Buying a Chest Freezer For Your Outbuilding
You should consider chest freezers when you have an outdoor shed or garage. They can aid in food storage, preserving produce, or just to make space in the house.
Chest freezers tend to keep frozen longer than upright freezers, as air circulation isn't as good. You should look for one that has a high energy label rating to cut down on running costs.
Size
When choosing a freezer chest make sure you know how much storage space you'll need. A best practice is to have a cubic foot of freezer space for each household member. You'll require a larger freezer if you have more than that. If you are planning to keep it outside, you might be interested in the use of a chest freezer that comes with an lock. This will stop anyone from the food you've frozen.
You should also take into consideration whether your freezer will function at temperatures below freezing. If you're looking to ensure that your food is fresh, opt for an appliance that can endure low temperatures. Freezers made to withstand freezing temperatures are typically more constructed to withstand cold temperatures than those made for indoor use, which means they can keep their contents frozen longer.
If you're looking for a small freezer that will fit in your garage, check out this compact model from Midea. Its capacity is 7.2 cubic feet and can be used both in indoor and outdoor settings. It has a manual drain, adjustable temperature control and storage baskets to help you stay organized. Its price is low, which means you'll have to compromise on some features, like a lid that is balanced and an internal light, but it's a simple compromise when you want to maximise your freezer storage.
Energy efficiency
Chest freezers are generally higher and longer than upright models. This makes them perfect for smaller spaces. They can also operate in colder temperatures than standard freezers, and require less energy. This is due to the side-wall insulating that keeps them at low temperatures, without requiring excessive energy.
To increase energy efficiency, consider an energy STAR qualified chest freezer. They can provide up to 10 percent more energy savings than the minimum federal standards, and feature thick insulation to lock in optimal temperatures. Check to see if the utility company offers rebates on these products.
It is also important to know the freezer's annual consumption of electricity, which is usually given as a KWh number (1 KWh is 1 unit of electricity). Some manufacturers will provide this information on their product or in their user's manual. Others offer the information online.
It is also worth assessing the weight of your chosen freezer prior to buying. You should plan ahead if you require assistance in moving it into or out of the garage or outbuilding. You may also want to look into buying a model with rollers or caster wheels that make it easier to shift around. If you're considering using the freezer as a food storage tool for outdoor activities like gardening or hunting it is essential to confirm whether it's able to be used in cold temperatures.
Convenience
Whether you're a hunter, a gardener or simply have a lot of food leftover from cooking at home A chest freezer can be a useful addition to your garage or outbuilding. It has more storage than a standard fridge, making it ideal for those who shop in bulk or wish to preserve the harvest of their vegetable garden. Some models can even hold meat which is a cost-effective way to stock up for the winter months.
Contrary to upright freezers, chest freezers are usually less expensive since they consume less electricity because of their side-wall insulation. They also have several useful features, like defrost drains and manual temperature control. Some models include a speed-freeze function that decreases time it takes to freeze certain food items.
The majority of freezers are safe to operate at temperatures as low as -18 Celsius. This is ideal for colder climates. If you live near the ocean, look for freezers designed to withstand salty air.
Beko and Russell Hobbs models are also available to those who want the best freezer that lasts. These companies were among the first to test their freezers at temperatures as low as 15 degrees Celsius to ensure 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 outdoors and use it with no issues, the majority of experts in appliance repair believe that here this is a bad idea. The outside temperatures can be too low to allow the freezer to operate effectively. And the humidity in the air could cause damage over time.
The chest freezer should be equipped with an unlocked door to prevent children from opening it, and a heavy lid that is difficult to remove accidentally. It should also have shelves or wire baskets to store smaller items and a door that can be opened in the direction you prefer.
A good freezer has an alarm for temperature which will sound when the temperature inside starts to increase. This can help save food, as it will notify you in advance in the event of any issue. Choose a model that has this feature, and ensure that it has a drain for defrost as well.
Another feature to consider is whether the freezer has interior lighting. This feature is essential to keeping the freezer in order and organized, particularly if you store it in a dark area like a basement or garage. This feature allows you to locate what you are looking for quicker and decreases the chance that the lid of the freezer is removed in error, which could cause the temperature to drop.