How to Know Where to Buy a Chest Freezer

A freezer chest can be a useful appliance, whether you are making plans for an emergency, or just want to stock your summer ice cream. The ideal model to meet your needs requires taking into consideration storage capacity, capacity and energy efficiency, according to Vincent Finazzo of specialty grocer Riverwards Produce.

The aim is to keep food at a consistent, reliable temperature with minimum maintenance. Look for models with easy-to-use digital controls, adjustable mechanical thermostats and power indication lights.

Size

The capacity of a chest freezer is important to consider. These freezers offer much greater capacity than conventional fridge freezers. Some even offer extra space, making them ideal for large households or people who like to entertain. The capacity of chest freezers can vary from 5 cubic feet to 22 cubic feet. Some models also include storage racks and compartments that help you organize your frozen foods and to separate different types of food items to make them easier to access.

The space you will be purchasing a freezer in to determine how big or small it needs to be. Depending on how much space you have, you might opt for a smaller model that can augment your fridge freezer, or a bigger one that can be a perfect stand-alone unit in the garage or laundry room.

A best rule of thumb for deciding how big to get is to allow three inches of space along the sides and back. This lets you move the freezer into and out of the space without the need to move other appliances or furniture that is bulky.

Certain models come with bright interior lighting, which can be useful for sifting through your frozen dinners and bags of ice. Some models have a multi-angle hinge that is counterbalanced that allows the lid to open at any angle between 45 degrees and 75 degrees.

The energy efficiency of chest freezers is another aspect to take into consideration. If you're looking for ways to cut down on your energy costs, look for ENERGY STAR-certified freezers. These models meet the government's standards for energy efficiency and can save up to $500 in energy costs over the lifetime of the freezer. Other features worth considering include rollers that allow for mobility as well as light indicators for power. Some freezers have an adjustable basket separator and a hand that is recessed to make it easy to lift. There are a variety of options available, whether you want an ordinary chest-style freezer or one that fits in your garage.

Style

Contrary to conventional freezers, chest freezers lift open from the top, much like a treasure chest. Because of this, they are usually wider and smaller than a fridge freezer. They are a good option for people who want to purchase in bulk or store large items that cannot fit in a typical refrigerator freezer.

chest freezers [moved here] also tend to run more quietly than upright models. They have thick insulation which keeps the cold air from surrounding food items and allows it to stay frozen for longer, even during power outages. This makes them a great option for those who often purchase cheap meats at the butcher shop or harvest their own produce in bulk.

A chest freezer may not be the most used appliance in your kitchen, but it's an excellent addition if you cook a lot of food and need to store any leftovers. The freezer is great to store stews, soups or casseroles, Chest Freezers as well as other meals that can be frozen for later use. It is also possible to keep your pantry well-stocked with staples like bread, cereal and canned vegetables.

When you are looking for a chest freezer, you should look for a model with adjustable storage baskets for simple organization and bright interior lighting. You will be able to find what you are looking for quicker by not having to continually open and close the lid. Some models also have keys for locks and an internal temperature display for additional security and convenience.

If you're working on a tight budget, think about buying an upright vs. chest freezers freezer that comes with a scratch and dent discount. Many stores offer damaged models at lower prices. You can save as much as 15 percent on a freezer that you're certain to utilize. Make sure you measure the freezer before purchasing to ensure it will fit into your basement or garage. Be aware of any doors you will need to open to move the freezer. It is crucial to place the freezer away from sources of heat such as windows, for safe operation and security. Freezers in hot areas may also lose effectiveness and cause freezer burn.

Energy Efficiency

When looking for a new freezer, you might want to consider the energy efficiency of the model you select. Freezers that are ENERGY STAR certified consume less energy, which can reduce your costs for utilities over time. It is also important to measure the size of your chest-freezer to determine its energy efficiency.

You could also consider the capability of your freezer to defrost automatically or manually. Certain freezers require manual defrosting. This could be a hassle especially if you have an appliance that has to be defrosted regularly. There are models with built-in automated defrost capabilities, which can save you many headaches.

If you have an active family, the extra freezer space can be handy for storing frozen meals as well as ready-to-eat snacks that are simple to microwave when you don't have time or energy to cook. If you're a gardener, a chest freezer can aid you in making the most of your bumper harvest by freezing your vegetables and fruits for later consumption.

Freezers come in a variety of sizes, so locating the right one for your home or business is straightforward. You can purchase a smaller 5.4-cubic-foot chest freezer for your home, or a larger 30 cubic foot model to store food items in your restaurant.

The best chest freezers are reliable with constant temperatures throughout the unit and without hot spots. Depending on your needs, you might also consider the addition of additional features like an interior light and storage baskets which can be coordinated to keep your most frequently used food items and ingredients in reach. You can also find chest freezers with labels and dividers to aid in keeping the track of your belongings and organize them according to season or type.

Storage

A chest freezer offers a lot of storage space. This type of freezer is perfect for storing large quantities of food, especially when you have an entire family or prefer to purchase in large quantities. It is also possible to make use of a chest freezer to store special items or ingredients that are not readily available in your local grocery stores. This could include special meats, imported chees, and unique frozen desserts. The fact that you have these ingredients in your pantry will make cooking more convenient and will save you money over time.

How often you freeze food items and the type of food you freeze depends on the space you need. If you intend to freeze fresh seafood in the season and then use it later, you'll require more storage space.

Chest freezers usually have more usable storage capacity than upright models due to the fact that they lay horizontally rather than vertically. They are more difficult to access than upright models with shelves and drawers. When looking for a chest-freezer look for models that have interior lighting. This feature is useful if you plan to store your freezer in the dark basement or garage. It will also make it easier for you to organize the items.

Look for a chest-freezer with child safety locks if you have kids at home. These safeguards are essential since children could get trapped in a freezer, resulting in death or suffocation. It's important to keep an inventory list of what you store in your freezer and a record of dates for expiration of food. This will help you avoid buying or storing food that is past its expiration date, and also help avoid waste.

Be sure to leave enough space in your basement or garage for the chest freezer you select. It should have at least three inches of clearance along the sides and back of the freezer to ensure you can move around it. Additionally, make sure your new freezer can fit through the doorway that you intend to install it. This could be a matter of removal of doors or moving objects out of the way.