If you’ll eat your soup within two days, a correctly set fridge is enough; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping leftovers covered in the fridge for no more than two days. If you want to store portions for longer, choose a freezer compartment suitable for freezing fresh food. A compact under-counter model takes up less space but has limited freezer capacity, while a fridge-freezer may offer more room but needs more space. Compare the dimensions and annual energy consumption of models that suit your kitchen.
You divide homemade soup into portions to store for longer. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says you can freeze leftovers that you want to keep for more than two days, so check the usable freezer space and the dimensions of your containers.
You only store a portion now and then, but the space available will determine which appliance fits. Compare the model’s external dimensions with the space in your kitchen.
You usually eat soup within two days and mainly need suitable fridge space without an unnecessarily large appliance. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping leftovers covered in the fridge.
Start by thinking about how long you want to store your soup: fridge space matters for short-term storage, while freezing calls for a compartment suitable for fresh food. Then measure the space available and compare the annual energy consumption shown on the energy label.
Suitable for: a small kitchen and a few portions you want to freeze at a time.
Trade-off: freezer space is limited; check its capacity and whether your portion containers will fit.
Suitable for: regular batch cooking or storing other frozen foods too.
Trade-off: a larger combination takes up more space; measure the area where it will go and compare the freezer capacity separately.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer space for portions | Check whether the freezer compartment can freeze fresh food and compare its capacity with the size of your sealed containers. | If I batch-cook several portions, I want to know how many containers will fit at once. Around 40% of consumers prioritise having enough freezer space. |
| Kitchen space | Measure the available height, width and depth, and check the external dimensions of the exact model. | In a small kitchen, the appliance needs to fit in the space available. Around 30% of consumers prioritise the space needed for installation. |
| Short-term storage and energy consumption | Check the fridge temperature and compare the stated annual energy consumption in kWh; calculate costs using your own electricity tariff. | If I eat soup within two days, I want suitable fridge space and a clear idea of energy consumption. Around 30% of consumers prioritise short-term storage and energy use. |
An appliance’s total capacity doesn’t tell you how much space the freezer compartment itself offers. For example, Inventum lists the KV550 as having 113 litres of total capacity, including 16 litres of freezer space.
Compare the freezer capacity separately and check whether your portion containers will fit in the compartment.
A freezer compartment isn’t automatically suitable for freezing fresh soup.
Check the star rating and the product specifications for the exact model before freezing portions.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, hot food can raise the temperature in the fridge or cause ice to build up in the freezer.
Cool the soup quickly, divide it into small sealed portions, then refrigerate or freeze them within two hours.
ACM ConsuWijzer distinguishes between a commercial warranty and your statutory rights against the seller.
Keep your proof of purchase and contact the seller if you think your appliance may be faulty.
The KV550 is a compact under-counter model with a four-star freezer compartment, worth considering if you’re looking for limited freezer space.
The Rd 1201 Pure is an under-counter model to compare if the appliance’s width matters and you’re looking for a four-star freezer compartment.
The KTL15NWEB is an under-counter model with a built-in freezer compartment that you can compare with other compact options.
Beko offers fridge-freezers with the freezer compartment at the bottom, an option to compare if you’re looking for more freezer space.
This selection includes compact under-counter models and fridge-freezers with separate fridge and freezer compartments, for short-term storage and freezing portions of soup.
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A fridge-freezer to compare if you want separate space for chilled soup and frozen portions.
210 litres of fridge space and 83 litres of freezer space; energy rating E; No-Frost; black.
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An American-style fridge-freezer with separate fridge and freezer compartments to compare if you want to store other foods as well as soup.
269 litres of fridge space and 150 litres of freezer space; energy rating C; four doors; Dark Inox. The stated external dimensions are 180 × 79 × 70 cm.
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An under-counter model to compare if you’re looking for a compact fridge with a separate freezer compartment.
95 litres of fridge space and 14 litres of freezer space; energy rating C; white.
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A fridge-freezer to compare if you want separate space to keep soup chilled and freeze it in portions.
187 litres of fridge space and 73 litres of freezer space; 55 cm wide; energy rating E; reversible door.
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A fridge-freezer to compare if you want to store chilled soup and frozen portions separately.
262-litre capacity; four-star freezing; Low Frost; stated noise level 39 dB; reversible door.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says you can keep meal leftovers covered in the fridge for up to two days. Cool the soup quickly, put it in the fridge or freezer within two hours, and set your fridge to 4 °C.
Freeze cooled leftovers in small portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises defrosting them in the fridge or microwave; then heat the soup thoroughly and eat it straight away.
For models that suit your space requirements, compare the stated annual energy consumption in kWh. Use your own electricity tariff to work out running costs; a smaller size alone doesn’t tell you how much energy an appliance uses.
According to ACM ConsuWijzer, if a product breaks down too soon under normal use, you can ask the seller to provide a solution under your statutory rights. A manufacturer’s warranty doesn’t replace those rights; there is no single fixed statutory warranty period that applies to every fridge.
According to the Dutch government, when you buy remotely from a business, you often have a 14-day cooling-off period. Check the seller’s information about the purchase and any applicable exceptions.
