To store a large harvest or bulk purchases, start by choosing according to how much you need to store, the space available and how often you’ll be looking for food. A chest freezer can suit large batches if you have enough floor space and can organise its contents; an upright freezer makes portions easier to access. An under-counter freezer or a large fridge-freezer is worth comparing if you only need extra capacity. Check how much of its capacity is actually dedicated to freezing.
If you need to store a lot of food at once, consider the usable capacity and how much room the appliance will take up. A chest freezer could be a good fit if you have enough floor space and a way to find items stored at the bottom.
If you regularly take out bags and prepared meals, an upright freezer with drawers can make it easier to organise and access everything. Make sure the compartments can accommodate the containers you usually use.
Compare the dimensions of an upright freezer, an under-counter freezer and a larger fridge-freezer. For a fridge-freezer, check the capacity of the freezer compartment alone. For any appliance, also check the permitted ambient temperatures for the room where you plan to put it.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a chest freezer is suited to storing large quantities, while an upright freezer takes up less width and makes it easier to organise food in drawers. An under-counter freezer is mainly a good choice when space is limited; a fridge-freezer is worth comparing if you’re also thinking about replacing your fridge.
Consider it: for large batches, if you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: food at the bottom needs to be organised in baskets or containers.
Consider it: if you regularly take out portions and want to organise them in drawers.
Bear in mind: the compartments may not be large enough for bulky containers.
Consider it: for extra storage when the space under your worktop determines your choice.
Bear in mind: check that its usable capacity is enough for the amount you want to freeze.
Consider it: if you also need to replace your fridge.
Bear in mind: only part of its total capacity is dedicated to freezing.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage capacity | Compare the usable capacity dedicated to freezing with the size of your batches. Don’t rely on the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. | After a large harvest or several bulk purchases, you need enough room to store your food. Around 36% of consumers are said to prioritise storage capacity. |
| Access to food | Look at the drawers or baskets and check there’s enough room for your containers. | If you regularly take out a variety of portions, being able to find a bag without emptying the appliance becomes essential. Access and organisation are said to be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Where you’ll put it | Measure the route to the space, the clearance needed to open it and the permitted ambient temperature range for the model. | In a small kitchen or a room where the temperature varies, the appliance first needs to fit and work in the space you have in mind. This is said to be the deciding factor for around 21% of consumers. |
| Fresh food to freeze | Check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h and the stated storage time in the event of a power cut. | If a large quantity of fresh food arrives on the same day, you’ll want to know how much the appliance can freeze in that time. Around 14% of consumers are said to put this capacity and keeping food cold at the top of their list. |
A large chest freezer may be difficult to fit or open in the space you have. A narrower upright freezer could be a better choice if easy access to portions matters more.
Measure the space and delivery route, then check that the baskets or drawers can hold your containers.
The room temperature may fall outside the range the appliance is designed for. ADEME recommends checking the climate class for the installation location.
Note the room’s minimum and maximum temperatures throughout the year and compare them with the instructions for the specific model.
Usable capacity doesn’t tell you how much fresh food a model can freeze in a day. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol also assesses more intensive freezing.
If you’re freezing a harvest or a large food shop in one go, check the model’s freezing capacity in kg/24 h.
The total capacity of a fridge-freezer includes the fridge compartment, so it doesn’t tell you how much room you’ll have for your harvest.
Compare the capacity of the freezer compartment alone and its freezing capacity with those of dedicated freezers.
These models include a fridge-freezer to compare as an alternative, two chest freezers and an upright freezer for extra frozen storage. Before choosing, check the capacity dedicated to freezing and the requirements of the room where you plan to put it.
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Worth comparing if you want to replace your fridge as well, rather than add a dedicated freezer.
The model name lists a total capacity of 467 L, four doors and Total No Frost technology. Check the freezer compartment capacity, dimensions and permitted ambient temperature range for your room separately.
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This chest freezer could work as extra storage if 99 L is enough for your batches.
The product name lists an adjustable thermostat and a removable basket. Check whether manual defrosting suits you and whether the permitted ambient temperature range matches the room you have in mind.
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This type of freezer is suited to those who want to organise portions in a dedicated appliance.
The product name lists a 161 L capacity, three freezer drawers and No Frost. If you need to freeze large quantities of fresh food, check its freezing capacity in kg/24 h. Also check the dimensions and permitted ambient temperatures.
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This chest freezer gives you dedicated storage to compare with the size of your harvests or bulk purchases.
The product name lists a 140 L capacity, a storage basket, a counterbalanced lid and temperature control. Before planning to freeze large quantities of fresh food, check its freezing capacity in kg/24 h and the permitted ambient temperatures.
Yes, as long as the actual temperatures in the room stay within the range specified for the model. ADEME recommends checking the climate class. Compare the appliance instructions with the minimum and maximum temperatures in the room, rather than relying on the room’s name alone.
It may be suitable if the freezer compartment can hold the amount you need to store and its freezing capacity matches the quantities of fresh food you’ll be adding. Compare both features with those of a chest or upright freezer: a fridge-freezer’s total capacity includes the fridge compartment.
The French Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting it to −18 °C for storing food at home. Check your model’s instructions too, for details on its controls and conditions of use.
Check the energy label for the specific models rather than estimating their energy use based on type alone. European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 sets out energy labelling requirements for refrigerating appliances. Compare the figures shown with the capacity actually dedicated to freezing.
See whether the drawers in an upright freezer or the baskets in a chest freezer will let you separate portions and reach the ones you use often. Also check the defrosting method and care instructions for the model: a large capacity alone doesn’t guarantee convenient storage.