People who eat their meals fresh
You prepare meals for the next few days and need room for several containers, without crowding the coldest part of the fridge or restricting airflow.
Who is this choice for?
People who freeze portions
You build up a supply for the weeks ahead and want to organise your portions so they're easy to find when your current freezer compartment starts to feel too small.
Households mindful of space and electricity use
You need more storage space, but also have to consider where an extra appliance could go and how much energy it would use.
What should you consider?
First, decide how much of your food will go in the fridge and how much you'll freeze. A fridge-freezer covers both needs, while a separate freezer only gives you more freezer space.
Fridge-freezer
Consider this if: you keep fresh meals for the next few days and freeze a limited number of portions in one appliance.
Limitation: the freezer compartment may fill up before the fridge does; their capacities aren't interchangeable.
Separate freezer
Consider this if: you often freeze portions and your existing freezer compartment is no longer big enough. According to Beko France's guide, an upright freezer makes it easy to reach items in drawers, while a chest freezer offers one large compartment.
Limitation: this appliance won't free up space for fresh meals and runs continuously.
Fridge and separate freezer
Consider this if: you need more space for both fresh meals and frozen portions than your current appliances can provide.
Limitation: you'll need to make room for both appliances and account for their energy consumption; ADEME points out that both run continuously.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space for fresh meals | Compare usable fridge capacity in litres and the shelf layout. Check the manual to find the coldest part of the fridge: Anses recommends keeping it at 4 °C for foods that need extra care, including cooked meals. | If I'm eating my meals over the next few days, I need my containers to fit without overfilling the fridge. Around 29% of consumers would make this fresh-food storage their priority. |
| Storage for frozen portions | Check the usable freezer capacity in litres, then choose between easy-to-reach drawers and a large compartment, depending on the portions you need to store. | When I prepare batches to keep for longer, I want to be able to freeze each portion and find it again. This storage would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Storage and space required | Measure the space available, the delivery route and the clearance needed to open the appliance. Also check its drawers or baskets. | If space is limited or I often take out a frozen portion, easy access to containers matters just as much as how many will fit. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Continuous energy use | Compare the stated annual energy consumption in kWh/an and the capacities of models suited to your needs. The European Commission's EPREL database lists these details for appliances registered there. | Before adding an appliance, I want to know whether I'll really use the extra capacity: according to ADEME, fridges and freezers run continuously. For around 21% of consumers, avoiding an oversized appliance would be the priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Buying a freezer when it's your fresh food that's overflowing
A separate freezer won't give you any more fridge space. For cooked meals that need extra care, Anses recommends keeping them in the coldest part of the fridge, at 4 °C.
Over a typical week, count the containers you need to keep fresh separately from the portions you plan to freeze. This will help you decide which compartment needs more space.
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Looking only at the total capacity of a fridge-freezer
This figure combines two spaces for different purposes. A large total capacity can hide a freezer compartment that's too small for your portions.
Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately on the model's product information, then compare them with the containers you use.
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Adding an appliance without checking its energy consumption
A fridge or freezer runs continuously. ADEME notes that a larger size and having more appliances than you need can increase your household's electricity use.
Compare the kWh/an figures for the models you're considering, and only add another appliance if you regularly need the extra capacity.
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Choosing a chest freezer without thinking about access to your portions
Its large compartment can make small containers harder to spot than they would be in drawers. Beko France describes an upright freezer as tall and divided into compartments, while a chest freezer has a horizontal layout.
If you choose a chest freezer, plan to use baskets and labelled containers. If you often take out a portion, also compare how easy it is to access items in an upright freezer.
Brands to consider when comparing layouts
Bosch
The brand's freestanding fridge-freezers are worth comparing when the balance between fridge and freezer space is important to you.
- For the KGN39VLCT, Bosch France lists 260 L of fridge space and 103 L of freezer space, as well as the NoFrost function.
- These specifications apply to this model only: check the capacities and dimensions of the specific fridge-freezer you're considering.
Whirlpool
Its freestanding and built-in fridge-freezers give you a chance to compare how capacity is divided across different installation types.
- Whirlpool France lists 340 L for the fridge and 150 L for the freezer on the WHK2 6493 X4E, compared with 295 L and 99 L on the built-in WH SP70 T121.
- Differences between these models don't tell you about the capacity or energy consumption of the entire range.
Beko
Beko France's guide helps you compare two types of freezer based on the space you have and how you want to access your portions.
- It describes an upright freezer as tall, with drawers, and a chest freezer as one large horizontal compartment.
- Storage layout and the space required vary by model, so measure the available space and check the product specifications.
Liebherr
Worth considering if your priority is fridge space rather than extra storage for frozen portions.
- Liebherr France presents the RBbsb 525i as a 386 L fridge with BioFresh compartments.
- This model's layout doesn't, by itself, meet a need for extra freezer space. Follow the storage guidance that applies to your meals.
Appliances available on Joybuy
These appliances offer two options for meal prep: fridges with freezer compartments for both types of storage, followed by an upright freezer if frozen storage is your main priority. Before choosing, compare how much space you really need in each compartment.
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Candy CFQQ5T817EPS, 4-door fridge-freezer, 467 L
Worth considering if you want to store both fresh meals and frozen portions in one appliance.
The title lists a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an energy rating of E. Check the capacity of each compartment, the clearance needed for the doors and the manual for details of the coldest part of the fridge.
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Samsung RF50C530EB1, 495 L multi-door fridge-freezer
Consider this if you want to look at an appliance for storing both fresh meals and frozen portions.
The title lists a total capacity of 495 L and an energy rating of E. Check the exact door and compartment layout, the capacity of each section and the clearance needed for installation.
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Bosch KGN33NLEB, 282 L fridge-freezer with bottom freezer
Compare this if fresh meals take up most of your storage space and you freeze fewer portions.
The title lists a total capacity of 282 L and an energy rating of E. Check the capacity of each compartment and make sure your containers will fit before choosing this layout.
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CHiQ JR525WSE, 525 L side-by-side fridge-freezer
Worth considering if you plan to store lots of fresh meals and portions to freeze at the same time.
The title lists 333 L of fridge space and 192 L of freezer space, as well as No Frost and an energy rating of E. Measure the space available and check the energy label to compare annual consumption.
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Heinrich´s, 161 L upright freezer, class C
Consider this if you mainly need separate storage for frozen portions; this appliance won't give you any extra fridge space.
The title lists a capacity of 161 L, No Frost and drawers. It gives a temperature range of −14 °C to −22 °C but doesn't specify the recommended everyday setting. Check the manual, along with the model's dimensions and annual energy consumption.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should I set my fridge to for prepared meals?
Anses recommends keeping the coldest part of the fridge at 4 °C and storing foods that need extra care there, including cooked meals. Check the manual to find this area and confirm its temperature setting.
Can I wait until the use-by date to freeze a meal?
No. Anses recommends freezing food as soon as you buy or prepare it, rather than waiting until its use-by date. Sort your portions as soon as you know which ones you'll be freezing.
Is the energy rating enough to compare two appliances?
No. Also compare the kWh/an figures, the capacity of each compartment and the dimensions of models suited to your needs. For appliances registered there, the European Commission's EPREL database lists these details.
Is a chest freezer suitable for a compact kitchen?
Only if its width and the space needed to open the lid suit the room. Beko France describes a chest freezer as having a horizontal layout. Also check the model's installation requirements before considering a utility room, garage or cellar.