Buying a Chest Freezer For Your Outbuilding
You should think about chest freezers if you have a garage or shed. They can help with food storage, preserving produce, or just to make space in the house.
Chest freezers are able to keep frozen longer than upright freezers because air doesn't circulate as much. To cut down on operating costs, select an appliance with a high energy rating.
Size
When choosing a freezer chest, determine how much storage space you need. As a rule of thumb you should have one cubic foot for each person in your family. If you have more than this, then you'll require a bigger freezer. If you plan to keep it outside, you may think about having a chest freezer fitted with a lock. This will stop anyone from stealing frozen food.
You should also take into consideration whether your freezer chest will function in freezing temperatures. If yes, you should look for a model that's made to withstand low temperatures, or you'll have trouble keeping the food inside fresh. Freezers made to withstand temperatures that freeze are usually more insulated than those intended for indoor use, which means they can keep their contents frozen longer.
If you're looking for a compact freezer that can be tucked away in your garage, consider this compact model from Midea. It is suitable for use indoors and outdoors and has a capacity 7.2 cubic feet. It comes with a manual drain for defrost and an adjustable temperature control, and comes with storage baskets for additional organisation. You'll have to sacrifice some features to obtain it at this cost such as a counterbalanced top and an internal light. If you're looking to make the most of your freezer storage it's an excellent choice.
Energy efficiency
Chest freezers tend to be larger and taller than upright models. This makes them ideal for small spaces. They can also operate in a colder climate than conventional freezers, and use less energy. This is due to the insulation on the sides of the freezer that allows them to operate at lower temperatures, without requiring excessive energy.
Look for a chest freezer that is ENERGY STAR certified to ensure the most efficiency. These offer up to ten percent more energy savings than the minimum federal standards and come with thick insulation to lock in optimal temperatures. Find out if your utility company offers rebates on these products.
It is also important to know the freezer's annual electricity usage, which is usually given in KWh figures (1 KWh is 1 unit of electricity). Certain manufacturers will show this information on their product's label or in their user's manual, whereas others provide the information online.
Also, you should check the weight of your selected freezer before purchasing. Consider if you will require help moving it into and out of the garage or outbuilding. Think about buying a freezer that has caster wheels or rolling rollers to enable it to be moved around. If you intend to use the freezer for outdoor activities, such as hunting or gardening it is important to ensure that it's capable of operating in cold temperatures.
Convenience
If you're a hunter, gardener, or simply have a lot of food leftover from cooking at home A chest freezer can be a handy addition to your garage or outbuilding. It offers more storage space than a standard refrigerator, which is great for those who buy in large quantities or are preserving the vegetables they harvest from their garden. Some models can hold meat. This is a great method to make sure you have enough food to last through the winter.
Chest freezers are more affordable than upright freezers because they consume less energy due to the insulation of the side walls. They also have various useful features, like a defrost drain and a manual temperature control. Some models have a fast-freeze function that can reduce freezing times for certain foods.
The majority of freezers operate safely at -18 degrees Celsius. This is ideal for colder climates. If you live near the sea make sure you choose freezers that are built to withstand salt air.
Beko and Russell Hobbs models are also available for those looking for a freezer built to last. These companies were among the first to ensure their freezers are able to be used safely in unheated buildings by testing them in temperatures as low as -15° Celsius.
Safety
You should keep a freezer in your garage or some other area that is shielded from the elements. Although some people claim they store their freezer outside and use it without issues, the majority of appliance repair specialists agree that this is not a good idea. The outdoor temperatures are too cold to keep a freezer operating properly, and humidity in the air could end up damaging it over time.
The chest freezer must have locks to stop children from opening it, as well as the lid is heavy and difficult to remove website accidentally. It should have wire bins or shelves to store smaller objects and a reversible, reversible-direction door.
A great freezer will have an alarm for temperature which will sound when the temperature inside starts to rise. This can help save food, as it will notify you ahead of time in the event of any issue. This feature is a must-have for any freezer. Also, make sure there is a drainage for defrost.
Another aspect to consider is whether the freezer has an interior lighting. This is a must for keeping the freezer organized particularly if you keep it in a dark place like a basement or garage. This feature helps you locate what you are looking for faster and reduces the chance that the lid of the freezer is removed accidentally, which can cause the temperature to fall.