I'm looking to buy a small chest freezer, or possible upright (but still small) - under 14 or 10 cu feet. Any thoughts on brands, reliability, best brands that have shelf organization, etc. Reliability, of course, is number one priority, followed by shelf utilization - I'll be storing jars and small items mostly.
Chest or Upright Freezer Suggestion?
- Thread starter danmantn
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Reliablility is really not an issue........
as someone has said here (maybe Combo 52?) freezers, even now, are among the most reliable, if not the most reliable of major appliances.
There are only two companies making freezers right now, Frigidaire/Electrolux, and Woods/Whirlpool.
For energy efficiency, chest freezers have uprights beat by a real margin, however, uprights are far more convenient.
If I had room, which I really do not, at least currently, I would have a < 15 cu ft upright. I think that you would be happier with an upright, considering what you have said.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
as someone has said here (maybe Combo 52?) freezers, even now, are among the most reliable, if not the most reliable of major appliances.
There are only two companies making freezers right now, Frigidaire/Electrolux, and Woods/Whirlpool.
For energy efficiency, chest freezers have uprights beat by a real margin, however, uprights are far more convenient.
If I had room, which I really do not, at least currently, I would have a < 15 cu ft upright. I think that you would be happier with an upright, considering what you have said.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
vintagekitchen
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Gramma always favored Whirlpool, (I like GE, but you will have to buy used, and most likely vintage to get GE).
For getting the most storage with the smallest footprint, I would say an upright. If floor space isn't a factor, I say a chest, as they are more efficient, and I have always been able to get more in a chest freezer. Though you need boxes and cartons to organize in a chest model since they don't have shelves.
For getting the most storage with the smallest footprint, I would say an upright. If floor space isn't a factor, I say a chest, as they are more efficient, and I have always been able to get more in a chest freezer. Though you need boxes and cartons to organize in a chest model since they don't have shelves.
dj-gabriele
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Upright all the time
Nothing beats the convenience of having individual drawers or compartments compared to one huge chest with one or two smaller baskets.
Plus I've yet to see a no frost chest freezer, if they exist they're not popular over there.
As for energy efficiency I don't know the situation in the USA but chest and uprights have small if not negligible difference in energy vs. volume ratios nowadays with the most efficient units using less than 200 kWh per year per a 340l volume (which is just more than 12 cubic feet)
Nothing beats the convenience of having individual drawers or compartments compared to one huge chest with one or two smaller baskets.
Plus I've yet to see a no frost chest freezer, if they exist they're not popular over there.
As for energy efficiency I don't know the situation in the USA but chest and uprights have small if not negligible difference in energy vs. volume ratios nowadays with the most efficient units using less than 200 kWh per year per a 340l volume (which is just more than 12 cubic feet)
vintagekitchen
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No frost..
I may be wrong, as I have never owned a frost free Deep Freezer, but I was always tought that for long term storage, one does not want a frost free model, as the warming of the food inside each time it automatically defrosts will lead to freezer burn and reduced quality of said items.
As I said, I may be wrong, but that is what I was taught.
I may be wrong, as I have never owned a frost free Deep Freezer, but I was always tought that for long term storage, one does not want a frost free model, as the warming of the food inside each time it automatically defrosts will lead to freezer burn and reduced quality of said items.
As I said, I may be wrong, but that is what I was taught.
Having recently jettisoned a chest freezer for a frost-free upright, I strongly encourage choosing the latter.
The first time you find yourself digging...and digging...and digging...and swearing a blue streak looking for something in the chest freezer, you'll kick yourself for not getting an upright.
I purchased a Frigidaire 20.5 cubic foot frost-free model.
The first time you find yourself digging...and digging...and digging...and swearing a blue streak looking for something in the chest freezer, you'll kick yourself for not getting an upright.
I purchased a Frigidaire 20.5 cubic foot frost-free model.
Thanks Everyone...and Frigilux, I find myself digging in my French door/bottom freezer now. As small as that is, it's like digging through the toy chest...a pain. I guess the bigger question now is...are they worth it? What do you find yourself using it for? Would you buy one again?
danemodsandy
Well-known member
If I Were You....
....I'd pay careful attention to those who are telling you that a chest freezer requires baskets and a strong sense of organization to use for small items.
They're really better for those who store larger stuff like roasts and the like; getting to a specific small container of something can become pretty involved.
The upside is a chest freezer's greater efficiency. By the nature of their design, upright freezers allow a lot of cold air to "fall out" of the freezer when the door is opened. Since cold air is heavier than warm, the cold air in a chest freezer stays put when you open the lid.
One upside of uprights is that they're easier to place in the kitchen proper, where they can become an integral part of the cooking process, rather than a storage unit one visits when necessary. Small bits of things can go into an upright to make future meals easier, like leftover meat or small quantities of stock or sauces.
The best freezer tip I ever found came from Dorothy Rodgers, wife of "Sound of Music" composer Richard Rodgers. Dorothy was an extraordinarily accomplished cook, and one of her favorite tricks was to freeze chicken or beef stock in ice-cube trays, then put the resulting cubes into freezer bags. Each cube contains almost exactly two tablespoons of stock, so if you need a half-cup of stock, you reach into the freezer and take out four cubes, or eight for a cupful, or whatever you need. Very, very handy - and even handier if you have an upright freezer in the kitchen, as she did.
....I'd pay careful attention to those who are telling you that a chest freezer requires baskets and a strong sense of organization to use for small items.
They're really better for those who store larger stuff like roasts and the like; getting to a specific small container of something can become pretty involved.
The upside is a chest freezer's greater efficiency. By the nature of their design, upright freezers allow a lot of cold air to "fall out" of the freezer when the door is opened. Since cold air is heavier than warm, the cold air in a chest freezer stays put when you open the lid.
One upside of uprights is that they're easier to place in the kitchen proper, where they can become an integral part of the cooking process, rather than a storage unit one visits when necessary. Small bits of things can go into an upright to make future meals easier, like leftover meat or small quantities of stock or sauces.
The best freezer tip I ever found came from Dorothy Rodgers, wife of "Sound of Music" composer Richard Rodgers. Dorothy was an extraordinarily accomplished cook, and one of her favorite tricks was to freeze chicken or beef stock in ice-cube trays, then put the resulting cubes into freezer bags. Each cube contains almost exactly two tablespoons of stock, so if you need a half-cup of stock, you reach into the freezer and take out four cubes, or eight for a cupful, or whatever you need. Very, very handy - and even handier if you have an upright freezer in the kitchen, as she did.
norgeway
Well-known member
Chest!
And DO NOT get a frost free freezer!! a manual defrost is well worth defrosting once or twice a year, rather than having frosted freezer burned food, I inherited a upright frost free Kenmore that is about 4 years old, and I intend on getting rid of that energy hog as soon as possible, if you get a box of Breyers out just after defrost, it is very soft, the constant fluctuation in temperature cant be good for food quality.
And DO NOT get a frost free freezer!! a manual defrost is well worth defrosting once or twice a year, rather than having frosted freezer burned food, I inherited a upright frost free Kenmore that is about 4 years old, and I intend on getting rid of that energy hog as soon as possible, if you get a box of Breyers out just after defrost, it is very soft, the constant fluctuation in temperature cant be good for food quality.
All I've ever had are chest freezers and it's just me. so I tend to have lots of small storage containers. I do power cooking and divvy up into serving portions. I've lived this way for 35 years. I do end up putting items in bags to keep them together and it help me locate things that would otherwise get "lost". Personally, I find the basket useless because it's not very deep and takes up a lot of space. I've only had 7 and 9 cu. ft. chest freezers and have served me well. I will also stock up when things are on sale.
Deed is done. New 7.0 GE chest freezer (had 300+ 4.5 star reviews), so can't be too bad. Free delivery next week. Thanks for all the suggestions. 7.0 may be just right for me and my summer fruit and veggies. Thanks for the advice!
the Kenmore is made by Frigidaire.
