For portions prepared in advance, an upright freezer makes it easy to organise and regularly access your containers, while a chest freezer is suited to storing large batches if you have enough floor space. A fridge-freezer is worth considering if you’re also replacing your fridge and its net freezer capacity is enough for your portions. In each case, compare capacity, installation requirements and annual energy consumption with your actual needs.
The right format depends both on how you take portions from your stock and on how many containers you need to store.
If you prepare meals in advance and regularly take portions out, consider the net capacity as well as how easy it is to separate and find your containers. The drawers in an upright freezer and the baskets in a chest freezer offer different ways to access your portions.
A chest freezer can hold large batches or bulky containers. However, you’ll need to allow space for the appliance and to open its lid, then organise your portions so you can reach those stored at the bottom.
A fridge-freezer may suit you if you need a new fridge and its freezer compartment can hold your usual stock of portions. Check the capacity of the freezer compartment separately: the fridge-freezer’s overall external size won’t tell you this on its own.
To choose between an upright freezer, a chest freezer and a fridge-freezer, start with the number of portions you need to store between meal-prep sessions. Then check how you’ll organise them and where you can install the appliance.
Consider this if: you often take out individual portions and want to organise them in drawers.
Bear in mind: the usable capacity depends on the model and how much space your containers take up in its compartments.
Consider this if: you store large batches or bulky containers and have enough floor space. Gifam says this format can offer a large capacity.
Bear in mind: portions stored deep inside need more careful organisation and stock rotation.
Consider this if: you also need to replace your fridge and the stated freezer capacity is enough for your portions.
Bear in mind: a large total capacity doesn’t guarantee a large freezer. For example, the Electrolux ENT6NE18S offers 62 L of freezer capacity and 195 L of fridge capacity.
| Consideration | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Check the net freezer capacity in litres, separately from the total capacity of a fridge-freezer. Compare it with the number and size of your containers, as well as any other ingredients you freeze. | I want enough room for the portions I prepare between stock rotations, without choosing based solely on the appliance’s external size. |
| Access to portions | Look at the drawers, shelves or baskets in the specific model. Check where you’ll put the containers you use most often and how you’ll reach those at the bottom of a chest freezer. | If I take a frozen meal out several times a week, I want to find its container without having to move all my other food. |
| Installation | Measure the space and delivery route. Check that the door or lid can open fully, and allow for the ventilation clearances stated in the instructions. | My appliance needs to fit, open and work in the space I’ve chosen, whether that’s a kitchen or a suitable storage area. |
| Energy and noise | For comparable appliances, check the kWh/year, net capacity and noise rating on the energy label. The A to G rating doesn’t replace the annual energy consumption figure. | If I’m adding an appliance to my household, I want to account for its continuous operation. ADEME notes that a freezer runs all the time. |
| Adding batches | If you fill the freezer after a meal-prep session, check the freezing capacity in kg/24 h and whether the specific model has a fast-freeze function. | I sometimes prepare several portions on the same day and want to choose an appliance with the stated features for this use in mind. |
| Food storage | Plan to label and rotate your portions. Anses recommends freezing food as soon as it’s prepared, rather than waiting until it’s close to its use-by date, and advises against refreezing defrosted food. | I want to keep track of what I’ve prepared and when, so I can use my stock without relying on freezing to make up for food that has been stored for too long. |
A chest freezer needs floor space and room to lift its lid, while an upright freezer’s height and door clearance need to be checked. A freezer with enough room for your portions won’t work if it can’t be installed properly.
Measure the space and delivery route, then check the model’s instructions for ventilation clearances.
The depth that lets you store large batches can also make containers at the bottom harder to reach. Meals may get left out of sight if you don’t keep track of where they are and when they were made.
Organise portions into zones or baskets, label containers with the date, and keep the meals you want to use first within easy reach.
You can’t compare two appliances with the same rating without considering their capacity and stated annual energy consumption in kWh.
Compare the kWh/year, net capacity and noise rating of models that meet similar storage needs.
A freezer added to your household also uses electricity between meal-prep sessions: ADEME notes that this appliance runs continuously.
According to Anses, freezing food at home at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but doesn’t destroy most microorganisms. It can’t make up for food that hasn’t been stored properly beforehand.
Freeze meals as soon as they’re prepared, defrost them using methods recommended by Anses, and don’t refreeze food that has already been defrosted.
These examples highlight the differences between formats and compartments, but you should still check the specifications of the model you’re considering.
In its French guide, Bosch presents an upright freezer as easy to organise thanks to its drawers. It’s worth considering if you want to sort your portions and access them regularly.
The brand’s chest freezers may be a useful comparison if you’re planning to store large batches and have enough floor space.
Electrolux product pages make it easy to check the fridge and freezer capacities separately when you’re considering a fridge-freezer.
This selection includes a fridge-freezer for replacing your fridge too, two chest freezers and two upright freezers for adding dedicated freezer capacity. Compare the capacity and storage layout of each model with your portions, then check the installation requirements of the one you choose.
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Worth considering if you’re also replacing your fridge and want to set aside a compartment for prepared portions.
The product description lists 125 L of freezer capacity, three drawers, 271 kWh/year and dimensions of 185 × 59.5 × 66.7 cm. Check that 125 L is enough for your stock, and consult the instructions for installation clearances.
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This dedicated chest freezer could suit you if you store batches of portions and its capacity and floor space requirements work for your home.
The product description lists a removable basket, a freezing capacity of 4.5 kg/24 h and dimensions of 54.5 × 47.6 × 83.5 cm. Plan how you’ll find containers beneath the basket. Also check the energy label for kWh/year and the instructions for ventilation requirements.
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An upright freezer to consider if you want to separate your portions and access your stock by compartment.
The product description lists three drawers and a Fast Freeze function. Compare the 161 L capacity with your containers, then check the installation dimensions and the model’s kWh/year before choosing.
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If you’re short on floor space, compare this additional capacity with the number of containers you need to store.
The product description lists dimensions of 44.5 × 47.5 × 84.5 cm and a freezing capacity of 6 kg/24 h. The title lists three drawers, while the description mentions two covered shelves and a lower drawer. Confirm the layout of this version, and check the kWh/year and required clearances too.
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This chest freezer is suited to households looking to store portions in a dedicated appliance and with enough floor space for it.
The product description lists a basket and dimensions of 637 × 556 × 846 mm. Check the delivery route and lid clearance, then plan how you’ll organise portions stored beneath the basket. Check the model’s product page for its kWh/year and freezing capacity per 24 hours.
Not necessarily. A fridge-freezer may be enough if you’re also replacing your fridge and its net freezer capacity can hold your usual stock. If you want to add dedicated freezer capacity, compare the drawer access of an upright freezer with the floor space needed for a chest freezer and how you’ll organise food stored deep inside.
Count the portions from one meal-prep session, measure your containers and add any ingredients you freeze separately. Then compare the total with the net capacity of the compartment you’re considering. Gifam recommends taking your storage habits into account, while Bosch’s suggested capacities for different household sizes are only an indicative guide from the brand.
Compare the A to G rating and, above all, the annual energy consumption in kWh, taking the net capacity of the models you’re considering into account. The European energy label and Gifam’s guidance also let you check capacity and noise information. The same rating doesn’t mean the appliances have the same annual energy consumption.
Anses recommends freezing food as soon as it’s prepared, rather than waiting until it’s close to its use-by date. It explains that at −18 °C, bacteria stop multiplying, but most microorganisms aren’t destroyed. Date your portions, defrost them in the fridge, in the microwave using the defrost setting, or quickly by cooking, and don’t refreeze food that has already been defrosted.