Households batch-cooking several portions for the week
The question is whether meals for the next few days are mainly taking up fridge space, or whether some portions need to go in the freezer.
Who is this choice for?
Households with a full fridge-freezer compartment
If your current fridge has enough room for fresh food, compare the space you need for frozen portions with the footprint and energy use of an additional appliance.
Small kitchens and restricted spaces
Measure the available space and look at fridge and freezer capacities separately: a large total capacity doesn’t guarantee room in the compartment you’re short of.
How should you choose based on your meals and available space?
First, work out whether you’re actually short of chilled or freezer space, then check that the appliance you’re considering will fit and won’t be larger than you need.
Keep your current appliance
Worth considering : if you mainly need space for a few days’ worth of chilled meals and a tidier layout would leave you with enough room.
Limitation : rearranging containers won’t increase freezer capacity, and you shouldn’t overfill the fridge.
Choose a fridge
Worth considering : if you mainly keep ingredients and prepared meals chilled and don’t regularly build up a stock of frozen portions.
Limitation : an appliance with little or no freezer space won’t meet a significant need for frozen portions.
Choose a fridge-freezer
Worth considering : if your fridge and freezer needs are both increasing and you have one space for both functions.
Limitation : the freezer compartment may become too small if you store a large proportion of your prepared meals in it.
Add a freezer
Worth considering : if your fridge is already big enough but you regularly run out of space for frozen portions.
Limitation : this second appliance takes up space and runs continuously; check its installation requirements and kWh/year.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare fridge and freezer capacity in litres separately against the containers and portions you store at the same time. The European Commission says the EU energy label shows the capacity of each compartment. | Do meals for the next few days mainly take up fridge space, or is my stock of frozen portions overflowing? |
| Energy consumption | Check the kWh/year alongside the energy class, and compare appliances of a similar type and capacity. ADEME points out that fridges and freezers run continuously. | I’d rather avoid a second appliance if I only run out of space occasionally. |
| Temperature and storage | Check the coldest part of the fridge: Anses recommends 4 °C and advises against overfilling the appliance so that air can circulate. Also check whether the compartments make it easy to find your portions. | I need room for cooked meals and perishable foods without stacking containers on top of one another. |
| Installation and use | Measure the height, width and depth, as well as the delivery route, then check the clearances required for the model. If the appliance will be near a living area, also compare the noise level shown on the EU energy label. | A larger appliance won’t help if it won’t fit through the door or into the space available. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Looking only at total capacity
Even a spacious fridge-freezer can be short of freezer space, or fridge space if fresh ingredients and containers take up most of it.
Estimate separately how much needs to stay chilled and how much will be frozen, then check the capacity of each compartment.
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Adding a freezer because you occasionally run out of space
You may barely use a new appliance once you’ve organised your meals more effectively, even though it will keep running continuously.
First, try organising your containers and rotating your existing stock. Consider a freezer if you regularly run out of room for frozen portions.
For context on continuous energy use, ADEME gives a guide figure of 300 kWh/year for a freezer, compared with 315 kWh/year for a fridge-freezer and 180 kWh/year for a fridge. These figures are no substitute for checking the kWh/year of the model you choose.
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Packing meals tightly into the fridge
According to Anses, overfilling the fridge stops air from circulating properly. Keep an eye on the coldest part to make sure it stays at 4 °C.
Check the temperature and rearrange the containers before deciding how much extra capacity you need.
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Choosing based only on the energy class or a No Frost function
The energy class letter alone doesn’t tell you the capacity, kWh/year or noise level. A defrosting function won’t make up for a compartment that’s too small or an appliance that’s difficult to install.
Compare all the model’s specifications, including capacity per compartment, annual energy consumption, dimensions and installation requirements.
A look at a few ranges
These models illustrate different configurations; their features won’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
Bosch
The freestanding KGN492IAF fridge-freezer is an example of an appliance with two compartments of different sizes.
- According to Bosch’s specifications, this model offers 311 L of fridge capacity and 129 L of freezer capacity, with an energy class of A and a stated noise level of 29 dB.
- Check that this split suits the amount of food you want to keep chilled and frozen, and that you have enough space in your kitchen.
Whirlpool
The UW8F2YWBIF2 upright freezer is an example of a separate appliance for when your existing fridge has enough room.
- Whirlpool lists a capacity of 260 L and a No Frost function for this model.
- A separate freezer needs its own space. Compare the energy use and specifications of the version you’re considering.
Electrolux
The built-in ENG8CD18S fridge-freezer is worth considering in a kitchen where the housing limits the dimensions available.
- Electrolux lists 186 L of fridge capacity, 62 L of freezer capacity, 173 kWh/year and a housing size of 1780 × 560 × 550 mm for this model.
- Compare its 62 L of freezer capacity with the number of portions you want to store, and check the built-in installation requirements too.
Fridge-freezers available on Joybuy
These appliances combine refrigeration and freezing in one unit. They’re worth comparing if you need both compartments. The advice above can also help you decide whether reorganising your current appliance or choosing a separate freezer would better suit your needs.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 360 L 3-door fridge-freezer
Worth considering if you want to store fresh food and frozen portions in one appliance. The model name indicates a total capacity of 360 L, an energy class of E and Total No Frost. Check how much space you need in each compartment, as well as the installation clearances.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 467 L 4-door fridge-freezer
Worth considering if your prepared meals regularly take up space in both the fridge and freezer, after comparing the capacity of each compartment. The model is listed with a total capacity of 467 L, an energy class of E and Total No Frost. Check the delivery route, the space available and which way the doors open.
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CHiQ JR263LGE, 262 L 70/30 fridge-freezer
Its stated width of 54 cm may make it worth comparing if you have a narrow space, subject to checking the clearances required. The model is labelled Low Frost, so you’ll need to defrost the freezer manually. Check that the installation location meets the required ambient temperature conditions.
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Samsung RF50C530EB1, 495 L multi-door fridge-freezer
Compare this total capacity with the amount of food you actually keep chilled and frozen to avoid choosing an appliance that’s too large. The model is listed with an energy class of E. Measure the space and check all the clearances needed for installation.
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Samsung RB33B612EBN, 344 L fridge-freezer
Worth comparing if you want to keep fresh ingredients and frozen portions in one appliance. The model name indicates a total capacity of 344 L and an energy class of E. Check the capacity of each compartment in litres and the ventilation clearances required.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check first on the energy label?
When choosing an appliance for prepared meals, check the kWh/year and the capacity of the fridge and freezer compartments separately. According to the European Commission, the label also shows the energy class and noise level. Check the model’s dimensions and installation requirements too.
Does adding a freezer use less energy than choosing a fridge-freezer?
You can’t tell from the appliance type alone: an additional freezer runs alongside the fridge you keep. ADEME gives guide figures of 300 kWh/year for a freezer, 180 kWh/year for a fridge and 315 kWh/year for a fridge-freezer. Compare the kWh/year of the models you’re considering rather than using these figures to predict your household’s energy use.
What temperature should I check when storing cooked meals in the fridge?
Anses recommends 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge for perishable foods, including cooked meals. It also advises against overfilling the appliance so that air can circulate.
Can I wait until the fridge is full before freezing portions?
Don’t use an overfilled fridge as a holding space before freezing: Anses recommends leaving room for air to circulate and freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until the end of its use-by date. It also says that defrosted food must not be refrozen.