Cooking just before the weekend
You cook the lentils no more than 2 days before lunch and mainly want a fridge that fits in your kitchen. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping cooked lentils chilled for no more than 2 days.
Which type of fridge is right for you?
Batch-cooking and portioning ahead
You cook earlier in the week or keep extra portions, so usable freezer space matters as well as fridge space. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing portions in good time if you want to keep them for longer.
Buying for a small kitchen
The space available will determine whether a compact tabletop model will fit. Also compare the layout and annual energy use on the energy label, as explained by Energielabel.nl and Milieu Centraal.
What should you look for when choosing?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping cooked lentils in the fridge for no more than 2 days and setting the fridge to 4 °C. Check the temperature with a thermometer.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Storage time and temperature | Check whether you can set the fridge to 4 °C; measure the temperature with a fridge thermometer. | If I’m serving the lentils within 2 days, I want to know whether the fridge is actually cold enough. Around 40% of consumers put storage time and temperature first. |
| Freezer space | Check whether there’s a freezer compartment and compare the separate fridge and freezer capacities. | If I cook earlier in the week, I want to be able to freeze portions rather than keep them chilled for longer. Around 30% of consumers prioritise freezer space for portions prepared ahead. |
| Size and layout | Compare the external dimensions with the space available and check that your containers will fit in the fridge compartment. | If my kitchen is short on space, I want a suitable model where I can store my sealed containers easily. Size and layout are the main deciding factors for around 20% of consumers. |
| Annual energy use | Compare the stated consumption in kWh per year for models with a suitable capacity. | When choosing a fridge that fits the space, I also want to take its electricity consumption into account. Around 10% of consumers consider annual energy use their first selection criterion. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming refrigeration will keep them all week
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping cooked lentils in the fridge for no more than 2 days. A fridge with a freezer compartment doesn’t change that storage time.
Plan when you’ll cook. Cool leftovers quickly, store them in a sealed container and freeze portions in good time if lunch is later in the week. Don’t leave them out of the fridge or freezer for more than 2 hours.
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Confusing total capacity with fridge space
In a model with a freezer compartment, some of the total capacity is reserved for freezing, so it isn’t available for chilled containers.
Compare the stated capacities in litres for the fridge and freezer separately, and check that your containers will fit in the fridge compartment.
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Assuming the selected setting guarantees 4 °C
The selected setting alone doesn’t tell you what temperature the fridge reaches where you store your food.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises placing a thermometer in the middle of the bottom shelf and leaving it there for half a day or overnight.
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Looking only at the energy label rating
As well as the label rating, the energy label shows annual electricity consumption, which can vary between appliances.
Compare consumption in kWh per year only after you’ve selected models with a suitable size and usable capacity.
Brands worth considering
Inventum
A compact tabletop model with a freezer compartment could suit you if space is limited and you sometimes cook ahead.
- Inventum lists the KV550 as having 113 litres of total capacity: 97 litres of fridge space and a 16-litre freezer compartment.
- This breakdown makes it clear that all 113 litres aren’t available for chilled containers.
Bosch
A tabletop model without a built-in freezer compartment is an option if you only need fridge space.
- Bosch lists the KTR15NWEB as having 134 litres of fridge space and measuring 850 × 560 × 580 mm.
- According to Bosch, this model doesn’t have a built-in freezer compartment.
Liebherr
A slim tabletop model could be worth considering if width is a key constraint.
- Liebherr lists the Rd 1200 Pure as 50 cm wide, with a total capacity of 110 litres and a noise level of 34 dB.
- Compare the internal layout with your containers; these listed specifications don’t tell you how cold it is at every point inside the fridge.
Beko
A compact tabletop model to compare if you have limited floor space.
- Beko describes the TSE1285N as a 54 cm-wide model with a capacity of 101 litres.
- Check the capacity breakdown for the exact model and whether you need a freezer function.
Samsung
A larger fridge-freezer could suit you if you regularly store more groceries and frozen portions as well as lunch portions.
- Samsung lists the RB34C600ESA as having a capacity of 344 litres and an energy rating of E.
- Samsung’s claims about even cooling don’t prove that the lentils will be at 4 °C everywhere inside the appliance.
Fridge models at Joybuy
This selection includes compact fridges with and without a freezer compartment. Choose based on when you prepare the lentils, how much fridge space you need and how much room you have available.
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Bella BKV555‑040CW tabletop fridge with freezer compartment
A tabletop model with a freezer compartment to consider if space is limited and you sometimes prepare portions ahead.
Fridge capacity: 95 litres. Freezer compartment: 14 litres. Energy rating C; stated annual consumption: 89 kWh. Dimensions: 85 × 55 × 58 cm.
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Exquisit KS16-4-051CW tabletop fridge with freezer compartment
A compact model with a separate freezer compartment if you want to freeze portions as well as chill lentils.
Fridge capacity: 107 litres. Freezer capacity: 13 litres. Energy rating C; stated annual consumption: 87 kWh. Dimensions: 84,50 × 54,90 × 55,70 cm.
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Wiggo WL-TT82D(W) tabletop fridge
A tabletop model without a freezer compartment to consider if you’ll eat the lentils within the recommended fridge storage time and don’t need freezer space in this appliance.
Net capacity: 107 litres. No freezer compartment. Energy rating D. Dimensions: 54,90 × 54,90 × 84,50 cm.
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Severin TKS 8847 tabletop fridge with freezer compartment
A tabletop model with a freezer compartment to compare if you want to keep portions chilled and sometimes cook ahead.
Fridge capacity: 107 litres. Freezer capacity: 13 litres. Energy rating C; stated annual consumption: 87 kWh. Dimensions: 84,50 × 59,80 × 55,50 cm.
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TCL RF120DWE0 compact fridge with chiller box
A compact fridge to consider if you need fridge space; the product information also mentions a separate chiller box.
Fridge capacity: 90 litres. Dimensions: 449 × 485 × 842 mm. Three glass shelves and rotary temperature control.
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave lentils cooked earlier in the week in the fridge until the weekend lunch?
Not if lunch is more than 2 days after you cooked them. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises cooling the lentils quickly and freezing them in good time if you want to eat them later. If you’re keeping them in the fridge, check that the temperature is 4 °C.
How can I check whether my fridge is cold enough?
Place a fridge thermometer in the middle of the bottom shelf and leave it there for half a day or overnight. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a fridge temperature of 4 °C.
Do I need a fridge with a freezer compartment for cooked lentils?
Not if you’re only keeping them for a lunch within 2 days of cooking. A freezer compartment is useful if you cook ahead or want to freeze extra portions; compare the separate fridge and freezer capacities.
What do the energy label and annual kWh consumption tell me?
Fridge energy labels range from A to G and show the stated annual consumption in kWh. Compare consumption across models with a capacity that suits your household. You’ll also need your own electricity tariff to work out the annual cost.