If most of your storage is taken up by fresh food, start by looking at fridges. If you’re short of space for both fresh food and frozen portions, compare the capacity of each compartment in a fridge freezer. A separate freezer is better suited to a shortage of space for frozen food, provided you have room to install one. If your current appliance already meets your needs, reorganising its contents can save you from adding another appliance that runs continuously.
Work out how much space you need for meals to keep in the fridge and how much for portions to freeze. An appliance’s total capacity doesn’t tell you how that space is divided between the two compartments.
If you stock up on more food each time you shop, check which compartment actually fills up. Before adding another appliance, compare its footprint and the annual energy consumption shown on the energy label too.
Measure the space and the doorways the appliance will need to pass through, then check the model’s manual for ventilation clearances. The right capacity is no use if you can’t install the appliance properly.
Start with the compartment that’s short of space, then check the installation requirements and energy label information before choosing an appliance type.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity by compartment | Compare fridge and freezer capacity in litres separately. For a fridge freezer, don’t just look at the total capacity; for a separate freezer, check that you can easily access the food inside too. | I mainly need more room for fresh meals: a fridge may meet that need. If frozen portions are overflowing but the fridge has enough space, I’d look at a separate freezer instead. If both are short of space, I’d compare the capacity of each compartment in a fridge freezer. |
| Energy consumption | According to the European Commission, the energy label for refrigeration appliances includes information such as the efficiency class, annual energy consumption and capacity. Compare kWh/year between appliances of a similar type and capacity, rather than looking at the class letter alone. | If I add an appliance that will run continuously, I want to compare its annual energy consumption with that of options suited to the amount of food I need to store. |
| Installation | Measure the appliance or its alcove, the delivery route and the space needed to open the doors or lid. Follow the model’s manual for ventilation and check its climate class if the room gets very hot or cold. | In my kitchen or utility room, I need to be able to fit the appliance and access its contents without overlooking the clearances specified by the manufacturer. |
| Noise | Check the noise emissions in dB and the noise class for the specific model on its label. Think about where the appliance will be running. | If it’s near my living area or workspace, the stated noise level matters alongside the available capacity. |
| Existing appliance | Take stock of your food and reorganise portions before deciding you need more capacity. If the appliance isn’t working properly, consider a repair or a replacement that addresses the problem. | If my appliance is cooling properly and can hold what I want to store after I’ve reorganised it, I can keep it without adding a second appliance. |
A large total capacity can hide a freezer compartment that’s too small for your prepared portions.
Make a note of what you’re short of space for right now — fresh food, frozen food or both — then compare the capacity of each compartment in litres.
The class letter doesn’t tell you the annual energy consumption or whether the capacity meets your needs — both are important when weighing up your options.
Compare the kWh/year on the energy labels of appliances with a similar type and capacity, then check their capacity by compartment.
An alcove that’s too narrow, a door that can’t open properly or insufficient ventilation can prevent you from installing the appliance as instructed.
Measure up before ordering and follow the instructions for your chosen model. For example, Bosch recommends at least 200 cm² of ventilation space behind and beneath the relevant fridges. This figure doesn’t apply to every appliance.
A second appliance takes up space and runs continuously, but you may not need one if reorganising your current storage is enough.
First, take stock of what you store. If your appliance has a fault, look into the possibility of repairing it before deciding to replace it.
These examples of product information and installation advice can help you identify what to check for a specific model. They don’t cover every range from each brand.
Bosch offers both built-in and freestanding fridges, with installation advice for kitchens with an appliance alcove.
Product information for some Electrolux fridge freezers separates out storage capacity and lists energy consumption and noise levels.
Liebherr offers fridges, fridge freezers and freezers, with specifications that vary from model to model.
These models cover two of the needs discussed in this guide: keeping fresh and frozen food in one appliance, or adding a chest freezer when you mainly need more space for frozen food.
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Worth considering if you want to keep fresh food and frozen portions in one appliance. The model name indicates a total capacity of 467 L, an E class rating and Total No Frost technology. Check how the capacity is divided, how the four doors open and the clearances specified in the manual.
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A way to combine fresh and frozen storage in an appliance with a stated width of 54 cm. The model is listed as 176 cm high, with a 70/30 capacity split. Its Low Frost freezer requires manual defrosting. The product information gives an ambient temperature range of 16 to 38 °C and advises against installing it in a garage or outbuilding.
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Consider this if you need space for both fresh and frozen food. The product name specifies 333 L of fridge space and 192 L of freezer space, as well as No Frost and an E class rating. Check the external dimensions, door clearance and kWh/year before comparing installation requirements and energy consumption with other models.
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Add dedicated space for frozen food without replacing your fridge. This model has a removable basket and sliding lid. Its product information recommends manual defrosting when the frost exceeds 5 mm. Check the space needed to open the lid and allow for ventilation, as well as the kWh/year to compare energy consumption.
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A separate freezer space, with a basket to help organise some of the contents. This 140 L model has a counterbalanced lid and an adjustable thermostat. Check the space needed to open the lid, kWh/year, noise level and defrosting requirements before deciding.
Compare annual energy consumption in kWh, compartment capacities and noise information, as well as the efficiency class. The European Commission lists these as information included on the energy label for refrigeration appliances. To compare kWh/year meaningfully, look at appliances of a similar type and capacity.
No. Check the capacity in litres for fresh and frozen food separately. For example, Electrolux lists 179 L of fridge space and 70 L of freezer space for its KNS3SE18S built-in fridge freezer. Your choice should depend on which compartment you need more room in.
Measure the space or alcove, the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the doors or lid. Then follow the ventilation and climate class requirements in the model’s manual. Bosch and Electrolux’s installation advice both highlight the importance of good air circulation.
Not necessarily. Take stock of your food and reorganise it to see whether the available capacity meets your needs. If the appliance isn’t cooling properly or has a fault, consider a repair or replacement rather than relying on reorganising alone.