What model freezer should I choose?
Choose a freezer based on its freezing capacity you need. Freezers are available in two basic types namely upright and chest freezer.
Chest Freezers : Usually, chest freezers are found in a garage, basement or utility room due to their size & top opening lids. Also, they are suitable for families who choose to deep-freeze food in bulk for a long time. Inside, these freezers are one large bin lined with plastic.
Mostly such freezers come along with sliding baskets for convenient storage of food. They do not have internal shelves making the space division for food storage tricky.
Upright Freezers: These freezers are suitable for small households.
Being much narrower and much like your household fridge, upright freezers can be put up with your kitchen appliances. Upright freezer is appropriate for those who are fed up of storing food in their fridge’s freezer section.
Note: If you need additional freezing space, you can consider compact mini freezer.
How do I select the right size freezer for my family?
Nowadays, most food stores offer great discounts on bulk product purchase. In such situation, you would want to buy and store as much as possible. Hence, you would want to decide on the freezer’s size that best suits your need.
A freezer should be minimum two-thirds full, for energy efficiency.
A cubic foot of freezer space stores approximately 35 pounds of food.
Chest Freezers: In size, they range from 10 to 25 cubic feet. With no shelves, they allow you to store more food per cubic foot.
Upright Freezers:In size, they range from 10 to 21 cubic feet.
Generally, these models offer fixed or adjustable shelves providing enough shelf space for a large turkey.
Note: If planning to store boxed foods, choose models with pullout baskets & retainer shelves in the doors.
Few models feature a retainer door shelf exclusively for cans with ridges that prevents can from rolling around.
Key features to be considered while buying a freezer
Freezer with multiple features can confuse you. Few important ones to be considered while buying are listed below:
Fast freeze:Mostly, all freezers feature a fast freeze option.
This option prevents the rise in temperature, when warm items are stored. Thus, food quality is preserved. Advanced models feature an automatic fast freeze option that cuts when freezer temperature is warm. Also, it turns off when food is frozen.
Frost free:Such freezers enable fast freezing in all compartments making the defrost option unessential.
With no ice crystals formation, this freezer ensures improved taste and nutritional content. Generally, upright models offer a choice of manual or frost-free options.
Manual defrost:Mostly, chest freezers feature a manual defrost system.
Hence, allowing the food to freeze with extra moisture preventing freezer burn.
Content stored in such freezers should be cleared periodically to drain the interior frost.
This uses less electricity and suitably stables temperature for large amount of food storage.
Temperature:Usually, all freezers feature an in-built thermometer unlike those advanced range models that have it outside.
Shelves & fixturesGenerally, upright freezers feature integral set of shelves including evaporator tubes that create freezing conditions.
Food can be stored directly on a shelf or in bin-type drawers that retain cold air when the freezer is opened.
Energy Efficiency:While choosing freezer, look for the energy-saving label that displays the model’s annual operating cost.
When comparing, seek freezers of similar size featuring similar defrosting systems.
Actual energy cost of a freezer is based on the amount of food stored in it, the frost and finally the duration its door was kept open when searching food.
Other points to be considered are:
Location:A freezer should be stored in a place away from direct sunlight and other appliances emitting heat.
LockIf small children or pet around, seek a model with lock for extra safety. Also, it ensures proper closing of the freezer door. Few models feature a pop-out key reminding you to remove it after locking the freezer.
Interior Light – Mostly, freezers do not have interior light.
In case of chest freezer stored in a garage or basement, an interior light is essential.
Warranty:Generally, standard manufacturer offers 1-year warranty on parts, labour coverage on complete freezer and ten years on sealing system.
A careful co-relation of the points above with what you are looking for in your freezer will help you make the right pick at Getprice!
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