Eat chilled leftover soup within two days of making it. If your weekend lunch is later than that, cool the soup quickly and freeze portions in good time. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends setting your fridge to 4 °C. Choose a fridge-freezer based on the space your containers actually need, the room available in your kitchen and its annual energy consumption. NoFrost reduces ice build-up in the freezer, but it doesn’t extend how long soup can be stored.
You want to know whether soup made earlier in the week can stay in the fridge, or whether it needs to go in the freezer before lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating chilled leftovers within two days.
You often make soup to eat later and need enough freezer space, with compartments that can fit sealed portion containers. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that frozen leftovers keep for three months.
You have room for one fridge-freezer and want to weigh its external dimensions against the usable fridge and freezer space. The Consumers’ Association points out that not all the stated capacity is practical to use.
First decide when you plan to eat the soup and whether chilling it will keep it within its recommended storage time. Then compare the usable freezer space, how well the appliance will fit in your kitchen and the energy consumption of models that are the right size.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating leftovers within two days, setting your fridge to 4 °C and cooling soup quickly before storing it in a sealed container.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Safe storage time | Start counting from the day you make the soup. Check that your fridge is set to 4 °C and that you can cool and store the soup quickly in a sealed container. | If I’m serving soup later in the week, I want to know whether I can keep it chilled or need to freeze it in good time. Around 36% of consumers give safe storage time the highest priority. |
| Freezer space for portions | Compare the size of your containers with the drawers and shelves, rather than looking only at the stated capacity in litres. Check whether the model has NoFrost if you want to spend less time defrosting. | When I freeze soup in sealed portions to eat later, I want my containers to fit comfortably in the freezer. Around 29% of consumers prioritise usable freezer space for portions. |
| Annual energy consumption | For models that are the right size, compare both the energy label and the stated consumption in kWh per year. An energy rating is not the same as absolute annual consumption. | If I’m choosing an appliance that stays on all the time, I want to factor in its annual consumption without choosing more capacity than I need. Around 21% of consumers say energy consumption is their main concern when choosing. |
| Positioning and layout | Measure the space where the appliance will go and the route to get it there. Check the height, width, depth, door opening and layout of the exact model. | When space in my kitchen is limited, I want an appliance that fits and has room for my shopping and soup containers. Around 14% of consumers prioritise how well an appliance will fit in their kitchen. |
More fridge space doesn’t change how long chilled leftovers can be stored: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating them within two days.
Count from the day you make the soup. If lunch is later, cool the soup quickly and freeze portions in good time.
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you exactly whether your sealed containers will fit in the drawers or on the shelves. The Consumers’ Association notes that some of the stated capacity may not be practical to use.
Compare the fridge and freezer compartments separately, and check the shape and dimensions of the storage space against your own containers.
The energy rating and the stated electricity consumption in kWh per year tell you different things. The size of the appliance you choose also affects its energy consumption.
First choose a size that suits your space and storage needs, then compare the annual energy consumption of those models.
The freestanding Beko B5RCNA376HG has a bottom freezer and is worth comparing if you’re looking for NoFrost.
The freestanding Bosch KGN39NWCK has separately stated fridge and freezer capacities, making it worth comparing if you store portions alongside other groceries.
The freestanding Samsung RB34C600ESA/EF is worth a look if both the external dimensions and a freezer compartment matter to you.
The CNc 5203 Pure NoFrost is a freestanding fridge-freezer worth comparing if you’re looking for a stated total capacity and NoFrost.
These Joybuy products are fridge-freezers for anyone who wants to freeze soup in portions. Check the dimensions and layout of the exact model against your own containers and the space available in your kitchen.
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A fridge-freezer for anyone who wants to freeze soup portions. The product name lists 182 l of fridge space and 71 l of freezer space.
Total capacity: 253 l. No Frost. Noise level: 39 dB.
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A retro fridge-freezer to consider if you want to freeze soup portions and take the stated annual energy consumption into account.
Energy class E. Stated consumption: 102 kWh per year.
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This model is worth comparing if you want No-Frost and a stated total capacity of 293 l.
Total capacity: 293 l. No-Frost. Energy class E.
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Worth comparing if you need freezer space for portions and want to match the door opening direction to your kitchen.
Fridge space: 211 l. Freezer space: 99 l. Width: 60 cm. Reversible door. Energy class E.
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A side-by-side model to compare if you want to store several portions and have room for its stated width.
Total capacity: 444 l. Fridge space: 276 l. Freezer space: 168 l. Width: 83 cm. No Frost. Noise level: 40 dB. Energy class E.
Only if Saturday falls within two days of making the soup, and it has been cooled quickly and stored at 4 °C. If lunch is later, freeze the soup in good time. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating chilled leftovers within two days.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends defrosting frozen soup covered in the fridge. You can also use the defrost setting on a microwave. Then heat the soup thoroughly until piping hot, stirring it well.
Compare the stated consumption in kWh per year for models that are the right size for you. According to the Dutch Government, there is no fixed statutory guarantee period in the Netherlands. If a product doesn’t meet the terms of the agreement, you can contact the seller.
For cooling appliances covered by EU energy labelling rules, the energy label must also be clearly visible online. If you’re buying a new, similar appliance as a private individual, the seller must take your old appliance away free of charge under the Dutch take-back scheme. This also applies to online purchases.
