If you regularly store fresh food and a moderate amount of frozen food, compare the capacities of the two compartments in a fridge freezer. If prepared portions and frozen shopping consistently take up too much space, consider a separate freezer. For a small freezer compartment, check its temperature and intended use carefully. In every case, measure the space available and check the installation requirements for the model you choose.
To divide portions between the fridge and freezer, work out how much space you need in each compartment and plan an arrangement that makes it easy to find your meals. For freezing, the Ministry of Agriculture recommends setting the freezer to −18 °C.
If you buy more on each trip to the shops, compare the space for fresh and frozen food separately. Also check the appliance’s dimensions and its declared annual energy consumption.
You could consider a separate freezer in a utility room or another space, provided its dimensions, ventilation requirements and climate class are suitable for the location. The French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) recommends checking the ambient temperature range specified for the model.
Start with what you actually keep chilled and frozen, then check that the type of appliance you choose can be installed and used in the room you have in mind.
| Feature | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity split | Compare the capacity in litres of the fridge and freezer compartments separately, rather than looking only at the total capacity. Check how the drawers or baskets help you organise portions. | I shop less often and need to be able to find my prepared meals without crowding the space for fresh food. |
| Freezer use | For a freezer compartment, check the star rating, temperature and uses listed in the instructions. For a freezer used to store prepared portions, the Ministry of Agriculture recommends a setting of −18 °C. | If I regularly freeze several meals, I need to check that the compartment is suitable; a small freezer compartment is not automatically a substitute for a freezer. |
| Style and access | A fridge freezer combines chilled and frozen storage in one appliance. If you need extra capacity, compare the drawer access of an upright freezer with the top-opening design and internal layout of a chest freezer. | I often reach for small portions, so separate compartments help me find them. For larger shops, I also need to be able to organise and retrieve food stored at the bottom of a chest freezer. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, as well as the space needed to open the door or lid. Check the ventilation clearances and the model’s climate class, particularly if it will be kept outside the kitchen. | My kitchen is narrow, or I plan to use a cellar or garage: the appliance needs to fit in the room and be suitable for its ambient temperature. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Compare the kWh/year and stated capacities of similar types of appliance, along with their energy ratings. Check whether each model needs manual or automatic defrosting. | I want to compare appliances that will run continuously, rather than choosing based on the energy rating letter alone. |
A large total capacity doesn’t guarantee enough room in the compartment you’ll use most, especially if you freeze portions.
Make a note of what you struggle to fit at home, then compare the stated fridge and freezer capacities separately for each model.
Choosing a chest or upright design doesn’t, on its own, mean an appliance is suitable for the ambient temperature in that room.
Check the climate class, installation requirements and ventilation clearances in the instructions for the exact model, as ADEME recommends when choosing a freezer.
Not all low-temperature compartments are designed for the same kind of food storage. The Ministry of Agriculture recommends −18 °C for a freezer.
Before planning to store prepared meals in one, check the star rating, temperature and storage guidance for the compartment.
The letter alone doesn’t tell you the available capacity or the declared annual energy consumption. The EU energy label lets you review these details together.
Compare the kWh/year and capacities of similar types of appliance, then check whether their defrosting method suits the level of maintenance you’re happy with.
These examples illustrate styles and features to compare on specific models. They don’t necessarily represent an entire brand’s range.
The freestanding KGN39AIAU fridge freezer is worth considering if you want chilled and frozen storage in one appliance.
The built-in KNT6ME18S4 is an option for a fitted kitchen where installation within the cabinetry is a key consideration.
The freestanding freezer range includes upright models to consider if you need extra space for frozen food.
The W3RHS37EW1 chest freezer is an example of an internal layout designed for extra storage.
This selection includes fridge freezers that keep chilled and frozen food in one appliance, as well as a chest freezer for extra separate storage. Compare their capacities with the portions you usually prepare and the space you have available.
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Worth considering if your shopping and prepared portions call for a generous total capacity, but check how much space is actually available for chilled and frozen food. The model name indicates Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Also measure the room needed to open the doors and allow for installation clearances.
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Its stated width of 54 cm is worth comparing with the space available in a narrow kitchen, and don’t forget to allow for the door to open. This 176 cm-high model is listed with Low Frost. If you plan to install it in an outbuilding, check the ambient temperature range in the instructions.
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This top-opening chest freezer is worth comparing with a separate appliance if you have enough floor space for your frozen food. Its name indicates fridge and freezer modes, an energy rating of E and a removable basket. Check the temperature ranges for each mode and the climate class before planning long-term storage or garage installation.
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At a stated height of 150 cm, this fridge freezer is worth considering if headroom is limited and you need two separate storage spaces. Its name specifies Low Frost, a four-star freezer and a reversible door. Check the capacity of each compartment, annual energy consumption and installation requirements before choosing it.
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This energy rating C fridge freezer is another option for storing fresh shopping and frozen food in one appliance. NatureFRESH, DoorCooling+ and LinearCooling are technologies listed for this model, but the names alone don’t tell you whether it’s right for your meals. Before storing frozen portions in it long term, check the compartment temperature and follow the stated installation clearances.
ANSES recommends keeping food between 0 and +4 °C at the coldest point in the fridge. For a freezer, the Ministry of Agriculture recommends a setting of −18 °C. Check the temperatures and follow the storage instructions on food packaging.
Don’t assume so: check the star rating, the temperature it reaches and the compartment’s intended use. If you plan to freeze and store portions, choose a suitable compartment and follow the Ministry of Agriculture’s recommendation to set the freezer to −18 °C.
Compare their declared annual energy consumption in kWh/year for appliances of a similar type and capacity, then check their energy ratings. The EU energy label and the European Commission’s EPREL database also let you check the declared capacities of the compartments.
Only if the ambient temperature range specified for the model suits the room and you can meet its installation requirements. ADEME recommends checking the climate class. Also check the ventilation and the space needed to open the door or lid.
Find out about the take-back options offered when you buy your new appliance, or locate a collection point for waste electrical and electronic equipment. The French Ministry for the Ecological Transition points out that this equipment may contain components that are hazardous to the environment.