’s layout works for you.
An appliance that fits in your utility room may still be difficult to get through a doorway, around a corner or up a staircase. The ventilation it needs will also depend on the installation instructions.
Measure the entire route, confirm the packaged dimensions with the retailer and leave the clearance specified for your chosen model.
Freezer capacity and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut tell you different things. Beko’s product information gives 36 h for the CF200EWN and 8 h for the BU1204N; Bosch states 14 h for the GSN54EWCV.
If power cuts could affect your decision, compare this information for the models you’re considering, while also checking that the appliance is suitable for the room’s temperature.
Beko offers chest and upright freezers, under-counter models and fridge freezers. Specifications vary from one appliance to another.
Haier offers chest and upright freezers, including models in the Up 60 range.
Bosch offers freestanding upright freezers with different interior layouts and features, depending on the model.
No. The permitted ambient temperature range must cover the room’s actual temperatures. For example, Haier states that the H4F272WCH1 can operate at temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this feature doesn’t automatically apply to other freezers. Check the manual for the model you’re considering.
Compare the energy rating and the annual consumption shown in kWh for the appliances you’re considering. The French Ministry of the Economy explains the purpose of this label for the relevant new appliances. Separately, check freezer capacity, storage time during a power cut and the ambient temperature range, as these relate to different needs.
Compare the appliance and packaging dimensions with every doorway, corridor, staircase and turn along the route. Confirm the packaged dimensions and delivery options with the retailer, then check the manual for the clearance needed for installation and ventilation.
No. No Frost relates to defrosting on models with this feature; it doesn’t remove the need for other maintenance or affect installation requirements. Check that the model has this feature in its product information and follow the instructions in its manual, particularly those covering ventilation.