If you’re serving dessert tonight
You want to know whether freezing is worthwhile for the same meal and how to store cooled crumble safely in the meantime.
Who is this advice for?
If you’re saving portions for later
You want to freeze leftovers in sealed containers and keep them organised, without buying more freezer space than you need.
If you don’t have suitable freezer space
You’re comparing a compact extra appliance with roomier options, while considering where to put it, its energy use and maintenance.
What should you look for in freezer space for crumble?
If you’re eating the crumble that evening, safe storage comes first. An extra freezer is mainly worth considering for portions you want to eat later.
Existing fridge or freezer space
Choose this if: you’ll eat the crumble within the recommended storage time or have suitable freezer space for portions to enjoy later.
Bear in mind: a freezer compartment isn’t automatically suitable for freezing fresh food; check its temperature and suitability.
Freestanding under-counter freezer
Choose this if: you regularly freeze individual portions and have a suitable spot for a compact appliance.
Bear in mind: drawers may limit the usable space for a whole oven dish.
Upright freezer with drawers
Choose this if: you regularly store other meals in individual portions, as well as crumble.
Bear in mind: extra capacity needs enough room for the appliance; compare the dimensions of the specific model.
Chest freezer
Choose this if: you also need to fit large or unusually shaped packages.
Bear in mind: the floor space it needs and how easy it is to reach items at the bottom.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Safe storage and serving time | The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking. For freezing, check that the freezer space is suitable for fresh food and can be set to -18 °C. | If I’m serving the crumble tonight, I want to know how quickly I need to chill it and whether freezing is necessary. Around 36% of consumers prioritise safe storage and serving time. |
| Space for portions or a dish | Measure the sealed dish and the usable opening or drawer. Decide whether individual portions will do or whether the whole oven dish needs to fit. | I want my portions or oven dish to fit in practice, not just to see a litre capacity that looks big enough. For around 29% of consumers, usable space for portions or the whole dish is a key consideration. |
| Energy use and size | Compare the capacity and stated annual energy use in kWh of models that suit your needs. Milieu Centraal advises including annual energy use in your comparison. | If I buy an extra appliance, I want enough capacity without unnecessary energy use. Around 21% of consumers focus mainly on finding the right size and annual energy use. |
| Maintenance and positioning | Check whether the exact model has NoFrost and read the installation and ventilation instructions in the manual. | I want to know in advance whether the freezer can go in the space I have and how much defrosting it will need. Around 14% of consumers focus most on positioning and maintenance. |
Common buying mistakes
-
Buying an extra freezer just for tonight’s dessert
You can also keep leftovers in the fridge. An extra appliance uses energy even when there’s no crumble in it.
First, work out when you’ll serve the crumble and whether your existing fridge or suitable freezer space will be enough.
An appliance you may not need comes with an upfront cost and ongoing energy use.
-
Looking only at the capacity in litres
The capacity in litres doesn’t tell you whether an oven dish will fit through the opening or inside a drawer.
Measure the sealed dish and compare it with the usable opening or drawer of the exact model. Otherwise, consider freezing individual portions.
-
Choosing a freezer without checking where it will go
Ventilation requirements and the permitted ambient temperature can vary by model.
Read the installation manual for your chosen freezer before buying. For example, the Inventum VR550 manual requires 10 cm of clearance all around and says not to block the ventilation openings.
Brands compared
The examples below apply to the models mentioned. Manufacturer specifications aren’t independent measurements and don’t automatically apply to other models from the same brand.
Inventum
The freestanding VR550 is an under-counter model with drawers for keeping portions organised.
- Inventum lists the VR550 as having a capacity of 88 litres, three drawers and a freezing capacity of 4 kg per 24 hours.
- Check whether your oven dish will fit in a drawer. The manual requires 10 cm of clearance all around and says not to block the ventilation openings.
ETNA
The VV856WIT is an under-counter model to compare if width and drawer layout matter to you.
- ETNA specifies a capacity of 85 litres and three drawers for the VV856WIT.
- ETNA lists a width of 560 mm and annual energy use of 131 kWh. Also check the internal dimensions of the drawers to make sure your packaging will fit.
Liebherr
The FNsddi 1624 Plus NoFrost and Fci 1624 Plus SmartFrost are two different under-counter models to compare.
- Liebherr lists a capacity of 92 litres for the FNsddi 1624 Plus and 107 litres for the Fci 1624 Plus.
- The models differ in how they manage ice. Liebherr’s description of NoFrost as protection against unwanted ice build-up is a manufacturer claim; compare the individual dimensions and energy use too.
Freezers at Joybuy
This selection includes upright freezers with drawers, under-counter models and a chest freezer. Check that the shape and available space suit individual portions or a larger dish.
Image unavailable
Heinrich´s 161L upright freezer
An upright freezer with drawers for keeping portions for later neatly organised.
161L capacity; No-Frost; 3 freezer drawers; temperature: -14 °C to -22 °C; energy rating C.
Image unavailable
Frilec BREMEN138-NF-050DW under-counter freezer
An under-counter model to consider for portions you want to freeze for later. Check the internal space if you want to store a whole dish.
No-Frost; energy rating D.
Image unavailable
Comfee RCC143WH2EU(E) 99L chest freezer
A chest freezer to consider if you also need to fit large or unusually shaped packages.
99L capacity; removable basket; LED lighting; switchable between fridge and freezer; energy rating E; 38 dB.
Image unavailable
CHiQ JR122WSD 122L freezer
A convertible fridge mode may be useful if you want to change how you use the appliance.
122L capacity; convertible fridge mode; No-Frost; Multi-Airflow; 4-star freezer compartment; energy rating E; 39 dB.
Image unavailable
Salora 47FRT60WH 60L freezer
A freestanding under-counter model to compare if its size suits the space you have and your storage needs.
60L capacity; freestanding. The product description says it doesn’t have No Frost; bear this in mind if you want to minimise defrosting.
Frequently asked questions
Can cooled crumble go straight into the freezer if I’m serving it tonight?
If you’re serving the crumble that evening, freezing it and then defrosting it may not be necessary. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises cooling cooked leftovers promptly, sealing them well and putting them in the fridge or freezer within 2 hours of cooking. The fact that the crumble has cooled doesn’t, in itself, tell you whether you’ve met that time limit. It’s best to defrost frozen food in the fridge.
How long can cooked leftovers be kept in the freezer?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping general leftovers in the freezer for 3 months; after that, their quality may deteriorate. This isn’t a specific quality recommendation for every fruit crumble recipe.
Can an under-counter freezer go beneath a worktop with no clearance?
Don’t assume it can just from looking at the external dimensions. For example, the Inventum VR550 manual requires 10 cm of clearance all around and says not to block the ventilation openings. Check the installation requirements for any other model.
What does the energy label tell me, and who should I contact if there’s a fault?
According to the Dutch government, the energy label gives information about a household appliance’s energy use. Also compare its stated annual energy use in kWh. Report a fault to the retailer: the Dutch government says the retailer must supply a product that works properly and can’t send you to the manufacturer instead.