Choosing a New Freezer
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Choosing a New Freezer
Choosing a New Freezer
When we bought our house 2 1/2 years ago, the sellers left their 20-cubic-feet chest freezer, which has been a wonderful blessing. However, it is very old, and I think it's about to quit on us. The last two months, our electric bill has been crazy-high, even with the A/C thermostat set to 79 degrees. I think that was our first warning that the freezer is on its last leg. Last night, the outside of the freezer was hot to the touch and running non-stop.
DH and I are looking to replace it with a frost-free upright freezer. Ideally, it would be at least as big as the old one, plus have an energy-star rating. Can anyone give us a good brand to consider? Any other advice on selecting a freezer?
Stacie
Keep the Cold Air inside the Freezer
I can't give you any advice on the brand to consider, but I do know that you'll be far better off on your electric bill if you stick to a chest type freezer. Every time you would open the door on the upright, cold air tumbles out. With the chest type, the cold air stays inside the freezer.
Susan
Before You Buy…
Before you buy a new freezer, consider this. We had the same problem with our freezer and it was less than six years old. It turned out that the thermostat was too high, freezing too much. The dial had gotten turned when I shoved something in. The heat on the outside is just the freezer staying in defrost mode. Once I put the freezer on the lowest setting (watching the freezing temperature with a separate thermometer), it started working great and not eating up electricity. Even if the freezer is going out, replacing the auto-defroster may be enough.
Debbie in Bells, TX
Consult Unbiased Sources for Help
There are many reliable brands of upright freezers. I suggest you check Consumer Reports and other unbiased sources to learn how to buy a freezer, figure out what features you want and more.
Also, check whether your utility company and/or state are offering rebates on energy efficient models. Consider the relative costs of frost-free versus one you must periodically defrost, as well as whether a large freezer is worth the extra cost of electricity and the unit itself. I sold my freezer when I stopped gardening. Keeping less food on hand costs me less money in the long run, as long as you plan ahead and do not run out for one or two items frequently.
Barbara
Love My Kenmore!
We have had our upright freezer for 19 years and love it and have had no problems. It's a Kenmore from Sears. Freezers that frost are much more economical. Personally, I feel the food stays better in them (auto defrosting seems to dry out food). I defrost the freezer two times a year in the spring and fall. It's kind of a pain, but it's good to go through everything and clean it out. Chests are better economically and seem to hold more, but uprights are better for "organizing" and finding foods. I hope you find the "perfect" freezer for your needs!
Karen
Research Online
Whenever we have to buy a new appliance, we sign up for Consumer Reports online service. I believe the cost is about $7 for a 30-day subscription to their website. That's more than enough time to thoroughly research different brands and models of appliances. Just be sure to cancel your membership before the month is up, or you will continue to be charged each month. (We write a reminder on our calendar to cancel a few days before the 30 days is over.)
Shauna
No Matter What Invest in a Freezer Alarm
You need to really think about the issue of frost-free freezer versus ability to keep frozen food longer. I've had both and I sold my frost-free and went back to a manual defrost model. The older style is cheaper to run and seems to last longer with both lower electric bills and less food lost. And most important to me, it can keep food for 24 months without damage. Frost-free runs through a mini defrost cycle, sometimes every day. That can mean ice crystals forming in food and it seems to stress many of the common home freezing containers.
I always measure the space I have, size can be less or more than it looks. And make sure you can clean the coils and that you can get the freezer to that space without damaging doors, walls, etc. Think about what you will store, so you know how much space you need and for how long. If you will primarily store loss leaders, you can buy one large upright. If you will also be storing garden produce, you may want two smaller freezers. When you eat the contents down, defrost and unplug one and cut the power bills. I have just one upright now. It's a 19-cubic-foot model by Montgomery Ward that I got second hand back about five years ago. You can often find nearly new models when people will be moving cross country for very little. I would buy new only if you can wait to get a new energy standards model. I think that the 25% improvement in efficiency will be worth the wait. You can probably get a used model to use until then, and I would wait a year after the new standard goes into effect so you can be sure you get a reliable model.
Keep in mind that a freezer usually only needs defrosting two times per year. I do mine in late winter and again just before the first early summer veggies start rolling in. I will suggest that you only plan to use the freezer to keep about 40% of your non-meat items. Look at drying or canning to store and preserve the rest because those items will then keep even if the freezer dies on you. And invest in a freezer alarm so you will know if the temps get too high before you lose the freezer contents. The only thing more sickening than the smell of rotted food from a warm freezer is the knowledge you have lost all the money it will cost to replace those contents! A $25 alarm is cheap in comparison.
Deborah
Take the Next Step:
- Keep in mind that an appliance program, similar to "Cash for Clunkers", is scheduled to be kicked off this fall. This program will offer consumers cash to help buy new, more efficient Energy Star certified home appliances. So, it may be wise for some people to wait to make their purchase.
- To read more on this subject or to add your own ideas, please visit The Dollar Stretcher Community.
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