Buying a Chest Freezer For Your Outbuilding
You should think about chest freezers when you have sheds or garages. They can aid in food storage, preserving produce or even to make space in the house.
Chest freezers tend to stay frozen longer than upright freezers, since air circulation isn't as good. Choose a model with high energy label ratings to lower running costs as well.
Size
Consider how much space you require before deciding on the chest freezer. A best practice is to have a cubic foot of freezer space for every household member. If you have more people than this, then you'll require a larger freezer. If you plan to keep it outside, you may want to consider the use of a chest freezer that comes with an lock. This will stop anyone from stealing your frozen food.
It is also important to consider whether your freezer will be able operate at freezing temperatures. If yes, you should look for one that is designed to stand up to low temperatures or you'll have trouble keeping the foods inside fresh. Freezers designed to withstand temperatures that freeze are usually more in insulation than those designed for indoor use, which means they'll keep their contents frozen longer.
If you're looking for a small freezer that can fit in your garage, take a look at this compact model from Midea. It has a capacity of 7.2 cubic feet and can be utilized in both indoor and outdoor settings. It comes with a manual defrost drain and adjustable temperature control, and comes with storage baskets to aid in organization. You'll need to sacrifice some features to obtain it at this cost such as a counterbalanced top and an internal light. However, if you're looking to make the most of your freezer storage it's a great bargain.
Energy efficiency
Chest freezers are generally higher and longer than upright models. This makes them perfect for small spaces. They can also operate in a colder climate than standard freezers and use less energy. This is due to the side-wall insulating that keeps them at low temperatures without requiring a lot of energy.
To increase energy efficiency, look for an ENERGY STAR certified chest freezer. These freezers offer up to 10% more energy savings than federal minimum standards. They also have a thick insulation that ensures the right temperature. Some utility companies even offer rebates on these items, so check to see whether yours is eligible.
It is also important to know the freezer's annual consumption of electricity typically stated in KWh units (1 KWh is 1 unit of electricity). Some manufacturers will provide this information on the product or in their user's manual, while others offer the information online.
It is also worth checking the weight before you buy. Consider if you will require assistance in moving it into and out of the garage or outbuilding. You may also want to look into buying a model with caster wheels or rollers, which will allow it to be easier to move around. If you plan to use the freezer to do outdoor read more activities such as hunting or gardening it is important to be sure that it's capable of working in frigid temperatures.
Convenience
A chest freezer can be a wonderful addition to any outbuilding or garage, whether you are a gardener or hunter or have plenty of leftover food from cooking. It can provide more storage space than a conventional refrigerator, which is great for those who buy in bulk or keeping the fruits and vegetables from their garden. Some models can even store meat which is a cost-effective way to stock up for the winter.
Contrary to upright freezers, chest freezers are usually more affordable since they consume less electricity because of their side-wall insulation. They also have several useful features, such as defrost drains and manual temperature control. Certain models also come with the ability to freeze quickly, which decreases the time it takes to freeze for certain foods to cut down on time.
Most freezers can operate safely at temperatures of -18 degrees Celsius. This is perfect for colder climates. Residents who live close to the coast should look for freezers made to withstand sea air, as salt can affect freezers over time.
For those who are seeking a freezer 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 could be used in non-heated buildings.
Safety
It is recommended to keep a freezer in your garage or other place that is safe from the elements. While some people claim that they keep their freezer outside and use it without any problems, most appliance repair specialists believe that this is a bad idea. The outdoor temperatures could be too cold to keep a freezer running efficiently, and the humidity in the air could cause damage to the freezer over time.
The chest freezer should be equipped with locks to stop children from opening it, and a heavy lid that is difficult to open if you accidentally. It should also include shelves or wire baskets for smaller items and a door that can be opened in the direction you prefer.
A good freezer will have a temperature alarm that will sound if the internal temperature begins to increase, which can help you avoid food waste by catching any problems early. Find a freezer that has this feature, and be sure that it includes a defrost drain as well.
Another thing to think about is whether the freezer has internal lighting. This is important for keeping the freezer arranged, especially when it's in a dark space such as basements or garages. This feature allows you to locate what you are looking for faster and reduces the chance that the lid of the freezer is opened by accident, which can cause the temperature to fall.