5 Chest Freezer For Outbuilding Projects For Any Budget
Why Buy a Mini Chest Freezer?
If you love to accumulate bargains on sale and need extra freezer space, an upright freezer is a great option. They are typically found in garages and outbuildings, they let you to benefit from supermarket price reductions.
This Currys own brand offers ample storage (around 5 bags) for the price. It also is rated with an A+ energy rating so it's a low-cost option to run. It also has a lid with a counterbalanced design, making it easier to sift through food items.
mini chest freezer ukIf you're limited in space than what you require for an expansive freezer but want to stockpile enough summer ice cream or batch-cooked winter stews, a compact chest model is the ideal option. These smaller models are usually shorter and wider than the larger models, which means they take up less space. Some of them can fit in your garage. This is a great option for those who cultivate their own vegetables or buy in bulk and then freeze it.
Some models have an additional basket which keeps bags of frozen peas, or homemade ice lollies standing up. This helps prevent small or frequently used foods from falling to the bottom of the refrigerator. These are a great way to store any bags of frozen baguettes or bread, and other items.
The cheapest freezers are typically under PS150 and can be placed under your kitchen sink or in a utility room and larger chests may cost more than PS1000. The Bush BECF99L comes with a stylish black case with an open drain on the front for defrosting to make it easier. This model is a smaller than its competitors but still offers up to 100 litres of storage capacity and can accommodate up to three bags worth of shopping.
Energy efficiency
A chest freezer can make mealtimes easier in households that cook in large quantities or who want to minimize food wastage. It can also reduce trips to the supermarket particularly if you're growing your own fruit and vegetables. Vincent Finazzo of Riverwards Produce in Philadelphia says it's great for storing surplus produce and for cooking microwave-friendly meals.
Chest freezers are typically well insulated. This means they do not lose much cold air when they are opened like freezer and fridge doors could. They can also be extremely energy efficient, particularly when you choose a model with low-frost technology. Low frost models need less defrosting and will help save the cost of electric bills.
A lot of chest freezers have features that increase their effectiveness even more. Look for a power cut guarantee, which means that the unit will remain frozen in the event of a power interruption and also a high-temperature warning or light that warns you when the interior temperature has risen.
You should also check the annual consumption of energy in kWh. This will give you a good idea of the cost it will take to run. It is usually found in the figure in the instruction manual or on the freezer's energy label. Some freezers come with an accessory basket that is attached to the top of the freezer, to stop small items from being lost in the chaos underneath.
Noise
This Bosch integrated model is an excellent choice for caravans and motorhomes kitchenettes, student accommodation and even kitchenettes as it offers just enough space to be able to fit discreetly. It has a capacity of about 100 litres, enough for three bags of shopping and it's energy efficient and has an A+ rating, so it will not cost a lot to run. It can keep food frozen for up to 30 days without power, making it an ideal backup freezer in case of a power outage.
It's designed in a simple way and doesn't generate a lot of noise, which is perfect for those who don't want their freezer to disturb them while they're working in the living room or kitchen. It has a convenient interior light and storage baskets that make it easy to organise.
Storage baskets
Look for models with baskets made of wire which clip onto the edge. They can elevate ordinary items like frozen vegetables and chopped onions out of the chaos that could be below. They can also be useful for items like open packets of oven chips or frozen vegetables that need to be stored upright.
A high-temperature alarm or light is another feature that buyers appreciate. It will notify you if the freezer gets too warm after cleaning, defrosting or adding lots of non-frozen food items. This is a very valuable security feature, particularly when you are planning to keep your mini chest freezer in your garage or outbuildings.
Despite its size being quite small, this Bush model is still able to provide plenty of extra freezer space at a moderate price. It's ideal for storage of summer ice creams or stews cooked in bulk, and it can even be used in a garage or an outbuilding in the event that you wish to. It's also easy to get into due to the lid's counterbalance that doesn't close around your head as you rummage through it.
Chest freezers can be notorious for accumulating a lot of food clutter. If they are not properly organized it's easy to forget what they are stocked with. There are a lot of ways to make a smaller chest freezer easier to access and less prone to wasting. A well-organized system, whether it's a simple magnet list or a comprehensive freezer inventory sheet (there is an example here), will ensure that your mini-chest freezer runs smoothly.