Households that regularly freeze portions
If you prepare meals for several weeks at a time, first look at the freezer capacity and how easy it is to reach your portions. Fridge capacity serves a different purpose.
Which option is right for you?
Households that mainly keep meals chilled
If you’ll mostly eat your prepared meals over the next few days, prioritise the space available in the fridge and the layout of its shelves and drawers, while allowing for a suitably sized freezer compartment.
Households mindful of space and energy use
In a small kitchen, an open-plan room or an unheated space, check the dimensions, noise level, annual energy consumption and stated ambient temperature range for the model you choose.
How do the appliances compare?
One appliance for chilled and frozen food
Worth considering: if you mainly keep meals chilled and the freezer compartment has enough room for the portions you plan to store.
Limitation: a generous total capacity doesn’t guarantee enough room in each of the two compartments.
A separate freezer
Worth considering: if your frozen portions regularly exceed the space available in your current appliance.
Trade-off: you’ll need to make room for it and factor in the energy use of an additional appliance.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space for frozen portions | Compare the freezer compartment capacity in litres and how easy it is to reach your portions: drawers in an upright freezer, baskets in a chest freezer. | If I often freeze several meals, I want to be able to store them and find them easily without running out of space. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this need for freezer space. |
| Space for chilled meals | Check the fridge capacity in litres, then look at the shelf and drawer layout of the model. | When I plan to eat my prepared meals over the next few days, I mainly want easy-to-reach storage for dishes and leftovers. Chilled storage comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Energy use, noise and location | Check the kWh/year figure, noise level and dimensions. If the appliance will be in an unheated room, check the permitted ambient temperature range too. | In an open-plan kitchen or a room where installation is challenging, I need to be able to position and use the appliance in suitable conditions. Around 25% of consumers prioritise these considerations. |
Things to keep in mind
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Looking only at the total capacity
The stated capacity is split between the fridge and freezer compartments. A spacious appliance may still leave too little room for the portions you want to freeze.
Make a note of how much space you need in each compartment, then compare the capacities of the exact model. The European Commission lists them separately in EPREL product information sheets.
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Adding a freezer without considering that it runs continuously
A second appliance takes up space and uses electricity continuously. ADEME advises taking the size of refrigeration appliances and over-equipping into account.
Check that the shortage of space is specifically for frozen food, then compare the capacity you’ll gain with the annual energy consumption in kWh of the appliances you’re considering.
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Assuming any freezer will work in a cold cellar
The permitted ambient temperature depends on the model: the fact that it’s a freezer doesn’t tell you where it can be installed.
Before choosing an appliance for a garage or unheated cellar, check the ambient temperature range in the manual or technical specifications.
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Choosing based on the NoFrost label alone
This label doesn’t tell you how much room there is for your containers, or how noisy or energy-efficient the model is. Features can also vary from one model to another.
Check the interior layout, care instructions and specifications for each appliance rather than assuming these details from the technology name alone.
Brands to consider
Bosch
The KGN33NSDB fridge-freezer is an example of a single appliance that splits storage between refrigeration and freezing.
- Bosch lists a 189 L fridge capacity, a 90 L freezer capacity and a noise level of 40 dB(A) for this model.
- These capacities and features are specific to the KGN33NSDB. Check the exact model number if you’re comparing other Bosch fridge-freezers.
Beko
The B1RFNE314W and HSM14540 illustrate two types of separate freezer: an upright model and a chest freezer.
- Beko lists a capacity of 286 L for the B1RFNE314W upright freezer and 205 L for the HSM14540 chest freezer, which comes with a basket.
- Drawers and chest freezers differ in how you sort and reach your portions, so check the layout of the model you’re considering.
Liebherr
The FNe 5006 is an example of an upright freezer for storing a larger frozen stock vertically.
- Liebherr lists a total capacity of 238 L, a noise level of 36 dB and a NoFrost configuration for the FNe 5006.
- Installation requirements and layout should be checked for each model. The FNe 5006’s specifications don’t represent the entire range.
Appliances to help organise your prepared meals
These fridge-freezers and separate freezers suit two different needs: keeping chilled and frozen meals in one appliance, or having a dedicated space for frozen portions. Compare their capacities and where you could install them before choosing.
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Samsung RB33B612EBN, 344 L black fridge-freezer, E energy rating
Worth considering if you want to keep meals chilled and freeze portions in one appliance. The stated total capacity is 344 L. Check how this is split between the compartments to make sure it suits your portions, and check the ambient temperature range if you’re installing it in an unheated room.
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Bosch KGN33NLEB, 282 L fridge-freezer, E energy rating
This fridge-freezer combines chilled and frozen storage for households looking to use a single appliance. Its stated total capacity is 282 L. Check how much space is allocated to each purpose, along with the noise level and ambient temperature range if these matter for your installation.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L No Frost freezer, stainless steel finish
A separate freezer to consider if frozen portions regularly take up more space than expected in your fridge-freezer. The product title lists a capacity of 161 L and three freezer drawers. Check its dimensions, annual energy consumption, noise level and whether it’s suitable for the conditions in your chosen room.
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CHiQ JR99DWE, 99 L white chest freezer, E energy rating
This chest freezer may be worth considering if you want a separate space for frozen portions. It has a stated capacity of 99 L and a removable basket. Allow for manual defrosting, and check the annual energy consumption and ambient temperature range for your chosen location.
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CHiQ JR525WSE, 525 L side-by-side fridge-freezer
This design combines space for chilled meals with a compartment for a larger frozen stock. The product title lists 333 L of fridge capacity, 192 L of freezer capacity and a noise level of 37 dB. Check the external dimensions, annual energy consumption and ambient temperature range before choosing this large model.
Frequently asked questions
What should I compare on a fridge or freezer energy label?
Compare the energy rating, annual energy consumption in kWh and noise level of the model. To work out where to store your meals, also check the fridge and freezer capacities separately in the European Commission’s EPREL product information sheet.
Does a large total capacity guarantee enough room for frozen portions?
No. A fridge-freezer’s total capacity is split between several compartments. Check the freezer capacity in litres for the model and variant you’re considering, then make sure the layout suits your containers.
Can I install a freezer in a garage or unheated cellar?
Yes, if the ambient temperature range stated for the model is suitable for the room. Beko states that the B1RFNE314W can be used at temperatures down to −15 °C, as does Liebherr for the FNe 5006. This feature doesn’t apply to all freezers, so check the manual for the appliance you’re considering.
Should I replace an old appliance that’s icing up or not cooling as well?
Not necessarily. Start by identifying the cause of the problem and consider a suitable repair. ADEME recommends checking for common faults before replacing an appliance. If replacement is necessary, compare the new appliance’s usable capacity, annual energy consumption, noise level and repair options.