The Consumer’s Guide to Freezers
Freezer Facts
A freezer is an appliance which is indispensable to the modern homemaker. Whether you are satisfied with the freezer compartment atop your fridge or are currently seeking an independent full freezer unit, a food freezing device enables you to stock up on food products in accordance with your schedule and at select prices, thereby saving you both time and money.
Freezers, also called deep-freezers, come in two distinct styles, chest and upright. While your choice of model may reflect your taste in home décor, it most likely will be determined by specific criteria in varying degrees of importance.
Are you looking to buy a wide diversity of food products which you will need to store in as organized a manner as possible? Or do you plan to buy large quantities of similar items – meat and poultry, for example - and freeze them as cheaply as you can?
The number of people you cook for and types of foods you like to cook will affect the size freezer you want. Plan on roughly 1 ½-cubic feet of storage space per person. As far as your cooking preferences are concerned, remember that fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains do not entail the same storage concerns as frozen meats and vegetables. And then there are the frozen pizza fans and TV-dinner buffs who practically live out of the freezer!
How much floor space do you have available, and where precisely do you have it? If you’re banking on your new freezer’s installation out in your snow-encircled garage, check the manufacturer’s label first. Some stipulate a 32-degree Fahrenheit minimum environment. Moreover, keeping a freezer near a heating appliance or in direct sunlight will add to your electricity bill. So will indecisive snackers who keep the freezer door open during lengthy “rummaging" sessions.
While you’re checking the label, look for the energy label, which tells you the annual operating cost of the model at hand. After all, models do vary in terms of how much electricity they consume. Note if it comes with an energy-saving label. Did you know that a freezer should be kept approximately 2/3 full for maximum energy efficiency?
Then again, consider which you value more, energy efficiency or low maintenance. Frost-free might prove a welcome option for schedules not permitting do-it-yourself defrost methods.
And now for your consumer information, let’s proceed to the various types of freezers to help you with your informed selection.
Chest –vs- Upright Freezers
Chest freezers sit on the floor and open from the top. Their ample width means they occupy more floor space but are easy to access by more than one person at the same time. The plastic interior tends to include sliding baskets which rest in grooves, though other shelves or partitions may be featured. Any which way, they offer more interior storage space and less compartmentalization.
Chest freezers have a slight edge over uprights in terms of energy efficiency while boasting more storage space relative to their cost. They will generally require manual defrosting on your part. They will not disappoint you in case of a power shortage; they will valiantly maintain their cold environment for a considerable length of time when all else fails and the lights are out. Available in 10-25 cubic feet sizes, chest freezers are most efficient at freezing foods for long periods of time.
Upright freezers, as their name implies, take up less floor space. They star in organization. Diverse models feature drawers, bins, moveable baskets, permanent or adjustable shelves, and doors with retainer compartments or shelves which may even have ridges for optimal can storage. As a result, frequent access to various small quantities of cooked foods is made easy. Families thus find upright freezers particularly useful. (OR: PRACTICAL)
If you like to bake high cakes or purchase large turkeys to freeze, an upright freezer with removable shelves or drawers will accommodate your needs. You will probably find it at a higher price than a chest freezer of the same size , and it will cost somewhat more to run. Available in 10 – 21 cubic feet sizes in white and even stainless steel, this type of freezer will closely resemble your refrigerator and will prove its excellent partner in home food storage. You will choose between manual defrost and frost-free models.
Manual Defrost vis-à-vis Frost-Free
While chest freezers rarely come in frost-free (also known as no-frost) models, uprights are offered in a host of different versions with either the manual or frost-free method.
A manual defrost model is where you get involved. With this type of freezer, you will need to empty out the contents periodically to defrost the ice build-up. For this reason, some models now come with front-drainage capability, which enables you to hook up a hose for easier drainage. Positioning it near a drain makes life all the easier with this convenient feature.
The additional good news is that a manual defrost freezer utilizes 40% less electricity, reliably maintains its cold temperature and actually does the best job in preserving the taste of food. The additional moisture in this type of freezer also prevents “freezer burn”.
A frost-free deep-freeze is the paradigm of convenience. You never have to worry about ice build-up, and the only time you need to empty it out is when you want to clean it. It is more expensive to buy and costs more to run, but its frost-free frills may well be worth the difference.
Compact Freezers
Whichever type and style freezer you choose, your modest size requirements might leave you wondering if it’s worth the investment. It is! Find a compact freezer of up to 10 cubic feet to suit your taste – chest or upright, manual defrost or frost-free.
Features
Additional features will increase your consumer enjoyment:
A lock promotes safety for children as well as for small pets. An unexpected plus: it prevents improper door closure! Some models feature a pop-out key which serves as a reminder.
An interior light is not to be taken for granted; only some models have this. A dark storage area such as a basement or garage will likely necessitate this, and with a chest freezer, all the more.
A fast freeze switch will accommodate immediate freezing needs –for meat or poultry, for example. Simply place the food item in the fast freeze compartment and activate the switch for the specified length of time
A defrost drain will make defrosting your freezer even more convenient.
Rollers will make your chest model a pleasure to move from place to place!
A reversible door makes for greater versatility.
Check out the manufacturer’s warranty. In addition to the standard one-year coverage on parts and labor and the 10-year period for the sealing system, some come with a food spoilage warranty. Should your freezer break down, you would be reimbursed the cost of any spoiled food.
So don’t let your enthusiasm wane – or cool, shall we say. Enjoy your new purchase of a freezer today!
