If your main freezer is always bursting at the seams, adding a chest freezer can feel like gaining an extra cupboard you never knew you needed. From stocking up on yellow-sticker bargains to batch-cooking family favourites, a standalone freezer opens up a lot of flexibility. In this guide we’ll use the Fridgemaster MCF198E chest freezer as a practical example, and compare it with a few smaller and under-counter alternatives, to help you choose and live with the right freezer for your home.
Why consider a chest freezer in the first place?
Before diving into specific models, it’s worth thinking about how a chest freezer can actually change the way you shop and cook. Rather than topping up every couple of days, you can buy in bulk when prices are good, freeze leftovers instead of binning them, and keep a stash of quick meals ready for busy evenings.
Chest freezers, like the Fridgemaster MCF198E, are especially popular because they tend to offer more usable space for the money than upright freezers. The simple box design means less of the interior is taken up by drawers, and the lid configuration helps keep cold air inside whenever you open it.
If you want a closer look at what a typical mid-sized chest freezer offers, you can read our full review of the Fridgemaster MCF198E chest freezer for hands-on impressions, photos and detailed specs.
Getting to know the Fridgemaster MCF198E chest freezer
The Fridgemaster MCF198E is a white chest freezer with an E energy rating and a capacity that suits many medium-sized households. With thousands of customer ratings and a very strong average score, it’s clearly a popular pick for people who want practical extra freezer space without spending a fortune or filling half the kitchen.
Think of this model as a good benchmark for what a straightforward, no-nonsense chest freezer can do. It’s not packed with gimmicks; instead it focuses on the basics most people care about: a decent amount of room, simple controls, and the ability to tuck it into a utility, garage or spare corner where it can quietly get on with the job.
To understand how it compares in depth with other freezers in its class, have a look at our in-depth write-up: full Fridgemaster MCF198E chest freezer review.
Working out the right size: is 198L too big, too small or just right?
Capacity is one of the most common sticking points when choosing a chest freezer. Go too small and you’ll still be fighting for space. Go too big and you’ll waste energy running a half-empty box.
A model in the same family but a little smaller is the Fridgemaster MCF142E chest freezer. As the name suggests, it offers a more compact capacity than the MCF198E. That makes it a strong option if:
- You’re a couple or a small household with limited spare floor space
- You only want to store bulk buys, bread, frozen veg and a few meals
- The freezer needs to share a tight utility room with other appliances
In contrast, the MCF198E gives you more headroom for bigger joints of meat, batch cooking, or garden produce, while still being manageable in most homes. If you have the space and expect your usage to grow, choosing the larger model can save you from upgrading again later.
Chest freezer vs under-counter freezer: which suits your home?
Chest freezers like the MCF198E are great where floor space isn’t at a premium, but they do have a larger footprint than an under-counter model. If you’d prefer your extra freezer space to slot neatly under a worktop, an under-counter freezer might suit you better.
The Fridgemaster MUZ4860EB narrow under counter freezer in black is designed to fit into tighter gaps while giving you dedicated drawer space for frozen food. There’s also a white version, the Fridgemaster MUZ4860E narrow under counter freezer, which blends more easily into classic white kitchen schemes.
Under-counter freezers tend to offer:
- More organised storage using pull-out drawers
- Easier access at standing height, with no bending into a deep box
- A smaller footprint that fits standard kitchen layouts
However, they usually cost a bit more per litre of usable space than chest freezers, and you may not be able to stash awkwardly shaped items as easily. If you mainly want an overflow freezer in a garage or out-of-the-way corner, the chest freezer layout often makes more sense.
Thinking about colour and placement: white vs black finishes
When we imagine freezers, we often picture plain white boxes. There’s nothing wrong with that, but if the appliance will be on show, colour can make more difference than you might expect.
The Fridgemaster MCF198E and MCF142E both come in white, which tends to disappear nicely into utility rooms and garages. If you’d like something that looks a bit smarter in a contemporary kitchen or open-plan space, the smaller Fridgemaster MCF142EB chest freezer offers the same basic chest-freezer practicality in a black finish.
Similarly, with under-counter freezers you can choose between the black MUZ4860EB and white MUZ4860E to match your cabinets and other appliances. It’s a small detail, but picking a finish you like makes it easier to live with an appliance for many years.
Energy rating and running costs: what an E rating means in real life
Many modern freezers, including the Fridgemaster MCF198E and its close alternatives, carry an E energy rating on the current A–G scale. It’s important to understand that this revised system is stricter than older labels, so E does not automatically mean inefficient.
When comparing models, don’t fixate solely on the letter. Look at the quoted annual energy consumption (in kWh per year) if that information is available, and remember that larger freezers will almost always use more energy than smaller ones. The key is to pick a size you’ll genuinely use so you’re not cooling lots of empty air.
To keep running costs sensible with any chest freezer:
- Defrost manually if ice builds up on the walls
- Check the lid seal occasionally for gaps or damage
- Avoid placing it next to radiators or other heat sources
- Keep the temperature just cold enough for safe storage (typically around -18°C)
Planning where to put your chest freezer
Once you have a model in mind, the next step is making sure it will actually fit and work where you want to put it. Measure not only the floor space but also the lid clearance, so you can open it fully without hitting shelves, pipes or boiler flues above.
Chest freezers need ventilation space around the sides and back, so avoid squeezing one tightly between walls or against other appliances. If you’re thinking of using a garage or outbuilding, double-check that your chosen model is suitable for the expected temperature range, particularly during winter.
Finally, consider access. You’ll need to get the freezer through doors, along corridors and around corners. It’s worth measuring the route, not just the final spot, before placing your order.
Keeping a chest freezer organised and easy to use
A common worry with chest freezers is that food will disappear into the depths and never re-emerge. With a little planning, they can be surprisingly easy to keep on top of.
Here are some practical organisation ideas that work well with models like the MCF198E and its smaller cousins:
- Use baskets or crates: Divide the interior into zones for meat, veg, baked goods and cooked meals so you’re not digging blind.
- Label everything clearly: A roll of freezer labels and a marker pen are your best friends. Include both contents and the date it went in.
- Keep a simple inventory: A magnetic notepad or a sheet taped nearby lets you cross items off as you use them.
- Rotate stock: When you add new items, put them at the bottom and move older things up so they’re used first.
Smaller chest freezers like the MCF142E and MCF142EB can actually be easier to keep organised because you’re dealing with a shallower box. If you’re worried about reach or mobility, that’s another reason to consider a compact model or an under-counter freezer with drawers.
Maintenance tips to keep your freezer running smoothly
Whatever size or style you pick, a little maintenance goes a long way towards keeping your freezer efficient and reliable. Here are some habits worth building:
- Defrost when ice builds up: A layer of ice acts like insulation in the wrong place, making the motor work harder. Follow your user manual’s defrosting instructions.
- Clean the seal and lid: Wipe around the rubber seal and the lid edge occasionally to keep a good airtight fit.
- Vacuum the back or grille: If you can reach it safely, gently remove dust from any exposed coils or vents to help heat escape.
- Check the temperature: Use a freezer thermometer now and again to confirm it’s cold enough, especially after moving the appliance.
These steps apply equally to chest models like the MCF198E and to under-counter freezers such as the MUZ4860EB and MUZ4860E. Simple care can make the difference between a freezer that quietly lasts for years and one that struggles prematurely.
Which type of freezer is right for you?
If you’ve decided a dedicated freezer is the way to go, the next step is matching a model to your household. Here’s a quick way to think it through using the examples we’ve mentioned:
- Need maximum space for the money? A mid-sized chest freezer like the Fridgemaster MCF198E is a strong all-rounder for families with a spare corner or utility room.
- Short on space or a smaller household? The MCF142E offers similar practicality in a more compact footprint, while the MCF142EB gives you a sleek black alternative.
- Want extra freezer storage in the main kitchen? Under-counter models such as the MUZ4860EB and MUZ4860E are designed to sit neatly beneath a worktop.
Once you’ve narrowed down the type and size, you can dive into the detailed specs, measurements and user feedback to make a final decision.
Final thoughts
Adding a separate freezer is one of those upgrades that quietly transforms day-to-day life. Whether you’re leaning towards the capable mid-sized Fridgemaster MCF198E or one of the smaller chest or under-counter alternatives, the key is to match capacity, footprint and layout to the way you actually shop and cook.
If you’re still on the fence, take a few minutes to explore our full review of the Fridgemaster MCF198E chest freezer, then compare it with the linked alternatives. With the right information in hand, choosing a freezer you’ll be happy with for years becomes much easier.