Freezers
When it comes to keeping things cold, you have several options for your freezer. Size and shape are the most important characteristics, but you should also look for the most efficient freezer you can afford. It will save you money in the long run. You should also buy the largest freezer you can afford, since you never know when you'll need to keep something extra large in there.
Freezer Shapes
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Upright Freezers  - More day-to-day convenience.
- Looks like a refrigerator.
- Uses more electricity, because cold air spills out when the door is opened.
- Smaller footprint, but cannot hold large items (like large cuts of meat).
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Chest Freezers - Good for long-term storage.
- More energy-efficient because the cold air stays in when the top opens.
- Requires more floor space, but can hold larger items.
- Most need to be defrosted yearly, although there are some frost-free models available.
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Manual Defrost Freezers - Coated with a layer of ice.
- Ice insulates the freezer and makes it more efficient, saving you money on your electricity bills.
- Must be defrosted every 6 to 8 months, which can be a hassle.
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Frost-Free Freezers - More common and do not develop layers of internal ice.
- Never need to defrost, but require a bit more energy (and money) to cool.
- Can dry out food more quickly.
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Size- How much storage space do you need?
- Most food gets dehydrated and barely edible after several months.
- Each household member takes up, on average, 42 litres of freezer space. Multiply accordingly.
- A cubic foot of freezer spaces holds about 16 kilos of food.
- In the past, a 560 litre freezer would serve a meat-eating family. Today, in the world of fresh vegetables, a 200-300 litre model is much more reasonable.
- Don't buy a freezer larger than you need; it will cost more to run.
- How much room do you have for this freezer?
- The "footprint" is how much floor space the model will take up in your basement or garage.
- Keep in mind that the storage capacity refers to the inside of the freezer. The outside will be larger.
Efficiency- Frost vs. Frost-Free Freezers
- Although frost-free freezers are more efficient, the difference in energy use may not be that large.
- A high-efficiency frost-free model may only cost £5 to £7 more to run per year.
- Seasonal Freezer Use
- If you find that you only enter your freezer in certain seasons, consider a frost freezer.
- They're more efficient, and since you turn it off anyway, not too difficult to defrost.
- If you fill the unused portion of the freezer with blankets or containers of water, they will insulate and the freezer will use less electricity.
- Freezers are rated for efficiency on a scale of A, B, C, etc. A is the most efficient.
- New Freezers, while often more expensive, are usually more efficient and can save you money in the long run.
Other Features- Temperature
- Your freezer should keep food at -18° C. Warmer temperatures can endanger your health, as food can spoil if not kept properly frozen.
- Colder temperatures require more energy. However, to fast-freeze fresh foods, you will need a freezer than can go as low as -26° C.
- Freezers are rated on a four-star system. The more stars, the colder the freezer will remain. You can only freeze fresh foods in a four-star fridge.
- Internal Organisation
- Many chest freezers are just one big empty space, and food can be lost or forgotten at the bottom.
- Some of the better models have sliding shelves or adjustable compartments so that things stay organised as well as frozen.
- You can also look for storage options from another manufacturer, but be sure that they will fit.
- Comprehensive Warranty
- Adjustable Thermostat
- Built-In Alarm
- Quick-Freeze Option
- Locking Door to keep children out.
- Added Drawers for different temperatures.
- Ice Maker
Major Manufacturers
Related Products
External Links- PriceRunner -- a few valuable tips on buing a freezer.
- Wikipedia -- explanation of the star rating system.
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