Why Buy a Mini Chest Freezer?
A chest freezer is perfect when you want to store frozen bargains and require additional freezer space. They are usually found in garages or outbuildings. They let you profit from price reductions at the supermarket.
Currys' own brand is a great value for money. It has plenty of storage (around five bags) and an A+ rating for energy efficiency, which means it's affordable to run. It also has a counterbalanced top, which makes it easier to separate food items.
Capacity
A compact chest freezer is a good option if you don't have enough space to fit a larger freezer however you still need to store enough ice cream during summer or stews in bulk in winter. These smaller models are usually larger and shorter than larger models, which means they are smaller and take up less space. Some even fit in your garage making them a great option for those who cultivate their own food or who like to buy fresh produce in bulk and then freeze it as soon as possible.
Some models come with an extra basket or two in the top to keep bags of frozen peas or home-made ice lollies upright and prevent small or commonly used food items from being lost at the bottom of the freezer. They are also useful to store bags of frozen bread or baguettes, as well as other items that you may be able to squeeze in.
The cheapest freezers are usually under PS150 and are usually placed under your kitchen sink or in a utility space and larger chests can cost more than PS1000. The Bush BECF99L comes in a sleek black case that features a front drain port to make defrosting simpler. This model is a bit shallower than some of its competitors, but it offers up 100 litres of storage space and can hold up to three bags of shopping.
Energy efficiency
A chest freezer can make mealtimes easier in households that cook in large batches or who want to minimize food waste. It can also make it easier to avoid trips to the store particularly if you are growing your fruit and vegetables. Vincent Finazzo of Riverwards Produce in Philadelphia says it's ideal for storing excess produce and for cooking microwaveable meals.
Chest freezers are generally extremely well-insulated, which means they don't lose any of their cold air when the door is opened, as happens with fridge and freezer doors. They are also extremely energy efficient, especially if you opt for one with low frost technology. Low frost models need to be defrosted less frequently and will save you money on electricity bills.
Many chest freezers come with features that improve their efficiency even further. You should look for a guarantee of power outage that guarantees the freezer will remain frozen during a blackout, and a high temperature alarm or indicator to let you know when the interior temperature has risen.
It's worth checking a model's annual energy consumption in kWh, too, as this will give you an idea of the amount it will cost to run. This figure is typically found in the freezer's manual or label. Some also feature the storage basket that clips over the top of the freezer, keeping small items from getting lost in the chaos below.
Noise
This Bosch integrated model is an excellent choice for motorhomes and caravans as well as student accommodation since it has enough space to accommodate discreetly. It has a capacity of around 100 litres, enough for three bags of shopping and it's energy efficient with an A+ rating which means it will not cost you a lot to run. It also keeps food frozen even when there's no power for up to 30 days and can be used as a backup freezer in case in the event of a blackout.
It has a simple design and doesn't produce a lot of noise, which is ideal for those who don't want their freezer to disturb them when they're working in the living room or kitchen. read more It also comes with an interior lighting and storage baskets to make it easy to organize.
Storage baskets
Since chest freezers are one huge space that is difficult to organize, look for models with wire storage baskets that can clip over the rim. These will lift common items like frozen vegetables and chopped onions out of the potential chaos below. They're also useful for items that need to be stacked like open bags of frozen beans or oven chips.
An alarm that is activated at high temperatures is another feature that buyers appreciate. This will alert you if the freezer is getting too warm due to cleaning, defrosting or the introduction of a large number of non-frozen food items. This is a crucial safety feature, particularly if you plan on using the mini chest freezer outdoors or in the garage.
This Bush model has plenty of freezer space at an affordable price, despite its small size. It's ideal for storage of summer ice creams, or stews cooked in batches and can be used in a garage or an outbuilding should you wish to. It's also simple to get into due to the counterbalanced lid that won't shut on your head when you go through it.
Chest freezers are notorious for their food clogs and, if not properly organized, it's easy to overlook what's in them. There are a variety of ways to make your tiny chest freezer more accessible and less likely to throw away food. A well-organized system that includes a simple magnet list or a comprehensive freezer inventory sheet (there is an example here) will ensure that your mini-chest freezer operates smoothly.