Buying a Chest Freezer For Your Outbuilding
You should consider chest freezers if you have sheds or garages. They can be used for food storage for preserving produce, or simply to free up some space in your home.
Since air doesn't circulate in the same way, chest freezers tend be more efficient in keeping food frozen than uprights. Look for one with the highest energy label rating to reduce running costs too.
Size
When selecting a freezer chest consider how much storage space you'll need. A best practice is to have a cubic foot of freezer space for every person in your household. You'll need a larger freezer if you have more than that. If you plan to keep it outside, you might want to consider the use of a chest freezer that comes with a lock. This will prevent anyone from the food you've frozen.
Another thing to think about is whether you want your freezer chest able to operate in frigid temperatures. If yes, you should look for a model that's made to endure low temperatures, or you'll find it difficult to keep the food inside fresh. Freezers made to withstand freezing temperatures are usually better in insulation than those designed for indoor use, so they can keep their contents cold for longer.
If you're looking for a compact freezer that fits in your garage, take a look at this compact model from Midea. Its capacity is 7.2 cubic feet and can be utilized in both indoor and outdoor settings. It comes with an automatic drain, adjustable temperature control, and storage baskets to help you keep your freezer organized. You'll need to sacrifice some features to get it at this price that include a counterbalanced, top and an internal light. However, if you're looking to maximize your freezer storage it's a great bargain.
Energy efficiency
Chest freezers are generally higher and longer than upright models. This makes them ideal for smaller spaces. In addition, they can also operate in colder environments than conventional freezers and consume less power - this is due to the side-wall insulation that maintains them at very low temperatures without consuming a lot of energy.
To maximize energy efficiency, opt for an energy STAR certified chest freezer. These offer up to ten percent more energy savings than the minimum federal standards, and feature thick insulation to keep in optimal temperatures. Some utilities even offer rebates on these items Check to see whether yours offers.
It is also important to know the annual consumption of electricity for your freezer, which is usually given as a KWh number (1 KWh is 1 unit of electricity). Some manufacturers will provide this information on their product's packaging or in the user manual, while others provide the information online.
Finally, you should consider checking the weight of your chosen freezer before purchasing. Plan ahead if you need assistance moving it into and out of the garage or outbuilding. You might also consider purchasing a model with rollers or casters which will allow it to be easier to move around. If you're thinking about using the freezer to store food in a device for outdoor activities like gardening or hunting it is important to ensure whether it is able to operate in cold temperatures.
Convenience
A chest freezer is a great addition to any garage or outbuilding regardless of whether you're a hunter or gardener, or you have a lot of leftover food from cooking. It's more roomy than a standard refrigerator, making it ideal for those who purchase in bulk or preserve the fruits of their vegetable garden. Certain models can even hold meat. This is a great way to get food supplies for the winter months.
Chest freezers are more affordable than upright freezers because they consume less energy because of the insulation that is built into the sides of their walls. They also come with several useful features, like the ability to drain defrost and a manual temperature control. Some models also come with an instant freeze feature, which decreases the time it takes to freeze for certain food items to save time.
Most freezers can operate safely at temperatures of -18 degrees Celsius. This is ideal for colder climates. If you live near the ocean seek out freezers built to withstand salt air.
Alternatively, those who are seeking a freezer constructed to last may want to consider the 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 could be used in unheated buildings.
Safety
It is recommended to keep a chest freezer in your garage or some other place that is safe from the elements. While some claim that they keep their freezer outside and use it without any problems, most experts in appliance repair agree that this is a bad idea. The outdoor temperatures are too cold for a freezer to continue running efficiently, and the humidity in the air which chest freezer is best could cause damage to the freezer over time.
The freezer in the chest should have a lock to prevent children from opening it, and the lid is heavy and difficult to remove accidentally. It should have shelves or wire bins for smaller items, as well as an reversible door that can be reversible.
A good freezer has an alarm for temperature, which will sound when the temperature inside begins to increase. This can help you conserve food since it will notify you in advance if there is any issue. This feature is essential for any freezer. Also, ensure that there is a drainage for defrost.
The lighting in the interior of the freezer is a different aspect to take into consideration. This is important to keep the freezer arranged, especially if it is in a dark space such as basements or garages. This feature will assist you to find what you are looking for faster and will reduce the number of times that the lid of the freezer gets open, which could cause the temperature to drop.