A freezer is a kitchen appliance that offers enough storage to keep your foods and veggies fresh. This appliance can be a beneficial addition to your kitchen space if you like to enjoy smooth and creamy ice creams or heated frozen pasta for dinner. A stand-alone freezer can add extra storage space which you can use to stock with a variety of food items. You can find freezers in mainly two types; chest and upright freezers. It is good to consider a few important pointers before buying any freezer.
What Should I Look For When Buying Freezers?
Size
Freezers come in different capacities and sizes ranging from 3.5 to 18 cubic feet or more. The compact variants are portable units that have a capacity of 5 to cubic feet. These freezers are good for limited use. You can go with a freezer with 12 to 15 cubic feet of capacity if you have a big family. The larger models above 18 cubic feet are good for commercial purposes.
Cost
It is important to consider the cost of a chest freezer before finalizing your purchase. A good quality freezer can cost you anywhere from $250 to $500. The cost can go up with the increase in capacity and other advanced features. Freezers like Kismile Chest Freezer with a capacity of 5 cubic feet can cost you around $339.
Energy Star Rating
You can go with freezers that come with an energy star rating to save power consumption. They’re environmentally friendly and can save you a lot of money. The freezers with energy star ratings use a minimum of 10-percent lesser energy than other standard models.
Noise Level
A machine producing a lot of noise during the operations can give you an uncomfortable environment. That is why it is important to look for freezers that have quieter operations. You can easily find models that produce noise between 32 to 47 decibels. Such models are considered quiet as any noise level below 40 dB can be considered quiet. Reviews of the Midea MRU01M3ASL Freezer show that this model has a noise level of 33.4 dB.
Door Lock
Some freezers have a door lock that can prevent your children or unwanted hands from accessing the freezer. You can also lock it with a key.
Door Alarm
This feature can help you save your food which can get spoilt by quick defrosting if you forget to shut your freezer. The alarm rings if you’ve left the door open for long.
Soft Freeze and Fast Freeze
The soft freeze compartment is ideal for storing ice creams and sorbets which remain soft yet frozen. The fast freeze feature helps drop the temperature quickly if you want some items to get frozen on priority.
Types of Freezers
Chest Freezers
Chest freezers range from 3.5 cu. ft. to 22 cu. ft. in height and come with removable baskets. The opening is wide and there’s a lot of space to stack your food. You can easily arrange your baskets inside them. Chest freezers like the Arctic King Freezer have a deep center that allows you to save a large amount of food. They also have compartment dividers and a fast-freeze option. Read our blog to know everything about chest freezers.
Upright Freezers
Upright freezers have a similar shape to that of a refrigerator. You should go with these variants if you’re low on space because of the upright design. They range from 3.5 cu. ft. to 20 cu. ft. and come with shelves. Reviews of Frigidaire FFFU16F2VW 28 show that it is one of the best upright freezers in the market.
Upright freezers are tall and narrow which makes them easy to transport. The organization also becomes simpler with shelves and drawers. Shelves also decrease the possibility of food items getting crushed. Items are easier to reach and find when you’re in a hurry. Upright freezers also come with an auto-defrost feature.
Drawer Freezers
Drawer freezers are popular in modern kitchens because of their stylish designs. They can be set up in the existing kitchen cabinetry. They open like a sliding drawer and have separate columns to provide the proper organization of foods and other items. Most drawer freezers have a build-up of stainless steel material. It is easy to match your kitchen interior with this type of freezer.
Portable Freezers
Portable freezers are compact freezing units that help you keep your beverages and delicious meals fresh on outdoor trips. You can take these freezers with you on beaches, or while camping. They require an electric source to operate. Some models use an AC power outlet, while others can even get connected to your car's charging point through a power cord.
How Long Does a Freezer Last?
A freezer can easily last for 15 years on average. Many models also last for up to 20 years but it also depends on your usage and maintenance. You can consider cleaning the freezer coils located behind or beneath your freezer after every 2 or 3 months. Keeping your freezers well maintained will keep you away from heavy repairing costs. The Midea MRU01M3AWW freezer has got good reviews for its durable build quality.
Conclusion
Frozen food can make meal prep really easy. A freezer can provide you with many benefits. It is a great alternative to go for if the freezer inside your refrigerator runs out of space. Make sure you look for the right model after considering the above-mentioned factors. You can read through our blog to know if it is worth buying a deep freezer.
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