For easy access to each portion
If you cook several recipes for the week, separate drawers or baskets can help you reach a dish without moving the rest of your food. Just check that your containers will fit in each compartment.
Which size and style is right for you?
When you’re preparing meals ahead, the most useful format depends as much on how you’ll retrieve each portion as on how much you need to store. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between upright freezers, chest freezers and compact models, particularly in terms of the space they take up and how they’re organised.
For freezing large batches
If you also prepare ingredients in bulk or use large containers, a chest freezer’s open storage space gives you a different way to load your food. Plan to use baskets or another system to help you find portions stored at the bottom.
For kitchens where space is limited
If you only store a few portions, consider the freezer compartment in a fridge freezer or an under-counter model. The appliance’s total capacity won’t tell you how much space is available in the freezer section, so check its volume and drawer sizes separately.
What should you check before buying?
Start by thinking about how you’ll use the freezer: taking out a meal each day, storing large batches or fitting the appliance into a specific space. The stated capacity doesn’t replace checking whether your containers will fit and how easily you can reach your food.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | The internal dimensions of drawers or baskets, and access to each level. | When I prepare several meals for the week, I want to take out the right container without undoing all my careful organising. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise access to and organisation of portions. |
| Capacity for batches | The capacity of the freezer compartment alone and the space available for larger containers. | If I’m freezing large dishes and ingredients as well as individual portions, I need to be able to fit everything in without stacking containers on top of each other. Capacity would be the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Location | The appliance’s dimensions, how far the door or lid opens, and the ambient temperature range specified for the model. | If the appliance needs to fit under a worktop or in a utility room, I can’t choose based on capacity alone. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise whether it’s suitable for the intended location. |
| Everyday use | Energy consumption in kWh/year for a similar capacity, the defrosting method and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut. | When I’m storing a supply of meals, I want to consider the maintenance involved and know how long the food will stay frozen if the power goes out. These features would be the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on litres alone
A large compartment doesn’t necessarily make small portions easier to reach, while drawers may make it difficult to store a wide dish.
Measure the containers you usually use, then compare their dimensions with the drawers, baskets or storage areas in the model you’re considering.
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Assuming any freezer will work in a garage
The temperature in a utility room or garage may fall outside the appliance’s specified operating range. A model designed for use in cold spaces isn’t necessarily suitable for every other model.
Check the climate class and the manual for the exact model before deciding where to put it.
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Comparing only the energy label rating
Energy rating alone doesn’t tell you how much usable space you’ll have or what each appliance’s stated annual energy consumption is.
For models with a similar format and capacity, also compare the kWh/year figure and freezer capacity shown on the label. The European Commission lists these among the details provided for refrigeration appliances.
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Confusing defrosting with storage time during a power cut
The cooling system and storage time during a power cut answer two different questions. For example, the Whirlpool model specifications cited in the research give different storage times for different models.
Check the defrosting method, storage time in hours and any alarms separately on the specification sheet for the model you choose.
Brands to compare
Bosch
The range includes freestanding and integrated upright freezers, worth considering if organising portions is a priority.
- Bosch describes removable transparent drawers and open shelves on some models.
- These features, and the NoFrost system, aren’t available on every model. Check the layout of the one you choose.
Electrolux
The range lets you compare compact integrated appliances with upright and chest freezers.
- According to the manufacturer’s specifications, the integrated LUB3AE88S has a freezer capacity of 98 L and a stated storage time of 12,7 h.
- These figures apply to the LUB3AE88S only. Check the capacity, installation requirements and storage time for any other model.
Liebherr
The range includes chest and upright freezers, with some models designed for specific installation conditions.
- Liebherr states that its CFd 2505 Plus chest freezer with FrostProtect has a capacity of 359 L and is suitable for temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- This suitability applies to this model only. For any other model, check its operating range and the space required around the appliance.
Whirlpool
The range of upright and integrated appliances includes models with different storage layouts and power-cut storage times.
- Whirlpool states that the WHFF6403W4E upright freezer has a capacity of 404 L and a storage time of 11 h.
- Another upright freezer from the brand has a stated storage time of 24 h. Compare the specifications for each specific model rather than assuming the whole range has the same figure.
Appliances for different storage needs
These Joybuy appliances illustrate three options for storing prepared meals: a fridge freezer compartment, a dedicated upright freezer and a chest freezer. To compare them, consider how each one suits the number of portions you need to store and the space available.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 360 L three-door fridge freezer
Worth considering if you’d rather store your portions in a fridge freezer than in a dedicated appliance. The 360 L figure is the total capacity, so check the space available in the freezer compartment and the dimensions of your containers separately.
The model name specifies Total No Frost and an energy rating of E.
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AEG NSC6M18FES, 249 L integrated fridge freezer
Worth considering if your kitchen has space for an integrated appliance and you only need to freeze a limited number of portions. Check the freezer compartment’s capacity, the dimensions of the housing and the ventilation requirements in the manual.
The model is listed with TwinTech No Frost and an energy rating of E; its 249 L capacity is for the fridge freezer as a whole.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L No-Frost freezer, stainless steel
Worth considering if you want a dedicated appliance to keep your prepared meals separate. Before buying, check the external dimensions, how far the door opens and how much internal space is available for your containers.
The product name specifies 161 L, No-Frost and an energy rating of C.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
Worth considering if you store large batches and have enough room to open the lid. Its removable basket can hold some of your food, but you’ll also need a system for organising items at the bottom of the freezer.
The product is described as convertible between fridge and freezer modes, with an energy rating of E. If you plan to install it in a garage, check the ambient temperature range allowed for this model.
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AUCMA, 197 L convertible chest freezer
Compare it with the 291 L chest freezer if you want to store portions in a freezer with a lower stated capacity. Still, measure the space you have and your containers: the removable basket won’t give you direct access to everything at the bottom.
This model is described as convertible between fridge and freezer modes, with an energy rating of E. Check its operating range before choosing a utility room or other outbuilding.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity do I need for meals prepared in advance?
Start with the number and size of containers you want to freeze at once, rather than relying on a single capacity figure that’s meant to suit everyone. Measure your largest dish too. In a fridge freezer, compare the freezer compartment’s capacity, not the capacity of the whole appliance.
Does a chest freezer keep food better than an upright freezer?
The format alone doesn’t tell you whether a chest freezer will keep food better. Compare the specifications of the exact model, including its stated storage time during a power cut and its operating conditions. Chest freezers are mainly suited to storing large batches, while the drawers in an upright freezer make portions easier to reach.
Can I put a freezer in a garage?
Yes, if the model’s specified ambient temperature range covers the conditions in your garage and you can follow its installation instructions. Check the climate class and the manual: a model’s stated suitability for a cold room doesn’t apply to every freezer.
What should I look for on the energy label?
Compare the energy rating and annual consumption in kWh/year for appliances with a similar function and capacity. The European Commission says that the label for refrigeration appliances also gives their capacity and noise level. These details help you put energy consumption in context when making your choice.
Does NoFrost mean there’s no maintenance?
No. NoFrost relates to frost management, not cleaning or other care requirements. Check the model’s manual. For an appliance that builds up frost, Electrolux recommends following the appropriate defrosting procedure rather than using a sharp object.