Buying a Chest Freezer For Your Outbuilding

If you have an garage or shed and you're looking for a storage space, it's worth looking at chest freezers for your outbuilding. They can aid in food storage, preserving fruits and vegetables, or just to make space in the home.

Since air circulation isn't in the same way so chest freezers tend to keep food frozen better than uprights. Look for one with a high energy label rating to lower running costs as well.

Size

Find out how much space you require before deciding on a chest freezer. A best practice is to have one cubic foot of freezer space per household member. You will need a bigger freezer if you have more than that. If you intend to keep it outside, you might want to consider having a chest freezer fitted with locks. This will stop anyone from stealing your frozen food.

You should also take into consideration whether your freezer will function at temperatures that are freezing. If you're looking to keep your food fresh, you should choose an appliance that can endure low temperatures. Freezers that are designed to withstand temperatures of freezing are usually better insulated so their contents can stay frozen for longer.

This compact model from Midea is perfect for those looking for an affordable, garage-friendly freezer. Its capacity is 7.2 cubic feet and can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings. It has a manual defrost drain and adjustable temperature control, and comes with storage baskets for additional organization. You'll have to sacrifice some features to purchase it at this price, including a counterbalanced top and an internal light. But if you're looking to maximize the storage capacity of your freezer, it's a good trade-off.

Energy efficiency

Chest freezers tend to be shorter and lower than upright models. This makes them perfect for smaller spaces. They can also operate in colder temperatures than standard freezers, and use less energy. This is due to the insulating sidewall that helps keep them at low temperatures, without requiring excessive energy.

To increase energy efficiency, opt for an ENERGY STAR certified chest freezer. These chest freezers provide up to 10 percent more energy savings than federal minimum standards. They also have a thick insulation that ensures the right temperature. Check to see if your utility company offers rebates on these products.

The annual energy consumption of the freezer is also important to consider. This is usually stated in a KWh number (1 KWh = one unit of electricity). Certain manufacturers will provide this information in their user manual or on the product, and others will make it available online.

It's also worth looking into the weight prior to buying. Plan ahead if you need assistance moving it into and out of the garage or outbuilding. You may also want to think about purchasing a model that has rollers or caster wheels, which will enable it to be moved around. If you're considering using the freezer to store food in a device for outdoor activities like gardening or hunting, you should also check that it can be operated in cold temperatures.

Convenience

If you're a hunter gardener, or simply have plenty of food leftover from cooking at home, a chest freezer can be a handy addition to your outbuilding or garage. It's more roomy than a conventional fridge, making it ideal for people who buy in bulk or keep the bounty of their vegetable gardens. Some models can even store meat that is a cheap method to stock up for the winter months.

Contrary to upright freezers, chest freezers are generally more affordable as they use less power due to their side-wall insulation. They also have various useful features, including the ability to drain defrost and a manual temperature control. Certain models also come with the ability to freeze quickly, which can reduce the time to freeze for certain foods in order to save time.

The majority of freezers are designed to operate safely down to 18 degrees Celsius which is ideal for colder climates. If you live near the ocean Look for freezers that are designed to withstand salt air.

Alternatively, those who are seeking a freezer constructed to last may want to consider a Beko or Russell Hobbs model. These brands were among the first ones to ensure that their freezers are able to be used safely in non-heated structures by testing them at temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius.

Safety

Keep your chest freezer in a garage, or any other area that is secured from the elements. Some people say that they can use their freezers outdoors without issue. However, most experts in repair of appliances agree that this is not a good idea. The outside temperatures can be too low to ensure that the freezer is operating efficiently. And the moisture in the air can cause damage to the freezer over time.

The Spacious Haier Chest Freezer - 429L Capacity freezer should have locks to stop children from opening it, and a lid that is difficult to remove accidentally. It should also include shelves or wire baskets for storing smaller items, and a door that can be opened in the direction you prefer.

A great freezer will have an alarm for temperature that will sound when the temperature inside starts to increase. This can help save food as it will alert you early if there is a problem. Look for Frydge a freezer equipped with this feature, and be sure that it includes a defrost drain as well.

Another aspect to consider is whether the freezer has internal lighting. This is important to keep the freezer arranged, especially when it's in a dark space such as basements or garages. This feature allows you to find what you are looking for quicker and decreases the number of times the freezer lid is opened by accident, which can cause the temperature to fall.