To store a large harvest, start by comparing chest and upright freezers. A chest freezer has room for larger containers, while the drawers in an upright model make portions easier to access. If you only need to freeze a small extra amount, an under-counter freezer or the freezer compartment of a fridge freezer may be enough, provided you check its capacity. In every case, make sure the appliance suits the amount you need to freeze and the space where you plan to install it.
If your vegetable garden or fruit trees produce a lot in a short space of time, compare chest and large upright freezers by their freezer capacity and the space you have available. Que Choisir highlights the large capacity a chest freezer can offer, as well as the space an upright model takes up.
If you want to find fruit, vegetables, coulis or prepared meals easily, the number and size of the drawers may matter more than having one large open space. In that case, compare an upright freezer with a chest model fitted with baskets.
If a large appliance won’t fit in the room you have in mind, consider an under-counter freezer or a fridge freezer. Check the capacity of the freezer compartment alone: the total capacity of a fridge freezer also includes the fridge section.
Worth considering: if you need plenty of storage and want to fit containers of different shapes, provided you have enough floor space.
The trade-off: food stored deep inside can be harder to find, so you’ll need to organise it carefully.
Worth considering: if easy access to sorted portions is a priority.
The trade-off: the drawers may not leave enough room for very large containers.
Worth considering: if you have a smaller harvest and need the appliance to fit under a worktop.
The trade-off: make sure its capacity matches the amount you actually plan to freeze.
Worth considering: if you’re also replacing your fridge and only plan to freeze some of your harvest.
The trade-off: only part of its total capacity is dedicated to freezing.
Once you’ve chosen a style, check that its capacity, access and installation requirements suit your harvest and the space available.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage and fresh produce | Compare the net capacity dedicated to freezing. If you’ll be adding a large harvest all at once, check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h too. | When a large harvest comes in, I want to store it without mistaking total capacity for freezer space. This would be the main requirement for around 36% of consumers. |
| Access to portions | Check the number and dimensions of the drawers or baskets, and whether there’s room to label and sort your food. | If I freeze fruit, vegetables and prepared foods separately, I want to find each portion without moving everything else. Easy access would come first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Location | Compare the room temperature with the model’s climate class range and follow the ventilation clearances in the manual. | If I’m putting the appliance in an unheated cellar or garage, I need to know whether it can operate in that room. Around 21% of consumers would make this compatibility their priority. |
| Space and use | Measure the space, including the clearance needed to open the door or lid. Compare kWh/year for appliances of a similar style and capacity. | When space is limited, I’m looking for an appliance that fits without sacrificing the room I need for my harvest. This would be the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
The fridge and freezer share this capacity. For example, Whirlpool lists a total capacity of 300 L for its WHC20D021B2, of which 79 L is for the freezer.
Make a note of the freezer compartment’s capacity separately, and check the freezing capacity if you plan to add a lot of fresh produce at once.
Whether a model is suitable for a cellar or garage depends on the appliance, the room temperature and the ventilation it needs. It isn’t determined simply by whether you choose a chest or upright freezer.
Check the room temperature, then compare it with the climate class range and clearance requirements for the appliance you’re considering.
Its open space can hold containers of different shapes, but food at the bottom may be harder to find.
Set aside areas or use baskets, and label the contents. If you often take out small portions, compare an upright freezer with drawers too.
Anses explains that freezing food at home at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but doesn’t destroy most micro-organisms. It also advises against refreezing food once it has thawed.
Prepare portions to suit the way you’ll use them, and freeze food before it starts to spoil.
Whirlpool’s range includes chest freezers, upright freezers and fridge freezers, giving you several styles to compare.
A brand to consider for an upright freezer or installation in a cold room, depending on the model.
Beko explains climate classes and offers Freezer Guard models designed for certain cold locations.
These models include chest freezers for stocking up, an upright freezer for sorting portions and a fridge freezer for a smaller harvest. Start by choosing the right style, then check the freezer capacity and installation requirements of the model you select.
Image unavailable
A chest freezer to consider if you need space for a large harvest and have enough room to open the lid.
The product title lists a capacity of 291 L, convertible fridge or freezer use, five digital temperature settings and a removable basket. Check the freezing capacity and ambient temperature range before planning to store a large delivery of fresh produce or install it in a cold room.
Image unavailable
An upright freezer suits anyone who wants to sort their harvest into portions and find them easily.
The product title lists a capacity of 161 L, No Frost protection, drawers and a reversible door hinge. Check the dimensions, climate class range and freezing capacity to make sure it suits your location and the amount you’ll be adding at once.
Image unavailable
A fridge freezer to consider if you’re also replacing your fridge and only plan to freeze some of your harvest.
The stated 249 L capacity is for the whole appliance, not just the freezer. The product title mentions TwinTech No Frost. Check the freezer compartment capacity, the dimensions of the housing and the ventilation requirements before choosing this model.
Image unavailable
This chest freezer has a stated capacity of 140 L and could suit a smaller stock of produce rather than a large harvest to store all at once.
The product title mentions a counterbalanced lid and temperature control. Confirm the net capacity, whether the version supplied includes a basket, the freezing capacity and the climate class range.
Image unavailable
This chest freezer is worth comparing if you need a small amount of extra storage rather than space for a bumper harvest.
The product title lists a capacity of 99 L, an adjustable thermostat and a removable basket. Check that the capacity suits the amount you need to store and that the climate class range is right for the room you have in mind.
Yes, as long as the room temperature stays within the range specified for the model and you follow the ventilation instructions in the manual. Some appliances are designed to operate at low ambient temperatures, but check this for the specific model you’re considering rather than assuming it based on its style.
No. Only the freezer compartment capacity tells you how much space is available for frozen food. For example, Whirlpool lists a total capacity of 300 L for the WHC20D021B2, of which 79 L is for the freezer.
Anses says that freezing food at home at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but doesn’t destroy most micro-organisms. Freeze prepared food before it starts to spoil: low temperatures can’t make food that has already gone off safe again.
Anses advises against refreezing thawed food and recommends eating it promptly. The Ministry of Agriculture explains that thawing and then refreezing food encourages bacteria to multiply. Preparing your harvest in suitable portions means you only need to take out what you need.
Compare the energy class and annual consumption in kWh for freezers of a similar style and capacity. This information is useful alongside, but doesn’t replace, checking the usable capacity and the space needed to install the appliance.