semiatic

Three stars (***): a −18 °C frozen-food compartment

A frozen compartment whose target temperature and storage condition is −18 °C — cold enough to keep bought frozen food for the storage time on its packet — but which has not shown that it can freeze fresh food.

The temperature, and where it is defined

−18 °C target temperature and storage condition

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016, Article 2(21) and Annex IV Table 3: “‘3-star compartment’ means a frozen compartment with a target temperature and storage conditions of - 18 °C, as set out in Annex IV, Table 3”

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 — Article 2, Definitions (energy labelling of refrigerating appliances), on legislation.gov.uk Checked 2026-09-27.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 — Annex IV, Measurement methods and calculations (Table 3: storage conditions and target temperature per compartment type), on legislation.gov.uk Checked 2026-09-27.

The temperature is the one the law uses to rate the compartment; your appliance’s own manual and rating plate say which compartment it has. The test methods behind these figures are in the IEC 62552 series of standards, which are paid documents and were not read for this page; the wording above is the regulation’s.

How the makers say to use it

Keep food that was bought frozen, up to the date on its packet. Smeg’s FAQ says three stars “will keep food safe for up to three months”; the manuals point to the storage time printed on the pack.

What it does not mean

It is not a four-star freezer: a three-star compartment has the same −18 °C target but is not tested for freezing capacity, and the manuals say not to freeze fresh food in one-, two- or three-star compartments.

The temperature is the one the law uses to rate the compartment; your appliance’s own manual and rating plate say which compartment it has.

What it looks like
Three six-armed stars in a row, with no larger star beside them.
Names used
3-star compartment; *** frozen-food compartment (Miele data sheet); Three stars (Smeg)

Where makers differ

The regulation’s energy formula treats three- and four-star compartments alike (the same compartment factor in Annex IV Table 4); the only difference is the freezing-capacity test. Smeg’s FAQ gives three stars “up to three months”; the manuals point to the packet date.

Other symbols with the same shapes

One star (*): a −6 °C compartment−6 °C — A single six-armed star, usually printed on the door or…Two stars (**): a −12 °C compartment or section−12 °C — Two six-armed stars side by side — on an ice box, or on a…Four stars (one large star and three small): a freezer−18 °C — One large star beside three smaller ones — the three…No stars: the 0-star or ice-making compartment (0 °C)0 °C — A small box or flap at the top of a fridge with no star…

Sources

The temperature is the regulation’s own figure, read on the date shown; the makers’ documents below repeat it for their appliances.

Written in our own words; quotations are the regulation’s or the makers’ wording.