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I’m a huge fan of having extra freezer space! With everyone trying to have extra food on hand, it’s a great time to discuss what to look for when buying a freezer. The biggest question is whether to get a chest or upright freezer. They both do the same thing, but are really very different in terms of how you can store food. Here’s my breakdown on chest vs. upright freezers (I’ve had both types, and definitely see pros and cons in both) to give you advice if you’re thinking about buying a freezer.
If you are just starting to research and ponder a freezer also check out posts we’ve done on:
What to Look for When Buying a Freezer
Chest or Upright?
Chest freezers tend to be cheaper than their tall counterparts, and also come in larger sizes. They are great for those who buy bulk foods and want 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.
Alarms—This is very important feature for upright freezers. If someone doesn’t close the door all the way your freezer will thaw. Having a door alarm hopefully will help you catch a door that is left open before all your food is lost!
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!
