Keep all those meals fresh
Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Kenwood Fridge Thermostat
What with the pandemic, inflation, and work from home, the last few years have reminded many of us of just how much more economical (and convenient) it can be to meal prep. But before you commit to saving money by prepping meals, you have to make sure you’ve got enough space, which mean lots of fridge room and a large refrigerator-freezer to store all those packets of lentils and macaroni.
Here at Reviewed, we’ve tested quite a few fridges and freezers in our labs, and if you’re considering picking up a new appliance soon, these are the ones we recommend.
We love the Frigidaire Gallery Quattro counter-depth four-door refrigerator. Not only did it impress us so much we named it the best refrigerator we’ve tested. With four doors, superior temperature control that is quick to stabilize, and solid extras like an advanced through-your-door ice dispenser, it’s a great pick for nearly anyone.
The reason the Quattro tops this list in particular is its customizable storage that can be reconfigured to fit your needs, whatever your kitchen and prep style. The fridge even has one compartment with a fully customizable temperature that can be adjusted to perfectly chill a bottle of wine or keep ice cream frozen.
If you really want to maximize freezer space, then a side-by-side model could be the way to go, specifically the Samsung RS27T5200SR.
With 5.7 cubic feet in its freezer, and 12.7 cubic feet in its fridge, this Samsung is an excellent pick that has generous helpings of storage. Our one complaint about that freezer space is that at about 12 inches wide, big trays of food and 14-inch frozen pizzas won’t fit. Still for a meal prepper who adapts to the format, it’s got a great deal of space.
New value for your meal prep routine.
If you’re thinking about meal prepping to cut down on expenditures, then chances are you’re not after a $3,000 refrigerator. If that’s the case, we recommend a good bottom-freezer model.
The Hisense HRB171N6ASE won our hearts and our award for the best value fridge. With exceptional temperature control for its price point, we think it’s a good enough value to fit any home. And with 8.75 cubic feet in its fridge compartment and 2.87 cubic feet in its freezer, it’s well apportioned enough to be useful no matter your prep style.
What do you prefer, fridge space or freezer space? If the answer is definitely the former, then the Bosch B36CT80SNS is for you.
With 13.6 cubic feet of fridge space, this large capacity refrigerator is made for big families that do their cooking on Sunday and eat everything over the course of the week. However, they’ll have to make a trade. While the refrigerator offers lots of fridge space, it’s lacking in its freezer compartment. Indeed, there’s only 2.5 cubic feet of it—meaning this one is all about fresh food.
Meal preppers who like to keep the resources frozen will call that a deal with the devil, but for those who like space for a literal vat of soup, as well as all of the ingredients they could need for their daily salads, it’s a trade that might be worth making.
Affordable freezer space—just don't forget to calibrate.
Need somewhere to store all those frozen peas? The Hotpoint HPS16BTNRWW won our award for the best top-freezer model for its affordable price. However, it’s not just affordable, it’s also ample—at least where the freezer is concerned.
With 3.98 cubic feet of freezer storage, the Hotpoint has more space for frozen trays of lasagna than your average model. Just don’t forget to calibrate it, because this fridge’s freezer defaults to temps that are slightly above those you’ll need to adequately freeze and preserve your food. Thankfully, it’s an easy fix, and once calibrated, the model offers particularly good value.
A fridge that's big on aesthetics... and also big.
This model is definitely on the pricier side compared to the rest of the fridges on this list, but its performance stands out and those looking for a true upgrade should take a look. The GE Café CVE28DM5NS5 boasts very consistent temperatures, an exterior ice and water dispenser, LED lighting, and a great flex drawer for all the inevitable wine you’ll be storing. One thing we particularly loved about this model was its humidity control—perfect for any produce you’re trying to hang onto and make the most of.
Bring the storage to your garage.
Whenever I picture a secondary garage fridge, this is the image in my brain. This is a classic-looking storage option at a great price. The Whirlpool WRT318FZDB has very little temperature fluctuation in the main compartment and boasts consistency, which is really all you can ask of a product meant for storing all your food prep containers.
It should be noted that the crisper in this fridge didn't fare as well as other models when tested, so if you’re using this model for storage keep in mind that greens and other produce might not last too long in here—on the bright side, you’ll have plenty of space for wine and beer.
This is an energy-efficient, budget-friendly option for anyone who simply needs more space to put things. The Whirlpool WRT311FZDM proved pretty reliable and affordable when we tested it, though it should be noted that you may want to turn down the thermostat in both the freezer and the main compartment to ensure things are kept properly cold. Once it was turned down, the freezer temperatures stayed stable over time.
Over five cubic feet of storage in its freezer.
Economy and quality meet in this top-freezer fridge with 5.56 cubic feet of freezer storage. While it won’t deliver many frills at all, the GE GTS22KGNRBB excels at the basics, including delivering consistent temperatures, which is something lacking in many budget top-freezer fridges.
It’s a great option for extra storage, that is unless you’re looking for more complex configurable storage racks. Sadly, the GE GTS22KGNRBB falls short here, providing only the basics. Still, for many of us—if the temperature is right then the basics are good enough.
Two sides to fridge space.
Side-by-sides often maximize storage space. If you’re looking for a main fridge that can handle lots of storage yet still deliver some nice perks, consider our top side-by-side refrigerator, the Frigidaire FRSS2623AS.
Not only does this stand out refrigerator have a water and ice dispenser, but it regulates temperature exceptionally well, while using less energy than lots of alternatives. Whatever your needs, the Frigidaire FRSS2623AS is a great buy.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Thermostat For Boiler And Air Conditioner ©2023 Reviewed, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network LLC. All rights reserved. Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.