If you’ll eat the soup within two days, you mainly need enough fridge space and a fridge that can maintain a temperature of 4 °C. For portions you want to keep for longer, you’ll need a freezer compartment suitable for freezing fresh soup. A compact under-counter fridge with a four-star freezer compartment may be enough for a few portions, while a fridge freezer can offer more freezer space but will also take up more room. Compare the usable layout, dimensions, ambient temperature range and stated annual energy consumption of the exact model.
Cooks more soup than can be eaten within two days and needs a suitable freezer compartment, as well as space for sealed portion containers. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer. According to the Consumers’ Association, a four-star freezer compartment is suitable for freezing fresh food.
Eats the soup within two days and mainly needs enough fridge space, without necessarily buying extra freezer capacity. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises setting the fridge to 4 °C.
Weighs up the available space and ambient temperature against the desired fridge and freezer capacity and energy consumption. The Consumers’ Association advises checking the climate class and its corresponding temperature range if the appliance will be placed somewhere cold. Milieu Centraal highlights the importance of the stated annual energy consumption.
Start with how long you want to keep the soup and how much space you have. Then compare the usable capacity and the conditions in which the appliance will need to operate.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Which consumers does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Safe short-term chilling | Check there’s enough fridge space for your containers and measure whether the fridge reaches 4 °C. | If I’m eating the soup within two days, I want to be able to keep the sealed containers chilled. Around 36% of consumers rank safe short-term chilling as their top priority. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a fridge temperature of 4 °C. |
| Freezing portions for longer | Check that the freezer compartment has four stars and that your containers fit in the available space. | If I want to keep portions of soup for longer, I’m looking for a freezer compartment that’s suitable for freezing fresh leftovers. Around 29% of consumers rank longer-term freezing as their top priority. The Consumers’ Association says that a four-star freezer compartment is suitable for fresh food. |
| Size and layout | Measure the space and compare the external dimensions and separate fridge and freezer capacities with the size of your containers. | If space in my holiday home is limited, the appliance needs to fit and have enough usable room for my containers. Around 21% of consumers rank a suitable size and layout as their top priority. |
| Energy use and installation temperature | Compare the stated annual energy consumption of suitable models and check the climate class if the appliance will be placed somewhere cold. | If my holiday home is sometimes unheated, I want to know whether the ambient temperature falls within the appliance’s operating range. Around 14% of consumers rank energy use or suitability for the installation temperature as their top priority. Milieu Centraal recommends comparing annual energy consumption, and the Consumers’ Association explains why climate class matters. |
The total capacity doesn’t show how much space is available separately for chilling and freezing. What’s more, the stated capacity in litres doesn’t tell you exactly how many containers will fit in practice.
Compare the fridge and freezer capacities separately, and check the layout using your own portion containers.
Not every freezer compartment is designed for freezing fresh food. The Consumers’ Association says that a four-star freezer compartment is suitable for fresh food, but this rating doesn’t tell you how quickly a particular appliance freezes it.
Check the star rating and whether your containers will fit in the exact model you’re considering.
If the ambient temperature is outside the specified range, the fridge or freezer compartment may not work as well.
Measure the temperature of the space during the seasons when you use the holiday home, then compare it with the model’s climate class and instructions.
Stated annual energy consumption varies between models. An appliance with more capacity than you need could use electricity unnecessarily.
First choose a model with the right amount of fridge and freezer space, then compare the stated consumption in kWh per year.
The KV550 is a compact under-counter model with a separate four-star freezer compartment, making it a useful reference for storing a few portions.
The Rd 1201 Pure is an under-counter model with a four-star freezer compartment for anyone looking to combine chilling and freezing in a limited space.
The KTL15NWEB is an under-counter model with a freezer compartment. The manufacturer lists climate classes for situations where the temperature of the installation space needs to be considered.
The KCV282NRVS is a larger fridge freezer, offering a useful reference for anyone who regularly wants to freeze several portions.
This selection includes compact under-counter models with fridge and freezer space, as well as fridge freezers with a separate freezer compartment. Check the dimensions, separate capacities and suitability for the ambient temperature in your situation.
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This under-counter model may suit you if you want to keep soup chilled and also need a separate freezer compartment.
Fridge capacity: 107 litres. Freezer capacity: 13 litres. Stated annual energy consumption: 87 kWh. Dimensions: 84,50 × 54,90 × 55,70 cm. Energy rating C.
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This fridge freezer may suit you if you want to store several portions alongside chilled food.
Fridge capacity: 235 litres. Freezer capacity: 125 litres. The product information lists two freezer drawers and Total No Frost. Height: 185 cm; check that it will fit in the space you have in mind.
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This compact under-counter model may suit you if you’re looking for a separate freezer compartment for chilled portions of soup.
Fridge capacity: 64 litres. Freezer capacity: 28 litres, with a four-star rating. Stated annual energy consumption: 116 kWh.
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This fridge freezer may suit you if you want to store several portions in a separate freezer compartment.
Fridge capacity: 197 litres. Freezer capacity: 71 litres, with three drawers and a four-star rating. The listed climate classes are SN/N/ST/T. Dimensions: 550 × 586 × 1750 mm; check that the height will fit.
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This fridge freezer may suit you if you want to keep soup chilled and freeze other portions separately.
Fridge capacity: 167 litres. Freezer capacity: 40 litres. The product information lists adjustable shelves and an energy rating of E.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises cooling leftovers within two hours and putting them in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer. Eat soup from the fridge within two days and set the fridge to 4 °C. For frozen leftovers, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a storage time of three months.
No. According to the Consumers’ Association, a four-star freezer compartment is suitable for freezing fresh food; compartments with one to three stars are mainly intended for food that’s already frozen. Also check that your sealed containers will fit.
Use a thermometer to check whether the fridge reaches 4 °C. If the appliance is in a cold space, the Consumers’ Association advises comparing the ambient temperature with the climate class of the exact model and checking the manufacturer’s instructions.
Compare the stated energy consumption in kWh per year for appliances with a suitable capacity. To estimate your own costs, multiply the expected energy consumption by your electricity tariff. Actual consumption also depends on how and where the appliance is used.
Clean the fridge regularly, including the door and door seal, and follow the maintenance instructions for the freezer compartment. After defrosting, don’t put food back until the appliance has reached the correct temperature again.
