Meal preppers portioning up meals
You regularly freeze meals and want to find each portion easily. Look at the layout of the compartments and the freezing capacity. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights the importance of drawers that are easy to use.
Who are these options for?
Households that buy in bulk
You store a lot of food or bulky containers. Measure the space available and compare upright and chest freezers without assuming they’re equally easy to use.
Households with space for just one appliance
You want more room for frozen food without adding a second appliance. Compare the freezer compartment capacity and installation requirements of a fridge-freezer.
What should you check before buying?
Fridge-freezer
Choose this if: you only have space for one appliance and the freezer compartment can hold your portions and supplies.
Bear in mind: the total capacity includes the fridge section too. Check the freezer capacity in litres separately, along with the installation dimensions.
Fridge and upright freezer
Choose this if: you have space for two appliances and want to organise portions and find them easily.
Bear in mind: the second appliance takes up space. Check the usable capacity and how easy the drawers are to handle.
Fridge and chest freezer
Choose this if: you store bulky containers and can dedicate floor space to a chest freezer.
Bear in mind: the top-opening lid and access to food at the bottom can make it harder to retrieve small portions regularly.
| Consideration | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable freezer capacity | Compare the freezer compartment capacity in litres with the size of your containers and the layout of the drawers. Don’t rely on the appliance’s total capacity alone. | If I freeze several meals, I check that my containers and usual stock will fit in the compartment. Around 33% of consumers prioritise usable freezer capacity. |
| Access to portions | Look at the drawers, baskets or compartments, and check that you can reach and handle the food you use often. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering how easy the drawers are to use. | When I often take out portions, I want to spot and grab them without moving everything else. Around 27% of consumers prioritise access and organisation. |
| Space and installation | Measure the route in and the space where the appliance will go, including the clearance needed to open it. If it’s going in an unheated room, check the ambient temperature range allowed in the manual for the exact model. | If space is limited or the appliance needs to go in a cellar or garage, I check the dimensions and installation requirements before choosing. Around 27% of consumers prioritise placement and ease of handling. |
| Electricity consumption | Compare the kWh/year figures for models that meet your needs, and add together the figures for both appliances if they’ll be running at the same time. The European energy label rates appliances from A to G. | When I compare a fridge-freezer with two separate appliances, I want to know the annual consumption for the whole set-up. Around 13% of consumers prioritise electricity costs. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a fridge-freezer based on its advertised total capacity
Fridge capacity won’t solve a shortage of space for frozen meals. The Bosch KIV875SE0 listed by Bosch France has 200 l of fridge capacity and 70 l of freezer capacity.
Compare the freezer compartment capacity in litres and the drawer layout with the containers you use.
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Choosing a chest freezer based on capacity alone
You need to be able to open the lid and reach food at the bottom. UFC-Que Choisir points out that ease of use matters as well as capacity.
Measure the space and check that you can reach a portion you use regularly before choosing between a chest and upright freezer.
A separate freezer needs extra space. With a chest freezer, you may also need to do more rearranging to get food from the bottom.
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Comparing a fridge-freezer’s consumption with that of a freezer alone
For a two-appliance set-up, you need to take into account the annual consumption of both the fridge and the freezer. ADEME’s published averages for each category don’t replace the figures for the specific models you’re considering.
Check the kWh/year on each energy label and add the figures for the appliances that will run together.
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Assuming any freezer will work in a garage or cellar
The permitted ambient temperature range depends on the model. Beko states a minimum operating temperature of −15 °C for the HSM35050; this feature doesn’t automatically apply to other freezers.
Check the manual for the exact model number and the room where you plan to put it.
Brands to know
Bosch
Bosch fridge-freezers may suit you if you want refrigeration and freezing in a single appliance. The KIV875SE0 mentioned here is an integrated model.
- Bosch France lists the KIV875SE0 as having 200 l of fridge capacity and 70 l of freezer capacity.
- This model uses LowFrost, not NoFrost. Check that its dimensions and integrated installation will suit your kitchen unit. These features don’t apply to every Bosch fridge-freezer.
Liebherr
The models featured by Liebherr France show how you can pair a single-door fridge with an upright or chest freezer.
- Liebherr France lists the upright FNd 7026 at 311 l, the chest freezer CFe 2500 at 497 l and the fridge Rd 5220 at 399 l.
- The CFe 2500 chest freezer is 167 cm wide, so check the available space and access. These are separate models to choose between according to your needs, rather than capacities to add together by default.
Beko
The Beko HSM35050 chest freezer could be an option for storing large quantities, as long as you check this model’s installation requirements.
- Beko lists the HSM35050 as having a net freezer capacity of 350 l and a minimum operating ambient temperature of −15 °C.
- These specifications apply to this specific model. You’ll also need to check the floor space and access to the food when considering a chest freezer.
Joybuy products for your needs
This selection includes separate freezers and fridge-freezers to give you more space for frozen food, depending on the room you have and how you want to organise it.
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Heinrich´s freezer, 161 l, class C
Add a separate freezer with drawer storage.
Listed capacity: 161 l; No-Frost; 3 freezer drawers; energy class C; stated temperature range: −14 °C to −22 °C. This product is listed as freestanding.
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Hisense RF632N4BCE, 485 l, class E
Keep refrigeration and freezing in one combined appliance.
Listed total capacity: 485 l; Total No Frost; energy class E; stated noise level: 38 dB.
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Sonlu CC-520WE, 444 l, class E
Keep the fridge and freezer together in a side-by-side appliance.
Listed capacity: 444 l, including 276 l for the fridge and 168 l for the freezer; stated width: 83 cm; No Frost; energy class E; stated noise level: 40 dB. Check the clearance needed for ventilation and to open the doors.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 l chest freezer
Add separate freezer space with a top-opening lid.
Listed capacity: 140 l; storage basket; energy class E. Allow enough space to open the lid and reach inside.
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TCL CF126EWE0FR, 98 l chest freezer
Add separate freezer space with basket storage.
Listed capacity: 98 l; storage basket; energy class E. The top-opening lid means you’ll need to leave enough space to open it fully.
Frequently asked questions
How can I work out how much space I need for my meals without guessing?
List your portions, the containers they’re in and the maximum amount you keep at any one time. Then compare this with the freezer compartment’s capacity and layout. If you add several fresh dishes at once, check the model’s freezing capacity too. A fridge-freezer’s total capacity doesn’t all belong to the freezer section.
Can I put any chest freezer in an unheated garage?
No. Check the permitted ambient temperature range in the manual for the exact model. Beko lists −15 °C as the minimum operating temperature for the HSM35050; this doesn’t apply to every freezer.
How do I compare the energy use of a fridge-freezer with two separate appliances?
Compare the kWh/year figures for models that suit your needs, and add together the figures for the fridge and freezer if they’ll be running at the same time. You can then multiply this total by the price per kWh on your tariff to estimate the annual cost. ADEME points out that average figures for each appliance category don’t show the exact consumption of the models you choose.
How can I make use of the extra capacity without compromising food safety?
Anses recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until its use-by date is nearly up. According to the agency, freezing food at home at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but most micro-organisms survive. You should also follow the defrosting instructions.
What information does the energy label provide for an appliance sold in France?
Since 1 March 2021, the European label for this category has used a scale from A to G and includes information such as kWh/year and compartment capacities, according to the European Commission. The DGCCRF states that labels and product information sheets must be written in French in France. The energy class helps you compare appliances, but it shouldn’t be the only factor in choosing the right one for your needs.