Finding the right freezer for your needs can be surprisingly challenging if you don’t know what to look for. Standard refrigerators usually come with a built-in freezer, however, they are very small and there is barely any space to store anything in them. Having a separated freezer can be useful if you want to stock up on food and keep it frozen so that you can use it whenever you need it. Freezers come in all shapes and sizes so you are bound to find the ideal model for your needs, whether you need it to expand your fridge’s capacity or for camping.
Upright Freezer
Upright freezers are probably the most popular type as they don’t take up too much space, provide enough storage space and are easily accessible. They are great for storing large amounts of food, you can easily stock them for an entire month without having to worry about buying groceries every week or so. They also feature compartments that divide the space in the freezer making it very easy to be organized. The only downside to these freezers is their price as they tend to be expensive and also use a lot of power.
Chest Freezer and Deep Freezer
These types of freezers are great if you are looking for something more affordable with the same storage capacity as an upright freezer. Nevertheless, keep in mind that the products in a chest freezer will be a bit harder to access, as to get something from the bottom you’d have to take out everything that is on top. The good thing is, they don’t use nearly as much energy as standing freezers do. A deep freezer or a chest freezer will keep your food frozen for a longer period of time in case of a power outage. One of its downsides, however, is that you will need to defrost it manually in order to clean it.
Portable Chest Freezer
Portable chest freezers are smaller than the previous options and they don’t even come close to having as much storage space. However, they have a lot of different features that upright and chest freezers don’t have. Portable chest freezers are perfect for camping – you can take a fair amount of frozen food with you that will last you for at least a weak. Don’t forget that you will also need a source of electricity to keep the portable freezer properly working, but all in all, they are great for long stays in the great outdoors.
Important Factors to Consider
Size
Chances are you already have a fridge that features a small freezer but you are looking to expand. Before you make the final buying decision, you should first determine how much more space do you need. Upright freezers are perfect if you want to have a freezer in your kitchen, they don’t take up too much space and can hold a large quantity of food. If you need more freezer space, then a chest freezer will be more suitable. But before investing in one, don’t forget that you will need a larger space to accommodate it.
Cost
You should determine your budget from the beginning and compare the prices of your options. Some models may be cheaper than others but you should also keep in mind your long term costs. For example, upright freezers cost more upfront and they are also expensive when operating. Chest freezers are cheaper and they do not take up more space, however, you would need to pay extra to get a model that has automatic defrosting to make things easier. Also, in the long run, a chest freezer will cost you less. The cheapest option that you could go for is a portable chest freezer – they don’t have too much space but are less expensive than the upright freezer and chest freezer in both price and use of power.
Frequency of Use
Freezers need to be constantly running in order to optimally do their job, so before buying, you should know how often you are going to be using yours. Whether you will be stocking up on food for an entire month or week will all depend on your eating habits, so consider them when buying as well. Some hunters like having a small portable freezer with them so they can keep hunting (for small game mostly) for longer periods of time without having to go back home. If you need a freezer close to your kitchen and plan to use it every day, then an upright freezer is probably the ideal choice for you.
