Measure your space to make sure the chest freezer with the capacity you need will fit into the spot where you want it. Size: Chest freezers are typically between two and four feet wide and between three and six feet long.If you have boned meat, then you'll need more space since bones create an odd shape. To measure how much you'll need, one cubit foot will hold approximately 35 pounds of meat cut and wrapped. Capacity: Most chest freezers have between 5 and 20 cubic feet of capacity.
You could always pick up a cheap, old chest freezer off an auction, but when you do this, you pay for it monthly with a higher electricity bill, so find one an energy star freezer with manual temperature control and a simple thermostat. This means it uses less energy than an upright freezer and ultimately saves you money. Energy Usage: Pick a chest freezer with a high energy rating.What to Consider When Purchasing a Chest Freezer Less cold air escapes, so the freezer does not have to work as hard to stay cold. Chest freezer doors close vertically, so the weight of the door paired with gravity keep the door sealed. You also may want a chest freezer versus an upright freezer because it is more energy-efficient. Typically you need a chest freezer for bulk storage like a side of beef or multiple whole chickens or a half a hog, all processed and packaged. If you want to store something for a while and need the space for a large quantity, chest freezers make more sense. So an upright works great for the frozen pizza you want later this week or the bag of frozen vegetables you'll need for supper. Upright freezers are great for when you need to access frozen foods quickly and when you do not store those foods for long. They're a great option if you need to store something in the freezer for several months, like a side of beef or pork. They're also known as deep freezers in some parts of the country since they keep food preserved for a longer period than an upright freezer would. What Are Chest Freezers and How Are They Used?Ĭhest freezers are freezers that look like a chest with a door that lifts like a lid. Whether you're looking for a small chest freezer, a mini chest freezer, or a larger deep chest freezer, you can store meat, ice cream, and other frozen foods efficiently with these top-loading freezers that are best sellers. Uprights are typically noisier than chest freezers.When you need a place for a side of beef, chest freezers are your best option.Though they are convenient, the temperature of door shelves are often warmer than the inside of the freezer.Chest freezers tend to be around $100 cheaper than upright versions.They usually come in a variety of finishes.A 22-cubic-foot chest freezer uses a rectangle floor space of 2 feet by 6 feet, while an upright 22-cubic-foot freezer only takes up 2.5 feet by 2.5 feet of floor space. Upright freezers are easier to organize because they have shelves.It's really hard to find the food you need in chest storage without rearranging and searching.They also tend to use less electricity than uprights, but be sure to compare Energy Saver tags while you're shopping to see which models are more energy-efficient.If there is a blackout, the chest freezer will keep your food frozen longer than an upright.This helps prevent freezer burn better than uprights. Air doesn't circulate as much in a chest freezer.The temperature in a chest freezer stays consistent because it doesn't have a self-defrost system.Chest freezers have around 20 percent more usable space than a upright freezer.These two different appliances have pros and cons to consider before you go shopping. This really comes down to personal preference and space.
Here's how to decide which is best for you and what size you'll need. The two basic choices for a standalone freezer are upright freezers or chest freezer. Many times, I end up buying way more than my refrigerator freezer can hold. I like to take advantage of sales on meats and vegetables and then freeze them to use later.