People who prepare portions in advance
If you cook several meals at once, you’ll need an appliance that can freeze your dishes, as well as enough space for the batch. Check that it has a four-star rating and look at its freezing capacity.
Who is this choice for?
Households that store batches
If prepared portions or bulk buys quickly fill your existing compartment, compare the net capacity, how much the appliance can freeze in 24 hours and its stated storage time in the event of a power cut.
People who often take out individual portions
If you open the freezer frequently, the drawers or adjustable compartments in an upright freezer can help you keep meals separate. For a chest freezer, look at the basket layout and how easy it is to reach items at the bottom.
Which features should you prioritise?
For home-prepared portions, first check that the appliance has a freezing function. The right format then depends on how much space you need and how you use your portions.
Four-star compartment
Consider this if: you freeze small quantities and the available space can accommodate your meal rotation.
Bear in mind: there’s limited space for portions, so check the fridge-freezer’s freezing capacity before adding a large batch.
Upright freezer
Consider this if: you often take out portions and want to separate them in drawers or adjustable compartments.
Bear in mind: the drawer layout may limit space for large dishes, so check the dimensions of the drawers on your chosen model.
Chest freezer
Consider this if: you store batches in a dedicated space and can organise them using baskets or containers.
Bear in mind: portions at the bottom need more organising and are less easy to reach.
| Feature | What to check | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Freezing prepared food | Four-star rating and freezing capacity in kg/24 h, particularly for a batch prepared all at once. | When I cook several portions at once, I want to be able to freeze them, not just store products that are already frozen. Around 33% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Storage capacity | Net freezer capacity in litres and the appliance’s dimensions in the space available. | If my batches build up between cooking sessions, I need room for new meals without losing track of what’s already stored. Around 27% of consumers would put capacity first. |
| Access to portions | The layout and dimensions of the drawers or baskets compared with your containers. | I regularly take out an individual meal and want to find it without moving the whole stock. Around 20% of consumers would put access and storage first. |
| Maintenance and energy use | Cooling system and annual energy consumption in kWh/year; compare appliances of a similar size and intended use. | If I add an appliance that runs continuously, I want to know how much energy it uses and whether it will need defrosting. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise these practical considerations. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing an ice box with a four-star compartment
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, an ice box is for temporarily storing products that are already frozen; it isn’t suitable for freezing prepared portions.
For this purpose, check the exact model’s four-star rating and freezing capacity.
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Choosing on capacity alone
Capacity tells you how much you can store, while kg/24 h indicates how much the model can freeze under the stated conditions. A large capacity alone doesn’t tell you whether it can freeze a new batch.
If you cook a lot in one session, compare the amount you need to freeze with the stated freezing capacity and check how much room is available in the compartments.
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Adding an appliance without considering its ongoing use
ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously, and recommends taking capacity and having more appliances than you need into account.
First, check whether managing the rotation of portions better would be enough in your four-star compartment. If you still need another appliance, compare the kWh/year shown on the energy labels of models suited to similar uses.
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Planning to put a chest freezer in the garage without checking the instructions
An unheated room isn’t necessarily suitable for every model. Liebherr says some of its chest freezers are suitable for this type of use, but this doesn’t apply to every appliance.
Compare the room temperature with the permitted ambient temperatures for your chosen model and follow its installation instructions.
Freezer brands to know
These ranges offer useful points of comparison for storage, capacity and maintenance. Features vary by model.
Bosch
The GSN upright freezers let you compare different vertical storage options for portions.
- Bosch lists No Frost, Big Box and VarioZone on some GSN models, with removable bins or shelves depending on the model.
- These features aren’t available across the whole range. Also check the capacity, energy consumption in kWh/year and the model’s storage time in the event of a power cut.
Beko
The range includes chest and upright freezers whose features can be compared for storing batches and individual portions.
- Beko France lists a capacity of 198 L for the CF200EWN chest freezer and a freezing capacity of 13 kg/24 h for the B1RFNE274W upright freezer.
- These figures relate to two different models. Compare the capacity, kg/24 h and storage time on each model’s product details, and don’t assume the figures for one apply to the other.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool offers upright freezers in different capacities for vertical storage.
- The brand lists No Frost for the UW8 F2Y WBI F 2 model and a capacity of 404 L for the WHFF 6403 W4E.
- These features apply to specific models. Check the dimensions, annual energy consumption and interior layout of the model you’re considering.
Liebherr
The brand’s chest freezers offer features to consider for managing frost and, on some models, installation in an unheated room.
- Liebherr says StopFrost reduces frost build-up on some chest freezers and offers FrostProtect on certain models designed for unheated rooms.
- Before planning to install a freezer in a garage or cellar, check which features are included on the exact model and its permitted ambient temperatures.
Joybuy products by format
These models illustrate the three formats to compare for prepared portions: an upright freezer, a chest freezer and a fridge-freezer with a four-star compartment. Compare the space available for portions and the features of each model before choosing.
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COMFEE' RCU60WH2(E), 60 L upright freezer
Worth considering if you’d like to keep your portions separate in a 60 L upright freezer.
The product title lists three drawers, a reversible door and an E energy rating. Check the freezing capacity, kWh/year and storage time to see if it suits your needs.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 L chest freezer
This chest freezer is suited to people who want to store portions in a dedicated appliance with a top-opening lid.
The product title lists a four-star compartment, a removable basket and an E energy rating. It needs manual defrosting; also check the model’s kWh/year and storage time.
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Comfee' RCB169WH2(E), 174 L fridge-freezer
This fridge-freezer could suit you if you want to freeze portions without adding a separate freezer, provided its compartment has enough capacity for your needs.
The product title lists a four-star compartment, Low Frost, a height of 150 cm and an E energy rating. If you’re planning to freeze large batches, check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h.
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CHiQ JR227LSE, 227 L fridge-freezer
Compare this model if you want a single appliance for both refrigeration and freezing, with drawers set aside for portions.
The product title specifies 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the four-star freezer. It also lists a width of 54 cm, Low Frost and an E energy rating. Check the kg/24 h figure if you freeze several batches at once.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
This chest freezer is worth considering if you have space to store batches of portions and access them from above.
The product title lists switchable fridge and freezer modes, a removable basket, a defrost drain and an E energy rating. Before choosing this capacity, check the kg/24 h figure, storage time and the clearance needed to open the lid.
Frequently asked questions
Can you freeze prepared portions in an ice box?
No, an ice box isn’t suitable for this. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, it is for temporarily storing products that are already frozen. To freeze your own dishes, look for a four-star compartment with a freezing function.
What does a four-star compartment do?
It lets you freeze food. The Ministry of Agriculture says this rating means the compartment can quickly bring the centre of food down to −18 °C. To choose an appliance that suits your cooking sessions, also check its capacity and freezing capacity in kg/24 h.
Which figures should you compare between two freezers?
Compare the net capacity in litres, freezing capacity in kg/24 h, storage time in hours, energy consumption in kWh/year and dimensions. For the exact model you’re interested in, check its energy label and its details in the European Commission’s public EPREL database.
Is No Frost necessary for prepared portions?
No, freezing portions doesn’t depend on choosing a No Frost model. This feature mainly helps manage frost build-up on appliances that have it. Also compare capacity, kg/24 h and the interior layout, taking into account whether your chosen model needs defrosting.
Should you wait until the use-by date to freeze food?
No. Anses recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until the use-by date (DLC) has nearly passed. This advice applies whatever type of freezer you have.