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I’m a huge fan of extra freezers, and I’ve written a ton about them! Today I’ll be talking about what to look for when buying a freezer, but I’v also covered topics like Does an extra freezer Save you money, Best Freezing Techniques and Freezer Cooking.
I think a freezer can be a great investment, but it IS an investment, so you want to make sure you buy one that will work for your family and that will last you for a long time. Read on to find out what’s most important when buying a freezer.
What to Look for When Buying a Freezer
Chest or Upright?
The first decision you have to make is whether you want a chest freezer or an upright freezer.
Chest freezers tend to come in larger sizes and are great for those who buy bulk foods and tend to store items for a long period of time. It is also easier to store larger items. They are considered to be 10 to 25 percent more efficient than upright freezers. The only downside is organization can be difficult with no shelves. and you have to bend over to get things out. They also take up more floor space.
Upright freezers are best for those who buy smaller quantities of food. With shelving, you can organize and find items quickly. They do take up less floor space, but consider the space needed to open the door as well. They are less efficient since the door seals but is not pressed down tight like the lid of a chest freezer. Because of that, in the event of a power outage, they will also not stay as cold as long as a chest freezer. Upright freezers come in two models, a self defrost or manual defrost. There are pros and cons to both, but it is reported that manual defrost freezers maintain more constant temperatures.
Other Things to Consider
Once you decide between a chest and an upright freezer, there are a few more things you’ll want to consider when buying a freezer.
Size—A freezer is the most energy efficient when it is full. Going for the biggest freezer possible may not be the best idea if you don’t have that much to store.
Light—Having a light inside the freezer is awesome! At night when you need something for dinner, it’s really hard to tell the difference between different kinds of meat in a dark freezer. Also look for a freezer that has an indicator light on the outside to let you know the power is on and all is well.
Locks—Chest freezers should all come with locks. If it doesn’t, it is a good idea to get one if you have small children. It is very easy for a small child to get trapped inside.
Extra features—Many upright freezers can come with lots of bells and whistles: slide out shelving, door bins, quick freeze and soft freeze areas, etc. In general, these aren’t features you are going to use all the time. Unlike your inside refrigerator, this is an appliance you will come to less than once a day and only for a minute or two. The more features you add, the higher the cost.
Do you have an extra freezer? Let us know why you love it in the comments!
