For cooked chicken that you chill promptly after class and eat within two days, a compact fridge may be enough, provided your containers fit and you can check that the fridge compartment is at 4 °C. If you want to keep fresh portions for longer, choose a model with a freezer compartment suitable for freezing fresh food. A fridge cannot make chicken safe again if it has been left unrefrigerated for too long.
You want to chill cooked chicken promptly after class and eat it within the recommended storage period. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping cooked chicken in the fridge for no more than two days and setting the fridge to 4 °C.
You’re looking for a model that fits the space available and has room for lidded containers. The stated capacity in litres isn’t the same as the space you can actually use.
You want to keep leftovers for longer, so you need to distinguish between fridge space and a freezer compartment suitable for freezing fresh food. According to the Consumers’ Association, this requires a four-star freezer compartment.
Best for: chilling chicken promptly, usually eating it within two days, and needing fridge space in a small area.
Trade-off: you can’t freeze portions in this appliance.
Best for: regularly freezing fresh leftovers and wanting one appliance for both chilling and freezing.
Trade-off: compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately; not every freezer compartment is suitable for fresh portions.
Best for: when there’s enough room for your containers and you can reach and check the recommended temperature of 4 °C.
Trade-off: an extra fridge left on permanently uses electricity; Milieu Centraal recommends taking its annual energy consumption into account.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a fridge temperature of 4 °C. Once your chosen model is in place, use a fridge thermometer to check whether it reaches that temperature in your kitchen.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature you can check | Can you set the fridge compartment to 4 °C and measure the temperature once the appliance is in place? Is there room for lidded containers? | I want to chill leftovers promptly after class and know whether my fridge is cold enough. Around 36% of consumers say reliable temperature control is their top priority when buying. |
| Suitable size and fridge space | Measure the space where the appliance will go and check whether your containers fit inside; look beyond the stated capacity in litres. | In a small kitchen, the appliance needs to fit and there needs to be room for my containers. Around 29% of consumers give the highest priority to suitable dimensions and usable fridge space. |
| Freezing fresh portions | Check the fridge and freezer capacities separately and see whether the freezer compartment has a four-star rating. | If I want to eat portions later, I need to know whether the freezer compartment is suitable. Around 21% of consumers put freezing fresh food at the top of their buying priorities. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare the annual energy consumption in kWh on the energy label of models that fit the space; also check the stated noise level. | For everyday use, I want to take energy consumption into account, especially if the fridge is near where I sleep or study. Around 14% of consumers name running costs as their main buying priority. |
A fridge can’t undo what happened before you put the chicken in it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises not leaving perishable food out of the fridge for more than two hours.
Keep track of when the chicken was cooked and chilled. If it has been out of the fridge for more than two hours, don’t keep it for later.
The Consumers’ Association says that one-, two- and three-star freezer compartments aren’t suitable for freezing fresh food; you need a four-star freezer compartment for that.
Check the model’s star rating and compare the stated freezer capacity separately from the fridge space.
Shelves and drawers affect how much space you can actually use for containers. The energy label lists annual electricity consumption separately.
Check how your own containers fit in the fridge, then compare the annual energy consumption in kWh of models that fit the space.
The KK471W is a slim fridge worth considering if you’re mainly looking for everyday chilled storage.
The TSE1285N is a freestanding tabletop model to compare if you have room for a wider appliance.
The KTL15NWEB combines a tabletop fridge with a freezer compartment for anyone who also wants to freeze portions.
The Rd 1200 Pure is a tabletop model to include in your comparison if adjustable settings and stated noise levels matter to you.
These picks are tabletop and under-counter fridges for everyday chilled storage; some models also list a separate freezer compartment. If a model has a freezer compartment, check that it’s suitable for freezing fresh portions.
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A compact option for chilling everyday leftovers; once it’s in place, use a thermometer to check whether the fridge compartment reaches 4 °C.
The product information lists 88 litres of fridge space and temperature control via a dial.
Dimensions: 48 × 45 × 85 cm. The description mentions glass shelves, a salad drawer and LED lighting.
The product information doesn’t list a freezer compartment.
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An option if you want a separate freezer compartment as well as fridge space; check the freezer’s rating before storing fresh portions in it.
The product information lists 95 litres of fridge space and a 14-litre freezer compartment.
Also mentioned are glass shelves, a salad drawer and temperature control via a dial.
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A tabletop model to consider if you’re looking for everyday fridge space; check that your containers fit the layout and measure the temperature once the appliance is in place.
The product information lists a capacity of 107 litres and mechanical temperature control.
The layout includes a glass shelf, a salad drawer and door shelves.
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A tabletop model for everyday chilled storage; measure the available space and use a thermometer to check whether the fridge compartment reaches 4 °C.
The product information lists 129 litres of fridge space and temperature control via a dial.
The layout includes two glass shelves, a salad drawer and two door shelves. The product information doesn’t list a freezer compartment.
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A compact under-counter model for everyday chilled storage; check the space available and measure the temperature once the appliance is in place.
The product information lists a capacity of 88 litres, an adjustable thermostat and dimensions of 44,5 × 47 × 82,7 cm.
According to the product information, the separate chill zone is intended for short-term chilling; don’t use it for chicken that needs to be stored for more than two hours.
Removable glass shelves and a salad drawer are also mentioned.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises not leaving perishable leftovers out of the fridge for more than two hours. Chilling them afterwards doesn’t undo the time they were left out.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping cooked chicken in the fridge for up to two days and in the freezer for up to three months, as long as you chill leftovers promptly and store them in a sealed container. When serving a portion again, reheat it all the way through until piping hot.
Set the fridge to 4 °C, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, and check the temperature with a fridge thermometer. Follow the instructions for the thermometer and appliance; adjust the setting if the reading isn’t 4 °C.
No. According to the Consumers’ Association, a four-star freezer compartment is suitable for freezing fresh food. Check the rating of the specific model; don’t assume it’s suitable just because it has a freezer compartment.
