If you want to store more meals ahead of time, first choose between an upright freezer’s handy drawers for finding portions and a chest freezer’s open space, which suits larger batches if you have enough floor space. An under-counter model is better for a small amount of extra storage; a larger fridge freezer will only save you from buying a separate freezer if its freezer compartment has enough capacity for your needs. Then compare the dimensions, installation location and energy consumption of the specific model.
If you keep prepared meals and ingredients separate so you can find them quickly, an upright freezer with drawers is worth considering. Electrolux says that clear drawers make it easier to see what’s inside; check the layout of the model you have in mind.
If you have floor space and freeze bulky containers, a chest freezer offers more open storage space. However, plan how you’ll organise it so you can reach smaller portions without moving everything else.
If your fridge freezer compartment is no longer big enough but space is limited, a top or under-counter freezer can provide extra capacity. Check that its volume and freezing capacity suit the quantities you prepare.
For meals prepared ahead, start with how much you need to store and how often you’ll access it, then compare each type with the space available. If you’re considering a larger fridge freezer, compare the capacity of its freezer compartment alone with the extra space you need.
Consider it if: you often take out individual portions and want to organise them in drawers.
Bear in mind: drawers offer less flexibility for bulky containers; check the height and door clearance too.
Consider it if: you mainly store large batches or bulky containers and have enough floor space.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to organise the inside to find a small portion at the bottom.
Consider it if: a small amount of extra storage is enough and space is limited in your kitchen.
Bear in mind: its capacity needs to suit how often you prepare food; this type may not provide enough storage for larger batches.
Consider it if: you also need to replace your fridge and the new freezer compartment is large enough.
Bear in mind: the total capacity of a fridge freezer isn’t the same as its freezer space.
| Factor | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Access to portions | Layout and size of drawers or baskets; access to food stored at the bottom. | If I regularly take out just one portion, I want to find it without moving other meals. Around 37 % of consumers would prioritise easy everyday access. |
| Capacity and space | Net freezer capacity, dimensions, delivery access and clearance needed to open the door. | If I prepare large batches, I need storage that will genuinely fit in the space available. For around 36 % of consumers, this balance between capacity and space would be the main consideration. |
| Use and installation | Energy consumption in kWh/year, ambient temperature range specified in the manual and stated storage time in the event of a power cut. | If the room isn’t heated much, I want to know whether the appliance can operate there and how much energy it uses over time. These factors would come first for around 27 % of consumers. |
The European Commission says the energy label includes information such as energy consumption, capacity and noise. As ADEME points out, a freezer runs continuously: compare kWh/year with the usable freezer capacity, rather than looking at the energy rating letter alone.
A chest freezer takes up floor space, while a tall upright model means checking both the access route and how far its door swings open. Two models with similar capacities aren’t necessarily interchangeable.
Before choosing, measure the appliance, the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the door or lid.
The climate class indicates the ambient temperature range the appliance is designed to operate in. Claims made about certain models don’t apply to an entire product category.
If you’re putting it in a garage, cellar or outbuilding, compare the room temperature with the range given in the manual for the exact model.
The label also gives annual energy consumption, capacity and noise levels. The rating letter alone doesn’t tell you how much freezer space you’ll get.
Compare the kWh/year and net capacity of the models you’re considering, then use the label’s QR code to view each model’s detailed product information.
According to Anses, freezing food at home at −18 °C stops bacteria from multiplying, but most micro-organisms survive. So a larger freezer doesn’t mean you can ignore food safety guidelines.
Follow Anses recommendations for freezing and defrosting prepared meals; don’t refreeze food once it has been defrosted.
The range includes upright freezers, chest freezers and fridge freezers, giving you several ways to store prepared meals.
The models considered range from a high-capacity upright freezer to a small top freezer.
Built-in freezers are worth considering if fitting in with your kitchen units is a priority.
These Joybuy appliances show three ways to add freezer space for prepared meals: an upright freezer with drawers, chest freezers in different sizes and a compact upright model. First choose the type that suits your portions and available space, then check the details for the specific model.
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Worth considering if you want to keep portions separate in an upright appliance. The product title lists a capacity of 161 L, three freezer drawers, No Frost protection and energy rating C.
Before putting it in a cold room, check the permitted ambient temperature range in the manual; the temperature settings shown in the title aren’t a substitute for this information.
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Consider it for large batches or bulky containers if you have enough floor space. The title lists a capacity of 291 L, a convertible fridge or freezer mode, a removable basket and energy rating E.
Plan how you’ll organise smaller portions and measure the clearance needed to open the lid. If the room isn’t heated much, check the installation requirements in the manual.
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Worth considering if you want separate freezer space but don’t need the 291 L chest freezer featured here. The title lists a capacity of 197 L, a convertible fridge or freezer mode, a removable basket and energy rating E.
Check the footprint and lid clearance in your chosen location. The basket helps with storage, but you’ll need to move things around more to reach portions underneath.
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Worth considering if a 141 L chest freezer is big enough for the meals you want to store ahead of time. The title lists a convertible fridge or freezer mode, a removable basket, a seven-setting thermostat and energy rating E.
Although it has a smaller capacity, this chest freezer still needs clearance for the lid. Before installing it in a garage or cellar, check the recommended ambient temperature range.
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Worth considering for a small amount of extra storage when space is limited. The title lists a capacity of 60 L, three drawers, a reversible door and energy rating E.
If you regularly prepare large batches, compare this capacity with the amount you need to store. Also measure the space and clearance needed to open the door.
Compare the A to G energy rating, annual consumption in kWh, freezer capacity and noise level. According to the European Commission, the QR code on the label links to detailed product information for the model; kWh/year figures are more useful when considered alongside the capacity you need.
No. Check the ambient temperature range specified for the exact model. The climate class defines the ambient conditions the appliance is designed for; claims about certain models don’t apply to every freezer made by that brand.
Yes, it’s worth comparing if you store a lot of prepared meals, but it varies by model. Beko France states 17 h for the RFNE448E45W, while the Haier H4F306WDH1 product information lists 12 h; check the figure and the conditions in the documentation for the appliance you’re considering.
No. Its capacity doesn’t change the rules for safe food storage. Anses points out that at −18 °C, bacteria stop multiplying but most micro-organisms survive; it recommends not refreezing food once it has been defrosted.