For easy access to every portion
If you prepare several meals in advance, the drawers in an upright freezer or fridge-freezer can help you keep dishes separate and read their labels without moving your entire stock around.
Who is each type best suited to?
For stocking up for the family
If you freeze large dishes and ingredients in bulk, a chest freezer is worth considering. You’ll need to set aside enough floor space, make sure the lid can open fully and plan how you’ll reach items at the bottom.
For a kitchen where space is tight
An under-counter freezer or fridge-freezer means you don’t need to install a large, dedicated upright freezer. Measure the space and check how the door opens, then compare the actual capacity set aside for frozen food.
What should you look for before buying?
Your choice of type depends first on what you want to take out most often and how much space you have. Whatever you choose, the Anses states that bacterial growth stops at −18 °C, but most micro-organisms survive freezing. So it’s important to check the appliance’s temperature setting and follow safe storage practices.
Upright freezer
Consider one if: you take out a portion often and want to sort containers by drawer or date.
The trade-off: drawers can restrict space for some large dishes, so check their internal dimensions.
Chest freezer
Consider one if: your priority is storing large dishes or ingredients and you have enough space.
The trade-off: finding a small portion at the bottom can be tricky, so use baskets or organise the contents into zones.
Under-counter freezer
Consider one if: the available space for your frozen food is a recess beneath the worktop.
The trade-off: compare the usable capacity with the size of your containers before relying on it to store all your prepared meals.
Fridge-freezer
Consider one if: you’re also replacing your fridge and want fresh and frozen storage in one appliance.
The trade-off: the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is left for frozen meals; check the capacity of the freezer compartment.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Container dimensions and how easy the drawers or baskets are to use. | When I take out a prepared meal every day, I want to find the right container without rummaging through my whole stock. Around 33% of consumers prioritise easy access and organisation. |
| Storage capacity | Usable capacity, room for large dishes and whether the lid opens fully. | When storing several large dishes and ingredients, I’d rather be able to put them away without splitting them between small drawers. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Available space | Dimensions of the recess, clearances specified in the manual and how the door opens. | In a narrow kitchen, I need to be able to install and open the appliance without blocking the way through. Saving space is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| One appliance | Freezer capacity, separate from fridge capacity, and access to the drawers. | If I’m replacing my fridge, I also want to store frozen meals without adding a second appliance. Around 20% of consumers prefer this all-in-one solution for fresh and frozen food. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing capacity without thinking about access
A large chest can hold bulky containers, but small portions can be hard to find if food is stacked. Drawers make it easier to organise food, though they may not suit every large dish.
Measure your usual containers, choose an layout that suits how often you take food out, and label portions with their contents and date.
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Putting a freezer in the garage without checking the model
A general mention of garage use isn’t enough: the permitted ambient temperature range depends on the specific model.
Compare the temperatures in your room with the climate class and limits given in the manual for the model you’re considering.
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Assuming freezing removes all food storage risks
According to the Anses, −18 °C stops bacterial growth, but most micro-organisms survive freezing.
Freeze food as soon as you buy or prepare it, then follow the Anses’ recommended defrosting methods. Don’t refreeze food once it has thawed.
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Comparing energy ratings alone
The energy label doesn’t tell you whether the capacity, noise level or dimensions will suit the location and the amount of food you need to store.
Also compare the energy consumption shown on the label, usable capacity, stated power-cut storage time and installation requirements. ADEME notes that the current scale runs from A to G: an old A++ rating can’t be compared directly with a rating on the current scale.
Brands to consider, model by model
Bosch
Models worth comparing across under-counter, upright and fridge-freezer formats.
- According to Bosch Électroménager France, the under-counter GTV15NWEB offers 83 L of freezer capacity, while the upright GSN58AWEV offers 366 L.
- These capacities apply to these specific models. For the KGN392XCF fridge-freezer, its 103 L of freezer capacity should be considered separately from its 260 L of fridge capacity.
Beko
A brand worth considering if you’re looking for a chest freezer for an unheated room.
- According to Beko France, the HSM14540 chest freezer offers 205 L of capacity, a stated storage time of 23 h and operation at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- This temperature range applies to the HSM14540. Check the range for any other model and the actual conditions in the room.
Whirlpool
A brand to consider if you want to store a large stock in an upright freezer with compartments.
- Whirlpool France lists a capacity of 404 L, six drawers and two door balconies for the WHFF6404X5E.
- These features describe this upright freezer, not the entire Whirlpool range. Also check that the containers you want to store will fit.
Liebherr
A brand to consider when comparing upright and chest freezers, especially if the space you have in mind is unheated.
- Liebherr features FrostProtect on some chest freezers designed for installation in garages or cellars.
- This feature doesn’t replace checking the ambient temperature range in the product details and manual for your chosen model.
Upright and chest freezers on Joybuy
These models offer two ways to store prepared meals: portions sorted into the compartments of an upright freezer, or a supply kept in a compact chest freezer. Compare their capacity with the size of your containers, and check the installation requirements and temperature setting before choosing.
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Heinrich´s 161 L stainless steel upright freezer
For sorting portions into several compartments rather than storing them in one large chest.
The title lists a capacity of 161 L, three freezer drawers, No Frost and a temperature range of −14 °C to −22 °C. Check the manual for the setting that maintains −18 °C in normal use, as well as the dimensions and permitted ambient temperature for your chosen location.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E) 60 L upright freezer
For a small stock of portions, kept separate in a compact upright appliance.
The title lists three drawers, a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check that 60 L is enough for your containers, and check the −18 °C setting and installation requirements in the manual.
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CHiQ JR99DWE 99 L chest freezer
For keeping extra food in a chest, with a removable basket to separate some of your portions.
The title lists an adjustable thermostat and an E energy rating. Allow room to open the lid and reach the bottom. Also check the installation requirements and that it can maintain −18 °C for your meals.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should you use to freeze meals at home?
Aim for −18 °C for home freezing. The Anses explains that bacterial growth stops at this temperature, but most micro-organisms survive, so freezing doesn’t sterilise a meal.
Can you wait several days before freezing a prepared dish?
The Anses recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until its use-by date. Also follow any storage instructions specific to the ingredients you’re using.
Can you refreeze a meal that has thawed?
The Anses recommends not refreezing food once it has thawed and advises eating it soon. It recommends defrosting food in the fridge, in a microwave using the defrost setting, or quickly by cooking or reheating it.
Can a freezer be used in a garage or cellar?
Yes, if the model’s specified ambient temperature range covers the conditions in that room. UFC-Que Choisir advises checking the climate class. For example, Beko France lists the HSM14540 as operating at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C, but this doesn’t apply to other models.
How do you compare the energy use of two freezers?
Compare their energy labels and the energy consumption shown, taking into account how much freezer capacity you need. ADEME states that the current scale runs from A to G: an old A++ rating can’t be compared directly with a rating on this new scale.