Measure your fresh and frozen food separately when your stocks are at their largest. A large fridge-freezer could be suitable if its freezer compartment has enough room. If your frozen food is overflowing, an upright freezer makes it easier to access and organise portions, while a chest freezer may suit larger packs if you have the space and can keep its contents organised. Then compare the energy consumption, stated power-cut storage time and temperature limits for each model.
You need enough room for fresh and frozen food to last until your next shop. Compare the capacity of the two compartments separately before adding a second appliance; Bosch’s specifications for the KGN392LAG clearly distinguish between refrigeration and freezing capacity.
If you prepare or buy several portions to use regularly, ease of access and organisation matter just as much as capacity. Bosch says the GSN29EWEV includes removable storage elements. If you plan to freeze food yourself, check that the appliance has the right functions, too: the Ministry of Agriculture explains the difference between storage and freezing.
If you want to store large packs in a separate room, measure the space and check the opening requirements and permitted temperatures for the exact model. Beko and Liebherr’s specifications list features for specific models, not for every upright or chest freezer.
| Criteria | What to check | Who will find this most important? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Estimate your maximum stock and compare the usable litres for fresh and frozen food separately. Also check the dimensions of your packaging and the space the appliance will take up. | If I shop less often, I want my fresh and frozen food to last until my next shop. Around 30% of consumers prioritise capacity. |
| Access and organisation | Check the dimensions of the drawers, removable storage elements and chest opening against the containers you usually use. | If I take out different portions often, I want to find them without having to move everything else. Around 30% of consumers prioritise access and organisation. |
| Suitability for the room | Check the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures, then confirm the climate class and temperature limits for the exact model. Measure the available space and required clearances, too. | If the appliance is going in a garage or cellar, I want it to suit the actual room temperature and fit in the space. Around 20% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Energy consumption and power cuts | For appliances with a similar capacity that meet your needs, compare the kWh/year and stated storage time during a power cut on each model’s specifications. | If I keep a large stock of food, I want to compare energy consumption and how long the appliance stays cold without assuming that one format is always more efficient. Around 20% of consumers prioritise running costs and storage time during a power cut. |
The space for fresh food does not count towards your frozen food storage. Bosch lists 260 l of refrigeration capacity and 103 l of freezer capacity for the KGN392LAG.
Estimate your maximum frozen food stock and compare it with the usable capacity of the freezer compartment alone.
Climate class and features for operation at low temperatures vary by model. The temperature range listed for one model does not automatically apply to other appliances from the same brand.
Check the room’s temperatures and the limits stated in the manual for the exact model.
ADEME notes that fridges and freezers run continuously. Manufacturers state power-cut storage times for specific models, not for an entire format.
Compare the kWh/year and stated storage time during a power cut for every model that meets your capacity needs.
The models featured include a fridge-freezer and an upright freezer, so you can compare fresh and frozen food storage with a separate freezer.
The RFNE448E45W is an upright freezer to consider if you need to store a large amount of frozen food or install an appliance in a cold room.
The CFe 2500 Pure chest freezer is worth considering for large packs, provided there is enough room to open the lid upwards.
The WHM251122 chest freezer is one example to compare for capacity and stated storage time during a power cut.
These products include options for storing fresh and frozen food in one appliance, as well as chest and upright freezers for separate storage.
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Worth considering if you want separate storage with a mode that can be set for refrigeration or freezing.
Stated capacity: 291 L. The fridge and freezer modes are alternatives, not simultaneous. The product name also lists a 5-level digital control, a removable basket and a defrost drain.
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Worth considering if you want to keep your fresh and frozen food together in a multi-door fridge.
Stated capacity: 495 L. The product name lists a black finish and energy rating E.
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Worth considering if you want a fridge-freezer with separate stated capacities for fresh and frozen food.
The product name lists 333 L for the fridge and 192 L for the freezer, No Frost technology, an inverter compressor and energy rating E.
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Worth considering if you want to store portions separately and organise them in an upright freezer.
Stated capacity: 161 L. The product name lists No Frost protection, three drawers, two trays and energy rating C.
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Worth considering if you want a fridge-freezer and need to check whether its freezer compartment can hold your maximum stock.
The product name lists 153 L for the fridge and 74 L for the freezer, a width of 54 cm, Low Frost and energy rating E. Check whether the stated 74 L is enough for your frozen food stock.
Not necessarily. The Ministry of Agriculture distinguishes between a freezer compartment, intended for temporarily storing food that is already frozen, and a freezer. To freeze food, check for a 4-star compartment and its freezing capacity. A 3-star compartment can store food at −18 °C, but that does not mean it can freeze fresh food.
No. Check the garage’s extreme temperatures, the climate class and the limits stated for the exact model. Liebherr lists FrostProtect down to −15 °C for the CFe 2500 Pure, while Beko lists Freezer Guard down to −15 °C for the RFNE448E45W. These manufacturer specifications do not apply to every appliance.
For appliances that suit the same capacity needs, compare their annual energy consumption in kWh and stated storage time during a power cut in the specifications for each model. ADEME notes that refrigeration appliances run continuously; a stated storage time does not guarantee that food will stay safe for a universal length of time.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and reconditioned goods sold by a business to a private customer. The DGCCRF outlines the information requirements for energy labels and product information. When buying a new appliance, also check with the retailer how to arrange free take-back of an equivalent used appliance.