How to choose an upright, self-defrosting freezer?
All,
we're in the market for a freezer. It will be in our (converted) garage, and due to our space constraints we want a self-defrosting upright freezer.
I found some useful-ish articles such as:
- http://housewares.about.com/od/refrigeratorsfreezers/a/chestvsupfreezr.htm
- http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/freezers/buying-guide.htm
Intended use is to store leftovers (mostly from stewy dishes), broth, ice-cream and cuts of meat (we might want to buy a 1/4 or 1/2 steer or hog, butchered and packaged). Currently we do not use our sub-fridge freezer for much in terms of veggies or fruits. We might want to get and ice-cream maker and store the bowl too. An automated ice cube maker would be nice, but not a must have.
Convenience, ease of mind, and build quality are key. Price & cost of use are important but secondary.
I am interested in opinions from current freezer owners on key features & characteristics. What are the details that you have found useful, what are those you found were gimmicky? How to assess build quality? Should we look for a longer warranty than 1 yr?
Many thanks,
JDelage
Best Answer
From my own experience, watch out for the following pitfalls.
- Size. Very wide or very long items don't fit, so shop for the most interior space available.
- Plastic doors. Check that these are secured and don't fall out easily. Check if spare parts are available and affordable. If you can, buy one with
- Only drawers.
- Auto-defrost is nice. Check how and where the drain-water goes. Plan for it.
- Buy the most energy-efficient you can afford.
Pictures about "How to choose an upright, self-defrosting freezer?"
Is a self defrosting freezer better?
Practical Advantages of Auto-Defrost FreezersThese units require less maintenance than a manual defrost freezer. Defrosting happens automatically. An auto-defrost freezer will have a more uniform temperature than a manual-defrost freezer due to the forced circulation of air by the internal fans.Are there self defrosting upright freezers?
Most\u2014though not all\u2014upright freezers have a self-defrost feature. An upright freezer has a door that's mounted on the front, and it looks like a regular refrigerator. Besides the convenience factor, upright freezers are configured with shelves to make it much easier to organize, locate, and retrieve frozen foods.What is better frost-free or manual defrost freezer?
The primary advantage of having a frost-free freezer is you won't need to defrost the unit, which saves you time and physical effort. To keep a traditional freezer model in good working order, you must allow the unit to thaw out and drain at least once a year or whenever the frost layer reaches 1/4-inch thick.What should I look for when buying a freezer?
Factors to Consider When Buying a FreezerFreezer Buying Guide: Manual Defrost and Frost Free Freezers
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