For a weekly shop that includes fresh and frozen food, start by comparing the usable capacity of both compartments in a fridge-freezer or multi-door model. If you need to store larger quantities of frozen food, consider a separate freezer: an upright model makes it easier to organise portions, while a chest freezer takes up more floor space. If you batch-cook, make sure there’s enough room to avoid overfilling the fridge and to keep its coldest area at 4 °C, in line with Anses guidance.
If your weekly shop includes both fresh and frozen food, compare the space available in each compartment rather than looking at the total capacity alone. Que Choisir recommends considering how often you shop and how much frozen food you eat when choosing a fridge.
The size and shape of your containers matter just as much as the stated capacity. Choose storage that allows air to circulate and lets you put temperature-sensitive dishes in the coldest part of the fridge, as Anses advises.
A separate freezer can provide storage space that an integrated freezer compartment can’t. Compare how easy it is to reach small portions in an upright model with the floor space and storage layout of a chest freezer. If you’re putting it in an unheated room, check the model’s climate class too.
First, work out how much food you’ll keep fresh and how much you’ll freeze. Then compare those needs with the space you have and the way you like to store portions.
| Criterion | What to check | What suits my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh and frozen capacity | Compare the usable capacity of each compartment separately, and allow for the space your containers take up. If you regularly buy frozen food, check whether a small freezer compartment will really be enough: Que Choisir advises distinguishing this from having a proper stock of frozen food. | I do a big weekly shop for fresh food as well as frozen food, so a large total capacity won’t help if the freezer compartment is too small. |
| Design and storage | With a fridge-freezer or multi-door model, check how easy it is to reach the shelves and freezer compartment. For a separate freezer, compare the drawers in an upright model with the open space and floor footprint of a chest freezer. Que Choisir distinguishes between these formats in terms of capacity and where they can be installed. | If I freeze lots of small portions, I want to be able to find them easily. For larger stocks, I could consider a chest freezer, as long as I have enough space for it. |
| Temperature and how full it is | Check how to arrange containers without blocking the airflow, and how to monitor the coldest area. Anses recommends keeping this area at 4 °C and avoiding overfilling the fridge. | After a shop or a batch-cooking session, I need to be able to put away temperature-sensitive dishes without filling every available space to the brim. |
| Installation and use | Measure the space, the route to it and the clearance needed to open the door. If you’re installing a freezer in an unheated garage, cellar or utility room, check that its climate class is suitable for the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures. Also check the model’s energy label to compare the appliances you’re considering. | Before adding a second appliance, I need to make sure I can install it and access it every day. If it’s near a living area, its stated noise level matters to me too. |
A spacious appliance may not leave enough room for frozen food if most of its capacity is given over to the fridge. Que Choisir says that how often you shop and how much frozen food you eat are among the things to consider when choosing a format.
Work out separately how much you’ll keep chilled and how much you’ll freeze, then compare the usable capacity of the relevant compartments.
A chest freezer’s capacity doesn’t tell you whether you’ll be able to fit it in your space or easily find small portions inside. Que Choisir points out that this format takes up more floor space than an upright freezer.
Measure the room, the route to it and the space needed to open the lid. If you’re storing lots of portions, plan how you’ll organise them.
A climate class indicates the range of ambient temperatures a model is designed for. So a garage or cellar won’t automatically be suitable for every freezer.
Compare the room’s lowest and highest temperatures with the climate class listed in the instructions for the exact model.
Overfilling can restrict the airflow around food. Anses recommends keeping the coldest area at 4 °C, particularly for temperature-sensitive foods.
Leave space around containers, put temperature-sensitive dishes in this area and check its temperature after a large shop.
These appliances combine refrigeration and freezing in a fridge-freezer or multi-door model. They’re a way to compare the balance between the two uses for weekly shops and batch cooking. Whether you need a separate freezer will depend on how much frozen food you want to store.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one four-door appliance. The model name indicates a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an E rating. Check the capacity of each compartment, the dimensions and the space needed to open the doors.
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This fridge-freezer suits anyone who wants one appliance for a weekly shop that includes both fresh and frozen food. The model name indicates a total capacity of 316 L, Dual No Frost and a D rating. Compare the capacity of each compartment with your usual needs rather than focusing on the total.
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Its stated width of 54 cm could make it a suitable option if kitchen space is limited, but remember to measure the route and the clearance needed too. The model name indicates a capacity of 262 L, a 70/30 split, a height of 176 cm and Low Frost. Most importantly, check that the freezer compartment can hold the number of portions you plan to store.
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This multi-door model could be an option if you need room for your shopping and meal-prep containers in one appliance. The model name indicates a total capacity of 495 L and an E rating. Check how much space is set aside for freezing, and measure the route and clearance needed to open the doors before choosing this large model.
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Compare this 174 L fridge-freezer with the actual volume of your shopping and meal containers, especially if you want to stock up on frozen food. The model name indicates Low Frost and a reversible door. Check the capacity of each compartment and the installation requirements for the exact model.
If you eat a lot of frozen food or regularly freeze portions, don’t assume a small freezer compartment will be enough. Que Choisir recommends distinguishing this from occasional use and checking that the freezing capacity suits the amount you want to store.
Anses recommends keeping the coldest area of the fridge at 4 °C and storing temperature-sensitive food there. Avoid overfilling the appliance so that air can circulate around your dishes.
Yes, but only if the temperature range the model is designed for covers the temperatures your garage actually reaches. Check the climate class in the instructions and allow enough floor space and clearance to open the lid.