In this article Video: how to buy the best freezer Upright tall, under counter or chest freezer? Upright, tall freezers Under-counter freezers Chest freezers Freestanding or integrated freezer? Freezer for garage or house?
What size freezer should you buy? View more links. Video: how to buy the best freezer Watch to find out about why you don't always get as much space as advertised inside a freezer and why the energy label doesn't tell you the full story. More on this How to buy the best chest freezer Freezer reviews Which?
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Four reasons why a manual salt and pepper grinder is much better than electric. Is this Miele dishwasher feature just an expensive gimmick? There are three types of freezers you can purchase: upright, chest, and convertible. An upright model looks similar to a refrigerator, but is just one compartment that features shelving, door bins, and bulk storage baskets. A chest freezer looks like a cooler, since it has a wide build and lift-open lid, and can be organized with dividers and bulk storage baskets.
Convertible models can be shaped like either an upright or chest freezer, but can be used as a freezer or refrigerator. The best type of freezer for your home entirely depends on where you want to install it, what you want to store, and what organization options you'd like to have.
A freezer can either manually defrost or automatically defrost. If it automatically defrosts, it may have a frost-free design or also be called self-defrosting. This means that coils within the freezer will heat up routinely to prevent any ice or frost from building up along the interior's walls. In contrast, a model with manual defrosting will need to be unplugged when frost gets to be a quarter-inch thick.
You will need to unload the items you have stored, chip away at the build-up, and drain out the unit. Once it's drained, you can plug the freezer back in and re-organize your frozen goods. This type of freezer can be cheaper to buy and operate, but comes with more maintenance. If your freezer is garage-ready, it can withstand extreme, external temperatures. It doesn't need to be installed within your home, where it may take up a great deal of space in your kitchen or basement.
A garage-ready model can cost a bit more, but will keep things frozen whether your garage is 0 degrees or degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a particularly cold or warm climate, or are hoping to install the freezer in a more flexible space, a garage-ready design is worth considering. Just keep in mind: it may cost more. If your freezer has a reversible door, that means you can open it by swinging the door to the left or the right.
This feature is particularly handy for households who don't have a lot of space for extra storage, or plan to install their freezer in a semi-cluttered area. The door usually has recessed handles, airtight seals on both edges, and a sleek design. Just know this: the seals can become worn over time, so you may need to replace them for optimal frozen food storage. A safety lock secures your freezer, and prevents any unwanted entry. And while it's not a necessary feature to have on a freezer, it is useful if you plan on storing your appliance in your garage, or have guests over often.
The lock is paired with a physical key or key fob, and ensures that your goods are secure. Be sure to store the key or key fob in a safe and accessible location. A quick freeze setting, which can also be called a "power freeze" setting, drops the set temperature of your freezer.
It makes the internal environment as cold as possible, in order to quickly chill meat, fruit, or other goods that you just added. Typically, this setting can last for up to 50 hours at a time, and is a great feature to have if your model is convertible. It's also handy for households that want a worry and hands-free experience. On average, freezers last 10 to 14 years.
Typically, a freezer that manually defrosts lasts slightly longer than one that automatically defrosts. This is because there are less moving parts that can suffer wear and tear over time. To increase the lifespan of your appliance, be sure to maintain it properly.
Remove any ice build-up, install it in the correct location especially if it's not garage-ready , and make sure to not overfill or underfill the appliance as this can make the appliance work significantly harder. Frost builds up on the inner surfaces of your freezer because moisture from your fresh food attaches to the appliance's coils. This process is sped up if your door isn't sealed tight, or your appliance's self-defrosting technology is unreliable and need repairs.
The result will be frost and ice chunks that grow in size, until they've been chipped or drained away, and less storage space for your food. To prevent a lot of frost from building up in your freezer, be sure to never leave the door open for long periods of time, and close it tightly when you're done.
In addition, occasionally check the temperature of your freezer to ensure it's consistent and stable. Typically, you don't want to fill a freezer—whether it's a chest, upright, or attached model—to the brim. The freezer will not have to cycle as often if it is full.
When the space is needed for frozen food, just put the bottles beside the freezer for future use. I also keep one old packing blanket for each freezer in a plastic bag on top of one of the uprights.
In the event of a power outage, I put the blanket over them to keep them cool and to prevent the kids from needlessly opening them. You will find that the opportunity to stock up on sale items and being able to have a source of last minute meals will be worth the investment and the freezers will pay for themselves in no time. Linda, Lawrenceville, Ga. I also like to have room to take advantage of frozen vegetable and poultry sales and surplus from the garden.
I have worked at a retail furniture and appliance store for the last 20 years and this is the information I found. A cubic foot of freezer space holds about 35 pounds of food. Some manufacturers suggest you calculate 1. For energy efficiency, a freezer should be kept at least two-thirds full. I would also suggest you buy a newer model versus an old model from someone. The newer models are much more energy efficient. I like to take advantage of sales on meats and vegetables and then freeze them to use later.
Many times, I end up buying way more than my refrigerator freezer can hold. My fix? Getting a dedicated freezer. The two basic choices for a standalone freezer are upright freezers or chest freezer. Here's how to decide which is best for you and what size you'll need. This really comes down to personal preference and space.
These two different appliances have pros and cons to consider before you go shopping. Generally, chest and upright freezers are available in four size ranges.
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