Why Buy a Chest Freezer?
If you're looking to minimize food waste and get the most out of the abundance of food available, having a chest freezer is an absolute essential. This simple model has plenty of storage space and is a bargain to run, plus its lid that is balanced won't drop on you when you try to grab a stray pizza.
Capacity
Chest models are an excellent option for families who require more space for food storage. They are typically placed in garages, basements, or utility rooms. They are available with a range of capacities, ranging from under 100 litres up to more than 500 litres. Top-loading, they come with an opening lid that opens wide to allow easy access. A few have a basket at the top to store smaller, less frequently used food items.
The size of the freezer you select depends on your storage needs and the number of people in your household. You should be able to accommodate 2.5 cubic feet for each household member. Also, you must consider the amount of frozen food that you have. A larger freezer is more efficient in case you plan to freeze large pieces of food or bulk ingredients.
If price is your primary factor, we recommend the LOGIK L198CFB20 for its great value and space-saving design. It comes with a stylish gloss black finish and has the capacity of 93-litres. This makes it a great fit for modern kitchens. It also boasts a counterbalanced lid that doesn't smack you in the head when reaching for a buried pizza slice. It does lack some convenience features, such as the digital display and a quick freeze function.
Energy efficiency
Chest freezers are commonly employed in garages and utility rooms to store food items. This is particularly useful for those who cook in huge quantities and have ample amounts. They are more energy efficient than upright freezers and can keep cold temperatures for longer because of the insulation in their side walls. Plus, they can keep their contents frozen for three days if unplugged and are an excellent option for power outages and home moves.
A lot of our chest freezers are rated A+ for energy efficiency, and we also have several models that are frost free as well. It's important to note that these freezers usually cost a little more to run than defrosted manual models however they also cut down on the amount of energy used and make more ice less often.
If you're looking for savings on running expenses, check for a freezer that utilizes the green HFC-245fa refrigerant. This information can be found on the product's page or in the specifications of the freezer.
Space
A chest freezer provides plenty of storage space to keep food in the refrigerator in. Chest freezers feature an airtight seal over the lid, in contrast to open-door models with an upright design that could have gaps in the door frame. This design allows you to save energy and maintain a constant temperature for food.
According to GE Appliances a chest freezer of average size requires 230 kwh each year to keep its temperature stable. This is less than the 240 kwh needed by an upright freezer.
Selecting the right size freezer will depend on the items you intend to store in it. Maytag recommends 2.5 cubic feet per person, however some buyers might require more. If you plan to freeze your meat or purchase bulk items frequently it is possible that you will require more space than a typical freezer.
Small models with compact footprints, like the Essentials C95CFW20 from Currys, are perfect to put in an unheated garage or utility room. They are low-profile and look more like mini fridges than traditional freezers. The Fridgemaster MCF198, available at Currys is a more substantial option that can be placed in the kitchen, but also can be used in garages or in a non-heated utility. black chest freezers are a great choice for homeowners who want to have more space, but don't want the higher running costs of the top deep freezers.
Safety
In research into the history of technology used in the home, researchers from Finland, Norway and the UK have examined how the freezer came to be accepted as a standard domestic technology. Their work has uncovered a complex process of 'domestication where the social meaning of a technological item is formulated and designed in the way it is used. The freezer is an appliance that is used in the everyday household, but its widespread and relatively non-critical acceptance of the appliance reveals how complicated the process of domestication actually is.
When buying a chest freezer, search for models that have child locks. These locks can keep children from climbing into the freezer and becoming trapped or dying. Choose a model that has a front drainage system to ensure that any water that remains after defrosting is able to be drained. Some models also come with a basket or two at the top of the drawer to help keep bags of frozen peas and homemade ice-lollies upright and to stop small items getting lost in the freezer's depths.
Certain freezers don't have interior lighting, which makes it difficult to identify what you're looking to find in the dark. This might not be a huge deal for those who only use the freezer for a few times a year however it can be a major problem if you're planning to stock up on foods that require storage for a long time, or when you have children who want to rummage around in the dark for something to eat.