Households short on space for fresh food
If shopping and leftover containers are piling up, look at the fridge’s usable capacity and the layout of its shelves and drawers. Anses recommends not overfilling the appliance, so that air can circulate.
Who are these options for?
People who freeze portions in bulk
If you batch-cook or often store frozen food, compare freezer capacity and how easy it is to reach your portions. A chest or upright freezer can add extra space if your fridge already meets your needs for fresh food.
Households with space or access constraints
An alcove, staircase or lift may determine which format is practical. Measure the space and the delivery route before choosing a capacity, and arrange for your old appliance to be collected if you’re replacing it.
What should you look at first?
Start by considering how much fresh and frozen food you store. This will help you decide whether one appliance is enough or whether a separate freezer is worth considering.
Fridge-freezer
Consider this if: you regularly store fresh shopping, leftovers and frozen food in one appliance.
Bear in mind: the space available for frozen food is limited by the model’s internal layout.
Fridge with a freezer compartment
Consider this if: fresh food and leftovers take priority, and you only keep a small amount of frozen food.
Bear in mind: the compartment may not be big enough for batch-cooked meals or bulk buys.
Chest freezer
Consider this if: you mainly need dedicated space for frozen food and have room on the floor.
Bear in mind: getting to food at the bottom takes a little more organisation.
Upright freezer
Consider this if: you’d rather sort and find frozen portions across several shelves or drawers.
Bear in mind: check the available height and the clearance needed to open the door.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space for fresh food and leftovers | Compare the fridge’s usable capacity and the space actually available for your containers on the shelves. | When leftover containers end up behind the shopping, I want to see them and put them away without stacking food on top of other food. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this kind of storage space. |
| Freezer capacity | Check the freezer’s usable capacity and whether its drawers or baskets suit the portions you store. | If I prepare several meals in advance, I need dedicated space where I can find each portion. Freezing in bulk comes ahead of other criteria for around 29% of consumers. |
| Temperature control and maintenance | Check the temperature settings and defrosting system for each relevant compartment. | For my perishable food and leftovers, I want to be able to check the temperature without frost making maintenance harder. This is a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Installation and energy use | Measure the space and access route; compare the energy labels of appliances with a similar type and capacity. | If the appliance has to fit through a narrow access route, I need to know I can get it installed before comparing formats by energy use. Around 14% of consumers put these practical constraints first. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Looking only at total capacity
Two fridge-freezers can allocate different amounts of space to fresh and frozen food. Bosch, for example, lists 377 l of fridge capacity and 126 l of freezer capacity for the KGV58VLEAS, while Whirlpool lists 340 l and 150 l for the WHK2 6493 X4E.
Work out how much room you need for shopping, leftovers and frozen food separately, then check the usable capacity of each compartment.
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Measuring your kitchen but not the delivery route
An appliance may fit in its alcove but still be impossible to get through a doorway, up the stairs or into a lift.
Measure the whole route and check the model’s manual for the clearances needed for installation and opening.
If the access route isn’t suitable, you may need to rearrange the delivery or make adaptations.
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Relying on No Frost to keep food safe on its own
A defrosting feature doesn’t replace correct temperature settings or storage that allows air to circulate. Anses recommends keeping food between 0 and +4 °C at the coldest point in the fridge.
Check this area, avoid overfilling the appliance and store opened food in suitable containers.
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Leaving arrangements for your old appliance until delivery day
In France, Service Public Entreprendre states that when you buy a new appliance, you can have an equivalent used appliance taken away free of charge, including when the new appliance is delivered.
Request collection when you place your order, and check with the seller what you need to do before the delivery team arrives.
Brands to compare
Bosch
The range includes fridge-freezers in a variety of sizes and layouts.
- Bosch lists 377 l of fridge capacity and 126 l of freezer capacity for the KGV58VLEAS.
- This capacity split doesn’t apply to every model, so check both compartments on the one you’re considering.
Liebherr
The range includes fridge-freezers, integrated appliances and upright freezers.
- Liebherr lists a capacity of 160 l for its FNe 4204 upright freezer.
- For an integrated model, check the specified niche dimensions for the exact model against your kitchen measurements.
Whirlpool
The range includes fridge-freezers and chest freezers.
- Whirlpool lists a capacity of 204 l for the WHM2112 chest freezer and says it can be used at ambient temperatures as low as −15 °C.
- Check whether any other model is suitable for a cold room before buying.
Beko
Some fridge-freezers in the range have a reversible door or an open-door alarm.
- Beko lists both features for the B1RCNA344W.
- Check the dimensions, capacities and features of the specific model you choose rather than assuming they apply across the whole range.
Fridge-freezers for your shopping and leftovers on Joybuy
These fridge-freezers combine storage for fresh food and frozen food in one appliance. Compare the layout and dimensions of your chosen model with your shopping, leftovers and available space.
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Hisense RB5K330GSFC, 330 l black fridge-freezer
Worth a look if you want to store fresh shopping, leftovers and frozen food in one appliance.
Listed total capacity: 330 l. Check how much space is allocated to each compartment, along with the clearances needed for installation.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 467 l four-door fridge-freezer
Worth considering if you need a four-door appliance to organise your shopping and frozen portions.
Listed total capacity: 467 l; Total No Frost and energy class E are included in the product description. Measure the space, door clearance and delivery route.
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Samsung RB34C704DB1, 344 l black fridge-freezer
Worth comparing if you need separate spaces for fresh food, leftovers and frozen food.
Listed total capacity: 344 l; energy class D is included in the product description. Check the full depth and required clearances before deciding where to put it.
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Samsung RF50C530EB1, 495 l black multi-door fridge-freezer
Worth a look if your shopping, leftovers and frozen food regularly need several storage spaces.
Listed total capacity: 495 l; energy class E is included in the product description. Check that it will fit along the route to your kitchen. If the water and ice dispenser is important to you, check the connection requirements in the manual.
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Bosch KGN39VLEB, 368 l fridge-freezer
Worth considering if storage for fresh food and leftovers matters more to you than keeping large amounts of frozen food.
Listed total capacity: 368 l; energy class E and a stainless steel finish are included in the product description. Check the available height and the defrosting system in each compartment you’re interested in.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should I aim for when storing leftovers and perishable food?
Anses recommends keeping food between 0 and +4 °C at the coldest point in the fridge. Find this area, avoid overfilling the appliance and store leftovers in sealed containers.
Can I put a chest freezer in a cellar or cold garage?
Only if the model’s operating temperature range covers the conditions in the room. Whirlpool says its WHM2112 can be used at temperatures as low as −15 °C. Check the manual for the chest freezer you’re considering rather than assuming this applies to every model.
Will my old fridge be collected when a new one is delivered in France?
When you buy an equivalent appliance, Service Public Entreprendre states that the retailer must offer to collect the old one free of charge, including when the new appliance is delivered. Request this when you place your order and confirm the practical collection arrangements with the seller.
How can I compare the energy use of two cooling appliances?
Check their energy labels and compare appliances of the same type and with similar capacities. As ADEME points out, the label can help you choose. Also make sure each compartment has the capacity you need, rather than using the energy class alone to predict your actual energy use.