For large families, or bigger flats, a chest freezer can be a great way to store frozen goods. It’s important to consider the type of freezer you are looking for, before you click buy-now to ensure you grab the right model for your household’s unique needs.
Here are a few things to consider when buying a freezer.
The Type of Freezer
Chest Freezer
Chest freezers are generally cheaper to buy, and they can come in large sizes. Make sure to get one that has frost-free technology or one with a front drain, so that it’s easy and hassle-free to drain it if need be. Chest freezers are generally better at overall temperature performance.
Chest freezers can be limited in terms of organisation. The only option really is baskets. It’s a good idea to get one with internal lights so you can see the food items at the bottom of the unit. Be sure to also get one with a spring on the lid, making it easier on your body when taking things out, or putting things in.
Vertical Freezer
A vertical freezer is an alternative to a chest freezer. They can fit more aesthetically into your home and they offer more organisation and storage options. With lots of shelves, it can be a lot easier to keep the freezer tidy and quickly find and retrieve items. Some vertical freezers even have an ice maker feature. However, vertical freezers are typically more expensive.
Capacity
Be sure to consider how much space you need. Think about your shopping and food habits. As a general guide, 2L of space will be enough for 1kg of food.
Energy Efficiency
The more efficient your freezer is, the less energy it will consume, and help combat your power bill. Your freezer’s energy use (and the capacity) will influence how much it costs you to run. When choosing a freezer, pick one with a high energy star rating. This rating is from 1 to 5 stars – the more stars you have, the less it will cost you to run overall.
Inverter Compressor
Want to avoid a noisy appliance? Choose a model with inverter technology that reduces the compressor. This helps prolong the lifetime of the freezer and minimises noise.
Door Alarm
You don’t want to accidentally leave the freezer door open and waste energy. A door alarm will sound if the door is left open for too long, so you can avoid spoiling food and spending more money on energy than you need to!
Auto Fast Freeze
Consider choosing a freezer that quickly cools food to lock in the freshness as soon as possible.
Consider Size and Space
Be sure to measure the shape and size of the space that you want your freezer to go, so that you know how big your freezer can be. It’s important to allow 50mm of space on the top, sides, and behind to allow the heat that the freezer produces to escape. If you are considering a vertical freezer, is the door hinged on the right side for your layout? Can it be swapped?
Make sure that the unit has enough drawers, shelves, or baskets for your household’s needs.
Power Failure Feature
Consider a freezer that has a power failure feature. If you lose power for a few hours, you don’t want to lose your food! A power failure feature will help keep your food from perishing for up to 24 hours once you lose power.
