Buying a Chest Freezer For Your Outbuilding
Consider chest freezers if you have a garage or shed. They can be helpful for food storage, preserving produce, or just to free up space within the house.
Since air doesn't circulate as much and chest freezers are more compact, they maintain food more effectively than uprights. Look for one with an energy label that is high to reduce running costs too.
Size
Determine how much space you need before choosing the chest freezer. As a general rule you should have a cubic foot for each member of your family. If you have more than this, then you'll need a larger freezer. If you plan on keeping it outside, you might be interested in an upright freezer that has the option of locking. This will prevent anyone from getting your frozen food.
Another thing to think about is whether you'd like your freezer chest to be capable of operating in frigid temperatures. If you want to keep your food fresh, you should choose an appliance that can stand up to low temperature. Freezers designed to withstand freezing temperatures are usually more well-insulated, therefore their contents can remain frozen for longer.
If you're looking to buy a smaller freezer that fits in your garage, consider this compact model from Midea. It is suitable for use indoors and outdoors and can hold 7.2 cubic feet. It features a manual drain for defrost and an adjustable temperature control, and has storage baskets that provide additional organization. It's necessary to sacrifice certain features to buy it for this price, including a counterbalanced top and an internal light. However, if you're looking to make the most of your freezer space it's an excellent choice.
Energy efficiency
Chest freezers tend to be shorter and lower than upright models. This makes them ideal for small spaces. They can also operate in a colder climate than standard freezers and use less energy. This is due to the insulation on the sides of the freezer that keeps them at low temperatures without using excessive energy.
To increase energy efficiency, opt for an ENERGY STAR certified chest freezer. These offer up to ten percent more energy savings than minimum federal standards, and feature thick insulation to keep in optimal temperatures. Certain utility companies offer rebates on these products, so check to see whether yours is eligible.
You should also note the freezer's annual usage of electricity which is usually stated as a KWh figure (1 KWh = 1 unit of electricity). Some manufacturers will show this information in their user's manual or on the product's packaging, while others will publish it online.
Lastly, it's worth checking the weight of your selected freezer before you buy. You might need help getting it in and out of your shed or garage, so you should plan in advance. Think about buying a freezer with caster wheels or rolling rollers to enable here it to be moved around. If you're thinking about using the freezer to store food in a tool for outdoor activities such as hunting or gardening it is essential to confirm whether it's safe to use under freezing temperatures.
Convenience
Whether you're a hunter, a gardener or simply have lots of food leftover from cooking at home, a chest freezer could be a great addition to your garage or outbuilding. It can store more than a standard fridge making it ideal for those who purchase in bulk or want to preserve the fruits of their vegetable garden. Certain models can even hold meat. This is a great method to make sure you have enough food to last through the winter months.
Chest freezers are less expensive than upright freezers since they use less energy because of the insulation that is built into the side walls. They also come with several useful features including a drainage system for defrost and a temperature control manual. Some models also come with the ability to freeze quickly, that reduces the time for freezing for certain food items to save time.
The majority of freezers are built to operate safely below -18 degrees Celsius which is ideal for colder climates. If you live near the sea make sure you choose freezers that are built to withstand salt air.
Beko and Russell Hobbs models are also available for those looking for a freezer that is built to last. These companies are among the first ones to ensure that their freezers can be safely used in unheated structures by testing them at temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius.
Safety
Keep your freezer in a garage or other location that is safe from the elements. Some claim to have their freezers outside without any problems. However, the majority of experts on appliance repair agree that this isn't an ideal option. The temperature outside could be too low to ensure that the freezer is operating effectively. Also, the moisture in the air can damage it 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 include shelves or wire baskets to store smaller items and a reversible door that can be opened in the direction you prefer.
A quality freezer will have a temperature alarm that sounds if the internal temperature begins to increase, which can help you save food by catching any issues early. This feature is essential for any freezer. Also, ensure that there is a drainage for defrost.
The lighting inside the freezer is an additional aspect to think about. This is a must for keeping the freezer in order and organized, particularly if you store it in a dark location like a basement or garage. This feature helps you locate what you are searching for faster and reduces the number of times the lid of the freezer is removed in error, which could cause the temperature to drop.