If you eat cooked lentils within two days, a compact model without a freezer compartment may be enough, provided it has sufficient usable space and you can check the temperature is 4 °C. If you cook batches to eat later, compare a model with a freezer compartment or a larger fridge-freezer. Check that the freezer space, external dimensions and annual energy consumption suit your household.
You cook more lentils than you can eat within two days, so you need to decide how much freezer space you need alongside your regular groceries. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides storage guidance, while Inventum’s KV550 is an example of a table-top fridge with a freezer compartment.
You want room for a fridge and sealed containers without taking up too much of your available floor or worktop space. The Dutch Consumers’ Association points out that the stated capacity isn’t the same as the usable space, so check the external dimensions and layout of each model too.
You eat cooked lentils quickly and prioritise temperature-controlled refrigeration over a built-in freezer compartment. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends setting your fridge to 4 °C and keeping cooked lentils without salt refrigerated for no more than two days.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping cooked lentils without salt in the fridge for two days and in the freezer for three months. The right fridge for you therefore depends mainly on when you plan to eat the portions, how much space you need and whether you want to freeze them.
A good fit if: You eat lentils within two days or already have a separate freezer.
The trade-off: All the stated capacity is fridge space, but you can’t freeze portions in this appliance.
A good fit if: You want to freeze portions occasionally and have limited space for an appliance.
The trade-off: The freezer compartment takes up space that could otherwise be used for refrigeration; check that your portion containers will fit.
A good fit if: You regularly freeze several portions and other groceries, and have room for a larger appliance.
The trade-off: Milieu Centraal recommends choosing a size that meets your needs; an oversized fridge can use more electricity than necessary.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature you can check | The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends 4 °C. Check how to set the temperature, then measure it after installation with a fridge thermometer. | I want to check that the fridge is cold enough after installation; around 33% of consumers make temperature-controlled refrigeration their main priority. |
| Space to freeze portions | Compare the separate fridge and freezer capacities, and check that your portion containers will fit in the freezer compartment. | If I cook more lentils than I can eat within two days, I want to know whether my portion containers will fit in the freezer compartment; around 25% of consumers mainly want to freeze portions. |
| Fit and usable layout | Measure the space for your appliance and check the shelves with your own containers. The Dutch Consumers’ Association notes that the stated capacity isn’t all usable space. | In a small kitchen, the appliance needs to fit while leaving room for sealed containers; around 25% of consumers prioritise fit and layout. |
| Annual energy consumption | Compare the annual consumption in kWh of models with the right fridge and freezer capacity for you; don’t look at the energy class alone. | I compare annual energy consumption once I’ve found the right size, because a fridge runs continuously; around 17% of consumers prioritise energy consumption. |
Freezer capacity is listed separately, and the stated number of litres doesn’t necessarily reflect how much space you can actually use for containers.
Compare fridge and freezer space separately, and check your portion containers against the layout.
You may still need a separate freezer or a larger appliance for extra portions.
The set temperature doesn’t tell you what temperature your food is kept at. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends 4 °C.
After installation, check the temperature with a fridge thermometer and adjust the setting if needed.
The energy class alone doesn’t tell you how much electricity an appliance uses each year; size and capacity also affect the comparison.
As well as the energy class, compare annual consumption in kWh and the space you actually need.
Offers compact table-top models with and without a freezer compartment, including the KV550.
Offers compact models with and without a freezer compartment, including the KKV956WIT and KVV856WIT.
The Rd 1400 Pure is a table-top model without a freezer compartment, with adjustable TouchControl operation.
This selection includes compact fridges for keeping food chilled, including models with a separate freezer compartment. After installation, use a thermometer to check whether your fridge reaches the recommended temperature.
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A table-top model with a separate freezer compartment for anyone who wants to freeze portions as well as keep lentils chilled.
68 l of fridge space; 12 l four-star freezer compartment; freezer compartment temperature range −18 °C to −8 °C; height 84,5 cm; energy class E.
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A table-top model with a freezer compartment for anyone who wants to combine chilled storage and freezer space in one appliance.
Stated capacity: 109 l; energy label C; colour: white.
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A table-top model with a separate freezer compartment for anyone who wants to combine chilled storage with frozen portions.
Stated capacity: 107 l; energy label C; colour: white.
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An under-counter model for chilled storage in a compact space.
Stated capacity: 88 l; energy label E. The description limits the cooling zone to short-term chilling: don’t store products in it for more than two hours.
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A compact fridge with a chiller box for anyone who wants to keep portions chilled in a small space.
Stated capacity: 90 l; adjustable feet and shelves; energy label E. After installation, use a thermometer to check whether the fridge reaches 4 °C.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping cooked lentils without salt in the fridge for two days and in the freezer for three months. Cool leftovers quickly, seal them in airtight containers and don’t leave them out of the fridge for more than two hours. If they’re part of a prepared dish, check the relevant storage instructions too.
Set your fridge to 4 °C and check the actual temperature with a fridge thermometer. Place the thermometer in the middle of the bottom shelf and leave it there for half a day or overnight; adjust the setting if needed.
A freezer compartment is most useful if you want to keep portions that you won’t eat within two days. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping cooked lentils without salt in the freezer for three months; check that your containers will fit in the compartment.
Compare the annual consumption in kWh on the EU energy label of models that meet your space and capacity needs. To estimate the cost difference, multiply the difference in kWh per year by your own price per kWh; actual consumption may vary.
