Abode Under Counter Freezer 48cm 60L Black review

Have you been looking for a compact freezer that fits neatly under your counter but still gives you enough space to store your extra food, batch cooking, and frozen favourites?

What Makes the Abode Under Counter Freezer Stand Out?

When you first look at the Abode Under Counter Freezer 48cm Wide Freestanding Black 60 Litre model, you see a small, slim appliance. But as you get to know it, you notice how cleverly it uses every bit of that compact footprint. You get practical storage, a smart layout, and a design that fits into modern homes, garages, or outbuildings without fuss.

This freezer focuses on what you actually need: space that works, simple controls, and flexibility in where and how you install it.

Key Specifications at a Glance

Before you decide if this freezer is right for you, it helps to see the most important details clearly laid out. This overview lets you quickly check if it matches your space, storage, and lifestyle needs.

You can use this table as a quick checklist. If the dimensions, capacity, and basic features line up with your expectations, you are off to a strong start.

Design and Build Quality

When you choose an undercounter freezer, you want it to disappear neatly into your kitchen or garage layout but still feel solid and reliable. This Abode model focuses on a clean look and a practical build that you can trust every day.

Compact Size with a Slim 48 cm Width

You might have limited floor space, odd gaps between cupboards, or a smaller kitchen, and that is where the 48 cm width shines. It is slimmer than many standard undercounter appliances, so you can slot it into narrower spaces that a 55–60 cm model would never fit.

At (H) 85 x (W) 48 x (D) 45 cm, you get:

• A height that tucks under most standard kitchen counters.
• A slim width to suit tighter spaces or small flats.
• A shallow depth that can be easier to work with in smaller rooms or utility areas.

You get a freezer that feels “small on the outside” but still reasonably useful inside.

Sleek Black Finish for a Modern Look

Instead of the usual white appliance, you get a black finish that gives a more modern, streamlined appearance. This works especially well if your kitchen has darker cabinets, black worktops, or a more contemporary style.

You can also put it in a garage or outbuilding where you do not want a bright white appliance standing out. The black finish hides everyday marks slightly better and blends in more subtly with many surroundings.

Sturdy Freestanding Construction

Being freestanding, you do not need special built-in housing or complex installation. You simply position it where you want, make sure it is level, and plug it in. This gives you much more flexibility if you rent, rearrange rooms often, or plan to move house.

The shell feels robust enough for everyday use, with a solid door and drawers that slide in and out smoothly when loaded appropriately. You are not getting a luxury designer build, but you are getting a practical, durable structure suited to day-to-day life.

Storage Capacity and Layout

Your main concern is likely: can this 60L freezer actually hold what you need? For a compact unit, the internal layout is designed to help you use every bit of space more efficiently.

60 Litre Capacity: What Does That Really Mean for You?

Sixty litres might sound abstract, so it helps to picture what you can realistically store:

• Several bags of frozen vegetables and fruit
• A few packs of meat or fish
• Ice cream tubs and desserts
• Frozen chips, pizzas, and ready meals
• Homemade portions of soups, sauces, or batch-cooked meals

In everyday terms, this capacity works well as:

• An overflow freezer when your main freezer is packed.
• A primary freezer for a small household or single person who shops regularly.
• A secondary freezer in a garage for bulk buys and extra storage.

If you often buy in bulk or have a larger family, this likely works best as an extra freezer rather than your main one. If you live alone or with one other person, it might comfortably handle your regular frozen food needs.

Three Drawer System for Better Organisation

Instead of one big open space, you get three freezer drawers. This makes your life easier in several ways:

• You can group foods logically (meat in one drawer, veg in another, desserts and bread in the third).
• You avoid everything sliding into a single frozen mess at the bottom.
• You can quickly pull out just one drawer instead of rummaging around.

A simple way to use the three drawers could be:

• Top drawer: Frequently used items (ice cream, frozen fruit, chips, pizza).
• Middle drawer: Meat, fish, and main meal components.
• Bottom drawer: Batch-cooked meals, leftovers, and backup items.

Because the drawers are closed units, cold air stays inside when you open the door, which helps keep the internal temperature more stable and can improve overall efficiency.

Ease of Installation and Placement

One of the strong points of this freezer is how simple it is to position and adjust. You are not stuck with a fixed direction door or awkward height differences.

Adjustable Feet for a Level Fit

Uneven floors are common, especially in older homes, garages, or outbuildings. Adjustable feet mean you can:

• Raise or lower the corners slightly to level the unit.
• Make sure the door swings and seals properly.
• Avoid wobbling or rattling noises over time.

You just adjust the feet until the freezer stands straight and stable. This helps with performance, because a level appliance usually cools and seals more effectively.

Reversible Door for Flexible Access

You may have cupboards, walls, or other appliances on one side that block the swing of a fixed door. With a reversible door, you can choose which way the door opens:

• Hinges on the right with the handle on the left.
• Or hinges on the left with the handle on the right.

This flexibility is especially valuable in narrow kitchens or tight garage spaces. You can adapt the door direction to match your layout rather than rearranging your entire room.

Suitable for Garages and Outbuildings

Many freezers struggle if you place them in colder or unheated areas, but this model is suitable for garages and outbuildings. That means you can:

• Keep your main kitchen clear of extra appliances.
• Use your garage or utility space as a backup frozen storage area.
• Store larger or seasonal items (like Christmas foods or BBQ supplies) outside the main kitchen.

You should still follow the manufacturer’s guidance on minimum ambient temperature and avoid placing it in very extreme conditions, but for typical UK-style garages and outbuildings, it is designed to cope.

Temperature Performance and Freezing Quality

A good freezer is not just about storage; it has to keep your food safely frozen and maintain quality over time. This is where the 4-star freezer rating and manual temperature control become important.

4-Star Freezer Rating: Why It Matters

A 4-star freezer rating is the highest standard for domestic freezers. In practice, that means:

• You can freeze fresh food rather than only storing pre-frozen items.
• It is designed to maintain temperatures of -18°C or below, which is essential for safe long-term storage.
• You can keep food frozen for several months, following standard storage guidelines.

If you like batch cooking, freezing leftovers, or buying fresh meat and freezing it yourself, a 4-star rating is key. You are not just using it as a holding unit; you are actually freezing from fresh safely and efficiently.

Manual Temperature Control for Custom Settings

This freezer uses manual temperature control, usually via a small dial inside. You can adjust it to suit:

• Warmer rooms (you might need a slightly colder setting).
• Colder garages or outbuildings (you might choose a mid-level setting).
• Your personal balance between energy use and freezing intensity.

You get straightforward control instead of complex digital menus. You simply set it once, then check that your food stays properly frozen, and adjust if necessary.

Freezing from Fresh: Keeping Food at Its Best

The combination of 4-star rating and decent insulation means you can freeze fresh and pre-cooked foods quickly. Faster freezing helps:

• Lock in flavour and nutrients.
• Reduce ice crystal formation, which can damage texture.
• Keep the quality of food closer to fresh when you eventually defrost and cook it.

If you cook big batches of meals or soup on the weekend and freeze portions, you can rely on this freezer to handle that job without turning everything into a block of frost-burned mystery.

Everyday Usability

How easy is this freezer to live with day after day? From opening the door to grabbing what you need, small details make a noticeable difference.

Simple, No-Nonsense Controls

You do not get confusing screens or complicated modes. You have a basic manual control, so you:

• Set the temperature once.
• Occasionally check if the setting still works for your usage and room conditions.
• Forget about it and just use your freezer.

If you prefer appliances that “just work” without lots of tech, this is a big plus. You get reliable performance with very little to manage.

Easy Access with Drawer Layout

Using drawers instead of open shelves or baskets means:

• You can slide each drawer out to see everything inside clearly.
• You reduce the temptation to just throw items in a heap.
• You reduce cold air loss, because each drawer is like a mini compartment.

In day-to-day use, that means less time with the door open, less bending and rummaging, and fewer times you forget what you already have. This can help you avoid food waste and keep a more organised food routine.

Cleaning and Maintenance

As a manual, undercounter freezer, you will likely need to defrost it occasionally if ice builds up (the product details do not mention auto-defrost). However, the compact size and drawer system mean:

• You can remove the drawers to clean them in a sink.
• You can wipe the inner walls without too much struggle.
• Defrosting should be manageable because the interior space is not huge.

If you regularly check for frost build-up and do small cleaning sessions, you keep the freezer working efficiently and looking good for longer.

Energy Efficiency and Running Costs

Energy usage matters not just for your bills but also for environmental reasons. This model is rated Energy Class E, which gives you a clear benchmark.

Understanding the Energy Class E Rating

On modern EU/UK-style energy labels (re-scaled in recent years), Class E is a mid-range rating. It is not the most efficient appliance on the market, but it is also not at the bottom. For a compact freezer that offers 4-star performance, this is fairly typical.

You should consider:

• It is a small-capacity unit, so overall energy usage will be lower than a large upright or chest freezer.
• Keeping it in a suitable ambient temperature (not next to an oven or in intense heat) helps it work more efficiently.
• Regular defrosting and keeping the door closed properly can also reduce running costs.

If you want a balance between practicality and energy use, and you are not operating a huge household freezer farm, this rating should be acceptable for most users.

How to Use It Efficiently

You can make the most of its energy performance with a few habits:

• Keep it reasonably full: A well-stocked freezer holds the cold better than an empty one.
• Avoid blocking the vents: Let cold air circulate inside the drawers.
• Check the seal: Make sure the door closes fully and the gasket is clean.
• Place it properly: Avoid direct sunlight and keep a bit of space around it for ventilation.

These simple steps help you get good value from the freezer while keeping energy consumption in a sensible range.

Suitability for Different Users

This model is not for everyone, but it is a strong fit for certain types of households and situations. Thinking about your own needs helps you decide if it matches your lifestyle.

Ideal for Small Homes, Flats, and Couples

If you live in a flat, studio, or small house with limited kitchen space, this freezer’s narrow width and undercounter height are huge advantages. You can:

• Use it as your main freezer if your frozen food needs are modest.
• Pair it with a fridge that does not have a freezer compartment.
• Keep everything nearby rather than trekking to a garage or outbuilding.

For single occupants or couples, the 60L capacity can often be enough, especially if you shop weekly or use fresh ingredients often.

Great as an Overflow or Secondary Freezer

If you already have a fridge freezer but often run out of space, this Abode model works very well as an overflow unit, especially in:

• Garages
• Utility rooms
• Outbuildings

You can keep your main, everyday items in the kitchen and move bulk purchases, batch-cooked meals, or seasonal foods into this secondary freezer. The three-drawer system helps you keep that “extra” storage just as organised as your main freezer.

Handy for Batch Cooks and Meal Preppers

If you love meal prepping and batch cooking, this freezer gives you a neat way to store ready-to-go portions. You can:

• Organise cooked meals by type or day of the week.
• Freeze soups, stews, sauces, and ready meals in labelled containers.
• Keep quick dinners on hand for busy evenings.

Its 4-star rating means you can safely freeze freshly cooked food, not just store what you bought frozen.

Detailed Feature Breakdown

To help you decide if this freezer really fits your priorities, it helps to examine each key feature in a bit more detail.

Ample Storage in a Slim Body

You might be surprised how much you can fit into 60L when it is organised well. The three drawers encourage you to make use of vertical space without squashing items into unusable corners. You get enough room for:

• A couple of weeks’ worth of frozen essentials for a small household.
• Bulk buys of meat or frozen veg when promotions appear.
• Extra items for special occasions (like Christmas or birthdays).

If you are coming from a tiny freezer compartment in a fridge, this will feel like a big upgrade. If you already use a huge chest freezer, this feels more like a targeted, tidy storage space for specific categories of food.

Adjustable Feet and Reversible Door: Fine-Tuned Fit

The combination of adjustable feet and a reversible door means you can almost always find a way to fit this freezer into your layout. You are less likely to have:

• Doors banging against walls or cabinets.
• A wobbly unit that rattles or vibrates.
• A sloping appliance that does not seal properly.

You get the freedom to install it in many different orientations, whether under a kitchen counter, at the side of a utility room, or along the wall of a garage.

Suitable for Garages and Outbuildings: Extra Flexibility

A key selling point is its stated suitability for garages and outbuildings. That gives you peace of mind if you do not want it occupying precious kitchen real estate. You can:

• Turn your garage into a mini backup food store.
• Store frozen goods closer to outdoor cooking areas or garden entertaining spaces.
• Keep bulk purchases or large seasonal items out of sight but close at hand.

You should, of course, follow any guidance regarding ambient temperatures and avoid extreme conditions, but as a general-purpose garage/outbuilding freezer, this is designed to work well.

Reliability and Warranty

You want reassurance that if something does go wrong, you are not left without support. The built-in guarantee helps with that.

1-Year Guarantee for Peace of Mind

This freezer comes with a 1-year guarantee, which typically covers you for manufacturing faults and certain issues that arise under normal use. While it is not an extended or premium warranty, it does mean:

• You have a clear support channel during the first year.
• You can buy with more confidence, knowing there is a fallback.
• You can test the appliance in real conditions and see how it performs.

For many people, a one-year guarantee is enough reassurance, especially if you plan to keep an eye on performance during the early months.

Simple Mechanical Design for Long-Term Use

Because this freezer uses manual controls and a straightforward structure, there is less that can go wrong electronically. That often translates into:

• Easier diagnosis if something seems off (like temperature or noise).
• Fewer complex parts that might fail unexpectedly.
• A generally long, uncomplicated service life if used correctly.

You still need to treat it well—keep it level, avoid overloading drawers, and defrost when needed—but the basic design is built with everyday reliability in mind.

Pros and Cons Summary

To make your decision simpler, it helps to balance the strengths and limitations in one place. You can use this as a quick comparison against other models you are considering.

Main Advantages

• Slim 48 cm width: Ideal for tight spaces and narrow undercounter gaps.
• 60L capacity with 3 drawers: Practical storage in a compact footprint, with good organisation.
• 4-star freezer rating: Suitable for freezing fresh food and long-term storage at -18°C or below.
• Reversible door: Flexible installation on either side of cabinets or walls.
• Adjustable feet: Easier to level on uneven floors, improving performance and stability.
• Suitable for garages and outbuildings: Great as a secondary or overflow freezer outside the main kitchen.
• Manual temperature control: Simple, reliable settings without complex digital panels.
• Modern black finish: Stylish look that blends well with contemporary kitchens or garage setups.
• 1-year guarantee: Added reassurance for at least the first year of use.

Possible Drawbacks

• Energy Class E: Not the top-tier efficiency rating; some more efficient models may cost less to run over very long periods.
• 60L capacity: May be too small as a main freezer for larger families or heavy bulk buyers.
• Likely manual defrost: You will probably need to defrost it occasionally, which adds a bit of maintenance.
• No advanced features mentioned: You do not get extras like digital displays, fast-freeze buttons, or open-door alarms.

You need to decide how important each factor is for your own situation. For many users, the compact size and practical layout outweigh the more basic feature set.

Practical Tips for Getting the Best from Your Abode Freezer

Once you have chosen this freezer, you want to get the most out of it. A few simple habits can make a big difference in how convenient and efficient it feels.

Planning Your Drawer Layout

Before you start filling it randomly, think about how you use frozen food. For example:

• Drawer 1 (top): Quick-grab items like ice cream, frozen chips, pizza, and frozen fruit for smoothies.
• Drawer 2 (middle): Meat and fish—ideally labelled and dated.
• Drawer 3 (bottom): Batch-cooked meals, leftovers, and emergency back-up meals.

You can adjust this based on your own routine, but giving each drawer a “role” helps you remember what is where and reduces food waste.

Labelling and Dating Your Food

Because this is a compact space, items can still disappear behind others over time. Simple labelling keeps you in control:

• Use masking tape or freezer labels with the name and date.
• Group similar items in the same area of a drawer.
• Rotate older items to the front so they are used first.

You will quickly learn how much this freezer can hold without feeling overloaded, and labels make daily use much smoother.

Regular Maintenance Habits

To keep this freezer at its best, you should:

• Wipe the door seal occasionally to ensure a tight close.
• Check for excessive frost build-up and defrost if it starts to reduce usable space.
• Make sure there is enough ventilation space around the back and sides.

These small checks will help maintain consistent temperature and prolong the life of the appliance.

Who This Freezer Is Best For

You will get the most satisfaction from this Abode under counter freezer if you fit into one or more of these groups:

• You live in a small kitchen or flat and need a slim undercounter freezer that will actually fit.
• You already own a fridge freezer but want extra frozen storage in a garage, utility room, or outbuilding.
• You are a single person or couple and prefer a compact freezer that does not dominate your kitchen.
• You love batch cooking and want a dedicated space for your ready-made meals and ingredients.
• You prefer simple, reliable appliances without complicated electronics or dozens of modes.

If you have a large family, store lots of bulk meat, or want an ultra-low running cost above all else, you might look at larger or more efficient models. But if space, practicality, and straightforward use are your top priorities, this freezer fits those needs well.

Final Thoughts: Is the Abode 48 cm Under Counter Freezer Right for You?

If you want a compact, tidy, and easy-to-live-with freezer that fits under your counter or in a small garage corner, the Abode Under Counter Freezer 48cm Wide Freestanding Black 60 Litre is a very strong candidate.

You get:

• A usable 60L capacity with three organised drawers.
• A 4-star freezer rating suitable for freezing from fresh.
• A slim 48 cm design that suits narrow kitchens and tight spaces.
• Flexibility through its reversible door and adjustable feet.
• Confidence from its suitability for garages and outbuildings and its 1-year guarantee.

It is not trying to be a feature-packed smart appliance; it focuses on what you actually use every day: cold, organised storage in a compact, stylish form. If that matches your priorities, you are likely to find this freezer a quiet, dependable part of your home that keeps your food ready whenever you need it.

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