If you shop less often and batch-cook meals to freeze, start by working out how much room you need in each compartment. A fridge freezer is a good fit if its separate compartments suit the amount of fresh and frozen food you usually buy. Consider a multi-door model or separate appliances if you have more portions to freeze and enough space to fit them. Also check the drawers, delivery route and installation instructions for the specific model.
If you cook in advance, check the space and shape of the drawers before relying on the total capacity alone. ANSES recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until its use-by date is approaching.
Fresh food, frozen food and prepared meals all need space in two separate compartments. Que Choisir recommends considering how often you shop and how much frozen food you eat when choosing an appliance format.
A generous capacity on paper is no use if the appliance won’t fit through the access points or there isn’t enough room to open the doors. Measure the delivery route and check the manual for ventilation clearances and the climate class.
Start by dividing the food you usually buy between fresh and frozen, then check that the format you choose suits your kitchen and how you plan to use it.
Consider it: if you want fresh and frozen food in one appliance and each compartment is big enough for your usual shop.
Bear in mind: the space for frozen portions is limited by the size of the dedicated freezer compartment.
Consider it: if you want plenty of room for fresh food and frozen portions in one appliance, and have enough width for it.
Bear in mind: its size means you’ll need to check both your kitchen space and the delivery route.
Consider them: if you want to store fresh and frozen food in separate appliances and have room for both.
Bear in mind: each appliance must be deliverable, positioned and ventilated in line with its manual.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer space | Usable capacity in each compartment; the shape and dimensions of the drawers for your containers. | If I batch-cook several meals to freeze, I need drawers that can fit my portions without using up all the space for frozen food. Around 31% of consumers prioritise freezer storage. |
| Fresh food storage | Usable fridge capacity; the layout of the shelves and drawers. | After shopping for several days, I want to be able to put fresh food away without cramming it in. Fridge space is the main requirement for around 25% of consumers. |
| Installation | Appliance dimensions and access points; door opening space and clearances specified in the manual. | In a fitted kitchen, I need to be able to get the appliance in and install it with the required ventilation. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Everyday use | Annual energy consumption and noise level for the exact model; freezer maintenance. | Once I’ve found a capacity that suits my shopping habits, I want to compare appliances by their energy use, noise and maintenance. Around 19% of consumers put everyday use at the top of their list. |
A large advertised capacity doesn’t guarantee enough room for your frozen portions: the fridge and freezer can take up very different amounts of space.
Make a list of the food you buy and meals you prepare in a typical week, then compare the usable capacity of each compartment separately. Check that the drawers can fit your containers.
A wide appliance may not fit through a doorway, hallway or lift, even if you’ve made room for it in the kitchen. Samsung specifically recommends measuring these access points for its RF65DG960ESGEF multi-door model.
Check the entire delivery route, how far the doors open and the clearances specified in the manual for the model you’re considering.
NoFrost doesn’t mean you can ignore the temperature or store sensitive foods anywhere in the fridge. ANSES recommends keeping the coldest part of the fridge at 4 °C or below.
Avoid overfilling the fridge compartment and freeze prepared meals as soon as possible after cooking, in line with ANSES recommendations.
An energy rating letter on its own tells you nothing about the capacity you need or the model’s noise level. The European Commission’s EPREL database provides information on models sold in the European Union.
Compare energy labels for models with similar capacities and formats, and check their stated annual energy consumption and noise levels too.
These examples cover specific models. Their features may not apply to every model from the same brand.
The freestanding KGN497ICT fridge freezer is worth considering if your household needs room for fresh food as well as a separate freezer.
The RF65DG960ESGEF multi-door model is designed for households looking for generous fridge and freezer compartments in one appliance.
Liebherr describes its Side-by-Side models as combinations of separate appliances for organising your storage.
This selection includes a multi-door model and fridge freezers for storing several days’ worth of shopping and meals to freeze. For each one, compare the space available in both compartments with the food and containers you need to store.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh shopping and meals to freeze in a multi-door appliance. The model name specifies four doors, Total No Frost technology and an E energy rating. Check that the drawers can fit your dishes and that the appliance meets your kitchen’s installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you want to organise fresh and frozen food in a three-door appliance. Its name mentions Total No Frost, an E energy rating, Wi-Fi and My Zone. Compare the usable drawer space with your containers and check the manual before installation.
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Worth considering if you shop less often, provided the freezer capacity also suits your batch-cooked portions. The product information lists a bottom freezer, a total net capacity of 368 l and an E energy rating. Check the capacity of each compartment and the drawer dimensions before choosing.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a fridge freezer with a stated total capacity of 440 l. The product name specifies a D energy rating. Check how the capacity is divided between fresh and frozen food, whether there’s room for your containers and what clearances are needed for installation.
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Worth considering if your big shop fits in a fridge freezer with a total capacity of 282 l, but don’t assume this will be enough for your frozen meals. The product name specifies a bottom freezer and an E energy rating. Check the freezer capacity, drawer space and the room needed to open the door in your kitchen.
Store cooked dishes that need chilling in the coldest part of the fridge, at 4 °C or below, according to ANSES. Don’t overfill the compartment, so air can circulate.
No. ANSES recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until the use-by date is approaching. Once thawed, food should be eaten promptly, within three days at the latest, and not refrozen.
Measure the access points and the space where the appliance will go, then follow the model’s manual for ventilation, climate class and distance from heat sources. Follow the instructions for your specific model on how long to wait before plugging it in after delivery.
Check their energy labels and annual energy consumption, taking into account each model’s capacity and format. The European Commission’s EPREL database also lets you view the declared information for listed models.
Take it to a suitable disposal route for refrigerating appliances. ADEME says it can be handed to the retailer or delivery driver when your new appliance is delivered, or taken to the designated electrical and electronic equipment waste area at a recycling centre.