Why Buy a Chest Freezer?
A chest freezer is essential for those who wish to reduce food waste and make the most of bumper crops. This basic model has plenty of space and is affordable to run, and its lid that is counterbalanced won't crash on you when you reach for an unintentional pizza.
Capacity
Chest models are a good alternative for households that need more space for food storage. They are typically placed in basements, garages, or utility rooms and come with a wide range of capacities that range from less than 100 litres up to more than 500 litres. They are top-loading and feature lids that open wide to allow easy access. Many come with a basket on top to store smaller, more often used food items.
The size of your freezer depends on the amount of storage space you need and the number of household members. It is recommended to allow 2.5 cubic feet for each member of your household. Also, you should take into account the amount of frozen food you own. A larger model is better if you plan to freeze large chunks of food or bulk ingredients.
If you're mostly worried about price and space, we recommend the LOGIK L198CFB20 due to its excellent value and space-saving features. It has a spacious 93 litre capacity and comes in a smart gloss black finish that makes it a good combination for modern kitchen designs. It also has a counterbalanced countertop that will not hit your head when you reach for a buried pizza. It lacks some convenience features like a quick freeze feature and a digital display.
Energy efficiency
Chest freezers are commonly found in garages or utility rooms to store food items. This is especially useful for those who cook in large quantities and have plenty of space. Due to their sidewall insulation that's built-in, they hold cold temperatures very efficiently and require less energy than upright freezers. Additionally, they can keep their contents frozen for three days when unplugged making them a good option for power outages or home moves.
There are many chest freezers that are A+ rating for energy efficiency. We also have frost-free models. Frydge tend to be somewhat more expensive to run, but they reduce energy consumption and produce ice less often.
If you're looking to save money on the operating costs of your freezer, choose one that uses the eco-friendly refrigerant HFC-245fa. This information is available on the product's page and in the specifications of the freezer.
Space
A chest freezer is a great source of space for food storage. Unlike upright freezers with swing doors that might have gaps along the door frame, chest freezers come with an airtight locking seal on the lid. This design can help them conserve energy and keep foods in a more stable colder temperature.
A typical chest freezer requires about 230 kwh to keep it at a cold temperature according to GE Appliances. This is lower than the 240kwh required by the typical upright refrigerator.
The size of the freezer you pick will depend on the things that you intend to store in it. Maytag recommends 2.5 cubic feet for each person, but certain buyers might require more. If you are planning to freeze your meat or buy bulk quantities of food you may require more space than a typical freezer.
Smaller models, like the Essentials C95CFW20 made by Currys, can be tucked into an unheated garage or utility room which isn't heated. They are low-profile and appear more like a mini fridge than a traditional freezer. The Fridgemaster MCF198, sold by Currys, is a larger option that can be placed in a kitchen, but looks good in a garage, or an unheated utility. These freezers are an excellent choice for homeowners who need extra space, but don't want the higher running costs of the top deep freezers.
Safety
Researchers from Finland, Norway, and the UK have studied the development of domestic technology in order to find out how the freezer became accepted as a commonplace domestic technology. Their research has revealed a complex process of 'domestication in which the social significance of a technological item is generated and configured and how it is used. The freezer is an appliance used in everyday life however its widespread and non-critical acceptance of the appliance reveals how complicated the process of domestication really is.
When you purchase a chest freezer, look for models with child locks. They will stop children from climbing in and getting trapped or suffocating. Look for a model with a front drainage system to ensure that any remaining water after defrosting is easily drained. Some models also have a basket or two at the top of the storage compartment to help keep the bags of frozen peas and homemade ice-lollies upright and to stop small items getting lost in the freezer's depths.
There are many freezers that don't have interior lighting, which can make it difficult to know what you're searching for in the dark. This might not be an issue for those who only use the freezer for a few times a year, but it's a big problem if you're planning to stock up on foods that require storage for a long time, or if you have young children at home that might want to rummage around in the darkness looking for something to consume.