Purchasing a freezer for your home could be a good way to add more storage space for food. This means stocking up when prices are low and having a strong supply on hand when you need it. Since most refrigerators only offer a small freezer space, many large families and frugal shoppers benefit from the investment in these freezers. Before buying them, know what you need.

What to Expect

When shopping for freezers, a number of products are available to homeowners, but makes and models do differ. Most are basic, without many features. Others have more to offer and feature a higher price. Consider the following first.

• How much space do you need for storage? Purchasing a larger freezer for minimal storage is not cost effective or efficient to do. Keeping the freezer close to full will help to reduce energy consumption of the unit.

• Do you want an upright freezer or a chest? Chests require more space but offer significantly more storage than uprights.

• Where do you plan to place it? Most freezers should be kept indoors to avoid potential problems. Some models may work in a garage if the temperature is maintained between 32 degrees and 110 degrees F.

Buying quality matters. If you purchase a freezer that somehow breaks down due to being an inferior product, you could lose everything in your freezer. The best way to avoid this is by purchasing a high-quality freezer from the start.

Types to Consider

There are two main types of freezers. Those include the upright and the chest freezer. Both offer advantages to the user and could be a good option for your needs.

Vertical  Freezers

The Vertical model stands taller. It looks more like a refrigerator. It comes in various sizes and capacity options, though most are smaller than your average refrigerator. Most also feature shelves to aid in organization as well as drawers and bins on the doors. The Vertical model is ideal for those who want a highly organized space that makes getting to exactly what they want easy to do. Look for a model with adjustable shelving on the door and in the interior. Though it offers a lower capacity amount, it does provide organization, takes up less space, and requires less product to reach a full capacity.

Chest Freezers

The chest freezer is a secondary option ideal for those who want ample storage. The sit lower to the ground and are longer. They are wider, which makes them a better option for larger boxes or when there is a need for bulk items. Many have removable, movable baskets. This is a key feature to look for because it ensures easy organization of the items in the freezer. Though they are still harder to organize than upright models, they are actually ideal for those who want to store more for a longer period of time. In addition, if the power goes out for an extended amount of time, these models will continue to provide better protection because of their densely-packed nature.

Key Features to Look For

Most freezers have minimal features. They are, for the most part, tasked with the job of keeping the interior cold. Unlike refrigerators, they do not tend to have various features for extending use. However, the following are some key features to look for when selecting one.

Size

Often expressed in capacity and cubic feet, the size of the freezer does matter. As mentioned, storing more product to fill them up is best for running efficiently. Therefore purchasing a freezer that is too large for the use you have is not ideal. Consider the following:

To determine how many cubic feet you need, multiply the number of people in your home by 2.5.

Larger capacity is ideal for those who like to store significant food from a harvest. These individuals need a larger freezer than those living in a smaller apartment. 

If you buy in bulk often, it is a good idea to choose a larger system. 

Defrosting Options

Most freezers will, from time to time frost. Some of the more modern models include auto defrost cycles. However, if you purchase a quality model that has a strong seal on the door, you will reduce the need for this self-defrosting need. This can be a good thing. Manually defrosting models tend to be more energy efficient. They are also less likely to cause freezer burn on foods. These also run significantly quieter than other models.

Drains

Having one or more drains in the bottom of the freezer is a must. This is one of the easiest ways to clean out the freezer from time to time. More so, it allows for proper defrosting to occur.

Freeze Levels

Some models of freezers also offer freeze levels. For example, some will have a quick-freeze feature. This will allow the cooling of a large amount of food at a fast rate. Often, only upright models have this feature. If you plan to use the freezer to chill product quickly, this is the option right for you. A soft-freeze setting may also be ideal. Some have special areas within them that allow items to be less-frozen than others. For example, you may want to place ice cream in this section so it is easy to scoop. This is not a common feature.

Lighting

Having interior lights is important. Uprights have them in the back, similar to a traditional refrigerator. Chest freezers should have at least one at the top, in the lid, but some models have additional lights built-in lower. This makes it easy to see what is down below in these freezer units.

Conclusion

When purchasing freezers, consider how much space you need. Then, compare makes and models individually to find the most affordable, but also the most reliable option on the market. The key here is to buy for long-term use. Most well-made models will run for 15 to 20 years, or longer with proper maintenance and upkeep. Most are energy efficient, too.