Start by thinking about how many portions you need to freeze and how easy you want them to be to find. A drawer freezer makes it easier to access food regularly, while a chest freezer gives you more flexibility for larger containers but calls for a more organised approach. Short on space? Consider a compact freezer or the freezer compartment of a fridge-freezer, checking its freezing capacity rather than just the appliance’s total volume. Whichever you choose, measure the space available and compare energy consumption in kWh/year, as well as the model’s defrosting method.
If you prepare several individual meals, drawers and dividers can make it easier to reach the meal you want without moving everything else. Stackable containers labelled with the dish, date and number of portions can help keep things organised, as recommended by MesMenus.
For family-sized dishes or lots of meals to store, capacity and space for larger containers become more important. A chest freezer offers flexibility, but its dividers are generally less convenient for finding individual portions, according to the Bosch Home Appliances guide.
If you only freeze a few portions for later in the week, a compact appliance may be easier to fit in. However, check its dimensions and the space actually available for freezing: the freezer compartment in a fridge-freezer is not the same as its total volume.
When storing meals prepared for the week, start with your containers and the space available, then compare freezer types based on how you’ll access your portions.
Worth considering: if you regularly take out individual portions and want to organise them across drawers or shelves.
The trade-off: compartments make items easier to find, but can limit how you store larger dishes.
Worth considering: if you freeze large batches or family-sized containers and have enough floor space.
The trade-off: the interior is flexible to organise, but stacked portions are less visible at a glance, according to Bosch Home Appliances.
Worth considering: if your kitchen is small and you want to freeze a few portions rather than large batches.
The trade-off: its compact size limits the space available for containers; check the specific installation dimensions too.
Worth considering: if you’re also replacing your fridge and want to use part of the same appliance for frozen meals.
The trade-off: for these portions, only the freezer compartment’s capacity matters; the total volume also includes the fridge section.
| Feature | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer capacity | Compare the freezer’s capacity in litres, separately from the total volume of a fridge-freezer, and check that your largest containers will fit. | When I prepare family meals or lots of portions, I want to store them without having to leave out the largest dishes. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise freezer capacity. |
| Portion storage | Look at the drawers, shelves or baskets and how much space they leave for your containers. Plan to label each one with the dish, date and number of portions. | If I have a prepared meal several evenings a week, I want to find the right container without rummaging through the others. Easy access and portion separation would be priorities for around 33% of consumers. |
| Space and energy use | Measure the space available and the clearance needed, then compare the kWh/year figures for appliances with similar capacities and intended uses. | In a kitchen where every bit of space matters, I’m looking for an appliance that fits while keeping an eye on its stated energy use. This would be a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
The stated volume of a fridge-freezer includes the fridge section too. For example, Whirlpool lists 150 L of freezer capacity for the WHK2 6493 X4E, which has a total volume of 490 L.
Compare the freezer compartment’s capacity on its own with the number and size of your containers.
A chest freezer can hold containers of different sizes, but its limited dividers make stacked portions harder to find, as Bosch Home Appliances points out.
Set aside baskets or areas for meals to eat first, and label each container with the dish, date and number of portions.
According to Anses, freezing at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but most micro-organisms survive. It cannot make up for unsuitable storage beforehand.
When preparing your meals, decide which ones you’ll eat soon and which you’ll freeze, following good cooling and food hygiene practices.
You should also consider the stated energy consumption in relation to the appliance’s volume. ADEME points out that a freezer runs continuously, so kWh/year is an important factor when choosing a model suited to the amount of food you’ll store.
Compare the stated energy use of appliances with similar capacities, then check each model’s defrosting method and installation requirements.
The range includes upright models with drawers as well as compact options, which may suit you if portion access or available space is a key consideration.
The models featured by Liebherr illustrate two different needs: storing large batches in a chest freezer or fitting an undercounter freezer.
Its fridge-freezers are worth considering if you’re also looking to replace your fridge.
These appliances suit three ways of storing meals for the week: using the freezer in a fridge-freezer, organising portions in an upright freezer or using baskets in a chest freezer. Compare their freezer capacity and installation requirements to make sure they suit your containers and kitchen.
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Worth considering if you’re also replacing your fridge: the stated 333 L is the total volume, not the space available for your frozen portions.
Stated energy rating: C. Check the freezer compartment’s capacity and layout, as well as the space needed for installation.
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Worth considering if you’d rather organise portions in an upright freezer than stack them in a chest freezer.
Stated capacity of 161 L, three freezer drawers and energy rating C. Check the installation dimensions and kWh/year before comparing it with another upright model.
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Worth considering if you’re replacing your fridge and also need space for prepared meals; the 495 L refers to the entire appliance.
Stated energy rating: E. Check the freezer compartment’s volume and dividers, as well as the space needed to install this multi-door model.
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This compact capacity could suit a few extra portions; measure your containers if you also prepare larger dishes.
Stated capacity of 60 L, reversible door and energy rating E. Compare the kWh/year and defrosting method before choosing where to put it.
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Worth considering if you have room for a chest freezer and want to organise batches of meals; label your portions so you can find those stored beneath other containers.
Stated capacity of 140 L, storage basket included and energy rating E. Check the model’s dimensions, kWh/year and defrosting method.
The Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting your freezer to −18 °C. Anses explains that freezing at this temperature stops bacteria from multiplying, but does not eliminate most micro-organisms. You should also follow good food preparation and storage practices before freezing.
For portions you plan to eat later in the week, it’s better to freeze them as soon as you’ve prepared them, once they’ve cooled appropriately. Anses advises against waiting until the end of an ingredient’s recommended fridge life before freezing it; keep fresh meals for those you’ll eat soon.
According to Anses, defrost it in the fridge, in the microwave using the defrost setting, or quickly as part of cooking or reheating. Eat it soon after defrosting and don’t refreeze it.
Compare the energy rating and stated annual consumption in kWh, bearing in mind the freezer capacity you need for your meals. The official European Your Europe portal explains that the label lets you compare appliance energy consumption. Also check the dimensions and defrosting method of each model.