Buying a Chest Freezer For Your Outbuilding
Consider chest freezers when you have an outbuilding or garage. They can help with food storage, preserving produce and even make space in the house.
Chest freezers tends to stay frozen better than upright freezers, as air circulation isn't as good. Choose a model with an energy label that is high to help reduce the running cost too.
Size
When choosing a freezer chest consider how much storage space you require. A best practice is to have one cubic foot of freezer space per person in your household. If you have more than that, then you'll require a bigger freezer. If you plan on keeping it outside, you might want to consider a chest freezer with locks. This will stop anyone from stealing your frozen food.
Another crucial aspect to take into consideration is whether you'd like your freezer chest to be capable of operating at temperatures that are freezing. If so, choose an item that can stand up to low temperatures or you'll struggle to keep the food inside fresh. Refrigerators that are designed to withstand freezing temperatures are usually better insulated therefore their contents can remain frozen for longer.
This compact model by Midea is ideal for those who want an affordable, garage-friendly freezer. It is suitable for use indoors and outdoors and can hold 7.2 cubic feet. It comes with a manual drain, adjustable temperature control, and storage baskets to help you stay organised. You'll need to sacrifice certain features to get it at this price with a counterbalanced front and an internal light. If you're looking to make the most of your freezer storage, it's a good trade-off.
Energy efficiency
Chest freezers are typically larger and taller than upright models. This makes them perfect for small spaces. They can also operate in colder temperatures than standard freezers, and require less energy. This is due to the side-wall insulating that allows them to operate at lower temperatures without using excessive energy.
Choose a chest freezer that is certified by ENERGY STAR certified to gain the highest energy efficiency. They can provide up to 10 percent more energy savings than the minimum federal standards and come with thick insulation to ensure optimal temperatures. Find out if your utility company offers rebates on these products.
The annual consumption of electricity for the freezer is also important to keep in mind. This is usually stated as a KWh value (1 KWh is one unit of electricity). Some manufacturers will show this information in their user manual or on the product, while others will post it online.
Finally, you should consider checking the weight of your chosen freezer prior to purchasing. Consider if you will website require assistance in moving it into and out of the garage or outbuilding. Think about buying a freezer that has caster wheels or rolling rollers to allow it to be easier to move around. If you intend to use the freezer for outdoor activities like hunting or gardening it is important to be sure that it's able to operate in frigid temperatures.
Convenience
A chest freezer can be a wonderful addition to any outbuilding or garage regardless of whether you're an avid gardener or hunter, or you have a lot of leftover food left over after cooking. It's more roomy than a standard fridge making it ideal for people who buy in bulk or wish to preserve the fruits of their garden. Some models can accommodate meat. This is a great method to make sure you have enough food to last through the winter.
Chest freezers are cheaper than upright freezers since they use less energy because of the insulation that is built into their sides. They also come with several useful features including a drainage system for defrost and an instruction manual for temperature control. Certain models come with a fast-freeze function that reduces the time it takes to freeze certain food items.
The majority of freezers operate safely at temperatures of -18 degrees Celsius. This is perfect for colder climates. Anyone who lives near the coast should look for freezers designed to withstand sea air, as salt could harm freezers over the course of time.
Additionally, those interested in a freezer that's built to last should consider a Beko or Russell Hobbs model. These brands were among the first to test their freezers at temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius to ensure that they can be used in unheated buildings.
Safety
Store your chest freezer in a garage or some other place that is protected against the elements. Although some claim that they keep their freezer outdoors and use it without any issues, the majority of repair experts believe that this is not a good idea. The temperatures outside are too low to keep the freezer working efficiently. The moisture in the air can cause damage over time.
The chest freezer must be secured with locks that stop children from opening it. It must also have a thick lid that is difficult to open accidentally. It should also have wire baskets or shelves to store smaller items and a reversible door that can be opened in the direction you prefer.
A good freezer should have an alarm for temperature that sounds if the internal temperature starts to increase, which can help you avoid food waste by catching any issues early. Choose a model that has this feature, and ensure that it has a defrost drain as well.
Another thing to consider is whether the freezer is equipped with interior lighting. This is crucial for keeping the freezer in order, particularly if it is in a dark location like basements or garages. This feature makes it easier to locate what you are looking for faster and reduces the chance that the freezer lid is opened by accident, which can cause the temperature to drop.