To store your garden harvest, first consider how much you need to freeze in a short time and the temperature of the room where the appliance will go. A chest freezer can hold large quantities if you have enough floor space and organise its contents. An upright freezer makes portions easier to access. If you only have a modest surplus, a small freezer or the freezer compartment of a fridge freezer may be enough, provided you check its actual capacity.
If you have lots of fruit, vegetables or dishes to freeze in a short time, check the usable capacity and freezing capacity. A chest freezer is worth considering if you can set aside enough floor space and access its contents from above.
To find bags easily and use older portions first, compare the drawers in an upright freezer with the baskets in a chest freezer. Also check that your largest containers will fit inside.
The temperature of the room may determine your choice before you even consider the format. Compare the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures with the operating range stated for the exact model you’re considering.
For a home-grown harvest, the format mainly determines how much space you need and how easy the contents are to access. You should then check each model’s capacity to freeze a large quantity and its suitability for the room where it will be kept.
Consider it if: you have large quantities to store and enough floor space for an appliance with a top-opening lid.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom can be harder to find unless you keep everything well organised.
Consider it if: you check your stock often and want to keep portions visibly separate.
Bear in mind: drawer sizes may limit the space available for large containers.
Consider it if: you only have a small surplus and don’t have room for a larger appliance.
Bear in mind: a smaller capacity may mean freezing a plentiful harvest in several batches.
Consider it if: your stock is modest and doesn’t warrant a separate appliance.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to assess the capacity of the freezer compartment alone, especially if you harvest a lot over just a few days.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Amount to freeze | Compare usable capacity in litres, freezing capacity in kg/24 h and the space the appliance needs. | When the harvest comes in batches, I want to be able to store my supplies and freeze new additions without relying on the stated capacity alone. Around 31% of consumers rank this as a priority. |
| Access to portions | Check the size of the drawers or baskets and the space available for large bags. | If I take out portions regularly, I want to find the oldest ones without emptying the whole appliance. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Where it will be installed | Compare the room’s temperatures with the model’s climate range. Also measure the clearance needed for opening and ventilation. | If the temperature varies in my garage or cellar, I need to know whether the appliance will work there. For around 25% of consumers, suitability for the room is the priority. |
| Energy use and power cuts | Check the annual energy consumption in kWh and the stated storage time during a power cut, along with the conditions under which these figures were measured. | If I’m storing several months’ worth of produce, I want to compare its ongoing electricity use with how long it would keep food frozen during a power cut. Around 19% of consumers prioritise these points. |
A room that’s colder or warmer than the model’s specified operating range can affect how it works. A marketing description that mentions garage use isn’t enough to tell you the conditions it can be installed in.
Check the room’s temperatures against the climate class and the instructions for the model you’ve chosen. Bosch and Liebherr both stress the importance of this check.
Without clear organisation, older bags can get left at the bottom. Capacity alone doesn’t tell you how easy it will be to find your portions.
Check which baskets are included, organise your food into categories and date each container. If you often need to access small portions, compare the layout of an upright freezer too.
The energy rating doesn’t replace comparing annual consumption, capacity and noise levels between appliances suited to the same needs.
Compare the kWh-per-year figures with the freezing capacity you actually need, and check the other information on the label.
Frost-reduction features and interior layouts vary by model. Their names alone don’t tell you the capacity or maintenance required.
Check the product details and instructions for the exact model to compare No Frost, StopFrost, drawers and baskets before you choose.
A brand worth considering when comparing chest and upright freezer features. Just don’t assume that features of one model apply to the whole range.
A brand to consider if an upright freezer’s layout and space for larger containers are important to you.
A brand to consider if the temperature where the freezer will be installed and the maintenance of a chest freezer are key concerns.
These Joybuy models include a small upright freezer, several chest freezers and an upright freezer. Compare their capacity and layout with the size of your harvest. If you’re installing one in an unheated room or need to freeze a large quantity quickly, also check the specifications of the model you choose.
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Worth considering if you have a small surplus and want to keep portions separate. The product title lists three drawers, a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check that 60 L is enough for your harvest and that the appliance is suitable for the temperature of the room where it will be kept.
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Worth considering for extra storage rather than a very large harvest. The product title mentions a removable basket, an adjustable thermostat and an E energy rating. Compare the temperature of your room with the operating conditions specified for this model.
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Worth considering if you want plenty of space in freezer mode. The product title mentions a removable basket and an E energy rating. Before storing a large harvest, check which mode you’ll use, the space needed to open the lid and the freezing capacity.
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Worth considering for extra storage when you want to keep some of your supplies easy to reach. The product title lists a basket, a counterbalanced lid and an E energy rating. Check the freezing capacity if you plan to add a lot of food at once.
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Worth considering if you prefer to keep portions separate in an upright freezer. The product title lists drawers, No Frost and a C energy rating. Measure the space available and check the freezing capacity before planning to freeze a large quantity.
Yes, if the freezer compartment has enough room for the portions you want to store, including at peak harvest time. Compare its capacity with your actual needs rather than relying on the total capacity of the fridge freezer.
No. The ambient temperature range depends on the model. Liebherr, for example, gives SN ranges of +10 °C to +32 °C, N ranges of +16 °C to +32 °C and ST ranges of +16 °C to +38 °C. Compare the class stated for your appliance with the temperatures actually recorded in your garage. Suitability for lower temperatures must be stated for the specific model.
Sort portions by category, label each one with its contents and date, and keep the food you want to use first in easy-to-reach areas. Check which baskets come with the model: Whirlpool France lists three for the W3RHS37EW1, but not all chest freezers have the same layout.
Compare the A to G rating, annual energy consumption in kWh, capacity and noise level across appliances that meet your storage needs. The European Commission describes the A to G scale used on European labels. The rating letter alone won’t tell you whether the freezer has enough capacity for your harvest.
Liebherr recommends −18 °C as a general setting for long-term storage and notes that a colder setting increases energy consumption. Also follow your appliance’s instructions and the food safety guidance relevant to the food you prepare.