Households preparing several portions in advance
If you regularly take out frozen meals, consider how the drawers or compartments let you separate portions and find the ones you’ve labelled with a date.
Which option is right for you?
Families building up a stock
If you’ll be accessing food and meals less often, a chest freezer may be worth considering, provided you have enough floor space and plan how to organise the food.
Households with a garage, cellar or limited kitchen space
Where you plan to put the appliance may determine which style is right for you. Measure the access route and the space needed to open it, and check the room temperature against the instructions for the specific model.
What should you look for before choosing?
First decide whether you need a dedicated freezer or are also replacing your fridge. Then compare how easy it is to reach your portions, the freezer capacity and the room’s conditions.
Upright freezer
Consider it: if you want to organise different portions and regularly take them out using drawers or shelves.
Bear in mind: you’ll need enough height and space in front of the appliance to open the door.
Chest freezer
Consider it: for a stock of meals or food that you access less often, provided you have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: use baskets or labels to help you find portions stored beneath other food.
Fridge freezer
Consider it: if you also need to replace the appliance you use to keep fresh food and want both functions in one.
Check: the total capacity includes the fridge. Only the freezer section meets your need for storing prepared meals.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Check the number and layout of the drawers, baskets or compartments. Make sure there’s enough room for your containers. | I often take out a particular meal, so I want to find it without moving all the other food. |
| Freezer capacity | Compare the usable capacity of the freezer section. With a fridge freezer, distinguish this from the total capacity, which includes the fridge. | For a stock of several meals and other food, I need to know how much space will actually be available for frozen items. |
| Location and use | Measure the appliance, the route into your home and the space needed to open it. Check the model’s ambient temperature range, and compare its energy label, noise level and stated power-cut storage time. | In a small kitchen, garage or cellar, I need to choose an appliance that’s suitable for the available space and room temperature. |
| Storing prepared meals | Choose containers that are suitable for food contact and how you plan to use them. Date your portions and follow food storage guidance before freezing. | I want to organise my prepared meals without using the freezer to extend the life of a product that’s close to its use-by date. |
What should you avoid?
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Choosing a chest freezer for daily portions without organising the bottom
When food is stacked up, portions stored underneath can be harder to find.
Use baskets for different food types and add date labels. If you need frequent access, consider an upright freezer with drawers instead.
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Confusing total capacity with freezer capacity
The stated capacity of a fridge freezer also includes the space for fresh food.
Before replacing your appliance, compare the usable capacity of the freezer section alone with the space your portions take up.
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Installing a model in an unheated room without checking its instructions
A stated suitability for a particular appliance doesn’t apply to every freezer from the same brand or in the same style.
Check the room temperature and the operating range and clearance requirements for the model you’ve chosen.
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Freezing food to make it last when its use-by date is close
The DGCCRF advises never freezing a product that’s close to, has reached or has passed its use-by date.
Follow food storage guidance before freezing, then date your prepared portions.
What do different brands offer?
Bosch
The range is worth exploring if you’re looking for an upright freezer that lets you separate portions. Check the features of the model you choose.
- Bosch states that the GSN36CWFV has a freezer capacity of 242 l and a No Frost function.
- This model is rated F on the A to G energy scale, so compare its energy label with those of other appliances you’re considering.
Beko
Beko’s range includes chest freezers as well as some upright models designed for use in unheated rooms.
- Beko states that the CF200EWN chest freezer has a capacity of 198 l and an SN-T climate class.
- Don’t assume that Freezer Guard, which is available on some Beko upright models, is included on another model. Check its instructions before installing it in a garage or cellar.
Liebherr
The FNe 5207 Pure NoFrost is an example of an upright freezer to consider if you need to store several types of frozen food.
- Liebherr states that this model has a capacity of 277 l and measures 185,5 × 59,7 × 67,5 cm.
- Its height and depth mean you’ll need to measure the access route and the space where it will go. FrostProtect is listed for this model, but isn’t available across the whole brand range.
Appliances for these needs on Joybuy
This selection includes fridge freezers if you’re also replacing your fridge, an upright freezer for easy access to portions, and chest freezers for building up a stock. First choose the style that suits how you’ll use it, then check the model’s features.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 4-door fridge freezer
Worth considering if you’re also replacing your fridge: its 467 L refers to the total capacity, not just the freezer. The model name lists Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Check the freezer capacity and ambient temperature range for your chosen location.
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Haier HTW5618ENMG, 3-door fridge freezer
This fridge freezer is suited to replacing your fridge as well as meeting your freezing needs. It has a stated total capacity of 360 L; the model name lists Total No Frost, Wi-Fi and an E energy rating. Check the space available for frozen meals separately.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L No Frost upright freezer
Consider vertical storage if you often take out separate portions. The product name lists three freezer drawers, an alarm and a C energy rating. Measure the appliance and check its ambient temperature range before choosing where to put it.
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AUCMA, 291 L convertible chest freezer
The chest freezer design suits a stock that you access less often, as long as you organise the food beneath the lid. The product name lists a removable basket, fridge and freezer modes, and an E energy rating. Check the ambient temperature range before installing it in an unheated room.
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TCL CF182EWE0FR, 140 L chest freezer
Consider this for a dedicated stock if top access suits you. The product name lists a basket, a counterbalanced lid, temperature control and an E energy rating. Measure the space needed to open it and check the model’s ambient temperature range.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a dedicated freezer to prepare several meals in advance?
Not necessarily. A dedicated appliance makes sense if your current freezer doesn’t have enough room for your portions and is no longer practical for everyday use. Compare the usable freezer capacity, then choose drawers for meals you take out often or a chest freezer for a stock you access less frequently.
Can you put a freezer in a garage or cellar?
Only if the room temperature falls within the operating range specified for the model you’ve chosen. Check the instructions and required clearance: a different model’s stated suitability for a cold room isn’t enough.
What should you look for on an energy label in France?
Compare the energy rating and stated consumption of the appliances you’re considering, taking their capacity and style into account. France’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition reminds consumers that freezers are among the products required to carry an energy label.
Can you freeze a product that’s close to its use-by date?
No. The DGCCRF advises never freezing a product that’s close to, has reached or has passed its use-by date. For your prepared portions, also follow storage guidance for the ingredients and use containers suitable for food contact.