Choosing a Chest Freezer For an Outbuilding
There are many freezers in garages, utility rooms and outbuildings - areas with low temperatures. When choosing a chest freezer for these types of locations, it is essential to think about the ideal temperature range (also known as climate class) it is designed to work within.
Also look for a model with storage baskets, a digital display and an insurance.
Size
The chest freezer comes with a generous 519-litre capacity, that's enough to cut down on trips to batch cook food and help keep food fresher longer. It's also wallet friendly and provides a great deal of storage space for an affordable cost. But with no internal compartments and just one storage container, arranging your food correctly is vital or you may not find what you're looking for.
Because a chest freezer occupies a single space, it consumes less power than upright models with storage compartments, meaning you'll save on your electricity bills. It is also quieter and isn't as cold as refrigerators, making it a great choice for your garage.
Check the specifications of a freezer to ensure it can work in your home or outbuilding. Some freezers have been 'garage optimized,' which means that their internal components were designed and tested to ensure their performance at higher temperatures than the fridge. These types of freezers usually have 'Garage Ready' written in their names or highlighted features.
This basic model from LOGIK would be a great option if you're looking for a freezer that is budget-friendly to store summer ice-creams and winter stews. It's not as efficient as other models but it doesn't come with fancy extras so is perfect for those who just need to get a supply of frozen food.
Temperature
If you keep a freezer in the outside of the house can mean it's exposed to harsher conditions than a standard freezer in your home. If your outbuilding or garage is well insulated and climate controlled, your freezer may struggle to keep food cool throughout the day.
Avoid this by choosing the freezer that operates efficiently at temperatures that are low. You can do this by searching for a freezer that has "low ambient temperature" or 'garage optimized' in its specifications. Certain models, like the Arctic King freezer have a minimum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius, which is suitable for the majority of garages and outbuildings.
Try the Bush MECF99W when you're looking for a chest freezer at an affordable price that can perform in cold temperatures. It can provide more than 100 litres of additional storage at a price that is affordable with a thermostat on a mechanical basis and manual defrost. It also has an alarm for temperature as well as sturdy sliding storage baskets.
Other models, like the Maytag Garage Ready Freezer in freezer mode, have been tested to work between the temperature of 0 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. They are able to convert from fridge to freezer to accommodate consumers' storage needs. This model is backed by the company's warranty and its internal components are designed for durability and long-term use. The Power Loss Assist feature keeps food items cold in the event of a power outage. This provides customers with peace of mind.
Convenience
A chest freezer offers additional storage space for food, allowing you reduce trips to the grocery store and cook meals in batches for your family. It's a great way to avoid food waste and make the most out of the bounty from your allotment or garden.
If you live in an area that is moderately warm, it may be best to store your freezer in an outbuilding or garage provided that it is well insulated and away from heat-producing appliances. If you live in a very cold climate, you must purchase a freezer that is able to be used outside and operate safely even at temperatures as low as -10C. These types of freezers are typically classed as SN and some manufacturers such as Beko, Russell Hobbs, Ice King and Currys have models that meet this requirement.
Also, make sure that the freezer you select has enough headroom to allow you to access it easily. It should have at least an inch of room on either side to allow for airflow and avoid issues like frost accumulation. It's also worth checking the energy rating of the freezer, with A+++ models using the least amount of electricity. If your chest freezer doesn't have an A+++ rating, you must store it in a cool, dry place to lower your cost of energy.
Maintenance
Although chest freezers could have a longer life span than upright freezers does not mean you won't need to replace or repair them. According to Reel Simple, it's important to clean the interior of your freezer by using a combination of dish soap and water. It's also important to take out any food items that is no longer safely frozen before putting it back into the freezer. It is also recommended to clean the condenser coils each six months to avoid dust build-up and the unit from working harder than necessary.
Avoid freezing your freezer in periods of extreme heat or humidity. This could cause the refrigerator to overwork and result in malfunctions. It is also important to verify the temperature of your freezer to make sure that it's set at zero degrees Fahrenheit.
If you're looking for a way to cut down the amount of maintenance required by your freezer, think about opting for one that self-defrosts. Most upright freezers are equipped with this feature. However, chest freezers are usually manually defrosted manually. This can be a tedious task, so it's a good option to buy one with a drain at the bottom of the unit or on wheels for easy moving and emptying. In addition, many freezers come with warranties to give you peace of mind should the appliance fail.